Every year in September, the public libraries around Dallas County get together for a countywide reading event, though this year it’s been split in two.

This is the fourth year of Dallas County Reads One Book, and Perry Public Library Director Mary Murphy says they decided to have two different events. The first will focus on a fiction book written by a popular author. Murphy explains, “We are hosting Donald Harstad, an Iowa author who has written I believe seven books. If you are a mystery reader, if you’re a police procedural reader, you will enjoy these books. They’re very Iowa, and reflective of Iowa. What do I mean by that? You’ll have to read the books!”

Harstad will be coming to the Granger Community Building for a free book talk event on Monday, September 18th at 6:30 p.m. The book talk will be followed by a light supper reception and a book signing. The book is available now at any of the Dallas County public libraries.

Part two of Dallas County Reads One Book will bring nonfiction readers to Perry in October to meet the one-and-only Dan Gable. The focus will be on his book “A Wrestling Life 2.” There will be a ticketed meet and greet reception at Hotel Pattee starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 19th. The free book talk will then be held starting at 7 p.m. at the Perry Performing Arts Center.

Murphy says in the past they’ve focused on fiction for the Dallas County Reads events, but when the organizers learned they could bring in Gable, they decided to have two events. She expects good turnouts for both authors, but assumes there will be a full house for both the meet and greet and book talk with Gable. To hear more about the Perry library, listen to today’s and Thursday’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County programs at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.