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Calendar of Events We are excited to announce our 2026 theme, Bridges to Belonging . Join us from mid-January through March for a series of engaging author visits and community events designed to bring us together. REGISTER NOW for the 2026 Kickoff Event Register HERE for In-Person Event Register HERE for Live-Stream Event Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. De Anza VPAC Theater, Cupertino Join us for an inspiring evening as Sal Pizarro of the San Jose Mercury News sits down with the authors of our three featured adult selections: john a. powell: The Power of Bridging: How to build a world where we all belong Keeonna Harris: Mainline Mama Annie Hartnett: Unlikely Animals They will discuss how to navigate the complexities of our modern world with empathy, and how to find the common ground that exists even in divided times. Arrive early or stay late to enjoy the art show “A Sense of Belonging” at the Euphrat Museum, located just off the lobby. Book Signing: Copies will be available for purchase at the event, with an author signing immediately following the program. Need to update your registration later? Email siliconvalleyreads@gmail.com . SEE FULL EVENT LIST BELOW. 2026 Events Mark your calendar! Browse the chronological list of upcoming Silicon Valley Reads events or use the search bar to find specific ones. You can also click a category button to quickly filter events that match your interests. Accessibility Programs Author Visits/Book Talks Music/Movies/Culture Youth/Teen Activities Adult Classes/Talks/Activities Children's Activities Online Events 2026 All Events Sat, Jan 10 Neighborhood Naturalists! Beginners Natural History Course for Adults/¡Naturalistas del Barrio! Curso de Historia Natura / Gilroy Library Details Jan 10, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Gilroy Library, 350 W 6th St, Gilroy, CA 95020, USA Explore the "Bridges" between local natural history and your own neighborhood through this three-session adult program featuring guest scientists. Explore las "conexiones" entre la historia natural local y su propio vecindario a través de este programa para adultos de tres sesiones. Mon, Jan 12 Dial-a-Story: Thank You Neighbor / PHONE Details Jan 12, 2026, 10:00 AM – Jan 18, 2026, 5:00 PM PHONE Listen to "Thank You Neighbor" by Ruth Chan in Santa Clara Library's special stories channel! Call (408) 615-2909 and press 3. This story will be available from January 12 - January 18. Wed, Jan 14 Virtual Book Discussion: The Power of Bridging by john a. powell / Online Details Jan 14, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Online Discuss The Power of Bridging online! Hosted by Pearl Street Branch Library. Thu, Jan 15 Thank You Neighbor: Community Multi-Language Video Project / Online Video Project Details Jan 15, 2026, 7:00 AM – Mar 30, 2026, 5:00 PM Online Video Project Be part of our 2026 theme, Bridges to Belonging! Use this link to record a video of you or your child saying "Hello", "Thank You" or "Thank You, Neighbor" in your language of choice! Thu, Jan 15 Toolkit for Parents/Teachers: Tools to Engage Young Readers! / Online Toolkit Details Jan 15, 2026, 7:00 AM – Mar 31, 2026, 5:00 PM Online Toolkit This toolkit is designed to support you with engaging youth with this year’s children/teen companion books focused on “Bridges to Belonging.” For each book, you will find a brief summary of the text, potential discussion questions, tools to support literacy and interactive reading and much more! Thu, Jan 15 Community Cookbook: Submit Your Recipes! / Santa Clara County Residents Can Submit Details Jan 15, 2026, 10:00 AM – Mar 31, 2026, 5:00 PM Santa Clara County Residents Can Submit Submit Your Recipes to the Santa Clara County Community Cookbook! Thu, Jan 15 Build a Bridge of Belonging Across Silicon Valley: Paper Chain of Kindness / Libraries Across the County Details Jan 15, 2026, 10:00 AM – Mar 31, 2026, 5:00 PM Libraries Across the County, Santa Clara County, CA, USA Come to one of our participating local libraries and add your link to the county-wide Silicon Valley Reads Chain of Kindness! Thu, Jan 15 Teen Bookmark Art Contest / Sunnyvale Library Details Jan 15, 2026, 10:00 AM – Feb 15, 2026, 5:00 PM Sunnyvale Library, 665 W Olive Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, USA Submissions will be on display in the Teen Space from March 1 - March 15 for voting. Multiple winners will be selected. Winning bookmarks will be printed and available throughout the library. Thu, Jan 15 Random Acts of Kindness Bingo / San Jose: Educational Park Branch Details Jan 15, 2026, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM San Jose: Educational Park Branch, 1772 Educational Park Dr, San Jose, CA 95133, USA Are you up for a challenge? Pick up a Kindness bingo card at the library and begin practicing random acts of kindness with your friends, family, fellow students, and all people around you! Thu, Jan 15 Friends in Motion: Zumba for Kids / San Jose: Joyce Ellington Branch Details Jan 15, 2026, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM San Jose: Joyce Ellington Branch, 491 E Empire St, San Jose, CA 95112, USA Please join us for Friends in Motion, a lively kids’ Zumba-inspired class featuring