One Book One Putnam

2023 Reading Season

About the Book

Summer 1944: Yugoslavia is locked in a war within a war. In addition to fighting the German occupation, warring factions battle each other. Hundreds of Allied airmen have been shot down over this volatile region, among them American lieutenant Bill Bogdonavich. Though grateful to the locals who are risking theirlives to shelter and protect him from German troops, Bogdonavich dreams of the impossible: escape. 

With three failed air missions behind him, Lieutenant Drew Carlton is desperate for redemption. From a Texas airbase he volunteers for a secretive and dangerous assignment, code named Operation Halyard, that will bring together American special operations officers, airmen, and local guerilla fighters in Yugoslavia’s green hills. This daring plan—to evacuate hundreds of stranded airmen while avoiding detection by the Germans—faces overwhelming odds. What follows is one of the greatest stories of World War II heroism, an elaborate rescue that required astonishing courage, sacrifice, and resilience.

About the Author

Tom Young (born 1962 in Raleigh, North Carolina) is an American novelist. He is known primarily as the author of the military thrillers The Mullah's Storm, Silent Enemy, The Renegades, The Warriors, and Sand and Fire. Young served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with the West Virginia Air National Guard. Young's military experience inspired his debut novel, The Mullah's Storm, which garnered positive reviews. The Mullah's Storm, Silent Enemy, and The Renegades received Gold Medal awards from the Military Writers Society of America. Silent Enemy, The Renegades, and The Warriors received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly.

Coming Together With a Good Book

No reading season is complete without a kickoff party!  Let's start the 2023 reading season off with a bang at the Palatka Golf Club.  Refreshments will be served.  

Kickoff Celebration

January 19, 2023

5:00-7:00 PM

One of the best parts of the One Book One Putnam program is bringing the community together to talk about a great book...and February is the time for that!  Book discussions will be held at each Putnam County Library System Branch.  Stop by and make some new friends!

Crescent City

Wenesday, February 8 @ 12:00

Interlachen

Wednesday, February 15 @ 1:30

Palatka

Thursday, February 16 @ 6:30

Melrose

Friday, February 24th @ 1:00

Bostwick

Thursday, February 23rd @ 4:00

Finale

Don't miss meeting the author Tom Young in person at our finale!

Thursday, March 9th @ 5:30

Palatka Women's Club

300 South 13th Street

Palatka, FL  32177