Distinguished Author Series

Mitch Albom

Renowned Author, Journalist, and Philanthropist

Mitch Albom has written numerous bestsellers, including the bestselling memoir, Tuesdays With Morrie (1997). Many of his works have been adapted to screen and stage. Albom is also a renowned newspaper columnist and sportswriter, contributing to the Detroit Free Press for decades. Albom is also known for his philanthropic work, which includes providing helping the disadvantaged in Detroit, Michigan and operating an orphanage and school in Haiti.

His latest novel, Twice, explores second chances. Released on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Twice tells the story of a man who dares to explore how unchecked desires might mean losing what he has had all along. At its heart, Twice is a love story that will have readers think, weep, and overflow with love.

Join us for a very special talk with Mitch Albom about Twice on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the Campbell Heritage Theatre in Campbell. There will be Q&A with the audience after the talk.

Participants can purchase a copy of the book, Twice, at the talk and have it signed by Albom. Due to the expected popularity of the book signing, we ask participants to refrain from bringing supplemental items for autographs.

Daniel Silva

We invite you to what will inevitably be an intriguing conversation with spy novelist Daniel Silva on Friday, July 18 at 7 p.m. at the Campbell Heritage Theater in Campbell.

Considered to be his “generation’s finest writer of international intrigue and one of the greatest American spy novelists ever,” Daniel Silva is the mastermind behind the long-running Gabriel Allon spy thriller series. His background as a journalist in Washington, D.C. and the Middle East covering international stories, have helped set the scene of many Gabriel Allon adventures, from Venice to Vienna, and Syria to South Africa.

In his latest novel, An Inside Job, art restorer and sometimes spy Gabriel Allon is tasked with recovering a lost masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci while solving the death of a mystery woman. The action moves at breakneck speed from the galleries and auction houses of London to an enclave of unimaginable wealth on the French Riviera—and, finally, to a shocking climax in St. Peter’s Square.

2023 Distinguished Author Series

The Distinguished Author Series aspires to bring together diverse writers whose words strike a chord with readers and spark thought-provoking ideas and discussions.

Mitch Albom

Bestselling Author, Screenwriter, Journalist, Broadcaster & Philanthropist

Mitch Albom has written numerous bestsellers, including the bestselling memoir of all times, Tuesdays with Morrie (1997). Albom is also a renowned newspaper columnist and sports writer. Albom now dedicates much of his time to philanthropic work, which includes providing medical care to homeless children in Michigan and operating an orphanage in Haiti.

His novel, The Little Liar, explores honesty, survival, revenge and devotion in a story originally set during the Holocaust.

Watch a 5 minute clip of the Author Visit presentation held December 1, 2023.

Captivating Voices

The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is proud to announce the third annual Distinguished Author Series. SCCLD welcomes three writers whose works spark thought-provoking ideas and conversations. Each of these barrier-breaking authors comes from a different and diverse background, with stories that will captivate and inspire.

Each author presentation or moderated talk will be followed by an audience participation opportunity for questions and answers.

The Distinguished Author Series is Free and open to the public.

Past Programs

Emily Chang

Television Anchor and Author

Emmy Award-winning journalist Emily Chang reports on global technology and media companies, startups, and the future of business. Her exposé Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley, sheds a bright, objective and journalistic light on the issue of gender gaps in Silicon Valley that have shut women out of the great wealth creation.

Author Visit with Emily Chang
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 @ 7:00 pm

Heritage Theatre
1 West Campbell Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Bestselling Author and Editor

Acclaimed novelist, short-story writer and editor Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the recipient of the Locus and British Fantasy Awards. Born in Mexico, but now living in Canada, Moreno-Garcia’s writings cross multiple genres from fantasy, science fiction, horror and noir. Her works include Mexican Gothic, Velvet Was the Night and the recently released The Daughter of Doctor Moreau.

Author Visit with Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Saturday, October 1, 2022 @ 3:00 pm

Smithwick Theater at Foothill College
12345 El Monte Road
Los Altos, CA 94002

In this 5-minute clip with Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the bestselling author and editor talks about setting the mood and creating the memorable characters and incorporating historical moments of her 2021 novel, Velvet Was the Night.

Dr. Daphne Miller

Medical Doctor and Author

Family physician, science writer, and clinical professor Dr. Daphne Miller studies the connections between health, food, and agriculture, with the goal of building a healthier and more resilient food system. She has written two books: The Jungle Effect: The Science of Wisdom and Traditional Diets and Farmacology: Total Health from the Soil Up.

