One Book One New Orleans 2025
One Book One New Orleans announced the novel “Daughters of the New Year” by E. M. Tran as the literacy nonprofit’s 2025 book of the year, encouraging all to be a part of a special city-wide book club. The organization’s mission “supports literacy, builds community and promotes meaningful dialogue between people of diverse backgrounds by calling on all New Orleanians to share the experience of reading and discussing a selected book each year, and providing literacy resources to organizations and individuals throughout our community.” onebookonenola.org
“Daughters of the New Year: A Novel,” set in 2016 New Orleans, explores the lives of Vietnamese American sisters Trac, Nhi and Trieu Trung as they explore the systems, cultures and family history that brought their family to America, and how they connect with one another (despite differing opinions and lifestyles) through a shared bond of unique family experience. New Orleans writer E.M. Tran is an award-winning writer of fiction and non-fiction, with this, her first novel, receiving praise from the Southern Review of Books, Salon, Good Morning America, People Magazine, Goodreads and more.
History on Stage
“She Danced with a Redfish: A Play in Two Acts” follows the life of the iconic Marie Laveau, “a young free woman of color, as she is transformed from a Catholic bride to an active participant in African spiritual traditions in the pre-Civil War French Quarter,” according to publisher UL Press. Award-winning playwright and Dillard University educator Carolyn Nur Wistrand brings the life of this mysterious figure to full color on stage and in words and “pays tribute to the African traditions that shaped New Orleans and still reverberate in and beyond Congo Square.”
Bookshops We love
Indie Clubs
Blue Cypress Book Store on Oak Street has a book and a book club for just about everyone. From the Krewe of ARC (Adults Reading Children’s Classics) to the Guild (a fantasy book club) and the HEA (Happily Ever After romance book) Club, there are monthly opportunities to connect with other book lovers like you. Check out the store’s website for a calendar of events and more information on clubs. bluecypressbooks.com
Mardi Gras Storytime
The Garden District Book Store Uptown on Prytania at The Rink continues its Mardi Gras story time with children’s Carnival stories on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m., and Saturday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The family friendly event features fun readings and at chance to meet the authors. gardendistrictbookshop.com
