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Read the book. Join the conversation. It’s that simple! Read with us this winter, December – February, as we read the instant New York Times bestselling novel Happiness Falls by Angie Kim.

About One Book, One Community

One Book, One Community is a time for us all to join in reading the same book, sparking conversations about the book and its themes. It’s a new way to bring us all together to talk about human connection, happiness, communication and family dynamics.

This year’s selection, Happiness Falls, follows a family’s desperate search to find their missing father where the only witness to the disappearance is the family’s nonspeaking son. The search leads them to question everything they know about their family, how they connect and what happiness really means.

Large quantities of Happiness Falls (and our selections for young readers) will be available for checkout beginning Dec. 1.

Send your questions, thoughts and feedback to @email.

About Happiness Falls

Mia, the irreverent, hyperanalytical twenty-year-old daughter of a biracial Korean-American family, has an explanation for everything. Which is why she isn't initially concerned when her father and younger brother Eugene don't return from a walk in a nearby park. They must have lost their phone. Or stopped for an errand somewhere. But by the time Mia's brother runs through the front door bloody and alone, it becomes clear that the father in this tight-knit family is missing and the only witness is Eugene, who has the rare genetic condition Angelman syndrome and cannot speak.

What follows is both a ticking-clock investigation into the whereabouts of a father and an emotionally rich portrait of a family whose most personal secrets just may be at the heart of his disappearance. Happiness Falls is a mystery, a family drama and a novel of profound philosophical inquiry. Through powerful storytelling, author Angie Kim turns this missing person story into something wholly original, creating an indelible tale of a family who must go to remarkable lengths to truly understand each other.

Reserve your copy of Happiness Falls today.

Books for Young Readers

Your whole family can read with us this winter. We’ve selected a picture book, chapter book and a young adult novel with similar themes to Happiness Falls so your kids can be a part of the conversation.

Gustav is Missing!by Andrea Zuill – a picture book recommended for ages 5-8
Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?by Leslie Connor – a chapter book recommended for ages 9-12
Give Me A Signby Anna Sortino – a novel recommended for ages 12-19

Large quantities of these titles will be available for checkout beginning Dec. 1.

Get your kids and teens talking with these Conversation Starters

Meet the Author

We’re very excited to have Happiness Falls author Angie Kim join us at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts for a special event on Sunday, Feb. 25. Ms. Kim will discuss Happiness Falls and her work, and there will be some time for questions, too. (Feel free to take a moment and submit your questions ahead of the event.) We'll also serve a light snack as you gather and Read Between the Lynes will sell copies of Happiness Falls, plus Kim's other novels. This event will be available to watch live on YouTube at YouTube.com/@SchaumLib.

 
25
FEB
Author Visit: Angie Kim
1-3 p.m.
Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts
 

The author of our teen selection will be joining us for a virtual visit as well! Join us to learn more about author Anna Sortino and her book.

 
1
FEB
Deaf Awareness with Young Adult Author Anna Sortino
6:45-8 p.m.
Central Program Room or Online
 

Happiness by the Numbers Exhibit

From Dec. 4 - Feb. 25, our Central Library will host “Happiness by the Numbers.” This original exhibit features community submitted photos and drawings of what makes them happy. It also includes a deep dive into happiness, complete with a chance for you to take the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire to measure your own happiness.

Kick It Off

While we'll have plenty of copies of Happiness Falls and our One Book, One Community books for young readers available beginning Dec. 1, we'll really kick things off with this special event on Saturday, Jan. 6, 1-3 p.m. at our Central Library.

Since Happiness Falls centers around a mystery, you can help us kick off our One Book, One Community by solving a light-hearted Library mystery. We'll also be giving away sweet treats and copies of all our One Book, One Community titles (while supplies last). Stop in and celebrate the joy of reading together.

Talk About It

Join the conversation. Register for any of our One Book, One Community book discussions to talk about Happiness Falls with others in the community.

 
22
JAN
50+ Book Discussion: Happiness Falls
1-2 p.m.
Triphahn Center
 
 
23
JAN
Beyond the Book: Happiness Falls
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Hoffman Estates Branch
 
 
24
JAN
Online Program: Beyond the Book: Happiness Falls
2-3 p.m.
Online
 
 
7
FEB
Online Program: ESL Book Discussion: Happiness Falls
1-2 p.m.
Online
 
 
15
FEB
Beyond the Book: Happiness Falls
7-8 p.m.
Hoffman Estates Branch
 
 
20
FEB
Beyond the Book: Happiness Falls
10-11 a.m.
Hanover Park Branch
 
 
2
MAR
Beyond the Book: Happiness Falls
10-11 a.m.
Central Workshop
 

Attend a Program

Extend your One Book, One Community experience with these related programs.

 
3
JAN
Teen Art Studio: Book Cover Mosaic (12-19 years)
6-7 p.m.
Central Program Room
 
 
8
JAN
Book Explorers: Gustav is Missing! (5-8 years)
4-5 p.m.
Central Craft Room
 
 
8
JAN
Online Program: How to Make Happiness a Lifestyle
7-8 p.m.
Online
 
 
15
JAN
Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? (7-12 years)
2-3 p.m.
Central Craft Room
 
 
19
JAN
Summer Camp (12-19 years)
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Central Workshop
 
 
29
JAN
Online Program: More the Same Than Different
7-8 p.m.
Online
 
 
1
FEB
Pick-Up Program: Dinnertime Conversation Starters (All Ages)
Pick-Up
 

DIY Discussions

Host your own One Book, One Community discussion with family, friends, neighbors or coworkers using our DIY Discussion Guide. The guide includes discussion questions and suggestions to spark rich, engaging conversation about Happiness Falls.

Book Club in a Bag

We make it easy for you to host your own One Book, One Community book discussion with our Book Club in a Bag. Check one out to receive 10 copies of Happiness Falls, along with a discussion guide with questions and tips to get your group talking.