Imagine if everyone in the same town read the same book and then got together to talk about it? That's the idea behind "One Book One Town," a national initiative in which a city or town chooses a book and encourages everyone in that area to read the book, then come together for a celebration of literacy and conversation around the book's themes.

This year, the Town of Fairfield "One Book One Town" planning committee has chosen Running with Sherman: The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero by New York Times bestselling author, Christopher McDougall, who also wrote Born to Run.

Running with Sherman tells the story of McDougall’s experiences caring for Sherman, a donkey he takes in from an animal shelter, and Sherman's transformation from a scared, misunderstood animal into a confident champion and trusted companion.

To celebrate "One Book One Town," Fairfield University will host Ray of Light Farm Animal Rescue from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 23. Stop by the Stag statue between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to meet a rescue donkey, and come to the Dogwood Room for a brief presentation from 12 to 12:30 p.m., to learn more about Ray of Light Farm, which provides a safe haven, medical care, nutritious food, and training for abused and abandoned horses and donkeys.

The Ray of Light Farm Animal Rescue event is free and open to the public. Questions? Contact the DiMenna-Nyselius Library.

Want to pick up your copy of Running with Sherman: The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero? Stop by the DiMenna-Nyselius Library or one of the Fairfield Public Library branches. Don’t miss the One Book One Town author event at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Monday, March 9. Registration opens for the event on February 1. Don’t miss out, reserve your seat.