Get Ready, Get Set, Get Reading!

By Shannon G RSS Tue, January 13, 2009

Looking for an antidote to the post-holiday blues, chilly temps, and lack of sun in the coming months? Well grab your copy of The Soloist (you can borrow it from any branch of the Free Library) and get ready—One Book, One Philadelphia kicks off its seventh season tomorrow night!

From January 14 through March 19, Philadelphians are encouraged to read Steve Lopez’s tale—which highlights complex issues such as mental illness and homelessness—and participate in the hundreds of city-wide events. From book discussions and musical performances to screenings and workshops, the 2009 One Book events offer a variety of opportunities for everyone.

During our special kick-off at 7:15 pm tomorrow evening, Steve Lopez will speak with the audience at Parkway Central Library, as well as participate in a question-and-answer session and book signing. Tying in Lopez’s theme of music, the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, one of the program’s community partners, will perform before Lopez’s talk.

For a calendar of events and other resources, check out our One Book page. And don’t forget to stop by and join the conversation on our blog—I’ll be frequently updating with One Book-related posts!

About the Author

About the Featured Reading Selection

Calendar of Events

Additional Resources


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karthik - india
Tuesday, January 20, 2009

If you like this, I recommend you read "Tell Them Who I Am" by Elliot Liebow. Great story about homeless women in Washington DC.
Monday, February 23, 2009

Fantastic recommendation. My daughter certainly thinks so, anyway. Keep up the good work.
Andy - South Jersey
Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Can't wait to grab my hands on this one :)
andy - us
Thursday, April 9, 2009

Can't wait to grab my hands on this one :),
Andy - US
Thursday, April 9, 2009

Can't wait to grab my hands on this one :)
andy - us
Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Soloist movie will certainly bring additional light to the plight of homelessness in Los Angeles. It is ironic, however, that at a time when homelessness in L.A. is in the spotlight on a national level, the city will have three key vacant positions that address homelessness. In order for the Los Angeles region to seriously address homelessness, it needs to bring together all sectors of society to not only help one former Julliard student, but the thousands of other men, women, and children floundering on our streets. Tom
Tomek - Warsaw
Sunday, May 10, 2009

PS: Going solo is not going to work. Tom.
Tomek -
Sunday, May 10, 2009

I would love to get that one . Thanks Maria http://www.resumeforjobs.com
Maria - LA
Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Can anyone provide their feedback too on it? Maria
Maria - LA
Wednesday, May 13, 2009

I would be happy to read it. [url=http://www.sample-cover-letters.net]Sample Cover Letters[/url]
Peter - Texas
Wednesday, May 13, 2009

I will give it a try. Thanks for the info. Leah
Leah - Philadelphia
Thursday, May 14, 2009

A nice post! Thanks.
John -
Thursday, May 14, 2009

really good stuff. great library blog!
steven - new york
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

thanks for the info
steven - printable grocery ch - united states
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

A really great book. I have read it as well as my wife. Excellent flow of stories. - from Los Angeles
Azlan - Los Angeles, CA
Wednesday, June 24, 2009

A really great book. I have read it as well as my wife. Excellent flow of stories. - Azlan - from Los Angeles
Azlan - Los Angeles, CA
Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Third and Indiana is also a good book by Steve Lopez about a young boys involvement with drug gangs. Jeff -
Jeffrey - Example: Philadelphia
Saturday, July 4, 2009

Thanks for the recommendation. Just finished reading the soloist and it's a fantastic literary work. __________________________________________ Ian McDonnell - http://www.rakebackftw.com
Ian - Dublin
Saturday, July 18, 2009

Thanks for the recommendation. Just finished reading the soloist and it's a fantastic literary work.
Ian - Dublin
Saturday, July 18, 2009

Haha nice post. I like it~
Sean - http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1836642
Monday, August 17, 2009

Haha nice post. I like it~
Sean -
Monday, August 17, 2009

I like this. Interesting and well written!
maria -
Monday, August 17, 2009

thanks for the info. George http://www.esampleresume.com
George - Los Angeles
Monday, August 24, 2009

It's an interesting read I have to say. I am about to do a quick post on my about it.

It seems lots of people are interested in this one.

Downey gives a splendid performance.

 

Koty - Jamaica
Saturday, September 19, 2009

One thing that I always strikes me about homeless people, is that they are not always lower intelligence, down and outs. There are many people that have chosen this lifestyle and some of them can be described as genius.
Steve -
Saturday, October 3, 2009

I love that book!
Joe -
Saturday, October 3, 2009

a large percent of the homeless population was in foster care at some time in their life- including people who were 'adopted'. Health and Human Services teaches children by removing them from their own family to not have a home. If you read The Broken Heart, you will also find that this means less years of lifespan, and 40 % increase in cardiovascular disease. It also means much more neurosis and mental illnesses, because many are affected by the privileges of healthy living and stress. But when many doctors see a homeless person, to be clear, they also mistake circumstance and dehydration and sleep deprivation for mental illness, which is a far cry and just needs a safe space to rest and drink to quickly recuperate. However, homeless shelters rarely provide this, and are in fact much like prison, some including events like rapes in the hallway. The food is sickening, the people are just as sickening, so many, wishing to not live like a ruled over prisoner, with no safe haven for shelter, 'choose' outdoor living, even through our torrential rains and bitter cold winters. This is why you hear of people freezing to death that are homeless. The foster care system taught them that institutionalized living is also detrimental to their health. There are a few gems of institutions that rise above. I am so thankful for the free library to have that cafe in the main branch to work with homeless organizations and people. I am also thankful for some of the work that the AIC does for foster teens. People need to realize that half of the foster caregivers got involved not because they are thoughtful and daunted by the task of taking in a child, but because they can use the money or worse. Get involved- you can become a well read thoughtful foster parent, you can teach someone that having a home can be a safe and warm experience with decent food, don't leave it to people who are dogooders but unthoughtful, these people need the most insightful, healing and imaginative folks they can get their hands on, and then, their 'genius', or life experience, can shine it's light on us all.
tara - west philadelphia
Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Can't wait to grab my hands on this one :)
Josept -
Thursday, October 22, 2009