multicultural music, joyful movement, and a special Friendship Circle to celebrate connection and fun. Thu, Jan 15 Euphrat Museum of Art Exhibit: A Sense of Belonging / Cupertino: De Anza College Campus Details Jan 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – Mar 14, 2026, 5:00 PM Cupertino: De Anza College Campus, Euphrat Museum of Art 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA Visit the Euphrat Museum of Art throughout the Silicon Valley Reads season. Come for the Silicon Valley Reads kickoff... join a special closing event with the artists on March 14th 12-2pm! Fri, Jan 16 Paper Chains of Kindness Drop In Afternoon / San Jose: West Valley Branch Details Jan 16, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM San Jose: West Valley Branch , 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd, San Jose, CA 95117, USA Visit the West Valley Branch for an afternoon of kindness fun! Pick up your link, and add to a paper chain of kindness! Fri, Jan 16 Give Me a Sign: Summer Camp Lanyard Making & Peanut Butter Falcon Movie / San Jose: King Library Details Jan 16, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM San Jose: King Library, 150 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112, USA Join King Library to learn how to make plastic lace lanyards, thread friendship bracelets, and watch The Peanut Butter Falcon at TeenHQ. Fri, Jan 16 Exploring the Power of Community: Meet the Author Annie Hartnett / San Jose: Berryessa Branch Details Jan 16, 2026, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM San Jose: Berryessa Branch, 3355 Noble Ave, San Jose, CA 95132, USA Meet Annie Hartnett for an inspiring evening where we will explore the forces that shape community life - history, belonging, mysteries and challenges, and the quiet magic of a small town. Fri, Jan 16 Community Conversation with Keeonna Harris, Mainline Mama / San Jose: Alum Rock Branch Details Jan 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM San Jose: Alum Rock Branch, 3090 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95127, USA Come meet Keeonna Harris, the author of Mainline Mama. This is an after hours program, snacks will be provided! Come join us and meet Keeonna and learn more about her amazing story! Sat, Jan 17 Chuck Cantrell & Keeonna Harris: A Conversation on Systemic Barriers / San Jose Clubhouse Details Jan 17, 2026, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM San Jose Clubhouse, 15480 Union Ave, San Jose, CA 95124, USA Local media personality Chuck Cantrell and author Keeonna Harris will discuss her memoir, Mainline Mama, and the systemic barriers facing Black communities in California. Sat, Jan 17 Together A Forest: Nature Craft / San Jose: Mt. Pleasant Branch Details Jan 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM San Jose: Mt. Pleasant Branch, 3411 Rocky Mountain Dr, San Jose, CA 95127, USA In Together a Forest by Roz MacLean, a class goes on a field trip to a forest, and each student looks for something in the forest to draw. Let’s look for inspiration in nature and make our own art inspired by illustrations of forests in our picture books. Sat, Jan 17 Adult Watercolor: Fairytale Mushrooms I / Milpitas Library Details Jan 17, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Milpitas Library, 160 N Main St, Milpitas, CA 95035, USA This guided workshop invites you to relax, create, and celebrate the magic of spring through dreamy watercolor art. Load More

News Room Read the latest news about Silicon Valley Reads. News Articles Select link below to read the full article. October 22, 2025 Silicon Valley Reads 2026: A trio of books about creating connections, community Read full article October 23, 2024 Silicon Valley Reads looks at how How Technology can Empower Humanity Read full article October 18, 2023 Silicon Valley Reads Going Green With Theme Read full article Facebook News Feed News Releases newsrelease101222 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 22, 2025 CONTACT: Reid Myers siliconvalleyreads@gmail.com Silicon Valley Reads 2026 Theme of "Bridges to Belonging" Builds Unity and Fosters Connection SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. For more than 22 years, Silicon Valley Reads has served as a vital bridge, connecting our community through the shared experiences of reading and meaningful conversation. For the 2026 season, Silicon Valley Reads is proud to announce the theme: Bridges to Belonging. At a time when some may feel divisiveness and isolation are pervasive, the 2026 theme is more urgent than ever. Through carefully selected books and more than 100 free events, Silicon Valley Reads hopes to spark connection, empathy, and understanding across Santa Clara County. " Libraries are cornerstones of democracy – places where all people, regardless of background or belief, are free to connect with ideas and each other,” said Jill Bourne, San José City Librarian and one of three co-chairs of Silicon Valley Reads. “Bridges to Belonging is a powerful theme that reflects the library’s ongoing commitment to creating welcoming spaces, offering meaningful programs, and ensuring everyone in our community feels supported, no matter where they are in life.” Silicon Valley Reads 2026 will offer a vibrant lineup of free community