We're Getting Ready for the 2026 One Book, One Ptbo Community Reads!
One Book, One Ptbo aims to build community through the shared experience of reading the same book and participating in programs and events inspired by its themes.
Each year, we select several titles and let the community vote on which one they want to read. We then purchase multiple copies, make them available to our members, and plan engaging programs around the book's themes, culminating in a visit from the author!
Our 2026 Title: The Tortoise’s Tale by Kendra Coulter
A century of American history unfolds through the eyes of a giant tortoise with a heightened awareness for live music, the location of edible flowers, and the nuances of human behavior in this spellbinding debut novel.
Snatched from her ancestral lands, a giant tortoise finds herself in an exclusive estate in southern California where she becomes an astute observer of societal change. Her journey is one of discovery, as she learns to embrace the music of jazz and the warmth of human connection.
The tortoise’s story is enriched by her bond with Takeo, the estate’s gardener, who sees her as a being with thoughts and feelings, not just a creature to be observed. The tortoise’s mind and heart are further expanded by Lucy, a young girl who names the tortoise Magic and shares a friendship that transcends species. Together, they witness the estate’s transformation into a haven for industry titans, politicians, and rock stars, each leaving their mark on the world and on Magic’s heart.
The tortoise embraces her role as a muse with gusto and witnesses how diverse human harmonies and the mighty winds of social change both uplift people and tear them apart. Over the course of her lifetime, the estate changes ownership, bringing raucous Hollywood parties, and animals both familiar and unexpected. There are also threats, as the estate’s idyll is not immune to the ravages of a damaged planet. Through each era, the tortoise remains a refreshingly honest and endearing narrator whose unique vantage point illuminates the transcendent power of compassion, the unexpected connections that shape how we see ourselves and each other, and the wide-reaching effects of choice—or the lack thereof.
The Tortoise’s Tale is a whimsical yet profound exploration of humanity’s entangled journey, a call to recognize the interconnectedness of all life, and the potential for healing. Kendra Coulter’s debut novel is a moving portrait of resilience and hope, perfect for fans of Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures.
Partial funding for this project is made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough and the Friends of the Library.
"We’re excited to once again partner with the Library to bring One Book, One Ptbo to our community. Bringing readers together around a shared story is a powerful way to spark conversation and connection, something the Foundation is deeply committed to in all we do. We can’t wait to see which story the community selects and to dive into the reading journey together!” - Jennifer DeBues, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.