OLD TOWN – What could be nicer than curling up with a good book on a cold winter’s night? What if the book is a heartwarming story of a Maine Franco-American family of a bygone day? What if all of Penobscot County was reading this book at the same time?

Think of the great opportunity to talk about something you’re reading with your neighbor, with someone in line at the grocery story or with your teenage son or daughter. Think of the possible discussions, displays, talks and related events at area libraries.

Staff at four libraries in Penobscot County – including Old Town – think this is a wonderful way to bring communities together during the darkest part of winter.

Bangor Public Library has hosted a “Bangor Reads” program for several years. Traditionally it has been a monthlong program getting everyone in the city to read and discuss the same book at the same time.

This year Bangor has partnered with Old Town, Hampden and Orono to expand the program to Penobscot Reads.

“Papa Martel” by Gerard Robichaud has been selected for the first Penobscot Reads. First published in 1961, reissued by the University of Maine Press in 2003 after years of being out of print, “Papa Martel” has become one of the literary giants of the Franco-American experience.

In 2000, the Baxter Society of Portland included “Papa Martel” on its list of “100 distinguished books that reveal the history of the State and the life of its people.”

The book offers a view of Franco-American culture and working class life that is rapidly disappearing from the Maine landscape. The story takes place between 1919 and 1937, and the reader gets a glimpse of what life is like for the Martel family. The book is a treasure of cultural history from the point of view of those who lived it.

Readers are encouraged to take part in the many events planned during January. Each of the four participating libraries will have copies of the book available for checkout. Borders, BookMarc, Mr. Paperback and the University of Maine bookstore will have copies of “Papa Martel” for sale.

These events will take place at the Old Town Public Library:

. Cribbage Tournament 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11. All ages and levels. Preregistration is required. The Old Town Library champion will compete in Bangor on Jan. 31 for the Penobscot Reads Championship. A prize and bragging rights will be awarded. Call the library at 827-3972 to register.

. Navigating Old Town’s Franco-American Web site, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, library Meeting Room.

. “Franco-Americans: We Remember,” film and discussion, refreshments and entertainment 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, library Meeting Room.

. Book discussion of “Papa Martel” with French Island’s own Jim Bishop, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, in the library Meeting Room. Refreshments will be served.

. “In Their Own Words,” hosted by the Old Town Museum, 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, library Meeting Room.

A full schedule and booklet featuring Old Town’s Franco-American culture is available at the Old Town Public Library.