Silicon Valley Reads will be exploring environmental sustainability with its book selections for 2024, which speak to the theme “A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today.”
The books chosen for next year include two nonfiction titles, “All We Can Save,” an anthology of writings by 60 women working on climate issues edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson, and “One Green Thing,” a guide to action by environmentalist Heather White. There’s also a novel, “The Light Pirate” by Lily Brooks-Dalton, about a Florida town preparing for a hurricane.
Climate change can be a very scary topic, so it’s worth noting that Silicon Valley Reads opted for a more forward-looking stance on the environment instead of the doom-and-gloom predictions we’ve heard so often (and maybe have started to ignore).
“The environment is top-of-mind for many young people, and I’m looking forward to the information exchange between generations as we address these important topics that affect us all,” said Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan, who co-chairs Silicon Valley Reads with San Jose City Librarian Jill Bourne and Santa Clara County Librarian Jennifer Weeks. “Our youth are called to act to promote sustainability at school, at home and in the community.”
Silicon Valley Reads started two decades ago as a “one community, one book” program but has expanded to offer a variety of books for different age groups around a similar theme, with programming including author talks, art exhibitions, film screenings and more. Most of the 100-plus events will take place in February and March, starting with a kickoff event at a date still being worked out. You can watch for updates at www.siliconvalleyreads.org.
Besides the three featured books, Silicon Valley Reads is also recommending other titles that delve into different aspects of sustainability: “Under a White Sky” by Elizabeth Kolbert, “Working to Restore” by Esha Chhabra, “Burnt” by Clare Frank and “Damnation Spring” by Ash Davidson. There are also four titles for younger readers, so families can take part in the conversation, too: “To Change a Planet” (Pre-K-kindergarten) by Christina Soontornvat, “The Forest Man” (grades 1-4) by Anne Matheson, “Two Degrees” (grades 4-8) by Alan Gratz and “Don’t Call Me a Hurricane” (teen/young adult) by Ellen Hagan.
No matter which of the offerings you decide to read, you’ve got plenty of time to get started. And, if you want to keep with the theme and go green yourself, think about checking out a book from the library, sharing with friends or downloading an e-book for your tablet.
TWO’S COMPANY, THREE’S A CONSPIRACY: Stanford Professor Steve Blank will dive into Silicon Valley conspiracy theories for a program Oct. 19 at the Los Altos History Museum. For decades, there’s been talk about how tech companies and venture capitalists have ties to government agencies or are doing secret surveillance on people and you can bet that’s going to ramp up with the advent of more artificial intelligence tech and the upcoming elections.
But how much of it is true? Well, that’s what Blank’s going to talk about during the 5:30 p.m. program, which is a pilot for the Foothill-De Anza Center for Applied Humanities’ “Conspiracy Theory, Gaslighting, and Rebuilding Communities Lecture and Discussion Series.” It’s free to attend, but you have to reserve a spot at losaltoshistory.org/theories.
MAKING THE SCENE: Community media nonprofit CreaTV San Jose is celebrating its 15th anniversary of helping amplify the valley’s voices. The festivities will take place Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Open San Jose — the creative hub that CreaTV operates and shares with several nonprofits and arts groups including Works/San Jose, Chopsticks Alley and San Jose Spotlight. If you haven’t been to Open San Jose yet, this is a great reason to check it out, and I’m told you could also end up as part of a live TV show that night. It’s free to attend, but you need to RSVP at www.creatvsj.org.