Can't wait to grab my hands on this one :)
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Thursday, October 22, 2009

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

jane - jersy
Thursday, November 12, 2009

I love the way you conveyed the message in your post.Thanks for sharing. HAPPY NEW YEAR
Jenny - USA
Monday, January 4, 2010

I love reading boks and your blog based on it entertain me lot.thanks for posting.
jenny -
Thursday, January 7, 2010

I really enjoyed visiting here.Keep posting this type of informative blogs.
Anaya - US
Saturday, January 9, 2010

great article. I add this blog on my bookmark.
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

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chris - france, riom
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

I would love to read that. Thanks for sharing this article.
Jenny - WA
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

This is the perfect time of year to wrap up on the couch and read a good book. The public library is the best place to get those wonderful stories.
James -
Thursday, January 14, 2010

This is the perfect time of year to wrap up on the couch and read a good book. The public library is the best place to get those wonderful stories.
James -
Thursday, January 14, 2010

I love to read a good book and this seems like a perfect choice. Thanks for the advice.
Mark - Ohio
Thursday, January 14, 2010

Fantastic recommendation. My daughter certainly thinks so, anyway. Keep up the good work.
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Saturday, January 16, 2010

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Saturday, January 16, 2010

Thanks for the wonderful recommendations... Very helpful! Thanks for your good work!
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Sunday, January 17, 2010

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Jenn - Washington
Sunday, January 17, 2010

you can check some more samples at our website as well
resume - Philadelphia
Thursday, January 21, 2010

Thats really very interesting and useful post!
abby - United States
Friday, January 22, 2010

Nice article, well wortha read.
Paul Potts - UK
Thursday, January 28, 2010

I hope to read more like this soon - http://www.coloncleansetablets.com
Paul Potts - UK
Thursday, January 28, 2010


Emily - NY
Monday, February 1, 2010

Wonderful recommendation... Very very helpful post. Please continue your good work!
Jane - USA
Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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Air - San Diego, CA
Thursday, February 11, 2010

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I didn't read the book yet, but the movie was great!
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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

It is an great recommendation. I read it a little while ago and now I have read this I might have to pick it up again. Regards Mark
Mark - Philadelphia
Thursday, May 13, 2010

I think this is a really great project. well done. ------------
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john - UK
Saturday, May 15, 2010

I just got a copy of this and its amazing! love it big time.
mike - uk
Sunday, May 16, 2010

I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
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Saturday, May 29, 2010

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Duday - USA
Saturday, May 29, 2010

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Joey - Philadelphia
Saturday, May 29, 2010

Very good info on this blog. Gonna start reading The Soloist. Thanks,
Old School DJ - Illinois
Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Very useful information to go throuh. Thanks for sharing.
Martha - UK
Wednesday, June 9, 2010

I haven't read The Soloist yet but keep meaning to. This post has inspired me.
Glamtox Sticks - USA
Wednesday, July 7, 2010

I will definitely read this. Great work on this site
Jason - Canada
Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Great Read - - http://losemanboobtoday.com/
Jim - Edmonton
Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Haven't heard much about Steve Lopez. I look forward to hearing him!
Jeff - Philadelphia
Friday, July 9, 2010

This will be a can't miss event! www.slow-computer-solution.com/regcure_review.html
Cory - New Jersey
Friday, July 9, 2010

Im a huge fan already, man. Youve done a brilliant job making sure that people understand where youre coming from. And let me tell you, I get it. Great stuff and I cant wait to read more of your blogs. What youve got to say is important and needs to be read.
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Friday, July 9, 2010

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Andrew Wood - North london
Friday, July 9, 2010

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John - new york
Tuesday, July 13, 2010

It's great there are events like this at your library, music too! Wish our local library was so cool. Jean
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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

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bobby - Philadelphia
Thursday, July 22, 2010

The soloist was a great movie. I thought that Jamie Foxx did a great job. Karyn -
Karyn - Oregon
Friday, July 23, 2010

I'm reading this book right now... I'm on page 44 only and have to say I really like it. I want to find a movie, too...
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Thursday, August 5, 2010

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Mike Long - Baltimore
Thursday, August 5, 2010

I just saw the movie and finished reading the book. You all always have the best events. Kudos!
Mike -
Tuesday, August 17, 2010

I'm only half way reading the book and so far I like the story. Thank you for taking time. Bob Davis Bob Davis - San Francisco
Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Thank you for sharing this article. I enjoyed reading your article as much I enjoyed reading the book. sarahj1980@live.com
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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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John - NY
Wednesday, January 5, 2011

reading the book and so far a great read guys hopefully more like this to come :)
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Monday, January 17, 2011

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