Join us on Thursday, January 15 at 7 p.m. for the Silicon Valley Reads 2026 Kickoff Event at the De Anza Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC) Theater. This year’s theme, Bridges to Belonging, highlights the importance of empathy and connection in today’s world. Hear from our featured authors as they discuss navigating modern complexities with compassion and discovering common ground even in divided times. 
John A. Powell, author of The Power of Bridging, offers a roadmap for overcoming division and fostering belonging. He explains how “othering” and “breaking” exclude people, while “bridging” creates connection, solidarity, and shared humanity. The book is both a call to action and a guide to co-creating a future grounded in belonging.
Keeonna Harris is the author of Mainline Mama. She shares her journey of raising her son while navigating the U.S. carceral system. Becoming a “mainline mama” at fourteen, she confronts stigma and systemic barriers yet finds resilience, love, and solidarity with other women. Her memoir reveals how connection and community become powerful pathways to belonging.
Annie Hartnett is the author of Unlikely Animals. In this tender and humorous novel, Annie Hartnett shows how belonging can grow in unexpected places. Returning to her New Hampshire hometown to care for her dying father, Emma Starling confronts crisis and loss while rediscovering family and community. Her journey reveals how compassion and connection can mend even fractured lives.
Register now for the Silicon Valley Reads Kickoff event!
Find the schedule of Silicon Valley Reads events held at the library on our Events Calendar. Learn more about Silicon Valley Reads 2026 at https://sccld.org/svr/.
