The Chicago Public Library has selected “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin as its 2024 One Book, One Chicago pick, it was announced Wednesday.
Each year, the library picks a citywide read on a resonant theme. Zevin’s novel, a New York Times bestseller, chronicles the story of two kids who meet in a pediatric hospital at age 11 and grow up to become masterful young video game designers with a blockbuster hit. The book explores the impact their business journey has on their relationships.
Chicago Public Library Commissioner Chris Brown said the novel covers game development and the challenges of collaborating with other people — and having relationships with them. “I think it’s a very timely book, and it’s gonna allow us to explore the whole theme and subject of gaming.”
He says gaming — a global industry that that makes more money than film and music combined — is worth exploring because it’s a popular element of many young people’s lives.
Published in 2022, Zevin’s book has already resonated with many Chicagoans: Brown said the novel was one of the library system’s most popular books of 2022, and one of the most borrowed books the following year. On a wider stage, the book made The New York Times’ list of 100 best books of the 21st century.
The Chicago Public Library, meanwhile, wants to bring a younger and more diverse group into wider conversation over the One Book, One Chicago selection process. Until last year, the library system chose its yearly selection internally. Brown said this year, as in 2023, a committee of more than a dozen cultural institutions across the city weighed in. He hopes input from groups such as the Chicago Humanities Festival and DePaul University will help attract a wider audience for the annual pick.
“We wanted to really broaden that group and say, ‘If this is truly a citywide read, let’s bring in more voices into that selection process,’ ” Brown said.
Brown said the library also wants to focus on more in-person programming. Events will include silent reading parties, where people read the book in the same space but individually. The library will also host community conversations led by notable Chicagoans, including Sylvia Ewing of the nonprofit climate change group Slipstream, and game-writing workshops.
The author herself will appear for a keynote conversation on Nov. 14 at the Harold Washington Library Center.
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There are approximately 650 copies of the book available throughout the library district, and each location receives several copies. Based on population density, some locations get more copies than others.
The Chicago Public Library is in discussions with Chicago Public Schools on how to promote the book to students and ultimately help more Chicago students get library cards. The school district was among the groups on the selection committee for this year’s pick.
Previous One Book, One Chicago selections include “There There by Tommy Orange” and “Bedrock Faith” by Eric Charles May.