For more than 20 years, Silicon Valley Reads has been bringing people together with books and events on topics that resonate with the community.
In 2024, the community engagement program’s theme is “A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today.” It focuses on environmental sustainability, highlighting books that explore the challenges and opportunities of creating a more sustainable future not only in Santa Clara County but worldwide.
Silicon Valley Reads has carefully selected three books that encapsulate the spirit of our theme and encourage meaningful conversations. They are:
“All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis” (Non-fiction) edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson, with contributions from Favianna Rodriguez and Alexandria Villaseñor
“All We Can Save” shares the wisdom and experiences of dozens of women contributing to environmental initiatives in the United States. These women are scientists, journalists, farmers, lawyers, teachers, activists and innovators from different backgrounds. Their diverse perspectives offer a range of ideas and insights on how we can swiftly and significantly reshape society for a sustainable future. Favianna Rodriguez, president of the Center for Cultural Power, and teen climate activist Alexandria Villaseñor contributed essays to the in book.
“One Green Thing” (non-fiction) by Heather White
Environmentalist Heather White offers an accessible guide to action for a more sustainable world. Through heartwarming and humorous anecdotes from her upbringing in East Tennessee to her experiences parenting in Montana, White demonstrates how people can contribute to the environmental movement. She encourages self-discovery, helping readers align their personalities, interests and strengths with meaningful actions.
“The Light Pirate” (fiction) by Lily Brooks-Dalton
Set in Florida, which faces the relentless onslaught of extreme weather and rising sea levels, “The Light Pirate” is the story of a small coastal town preparing for a powerful hurricane. Divided into four parts—power, water, light and time—this “Good Morning America” Book Club pick mirrors the rhythms of the elements and the gradual transformation of the world as we know it. It serves as a contemplation of changes that challenge our comfort zones and a reminder of the untamed beauty and strength of nature.
The public is invited to the kickoff event on Jan. 31. NBC Bay Area reporter Damian Trujillo will moderate a conversation with White, Brooks-Dalton, Rodriguez and Villaseñor.
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from the esteemed panel, ask questions and have your books signed by the authors. The free event, which will be livestreamed by the Commonwealth Club of Silicon Valley, runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Visual Performing Arts Center at De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. Doors open at 6 p.m.
To register for the free event, live or streamed, visit sclibrary.org. Note: You can change your response at any time by emailing siliconvalleyreads@gmail.com.
Before or after the event, attendees are encouraged to visit the Euphrat Museum of Art near the VPAC lobby for “Sacred Terrain,” an exhibition about the beauty and healing power of the natural world with works by Bay Area artists, including Rodriguez.
In addition to these books, Silicon Valley Reads recommends these titles on the complex topic of sustainability: The non-fiction “Under a White Sky” by Elizabeth Kolbert, “Working to Restore: Harnessing the Power of Regenerative Business to Heal the World” by Esha Chhabra, “Burnt: A Memoir of Fighting Fire” by Clare Frank, and the novel “Damnation Spring” by Ash Davidson.
Silicon Valley Reads has selected four companion books for children and teens: “To Change a Planet” by Christina Soontornvat for pre-kindergarten to grade 1; “The Forest Man” by Anne Matheson for grades 2-4; “Two Degrees” by Alan Gratz for grades 4-8; and “Don’t Call Me a Hurricane” by Ellen Hagan for teens and young adults.
Throughout February and March, Silicon Valley Reads offers free virtual and in-person public programs for all ages on sustainability, including author talks, panel discussions, educational events, demonstrations, outdoor events, home and garden, activities for students and story times.
Visit Siliconvalleyreads.org for the full schedule or to sign up for the Silicon Valley Reads mailing list to receive the latest book and event updates.
Silicon Valley Reads is presented annually by the Santa Clara County Library District, Santa Clara County Office of Education and San José Public Library, in collaboration with public libraries, community colleges, universities and community organizations.