So, have you started reading There There yet?

Back on October 17, the Free Library was pleased to announce, in partnership with the Office of the Mayor, that Tommy Orange's award-winning debut novel would be the 2020 One Book, One Philadelphia featured selection for the program's 18th season.

The selection committee found this novel to be compellingly specific, providing nuanced accounts of the places and people it describes. The themes of the novel, including Indigenous erasure, self-representation, and healing, provide the opportunity to reflect on these issues as they relate to the present and future Lenape and pan-Indigenous experiences represented in Philadelphia.

So, what are you waiting for? Check out your ebook, audiobook, or paperback copy from the Free Library today! And as you begin reading, stay tuned right here to the One Book blog for discussion guides and conversation! We'll be back each week as part of the #OneBookWednesday series—hopefully we'll all learn something along the way!

For today, we leave you with this video to reacquaint you with One Book, One Philadelphia and get you thinking about There, There.

We also put together this handy character map, to help you keep track of everyone you'll be meeting.

What comes next? Join us at the Parkway Central Library on January 22 to kick off eight weeks of programming related to the book. With an original performance by Curtis Institute of Music composer Elise Arancio, this event will feature a discussion with Tommy Orange and 6ABC’s Tamala Edwards followed by a book signing. Between this kickoff event and the finale on March 18, more than 100 events including book discussions, mixed-media art, and music workshops, film screenings, poetry readings, community panels, and creative writing workshops all based on the themes of There There will take place around the city. We can't wait to experience it all with you!

Check back every #OneBookWednesday during the season for more One Book food-for-thought and reflection!