Author Kevin Wilson attends a book reading and Q&A session at the Andrew Mellon Library.
In its fifth annual iteration, the Wallingford Public Library’s (WPL) One Book, One Wallingford program continues to bring the local community together through its events and discussions. After announcing this year’s novel on February 1, Kevin Wilson’s Now is Not the Time to Panic was the focus for this year’s program culminating in Kevin Wilson’s visit to both Choate and the WPL on April 24.
Inspired by the One City, One Book program implemented in Seattle, One Book, One Wallingford has held events centered around each year’s featured book to forge connections within Wallingford since 2018.
One Book, One Wallingford aims to unite the local community by encouraging them to read the same book and hold thought-provoking discussions on its themes. Ms. Cindy Haiken, WPL’s Readers Advisory Librarian, described that One Book, One Wallingford is about “bringing people together to share the experience of reading a book, talking about it, and meeting the author.”
A book’s appeal is crucial to facilitating productive and insightful connections, so Ms. Haiken chooses the featured book carefully. “That’s probably the hardest part of the whole thing: trying to come up with a book that [the community] will not only want to read, but that they will then think about and want to talk about,” said Ms. Haiken.
Now is Not the Time to Panic is a coming-of-age story about two teenagers, writer Frankie and artist Zeke. Through the power of art, the nuance of identity, and the conflicts of adolescence, the two characters experience an exciting summer. One of the primary reasons for its selection was how people of all ages could resonate with its theme of a pivotal summer in one’s life.
Mr. Wilson views his book’s selection as “a huge honor,” and he “was super jazzed.” Mr. Wilson said that while writing and reading can be isolating, One Book, One Wallingford offers “a moment of connection and commune.” He added, “When you think about it in a community context, it’s really lovely.”
Ms. Haiken appreciates how the event brings the community together. She enjoys how it allows her to meet new people and hear their perspectives. “Because, everybody’s reading the same book, but everyone’s reading it differently and bringing their unique perspective to it, and I love that,” she said.
Similarly, compared to the other book discussions the library hosts, Ms. Haiken noted how the atmosphere is different for One Book, One Wallingford. “It’s a book that is chosen not just for a book club, but for the whole community. And I think that there’s a different level of discourse around it,” she said.
During his visit to the School, Mr. Wilson held a book reading and a Q&A session moderated by students, in which he explained his writing process and path to becoming an author. “It was definitely very informative, and I feel like he had a lot of good advice as an author,” said Isabelle Jiao ’26.
Other students in attendance also appreciated the opportunity to meet and learn from authors such as Mr. Wilson. “It makes it more enjoyable to read the book because you’re going to meet the person who made it,” said Roshan Desai ’26, one of the moderators for the event. “[It] makes you think more for questions that you want to ask the person,” he added. “It was a really good experience overall.”
Reflecting on the event, Mr. Wilson said, “For a whole community to choose the book and for different people to interact with it in different ways, it’s just really meaningful.”
With the program’s success this year and a positive response from the community, planning is already underway for One Book, One Wallingford in 2024.
