Charlotte McConaghy's 'Migrations' is this year's One Read

Every book, great or small, takes readers on a journey. In this year's Daniel Boone Regional Library One Read, the voyage is more urgent — and gorgeous — than most.

Charlotte McConaghy's 2020 novel "Migrations" was chosen as the One Read for the program's 23rd year, the library announced Thursday morning. Selected by library patrons, "Migrations" edged out second-place finisher Kathryn Ma's novel "The Chinese Groove" by just 21 votes, the library said in a news release.

The Australian author's debut, "Migrations" throws itself headlong into global matters such as climate change and species extinction while tenderly considering how many deep cuts one soul may bear and leave on others. The particular soul belongs to protagonist Franny Stone, an unexpected passenger on a fishing vessel.

Stone jumps the boat as a means to one clear end — tracking perhaps the last migration of the world's last Arctic terns. Other more personal ends tucked inside Stone reveal themselves across the book's pages.

"In addition to its gorgeous prose making this a pleasure to read, this 'cli-fi' novel will allow the community to discuss the very timely topic of climate change, as well as participate in some volunteer opportunities in support of our environment," One Read co-chair Lauren Williams said in the release.

Since penning "Migrations," McConaghy published another stellar novel, "Once There Were Wolves." And her "Wild Dark Shore" is set for release next spring.

Each September, the library system and its community partners plan a monthlong series of events responding to themes and details in the One Read title. Panel discussions, art exhibits, and more dot each year's calendar. This includes at least one event revolving around the runner-up, ensuring voters can dig into the work of Ma and "The Chinese Groove."

The month typically culminates in an author talk; this year, because of McConaghy's Australian residence, the library is planning an event over Zoom. That talk is tentatively set for Sept. 24, One Read co-chair Kirk Henley said in the release. The full event calendar will be released later in the summer.

Past One Read titles include last year's "When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky" by Margaret Verble; M.O. Walsh's "The Big Door Prize"; "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann; "Station Eleven" by recent Unbound Book Festival keynote Emily St. John Mandel; and "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot.

Keep up with this year's One Read happenings at https://www.dbrl.org/one-read.

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: What to know about this year's DBRL One Read title, 'Migrations'