the url slug looks like it got cut off in a weird wayLooking to connect with the community about your next read? Join the club. Buncombe County Public Libraries announced its inaugural countywide book club, One Book, One Buncombe, with the intention to bring the community together through the shared experience of reading and exploring a meaningful work of literature.

The program's first book is "The Violin Conspiracy" by NC native Brendan Slocumb. The mystery novel follows Ray McMillian, a Black classical musician, as he discovers his family's fiddle is an invaluable treasure — and works to get it back after it's stolen just before the Tchaikovsky Competition.

County libraries will host book clubs throughout the spring to discuss the novel. To stay up to date with One Book, One Buncombe events, browse the Buncombe County Library events calendar.

A limited number of copies will be available at local libraries on a first-come, first-served basis starting Saturday, March 2, but you can also purchase the book with a 10% discount at selected local bookstores: Daymoon Coffeebar and Booksellers in Fairview, Firestorm Books (in-person or online with code BOOKCLUB10) in West Asheville, and Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe (in-person or online with code VIOLIN) downtown. If this is running as an SS, the word count will need to be cut down (unless you're planning to include a CTA). I think this would be the easiest place to cut a large chunk — just remove the bookstores and link to highlight in the press release for the list.

The discussions will lead up to a free author event at Ferguson Auditorium on AB-Tech's campus on Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m.