Through the “One Book One Community” program, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library delivers chances to connect around a common topic while sharing personal stories and conversations. Each spring for eighteen years and counting, the beloved program invites capital city readers to discover new perspectives through literature while engaging with friends and neighbors through storytelling, inspiring creativity, connection, and personal growth.
“One Book One Community’ is the chance for our community to connect,” said Mary Stein, Assistant Library Director. “In today’s culture of constant disconnection, it’s important to be on the same page––even for a short while. With ‘One Book One Community,’ our Baton Rouge community can come together and champion a shared interest.”
“In today’s culture of constant disconnection, it’s important to be on the same page––even for a short while.”
Mary Stein, Assistant Director, East Baton Rouge Parish Library
For its nineteenth ‘One Book One Community’ series, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library is offering Red Stick readers opportunities to connect through the lens of football.
The selected title for 2025 is Jeffrey Marx’s Season of Life, an inspirational biography that explores themes of masculinity, leadership, and personal growth. Season of Life tells the story of Joe Ehrmann, a former NFL football star turned high school coach who teaches his players a different approach to manhood—one based not on aggression and dominance, but on love, empathy, and encouragement. Marx was a ballboy with the Baltimore Colts when he first met Ehrmann, but it wasn’t until years later, while the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist was covering a season with the Gilman Greyhounds high school team which Ehrmann was coaching, that the two reconnected. At Gilman, Marx discovered an unexpected world in which players say “I love you,” and coaches extend compassion and unwavering kindness to their players. Readers can expect to learn about the nature of true sportsmanship and what it means to be kind to one another and live a truly compassionate life.
Mary Stein also noted how Marx’s book is timely for Baton Rouge—a city saturated in sports history. “Baton Rouge is known for its football, and our community finds connection through a shared love for sports,” said Stein. “While this book is a great read for sports fanatics, it has a powerful message of bettering ourselves for our children’s sake and the generations to follow.”
Season of Life is accessible and engaging, making it suitable for high school students, parents, coaches, and general readers interested in leadership, personal development, and of course––sports. Such a book opens the door for engaging conversations, mentorship opportunities, and the possibility of exploring new perspectives of community empowerment.
This year’s OBOC program begins with a free kickoff tailgate from 5pm–8pm on Friday, March 14 at the Main Library at Goodwood, with six weeks of free programming to follow. Find the schedule and other information at ReadOneBook.org.
