Silicon Valley Reads

Silicon Valley Reads is a community engagement program that features books and an annual theme to bring people together by providing more than 150 free, public events each year in February and March. Events for all ages include author talks, book clubs, art/music events, community activities, arts and crafts, movies, and creative events or activities based on the theme each year.

Silicon Valley Reads completed it's 21st season (February through March, 2024), which focused on a renewed commitment to foster collaboration and create awareness around the importance of sustainability. The theme for 2024 was "A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today". This year we committed to fostering meaningful conversations and offering practical ideas for individuals to take action towards sustainability.

If you missed our programming, some of our events were recorded including our kickoff, children's author visits and more. You can view our videos below. Our kickoff included the authors of One Green Thing, Heather White and The Light Pirate, Lily Brooks-Dalton along with contributors to All We Can Save: Alexandria Villasenor and Favianna Rodriguez. Damian Trujillo from NBC news moderates the conversation.

We are now working on our theme and books for Silicon Valley Reads 2025! If you have comments or ideas, feel free to email siliconvalleyreads@gmail.com for consideration.

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2024 Videos

Silicon Valley Reads 2024: A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today

01:20:18

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To Change a Planet: Read by the author, Christina Soontornvat

06:00

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The Forest Man, read by the author Anne Matheson

06:47

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2024 Books

We have carefully selected three books that encapsulate the spirit of our theme and encourage meaningful community conversations:

Featured Books for Adults

All We Can Save

Provocative and illuminating essays from women at the forefront of the climate movement who are harnessing truth, courage, and solutions to lead humanity forward. All We Can Save shows the expertise and insights of dozens of diverse women leading on climate in the United States--scientists, journalists, farmers, lawyers, teachers, activists, innovators, wonks, and designers, across generations, geographies, and race--and aims to advance a more representative, nuanced, and solution-oriented public conversation on the climate crisis.

One Green Thing

Climate issues and the resulting eco-anxiety is the biggest challenge of our time. The anxiety that comes with worrying about how environmental harm will impact our—and our children’s—lives can be overwhelming. Learn how to balance practicing daily sustainability actions while caring for your own eco-anxiety in this revolutionary book from noted environmentalist Heather White. In One Green Thing , White shows you how to contribute to the climate movement through self-discovery and self-care.

The Light Pirate

Set in a world where Florida 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 GMA Book Club pick novel 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.

More about 2024 books

Featured Companion Books for Teens/Children

To Change a Planet (Pre-K - 1st)

To Change a Planet demonstrates the importance of caring for our planet. Eye popping explosions of color on every page create a stunning visual narrative. Readers follow the same characters through their daily lives- ultimately coming to a climate change march on Washington where the characters come together.

The Forest Man (2nd - 4th)

After years of harsh monsoon seasons, a forest on the river island of Majuli is in danger of being slowly washed away. Jadav, a boy living on the island, is determined to save the forest he loves. This is the true story of how one young boy dedicated his life to creating and cultivating an expansive forest that continues to grow to this day. In a world impacted by climate change, Jadav Payeng’s inspirational story shows how one person’s contributions can make a difference in helping to save our environment.

Two Degrees (5th - 8th)

Fire. Ice. Flood. Three climate disasters. Four kids fighting for their lives. Alan Gratz shines a light on our increasingly urgent climate crisis while spinning an action-packed story that will keep readers hooked--and inspire them to take action. In the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, Akira and her horse struggle to escape a massive wildfire. In Churchill, Manitoba, Owen and George flee starving polar bears that have been stranded on land by melting sea ice. In Miami, Florida, Natalie fights to keep her head above water–and save her neighbor’s dog–as her city drowns in a hurricane. Though they live thousands of miles from each other and face disparate challenges, Akira, Owen, George, and Natalie will come to understand they are more deeply connected than they ever could have imagined–and in ways that will change them and, possibly, the world.

Don't Call Me a Hurricane (High School/Young Adult)

It's been five years since a hurricane ravaged Eliza Marino's life and home in her quiet town on the Jersey shore. Now a senior in high school, Eliza is passionate about fighting climate change-starting with saving Clam Cove Reserve, an area of marshland that is scheduled to be turned into buildable lots. Protecting the island helps Eliza deal with her lingering trauma from the storm, but she still can't shake the fear that something will come along and wash out her life once again. When Eliza meets Milo Harris at a party, she tries to hate him. Milo is one of the rich tourists who flock to the island every summer. But after Eliza reluctantly agrees to give Milo surfing lessons, she can't help falling for him. Still, Eliza's not sure if she's ready to risk letting an outsider into the life she's rebuilt. Especially once she discovers that Milo is keeping a devastating secret.

More about 2024 companion books

Thanks to our Donors!

Silicon Valley Reads relies on the generous donations of our community partners and donors to run over 100 free events each year. For more information on donating, please visit the Donor Information page. Thank you for financially supporting Silicon Valley Reads programs!