With summer fast approaching, the Wilmette Public Library is offering their 17th annual One Book, Everyone Reads selection, “Now is Not the Time to Panic” by Kevin Wilson, a bold, nuanced exploration of young love, identity and the power of art shared during one life-changing summer.
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Communications and Events Manager at the Wilmette Library Sarah Beth Brown says this wonderful story explores the dynamic between mothers and daughters and the limitless potential of how placing your art into the world can allow it to take on a life of its own.
“‘Now is Not the Time to Panic’ is an exuberant, bighearted novel about two teenage misfits who spectacularly collide one fateful summer, and the art they make that changes their lives forever,” Brown said.
the selection for One Book, Everyone Reads. An exuberant, bighearted novel about two teenage misfits who spectacularly collide one fateful summer, and the art they make that changes their lives forever.
This year the library was looking to feature a fiction novel after the nonfiction title offered last year.
“The author’s voice was unique and interesting, strange even, the novel has broad audience appeal, and it allowed us to explore contemporary ideas about art,” Brown said.
The Wilmette community has a strong interest in the fine and performing arts, according to Brown, and multidisciplinary programming from classical music concerts to art exhibits are very popular.
Since coming through the pandemic, library staff were ready to offer a multidimensional series of programs to run in tandem with the One Book, Everybody Reads programming.
It was time to include everything from book discussion groups to art-making events to a virtual author visit and community art exhibit.
Brown says excitement in creative expression and in sharing art have become stronger than ever before — people are generally excited to get back together, and the book has prompted a tremendous response.
“Even with 92 copies of the novel in circulation, it has been difficult for us to keep a copy on the shelves, this in addition to 10 e-books and seven digital audiobooks also available to patrons,” Brown said.
One Book, Everyone Reads is funded by the Friends of the Wilmette Library.
“Above all, we felt this was a story that would open up our readers to new ways of thinking, connect our community to our strategic programming goals, with a story that is relevant and interesting to read at this moment in time,” Brown said.
The Wilmette Library invites everyone to join in reading, Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson, to share their perspective at a book discussion, to attend a program, and to join in on May 11 when they welcome Kevin Wilson to the library to discuss his book.
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
Upcoming One Book, Everyone Reads Events
One Book, Everyone Reads Book Discussion — Wednesday, April 26, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Teens, Adults, Auditorium
Film Screening: Style Wars (1983) — Tuesday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Teens, Adults, Auditorium
The Devil, You Say? — Wednesday, May 3, 7-8 p.m. Adults, Virtual
One Book, Everyone Reads Book Discussion — Thursday, May 4, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Teens, Adults, Virtual
Community Art Show Opening: Off the Beaten Path — Sunday, May 7, 2-4 p.m.
Creativity in a World of Artificial Intelligence — Wednesday, May 10, 7-8:30 p.m. Teens, Adults, Virtual
Kevin Wilson in Conversation with Alison Cuddy — Thursday, May 11, 7 p.m. Teens, Adults, Virtual
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