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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Ed Meek.

I’m late to reading Will Self, author of 22 works of fiction and 9 works of nonfiction, shortlisted for the Booker prize numerous times, ditto the Whitbread novel of the year, the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize. The Quantity Theory of Morality is a bookend to The Quantity Theory of Insanity written 35 years ago. The former claims there’s a surfeit of insanity; his current novel brings back a character to argue there isn’t enough morality in our age to keep us on track.

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Elizabeth S. Wolf has published six books, including the Rattle chapbook Did You Know? Her latest book is a braided poetry collection, Parenting in the Age of Columbine. Her work appears in many journals and anthologies, including Rattle, ONE ART, The Strategic Poet, and Ibbetson Street, and is archived on the moon in the Lunar Codex. Elizabeth has received four Pushcart nominations and is featured in the April 2026 issue of Boston Literary Magazine.

If you enjoy digital art, projections, music, photography and some snacks stop by  There is room for all, our final art of: Future is already. They  will  be presenting the media materials and diverse pieces of art by artist @nxnandres , enjoy an afternoon of creativity and media.
Connexion (149 Broadway) from 1-4 pm, Saturday April 11, 2026. (free event)

Each year, SPS families are invited to complete a survey that will help inform decision-making both in our schools and at the district level. The annual Conditions for Learning survey and the data collected will be helpful as they  work toward setting long-term, meaningful goals to improve student learning and school and district climate and culture in the Somerville Public Schools. They  value SPS families as a part of their learning community and want to ensure that you have an opportunity to share your ideas and opinions with the.  All students, staff, and families will be invited to take this survey. The survey closes on April 17. The family survey link and more information can be found here: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/CFL

The City of Somerville’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA), in partnership with the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Massachusetts Chapter, invite all to a Nepali flag-raising ceremony on Sunday, April 12, on the City Hall concourse (93 Highland Ave.) from 2 to 4 p.m.

— Photo courtesy of MBTA

The MBTA has announced service changes in April on the Red, Green, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, Newburyport/Rockport, New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston Commuter Rail lines.

From running rec games to assisting with community outreach, teens can earn $18.85/hour; Apply by April 30

Somerville teens (ages 14+) can now apply for the 2026 Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program, a six-week paid opportunity to earn money, build skills, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how the City runs. 

— Photo courtesy of City of Somerville

Mayor Jake Wilson has signed a proclamation supporting the City’s annual observance of  “Start by Believing Day” in Somerville on the first Wednesday in April, recognizing the importance of believing survivors of sexual violence and strengthening community response.