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GREENSBORO — Participants in One City, One Book met at the Greensboro Public Library on Sunday to celebrate the fourth book they would read and discuss together.

One City, One Book, an event that unites readers once every other year, selected "The Pleasure Was Mine," by Asheville author Tommy Hays.

The novel deals with Alzheimer's disease and the effects it has on families.

Steve Sumerford, assistant director at the Greensboro Public Library, said the library chose the book because it was something the community would enjoy.

Hays had trouble getting the 2005 novel published, he said, because aging and Alzheimer's are topics people don't like to discuss.

"I know it sounds ironic, but 'The Pleasure Was Mine' is not a depressing book. It is a story that shows the resilience of family and the power of love. As a culture, we are all afraid of getting old and Alzheimer's is a scary thing," Sumerford said.

Hays read an excerpt of the novel for an audience of 400 residents and spoke about the inspiration for the piece.

"My father died eight years ago from Alzheimer's," Hays said.

He described his father as a kind, generous man who enjoyed reading.

"He always said very interesting things — even before the Alzheimer's. That's what made it tricky to tell where dad left off and the Alzheimer's kicked in," Hays said.

Sandra Perez, a third-grade teacher with the Spanish Immersion Program at Jones Elementary, read through some of the pages while waiting for Hays to speak.

"I think this is a story that a lot of people can relate to, no matter what age you are," Perez said.

"The book allows people to face the reality that we will all age, and we must accept that."

Fifteen pages into the book, Page High School sophomore Brooke Rowan said she found it very interesting.

"I never fully understood how Alzheimer's affects families. Reading 'The Pleasure Was Mine' gives you that chance to see what it's like," Rowan said.

The audience also heard bluegrass from Steel Magnolia, and watched a fly-fishing demonstration and a performance by Seniors Reaching Out/Community Theatre of Greensboro, followed by a book signing with Hays.

"Tommy Hays is such an enthusiastic listener. As he signed copies, he listened to personal stories of how Alzheimer's touched the lives of people here in the community," Sumerford said.

This is the first time One City, One Book has chosen a North Carolina author to feature.

Because Hays is from the state, Sumerford said, readers will have more opportunities to meet with him.

Hays will be talking about the book today at noon in the Koury Auditorium at the GTCC Jamestown campus, and again at 7 p.m. in the AT Auditorium at the GTCC Jamestown campus.

Hays will close the five-week One City, One Book event at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Central Library with a Writer to Writer workshop, co-sponsored by the Writers Group of the Triad.

For more information about upcoming One City, One Book discussions and events, visit www.greensborolibrary.org or call 373-3636.

Contact Adria Hairston at 883-4422, Ext. 244 or adria.hairston@news-record.com