Get ready for a new community read. We’re thrilled to join in the first year of One Book, One Coast, the largest library book club on the West Coast!
Over 100 libraries throughout Oregon, Washington, and California will gather from April 1 to May 31 to read a shared book together. The program aims to unite libraries by celebrating literacy, learning, community, and civic discourse.
This year’s pick is They Called Us Enemy by George Takei. This bestselling graphic memoir recounts Takei’s experiences in incarceration camps during his childhood.
“One Book, One Coast is meant to spark conversations,” said Director of Libraries Annie Lewis in a press release for LA County Library. “But our hope is that it achieves much more. By exploring this period in our nation’s history, together we can learn, gain a deeper understanding of one another, and discover our shared humanity.”
Check out a physical copy of the book from your local library starting April 1. Prefer to read digitally? Find an always-available copy on Libby from April 1 to June 6!
Takei will speak about the book on May 31 from 2 to 4 pm at East Los Angeles Library. Watch a livestream of the talk with your community at the East County Library auditorium, or register to watch online.
The concept of a shared read may sound familiar to you. We’ve been putting on our own community reading program, Everybody Reads, for over 20 years. Never fear, dear gentle readers — Everybody Reads is still continuing strong. We’re excited to offer this additional opportunity for you to gather around a read. It’s an honor to join together with other libraries to promote conversations that span across states.
Stop by your local library this spring, and join us in this new community reading project. Already read this excellent memoir? Want to dig in deeper? Our librarians have curated a list of books to read along with They Called Us Enemy to keep the conversation going.
Books were generously donated by the Friends of the Multnomah County Library, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting Multnomah County Library through supplemental funding for library programs and services.
One Book One Coast: They Called Us Enemy
One Book, One Coast connects West Coast libraries through a shared read. This year's selection, They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei, is a graphic memoir about family, identity, and resilience. Here are some more titles that are similar in theme.
