The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to announce that the 2014 One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection is The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers!

Winner of the 2013 PEN/Hemingway Award for First Fiction and a finalist for the 2012 National Book Award, The Yellow Birds has been compared to Tim O’Brien’s classic war novel, The Things They Carried, for its powerful depiction of the truth and tragedy of war. Poet/novelist Powers vividly tells the story of a young soldier struggling to find meaning in his harrowing experiences in Iraq, while suffering profound guilt over his friend and fellow soldier’s death, as well as alienation from community and family upon his return home. According to The New York Times, “Kevin Powers has something to say, something deeply moving about the frailty of man and the brutality of war, and we should all lean closer and listen.”

A joint project of the Office of the Mayor and the Free Library of Philadelphia, One Book, One Philadelphia will kick off eight inspired weeks of discussions, performances, workshops, and more with a special appearance by author Kevin Powers on January 22. So check out your copy of The Yellow Birds today and get reading!