Author Heather O'Neill for One Book, One Milton
The Milton Public Library (MPL) has chosen their next author for the 2025 One Book, One Milton program.
Acclaimed Canadian author Heather O’Neill and her latest novel The Capital of Dreams will be the focus this year. The book is described as a breathtaking dark fairytale about a young girl navigating war, survival, and loyalty in a land where myths and reality intertwine. It follows 14-year-old Sofia Bottom as she embarks on an epic journey through a war-ravaged land, torn between safety and loyalty. The daughter of a celebrated writer, Sofia must navigate a world of peril, survival, and lost myths in her quest to reclaim what was taken from her.
Now in its 12th year, One Book, One Milton is MPL’s signature literary program that brings the community together through a shared reading experience. The program has featured some of Canada’s most celebrated authors including Waubgeshig Rice, Sarah Polley, Mark Critch, Kelley Armstrong, Jagmeet Singh, Samra Habib, Margaret Atwood, Chris Hadfield, Yann Martel, Neil Pasricha and Don Gillmor, encouraging meaningful conversations and engagement with literature that resonates with Milton’s diverse readership.
MPL CEO and Chief Librarian Sarah Douglas-Murray explains why O’Neill was the right choice this year.
Audio Player
O’Neill’s previous works include When We Lost Our Heads, The Lonely Hearts Hotel, and Lullabies for Little Criminals – which was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award and won Canada Reads.
Copies of The Capital of Dreams will be available for sale at all Milton Public Library branches for $28 starting Wednesday, March 26th. Ticket and book bundles will also be available through the FirstOntario Arts Centre Box Office.
Leading up to the main event, Milton Public Library will offer a range of programs exploring the themes of The Capital of Dreams. These will include book discussions, writing workshops, and events that delve into the novel’s themes of mythology, resilience, and coming-of-age journeys. The library invites readers of all ages to participate in these engaging activities before the featured author event.
An Evening with Heather O’Neill will take place on Wednesday, October 8th at the FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton, inside the Mattamy Theatre, located at 1010 Main Street East in Milton. It’ll start at 7:00 p.m.
A book signing will follow the discussion, allowing attendees to meet the author and have their copies of The Capital of Dreams signed. Tickets will be available in two phases, with an exclusive pre-sale for library members from March 26th to March 30th. Library members will receive an email on March 26th with their promo codes.
Public on-sale begins Monday, March 31st. Tickets can be purchased at the FirstOntario Arts Centre Box Office or online. Ticket prices are $20 for library members, $25 for the general public, $43 for a ticket and book package for library members, and $48 for a ticket and book package for the general public.
For more information, click here.
If you have a news tip or story idea, you can now send us a heads up via email at:
- News1013@LocalRadio.ca (Milton)
- News1015@LocalRadio.ca (Orangeville)
- News92@LocalRadio.ca (South Simcoe)
If you’d like to get ahold of me personally, shoot me a message at Cameron.Wilkinson@LocalRadio.ca. We’re in the business of content creation, so no idea is a bad idea.
