Shreve Memorial Library asked, and patrons voted Yellow September: A Louisiana Love Story of Pestilence and Perseverance by Shannon Terry Wiley as the 2026 One Book One Parish title winner. Each year, Shreve Memorial Library’s One Book One Parish campaign encourages adults in Caddo Parish to read the book and join the conversation throughout the month of October. Library patrons are encouraged to check out copies of Yellow September, meet author Shannon Terry Wiley, participate in lively book discussions, and learn more about the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873 at guest lectures featuring Dr. Cheryl White and Dr. Gary Joiner.
In Yellow September, author Shannon Terry Wiley chronicles the experiences of those in Shreveport, Louisiana, during the September 1873 outbreak of yellow fever, which ultimately killed over a thousand individuals. In a heartwarming story of love, loss, and perseverance that weaves both fictional storylines and real history, Wiley paints a vivid picture of the unspeakable tragedy and the people who lived through it. A description of the book is included below, and copies of the book are available for checkout at any Shreve Memorial Library branch.
A Southern writer and Louisiana native, Shannon Terry Wiley spent over thirty years in the English classroom teaching seniors. Yellow September is her debut novel. Shreve Memorial Library patrons will have a chance to meet Wiley at interactive author talks. During the author talks, Wiley will share more about the book and the stories behind it. Author talks are scheduled as follows:
- Thursday, October 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the North Shreveport Branch, 4844 North Market Street
- Thursday, October 8 at 12:00 p.m. at the Hollywood/Union Avenue Branch, 2105 Hollywood Avenue
- Friday, October 9 at 11:00 a.m. at the West Shreveport Branch, 4380 Pines Road
- Wednesday, October 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Cedar Grove-Line Avenue Branch, 8303 Line Avenue
Library patrons are also encouraged to join the conversation by attending book club meetings throughout the month of October. Book club meetings include opportunities to share ideas about the book, discuss common themes, and get to know other readers. Book club meetings discussing Yellow September are scheduled as follows:
- Tuesday, October 13 at 11:30 a.m. at the Mooringsport Branch, 603 Latimer Street, Mooringsport
- Tuesday, October 13 at 2:00 p.m. at the Oil City Branch, 102 Allen Street, Oil City
- Tuesday, October 13 at 5:00 p.m. at the Mooretown Branch, 4360 Hollywood Avenue
- Wednesday, October 14 at 5:00 p.m. at the North Caddo Branch, 615 N. Pine Street, Vivian
- Wednesday, October 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hosston Branch, 15478 U.S. Highway 71, Hosston
- Thursday, October 29 at 10:00 a.m. at the David Raines Branch, 2855 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
- Friday, October 30 at 11:00 a.m. at the Atkins Branch, 3704 Greenwood Road
In addition to book discussions, Dr. Gary Joiner and Dr. Cheryl White will lead enlightening presentations on the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873 in Shreveport and its impact on the area and those who lived and perished in the event. On Monday, October 5, Dr. Gary Joiner will visit the Broadmoor Branch, 1212 Captain Shreve Drive, to discuss the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1873 and its impact on Shreveport and the surrounding areas. The lecture will begin at 6:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, October 6, Dr. Cheryl White will discuss her four books on the priests who died in the Yellow Fever Epidemic. All of the books are non-fiction and place their story of sacrifice in the historical context of yellow fever. Dr. White’s lecture will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Hamilton/South Caddo Branch, located at 2111 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop.
All author talks, book club discussions, and lectures are free and open to the public. Registration is not required to attend.
Since 2005, Shreve Memorial Library has encouraged adults in Caddo Parish to read and join in a parish-wide book discussion through the One Book One Parish campaign. For more information on Shreve Memorial Library’s One Book One Parish campaign and other Shreve Memorial Library programs, please visit www.shreve-lib.org.