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

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
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.

Registration

Register HERE for In-Person Event

Register HERE for Live-Stream Event

Need to update your registration later? Email siliconvalleyreads@gmail.com.

More Events Coming Soon! Following the kickoff, our local libraries, schools, and partners will host a wide array of programs to help us build bridges to belonging. Check back here in early January for the full schedule.

2026 Events

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.
Tue, Jan 13
Virtual Author Talk, Kate Quinn
Virtual Event
Details
Jan 13, 2026, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Virtual Event
Step into a world where stories become real as we explore Kate Quinn’s imaginative new novel The Astral Library.
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
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!
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
Meet the Author: 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.
Sat, Jan 17
Neighborhood Naturalists! Beginners Natural History Course for Adults/¡Naturalistas del Barrio! Curso de Historia...
Gilroy Library
Details
Jan 17, 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.
Sat, Jan 17
Meet the Author Annie Hartnett, Unlikely Animals
Morgan Hill Library
Details
Jan 17, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Morgan Hill Library, 660 W Main Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, USA
Meet Annie Hartnett for an inspiring afternoon where we will explore the forces that shape community life, history and belonging.
Sat, Jan 17
Meet the Author Annie Hartnett, Unlikely Animals
Cupertino Library
Details
Jan 17, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Cupertino Library, 10800 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA
Meet Annie Hartnett for an inspiring afternoon where we will explore the forces that shape community life, history and belonging.