What if the whole city read one book at the same time and then talked about it? What if the book became the basis for hands-on activities in every single neighborhood? What if folks started making art projects about the book, and what if it brought strangers together to talk about social issues in our city?

These ideas launched the Free Library’s first ever One Book, One Philadelphia project sixteen years ago, and it’s still going strong. This year, in our 17th season, Philly will be reading...

Oops, well, we can’t actually share that just yet... not until the public announcement!

Each year, the One Book selection committee dives into and deliberates over stacks and stacks of stories that are up for consideration, until the right book meets all of the criteria and it’s the only one left on the table.

Join us for the big reveal, next Tuesday, October 16, at 10:30 a.m. in the main lobby of the Parkway Central Library to find out this year’s One Book, One Philadelphia title. As a project in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, the Honorable Mayor Jim Kenney will be with us to help present the title.

And afterward? We read! The announcement marks the beginning of the official One Book Reading Period, with programs starting up later on, in mid-January. Look out for that calendar of events, produced in collaboration with dozens of arts organizations, universities, nonprofits, and venues across the city.

Philadelphia may have the largest One Book project in the country, but we’re joined by hundreds of cities and states that read together throughout the year. We’re part of a national movement to build community through shared literature.

At the October 16 announcement, a limited number of copies of this year’s One Book, One Philadelphia selection will be given out for free to lucky attendees. If you aren’t able to join us, stay tuned to the Free Library’s blog and social media accounts on Tuesday, so you can reserve your ebook, audiobook, or paperback copy of __________________!