One Book Chelmsford 2026: Join the Community Reading Experience!

Chelmsford Library invites the community to come together for One Book Chelmsford, our annual program celebrating a shared reading experience. Now in its 19th year, One Book encourages everyone in Chelmsford to read the same title and participate in discussions, author visits, and related programming.

This year, we are delighted to feature The History of Sound by Massachusetts-native author Ben Shattuck. This collection of interconnected historical fiction short stories explores New England across different times, showing how the past shapes our understanding of the present through personal journeys.

Fun facts about this year’s selection:

• The first story, The History of Sound, has been adapted into a movie (available on Prime).
• The audiobook features performances by well-known actors, including Chris Cooper, Paul Mescal, Jenny Slate, Ed Helms, Nick Offerman, and more.
• Ben Shattuck grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts and has previously written Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau.

Library-goers and book groups have shared glowing feedback:

• “Reading these short stories was like solving a Rubik’s Cube—figuring out how they fit together was a fun and engaging puzzle.”
• “Many short stories lack strong character development, but these stood out for their vivid characters, rich sense of setting, and plots that felt fully realized.”
• “Each story, whether from history or today, transported you there with such vivid detail—you could feel the cold, drafty doors of a Nantucket house, the untamed land of Western Massachusetts, or hear the melodies sung by traveling story recorders.”

Meet the Author:
Ben Shattuck will visit Chelmsford Library on Thursday, April 16th at 6:00 PM for a book discussion and signing. Seats are limited, so be sure to register here.

Take a copy, read, discuss, and join the Chelmsford community in celebrating the power of stories. For more information, visit One Book Chelmsford