‘The Upcycled Self‘ by Tariq Trotter has been chosen as the 2025 One Book One Philadelphia featured reading selection.
Now in its 23rd year, One Book One Philadelphia is a literacy and civic dialogue initiative that encourages Philadelphians to come together through reading and conversation.
As the book’s publishers at One World noted, in ‘The Upcycled Self’, “one of our generation’s most powerful artists and incisive storytellers” has created “a brilliantly crafted work about the art — and war — of becoming who we are.”
Trotter — known by many as Black Thought from The Roots — shares insights about the relationships that shaped him, exploring universal questions about formative years to build a courageous model of what it means to live an examined life. How can we see the story of our young lives clearly, it asks, and how do we use that story to understand who we’ve become? How do we rediscover and honor our first dreams? And what do we take forward, what do we pass on, what do we leave behind?
“One Book One Philadelphia is a simple concept: a shared reading experience where we explore and discuss different perspectives and backgrounds encourages a better and richer understanding of the world around us, and the people in it,” said Monique Moore Pryor, President of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. “Tariq’s book is a worthy inclusion. It’s as tough and tragic as it is remarkable and redemptive, and as insightful as it is personal.”
Younger readers can join the conversation with discussions and programs inspired by youth-oriented titles, including ‘Let Me Hear A Rhyme’, by Tiffany Jackson for teen readers, and Nikkolas Smith’s ‘The Artivist’ for younger readers.
“Reading is fundamental,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker, “And through Tariq Trotter’s ‘The Upcycled Self’, it can also be transformational… The One Book program has always served to unify our city, and selecting this book, by one of Philly’s greatest artists, is sure to encourage even more people to get involved, to get into reading.”
The 2025 One Book One Philadelphia program season will officially kick off at the Parkway Central Library on April 11. The launch event will feature a conversation with the author, as well as live performances.
Donations made through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program enable thousands of School District of Philadelphia students and teachers to participate in the One Book One Philadelphia each year by providing free copies of the selected books and accompanying curricula.
All Free Library locations will have copies of ‘The Upcycled Self’ and the youth companion titles for customers to borrow with a Free Library card, as well as e-book copies and downloadable audiobooks available for check-out from freelibrary.org.
“At the Free Library of Philadelphia, we are dedicated to providing spaces for our communities to access art and knowledge, improve literacy and create civic dialogue,” said Kelly Richards, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia. “The One Book One Philadelphia program is another great way to accomplish that goal, and hopefully inspire a love of reading for even more young people and adults.”