events in local libraries, schools, and partner organizations, designed to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together. Events will include author talks, engaging classes and workshops, community discussions, kids crafts and events, and other programs centered on themes of bringing people together and understanding and accepting our differences. Dr. David Toston, Sr. , County Superintendent of Schools and co-chair of Silicon Valley Reads, expressed his enthusiasm: " As a newcomer to the community, I've come to appreciate how each person's story can build a bridge to connection. I'm looking forward to working with Silicon Valley Reads to build bridges of belonging for students and their families." The three powerful books selected for adult readers explore the concept of belonging in a unique way: The Power of Bridging by John A. Powell (Non-Fiction) : A groundbreaking guide for our divided times. Powell provides a crucial framework for moving beyond the fear and separation of "othering" to the radical, transformative work of "bridging." This essential read offers practical strategies to build an inclusive society where everyone feels they belong, challenging readers to recognize shared humanity as the ultimate path to community healing. Mainline Mama by Keeonna Harris (Memoir): A moving and unflinching memoir of resilience and hope. Harris shares her powerful story of navigating motherhood with an incarcerated partner, shattering the myth of the "perfect family" and redefining what it means to belong. This book is a testament to the enduring bond between a mother and her children and the strength found in building love and stability in the most challenging of circumstances. Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (Fiction): A tender and humorous novel with a touch of magic. After years away, Emma returns to her quirky New Hampshire hometown to care for her dying father who sees ghosts, including the ghost of natural historian Ernest Harold Baynes . As Emma navigates loss and legacy, she discovers how profound compassion and unexpected connections can mend a broken family, heal a wounded community, and show that belonging can bloom in the most unlikely places. “We are very excited with this year's book selections,” said Jennifer Weeks, co-chair and County Librarian. “These books offer a glimpse into how people find and build community in different ways. They provide the variety, depth and focus needed to create thoughtful, engaging programming and spark meaningful conversation. We are looking forward to another successful season of Silicon Valley Reads.” Silicon Valley Reads is also announcing four books for young readers. Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino for high school/young adults, Front Desk by Kelly Yang for middle grades, Together, a Forest by Roz MacLean for elementary students and Thank You, Neighbor by Ruth Chan for our youngest readers. These powerful books will guide our community’s youth to explore diverse perspectives, better understand differences, and work to build bridges with each other. Silicon Valley Reads will officially kick off on Thursday, January 15, 2026, with a free in-person and live-streamed event at De Anza College in Cupertino . Attendees will hear from the authors of the featured books for adults in a discussion moderated by Sal Pizarro of The Mercury News. The complete schedule of events will be available on the siliconvalleyreads.org website in the new year. The Silicon Valley Reads community engagement program is presented annually by the Santa Clara County Library District, Santa Clara County Office of Education, and San José Public Library in conjunction with other public libraries, community colleges and universities, and community organizations. ### Over 150 Events Author talks, book clubs, community events and more! Stay tuned for information on programs for 2026! CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Silicon Valley Reads was started as a traditional "one book, one community" program that selected a book and invited all residents to read it. Over the years, Silicon Valley Reads has evolved into a more ambitious endeavor that uses books reflecting a provocative theme relevant to the region to encourage people to read, think, discuss and engage. Silicon Valley Reads Welcome to Silicon Valley Reads Silicon Valley Reads is a community engagement program that brings people together through books and a shared annual theme. Each year, from January through March, we offer more than 150 free public events for all ages including author talks, book clubs, arts and music activities, movies, hands-on workshops, and creative experiences inspired by our theme. Our 2026 Theme: Bridges to Belonging In today’s world, the need for connection is more important and more powerful than ever. Our 2026 theme, Bridges to Belonging , explores how we can build bridges. .. to one another, to our families, and to our communities, to create genuine belonging. Our Featured Books The Power of Bridging by John A. Powell provides a thought-provoking framework for moving beyond “othering” and embracing inclusion, showing how communities flourish when differences are valued. Mainline Mama by Keeonna Harris brings this theme to life through her memoir, sharing her journey of navigating family, class, and identity while finding resilience and love in the face of systemic challenges. Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett uses humor and magic to remind us that belonging can come through the most unexpected connections—between neighbors, generations, and even the living and the dead. Together, these books inspire reflection on the bridges we build and those still needed, sparking meaningful conversations about creating a more connected, compassionate community. Mark Your Calendar Our 2026 season kicks off on Thursday, January 15th, at 7 PM , with all of our selected authors in conversation with Sal Pizarro from the San Jose Mercury News . Registration and more details will be available on this site in December. Stay tuned as we continue to share creative programming and events around our books and theme throughout January, February, and March. Sign up for our mailing list to receive the latest information (no spam). Featured Videos Silicon Valley Reads 2025, Empowering Humanity: Technology for a Better World Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Now Playing 2025 Silicon Valley Reads Kickoff Video 01:20:45 Play Video Now Playing Sal Khan’s Brave New Words: AI and Education 01:23:51 Play Video Now Playing Peter Brown Author Visit, The Wild Robot 50:21 Play Video 2026 Books We have carefully selected three diverse books that encapsulate the spirit of belonging and encourage meaningful community conversations. Featured Books for Adults The Power of Bridging: How to Build a World Where We All Belong In The Power of Bridging, john a. powell offers an essential roadmap for building bridges across our divisions and creating a society where everyone feels they belong. He explains how “othering” and “breaking” keep us apart—casting people as outsiders or excluding them altogether—while “bridging” invites connection, solidarity, and shared humanity. With a mix of personal insight and practical tools, Powell shows how each of us can become a “bridger” in our families, workplaces, and communities. This book is both a call to action and a guide, reminding us that bridging is not just a response to division, but a path toward co-creating a future grounded in belonging. Read More Mainline Mama In this moving memoir, Keeonna Harris shares her journey of building bridges to belonging while navigating the isolating realities of the U.S. carceral system. Becoming a “mainline mama” at just fourteen, she raises her son while her partner is incarcerated, confronting stigma, shame, and systemic barriers along the way. Yet Harris’s story is also one of resilience, love, and community—finding strength in family bonds and solidarity with other women facing similar struggles. From everyday acts of care to moments of radical resistance, Mainline Mama shows how creating connection and community in the face of division becomes a powerful pathway to belonging. Read More Unlikely Animals In this tender and humorous novel, Annie Hartnett explores how belonging can grow in unexpected places. When Emma Starling returns to her New Hampshire hometown to care for her dying father, she is drawn into a community grappling with crisis, loss, and disconnection. Through her search for a missing friend and reconnection with family, Emma discovers that even fractured places can be mended through compassion, community, and the bridges we build with one another. Read More 2026 Books Featured Companion Books for Teens/Children 2026 Companion Books Thank You, Neighbor Join a young narrator and her dog on their daily walk through a bustling, colorful urban neighborhood. They greet essential community helpers—the bus driver, the sanitation workers, the mail carrier—and chat with all the neighbors they know. In the flurry of a busy day, it’s easy to hurry past the people who keep our world running, but this charming book reminds us that patience and kindness can make your neighborhood truly feel like family. Read More Together, A Forest In this visually stunning picture book, Joy and her diverse class explore a forest where every student, including those who are neurodivergent or use mobility aids, discovers their unique connection to nature. Joy is initially anxious about finding her "one thing" for a project, but she soon sees how her classmates' different ways of experiencing the world reflect the complex beauty of the ecosystem. The book compares the essential diversity of trees, fungi, and rushing water to the diversity of the class. It reminds readers of all ages that there is no "one right way" for a mind, body, or person to be, and that our unique differences are what create a truly vibrant, flourishing community. Read More Front Desk Based on the author's real-life experience, Kelly Yang's award-winning novel follows 10-year-old Mia Tang, a recent Chinese immigrant whose family manages a rundown motel in California. While facing poverty, racism, and the unfairness of the American Dream, Mia bravely takes on the role of front desk manager—but her real job is building a community. Front Desk illustrates "Bridges to Belonging" as Mia, her parents, and the long-term tenants ("weeklies") transform the Calivista Motel into a sanctuary for close friends. Through compassion and