One Book, One Ptbo: A Community Reading Experience

Every year, Peterborough comes together through One Book, One Ptbo, a city-wide reading initiative that connects people through a shared love of books and storytelling. This program is about more than just reading. It is a way for our community to explore new perspectives, spark meaningful discussions, and celebrate literature together. Whether you are an avid reader or just looking for a way to get involved, this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something special.

What Is One Book, One Ptbo?

One Book, One Ptbo is our annual community read. Each year, the library selects three books for a public vote, and the winning title becomes the official community read. Throughout the year, the library hosts discussions, book clubs, and special events, all leading up to a Grand Finale event where we celebrate the book and hear directly from the author.

Everyone is welcome to participate. You can read the book at your own pace, join in on discussions, and attend programs that bring the themes of the book to life. The best part is that you get to help choose the book! Voting is open now, and we need your input to decide which book will be Peterborough's 2025 community read.

Looking Back: One Book, One Ptbo 2024

Last year's selection, The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez, captured the hearts of readers across Peterborough. This unforgettable novel explores resilience, human connection, and the complexities of caregiving. It follows the journey of a Filipino woman who becomes a caregiver for an elderly white woman, navigating the emotional challenges of immigration, identity, and finding a place in a new country.

To celebrate, we hosted book clubs, discussions, and activities inspired by the novel. The highlight was our Grand Finale event featuring Catherine Hernandez, who shared her experiences, answered audience questions, and spoke about the powerful themes in her book. It was an incredible opportunity to hear directly from the author and engage with fellow readers in a meaningful way.

One Book, One Ptbo 2025: Help Us Choose the Next Book!

Now it is time to select our 2025 Community Read, and we have three incredible books on the shortlist. Each one offers a unique and engaging reading experience.

To Speak for the Trees by Diana Beresford-Kroeger

This beautifully written memoir blends personal storytelling with deep ecological wisdom. Diana Beresford-Kroeger, a Canadian botanist and biochemist, shares her extraordinary life journey and how she came to understand the crucial role of trees in our world. Raised in the Celtic tradition, she weaves together Indigenous knowledge, modern science, and personal experience to explain why forests are essential for the health of the planet. This book is both a call to action and a hopeful guide for how we can protect our environment through the power of trees.

The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard

A fascinating speculative novel set in a town where time flows differently on either side of a valley. Sixteen-year-old Odile Ozanne is competing for a seat on the town's ruling council, a position that allows her to decide who may cross the valley's borders. To the east, the town is twenty years ahead in time, and to the west, it is twenty years behind. The only permitted crossings are for mourners, who travel to see loved ones in an alternate timeline. When Odile discovers a heartbreaking secret about a classmate, she is forced to question the rules of her world and the consequences of defying them. This is a moving and thought-provoking novel about fate, love, and the choices that define us.

We Meant Well by Erum Shazia Hasan

A gripping novel that explores power, ethics, and the complexities of humanitarian work. When Maya, an aid worker in Los Angeles, gets a late-night call, she is thrown into a crisis that forces her to confront uncomfortable truths. Her colleague has been accused of assaulting a local girl at an orphanage in an unnamed African country, and Maya must decide where her loyalties lie. Caught between the orphanage, the villagers, and her own moral compass, she struggles with the contradictions of the aid industry. This thought-provoking novel examines privilege, responsibility, and the difficult choices that shape our world.

Which book will Peterborough read together in 2025? That is up to you! Voting is open now until March 7. Cast your vote and help select this year's community read.

Why Join One Book, One Ptbo?

• Discover an incredible book that has been chosen by and for the community
• Engage in discussions with fellow readers and explore new perspective
• Attend special events leading up to the Grand Finale
• Meet the author and gain insight into the book's themes
• Be part of a city-wide reading experience that fosters learning and connection

This is a fantastic way to share in a collective reading experience and connect with your neighbours through the power of storytelling. Whether you read the winning book on your own, attend a book club, or join us at the Grand Finale event, we would love for you to be part of One Book, One Ptbo.

Join us, cast your vote, and let's celebrate the joy of reading together. Happy reading, Peterborough!