Catoosa County Citizens for Literacy and the Catoosa County Library announces it 2017 One Book, One Community project.
“Community-wide reading, or ‘One Book,’ programs are designed to promote the value of reading by that links the community in a common conversation,” said CCL executive director Shirley Smith. “The project encourages dialogue while fostering learning and the development of a strong community.”
Launched in Seattle in 1998 with great success, the "One Book" concept has swept the nation, including such cities as Chicago, New York, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Houston. Catoosa County has participated for several years welcoming authors including Keith Robinson
The CCL selected the book “A Badge or an Old Guitar” by Ringgold author Randall Franks for its project.
“This is such an endearing story of a small town police officer living in a town much like our own who accidentally finds himself reaching for the stars in Nashville,” he said. “Along the way he stumbles into a Music City murder mystery that brings the reader into the story awaiting the turn of each page to see what happens.”
Readers can check out a copy of the book at the library, stop by the Catoosa County Learning Center or on the web at http://randallfranks.com/store and purchase a copy or purchase a download an e-book at www.Amazon.com/author/randallfranks/. Locally books are also available at Sonshine Christian Bookstore in Fort Oglethorpe, UnikTings!, Stuff 4 Less, and Cottage Treasures in Ringgold.
“Join your neighbors in the adventure of reading and become part of the experience of one book, one community,” said Ms. Smith.
How to participate:
Read the book;
Engage with other readers on Twitter (@RandallFranks) and on Facebook at either Catoosa Citizens for Literacy or Randall Franks - A Badge or an Old Guitar;
Start a conversation; and
Attend CCL and Catoosa County Library One Book One Community night with author Randall Franks on Tuesday, April 25, at 6 p.m.
About the Book:
Former NBC and CBS star Randall Franks, best known for his role as "Officer Randy Goode" on TV's "In the Heat of the Night" and as a country music personality, combines his love of murder mysteries and music in "A Badge or an Old Guitar." Big-hearted small-town police officer James Randall from McKinney, Georgia, finds his job in peril when Chief Roy Wilkes is forced to suspend him after he protects an abused boy from his malicious father. While contemplating his circumstance, a country song he records, “Is There More to Life Than This,” opens an unlikely pathway to stardom; but even that route becomes rocky when he is charged with murdering Nashville’s biggest producer, Tony Grayson. As he struggles to choose between the police path or that of country crooner, a band of allies joins in. Newly practicing attorney Ruby Ann Wilkes, seasoned private-eye Jacob Marley, and intuitive adoptive uncle Joe Benton work to outwit police detective Patrick O’Shields to prove Randall's innocence — and help him regain the confidence that has been erased by a lifetime of loss.