Silicon Valley Reads celebrates 20 years
Events at Cupertino Library include film screening and book discussion
Since its inception in 2003, Silicon Valley Reads has grown from a one-book, one-community program into a multifaceted program centered around a specific theme, with three featured books for adults and four selections for children.
In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Silicon Valley Reads is holding more than 150 free events throughout Santa Clara County, both in person and online, relating to the theme “Journey to New Beginnings.” The kickoff is set for Jan. 26, with an in-person and livestreamed event including featured authors Tommy Orange, Amanda Skenandore and Kai Harris at the Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater at De Anza College.
The Euphrat Museum of Art at De Anza College will be open before and after the kickoff event for visitors to view “Spaces of Belonging,” an exhibit presented in conjunction with Silicon Valley Reads 2023.
Orange's novel “There There” follows 12 characters from Native American communities who are all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow and are all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize. In Skenandore's “The Second Life of Mirielle West,” the glamorous world of a silent film star's wife abruptly crumbles when she is detained at the Carville Lepers Home in Louisiana. “What the Fireflies Knew” by Harris follows 11-year-old Kenyatta Bernice, or KB, and her teenage sister Nia as they are sent to live with their estranged grandfather after the death of their father and the loss of their home.
Other events will take place through March in partnership with schools, libraries and community organizations, including author visits, book discussions, classes and workshops around topics like yoga, meditation, dance, finances, photography, tidying up and resources to help people begin their own journey to new beginnings.
Here are some events taking place at the Cupertino Library, 10800 Torre Ave.:
“Daughter of a Lost Bird”: A screening of the 2020 documentary that follows Kendra, an adult Native adoptee, as she reconnects with her birth family, discovers her Lummi heritage and confronts issues of her own identity. Her singular story represents many affected by the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Indian Adoption Project. Registration is required. Feb. 5, 2-3 p.m.
“Coquí in the City” Storywalk: Visitors can go for a walk while reading “Coquí in the City” page by page. Nomar Perez's book, available in both Spanish
and English, is the Silicon Valley Reads pick for preK-1 students. Feb. 6-March 30.
Lunar New Year Calligraphy Class: To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, instructor Jojo Liu will be teaching Chinese calligraphy basics including holding a brush, writing basics and learning New Year sayings. Feb. 18, 11-noon.
The author will be on hand for a presentation, discussion and Q&A about her novel,
Adult Book Discussion of “The Second Life of Mirielle West”: The group will talk about Skenandore's novel. March 16, 7-8:15 p.m.
All Silicon Valley Reads events are free; some may require advanced registration. For complete event listings and to register, visit www.siliconvalleyreads. org/events.
Silicon Valley Reads is presented by the Santa Clara County Library District, the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the San Jose Public Library.