Islanders will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with world renowned author Alistair MacLeod next week when he visits the province as part of One Book One Island, says Minister of Tourism and Culture Robert Henderson.

“Alistair MacLeod is a tremendous author, and his book Island: the Collected Stories has been very well received as this year’s choice for One Book One Island,” said Minister Henderson. “It is a great honour for our public library service to play host to an author of MacLeod’s calibre. I encourage all Islanders to take this opportunity to meet the author and hear his stories in his own voice.”

MacLeod will read from his book and take part in an informal discussion about his work at each of three stops he plans to make at public libraries next week.

He will appear on Tuesday, October 22, at 7 p.m. at the Confederation Centre Public Library; on Wednesday, October 23, at 2 p.m. at the Stratford Public Library; and at 7 p.m. at the Summerside Rotary Library. There is no admission for these events.

One Book One Island was first launched in 2011 as a way to encourage reading and literacy with Islanders. Since then, thousands of residents have participated in the annual promotion.

Copies of Island are available in both official languages at all 26 public library locations on Prince Edward Island. Two local bookstores, the Bookmark and Indigo, are also offering a 10% discount on the purchase of the book when customers present a valid public library card.

For more information on the locations of these libraries and for information about the author, visit www.library.pe.ca.