courage, they stand up for one another against injustice, proving that a sense of belonging is a powerful force created not by wealth or status, but by kindness, solidarity, and finding your voice to fight for those who need a place to call home. Read More Give Me a Sign For years, Lilah has felt suspended in a silent, lonely space -"stuck in the middle" between the vibrant hearing world and the rich, expressive Deaf one. Hard-of-hearing and tired of constantly navigating a world that wasn't built for her, she yearns for a place where she doesn't have to choose or apologize for who she is. That search for solid ground leads her to a life-changing summer where she worked as a counselor at a camp for Deaf and blind teens. It's here, within this community, that Lilah finds peace and a solid sense of belonging. Read More More about 2026 Companion Books Recommended Reading Silicon Valley Reads is pleased to provide a curated list of recommended reading for our Bridges to Belonging theme. Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley is a heartwarming story that proves the most rigid social contract—never talk to strangers—is meant to be broken. Iona Iverson, an eccentric advice columnist, lives by an ironclad rule: ignore everyone on her daily train ride, whom she knows only by self-assigned nicknames like "Smart-But-Sexist-Manspreader." But when a fellow commuter suddenly chokes, a single, life-saving act of intervention shatters Iona's carefully constructed isolation. Watch as this unlikely cast of characters—each dealing with their own private struggles with loneliness, aging, and career anxiety—evolves from anonymous passengers into a found family. This story explores how breaking down barriers of judgment and embracing vulnerability can lead to unexpected, life-altering connections, transforming a train car of strangers into a true community. Connecting Dots The memoir of MacArthur "Genius" award winner Dr. Joshua A. Miele is a powerful testament to finding connection and building a life of purpose in a world not built for you. Blinded at age four in a horrific accident, Miele refused to be a victim. Instead, his natural curiosity and problem-solving skills led him to the heart of the tech industry—from working at NASA to pioneering revolutionary accessibility technologies like screen readers and tactile maps. Connecting Dots is an unforgettable, funny, and deeply honest journey of a blind scientist who channels his experiences into creations that connect the disabled community to the world. Miele’s life demonstrates that the ingenuity spurred by necessity creates the strongest bridges to belonging, allowing millions to fully participate in a society designed for the sighted. What it Takes to Save a Life: A Veterinarian's Quest of Healing and Hope Dr. Kwane Stewart, founder of Project Street Vet and CNN's 2023 Hero of the Year, was a struggling veterinarian on the brink of burnout when a single, spontaneous act of kindness changed everything: offering free treatment to a homeless man's dog. This powerful, honest memoir takes you onto the streets of California and beyond, revealing the extraordinary bonds of unconditional love between unhoused individuals and their animal companions. For people facing extreme loneliness and invisibility, a pet is their only family, their lifeline, and their bridge to stability. In What It Takes to Save a Life, Kwane Stewart shows how healing these animals is a crucial step in recognizing the humanity of their owners. His journey is a profound reminder that we are all part of a wider community, and by extending compassion to our most vulnerable neighbors—and their beloved pets—we can save not just an animal, but a human soul. View All Adult Recommended Reading Youth Recommended Reading Silicon Valley Reads has selected a recommended read for our youth audience this year. The author of Becoming Boba will be doing some programming with us- please see our events listing in January for more information! Becoming Boba Milk Tea Town was steeped in tradition, and Mindy didn't fit the mold. While the classic brown flavors sipped from sensible straws, Mindy sparkled in green, white, and red. Worried she wasn't "milk tea enough," she dives into their history, seeking a way to belong. What Mindy and her friends discover on this journey isn't a lesson in conformity, but a surprising truth about milk tea's past—a secret that could redefine the entire town and prove that belonging isn't about being the same, but about claiming your own flavor. A delightful, heartwarming tale about self-love and the universal question: What does it mean to be enough? Youth Recommended Reading Thanks to our Donors! Silicon Valley Reads relies on the generous donations of our community partners and donors to run over 150 free events each year. For more information on donating, please visit the Donor Information page . Thank you for financially supporting Silicon Valley Reads programs! Friends of the Cupertino Library Christy's International Real Estate The Michael and Alyce Parsons Education Fund Silicon Valley Library System Cupertino Library Foundation Friends of San Jose West Valley Library Friends of the Saratoga Libraries Santa Clara County Library District Foundation First 5 Magical Bridge Foundation