Author Visit with Dr. Daphne Miller
Saturday, October 22, 2022 @ 3:00 pm

Forum 1 Building at De Anza College
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014

The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is proud to announce a four-part, virtual author series beginning in April. The Distinguished Author Series brings together great authors who spark new thoughts, ideas and deep discussion. Delve into the minds of Dr. Robert Sapolsky, Jaron Lanier, Joyce Carol Oates and Jhumpa Lahiri to explore topics of the biology of stress and related diseases, the impact of technology on present lives and the future, and immigration.

“We are honored to present these award-winning authors, scientists and artists,” said County Librarian Jennifer Weeks. “By hearing from them firsthand, we hope to engage people into thought-provoking conversation and gain a deeper understanding of these topics, as we listen and learn.”

Dr. Robert Sapolsky will kick off the series on Wednesday, April 14, at 7:00 pm. The Stanford Professor lectures on diverse topics such as stress and related diseases, living amongst baboons and the biology of individuality. His most notable works include Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers (1994), and the bestseller Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst (2017).

A second event will be held on Wednesday, April 28, at 7:00 pm with Jaron Lanier. The computer scientist, composer, visual artist and author has been at the forefront of technical innovation and writes about the social impact of technology, Internet politics and the future of humanism. His books include the bestseller You are Not a Gadget (2010), Who Owns the Future? (2013) and Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now (2018). He was most recently featured in the Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma (2020).

Award-winning novelist, poet and essayist Joyce Carol Oates will join us on Saturday, May 8, at 3:00 pm. This versatile and accomplished author has penned bestselling novels, critically acclaimed collections of short fiction, essays and a memoir including The Falls (2004), We Were the Mulvaney’s (1996), Night. Sleep. Death. The Stars (2020) and the newly released The (other) You (2021).

The series will wrap on Saturday, May 22, at 3:00 pm with Pulitzer

Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri. Her writing explores issues of identity among immigrants and cultural transplants, as well as the perplexities of the immigrant experience. Lahiri’s notable works include the Pulitzer Prize-winning Interpreter of Maladies (1999), The Namesake (2003) and Unaccustomed Earth (2008).

“This is a rare opportunity to engage with truly distinguished authors,” said County Supervisor and Library JPA Board Member Joe Simitian. “By offering these events virtually, even more people across the County will have the opportunity to participate and interact with the writers who are speaking to the critical issues of our time.”

Each event will feature a moderator to facilitate conversation with the author. There will also be time for participant questions at the end of the discussion. Please register in advance to receive a Zoom link to these special events. Learn more about the Distinguished Author Series and register for events at sccld.org/authorseries

SCCLD would like to thank the Los Altos Library Endowment, Friends of the Milpitas Library, and the Saratoga Friends of the Libraries for their generosity in supporting the Distinguished Author Series.

The Distinguished Author Series

Dr. Robert Sapolsky: Wednesday, April 14, 7 p.m.
Jaron Lanier: Wednesday, April 28, 7 p.m.
Joyce Carol Oates: Saturday, May 8, 3 p.m.
Jhumpa Lahiri: Saturday, May 22, 3 p.m.

The investigators. The storytellers. The bold thinkers.

The Santa Clara County Library District is proud to announce the Distinguished Author Series, featuring acclaimed best-selling writers who have captivated us, challenged us and fostered our curiosity. This fall, we welcome Sonia Nazario, John Carreyrou, and Susan Orlean. Hear from them firsthand and gain deeper insight into their stories, and how they crafted their works through meticulous and detailed research and reporting.

		Susan Orlean Author of The Library Book
Journalist and best-selling author SUSAN ORLEAN has an eye for the moving, the hilarious, and the surprising. The Library Book explores the history, power, and future of libraries, while delving into the mysterious fire that nearly destroyed the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986. An ever-engaging and unforgettable speaker, Orlean delivers lectures all over the country.
		John Carreyrou Author of Bad Blood
JOHN CARREYROU is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter at the Wall Street Journal. He has won multiple awards for his extensive coverage of Theranos. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup was named the Financial Times & McKinsey Business Book of the Year. For more information please visit www.prhspeakers.com
		Sonia Nazario Author of Enrique’s Journey
SONIA NAZARIO has spent 20 years reporting social issues including hunger, drug addiction and immigration. Her award-winning bestseller, Enrique’s Journey, tells the story of a Honduran boy struggling to find his mother in the U.S. A graduate of Williams College and UC Berkeley, Nazario got her start writing for the Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.