Santa Teresa Library is very excited to announce we will be hosting author Michelle Richmond, author of this year's Silicon Valley Reads title, The Year of Fog.  Ms Richmond will be at the library on Wednesday, March 30 at 6:30 to discuss her book and take questions from the audience. 

The Year of Fog is a riveting read that follows the inner journey of a young woman whose fiance's six-year old daughter disappears while in her care.  There is still plenty of time to read it before the author's visit and the library has a number of copies available, so treat yourself to an excellent read and the opportunity to meet the author in person.

Silicon Valley Reads is designed to promote reading and literacy, broaden the exposure to and appreciation of good literature, and build community.  Each year a book is selected based on the following criteria:

• Reflects universal issues relevant to Silicon Valley
• Appeals to diverse audiences
• Is appropriate for both adults and young adults
• Is the work of a living author

On Saturday February 12, 2011 in celebration of 2011 Silicon Valley Reads, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library had the privilege to host the author Michelle Richmond. The author spoke about her book The Year of Fog and the audience enjoyed the presentation during which the author read from her book, spoke of her experience as a writer, and the interpretation of her writings. Questions were asked concerning the plot, characters, and scenes from Ms. Richmond’s books. Ms. Richmond explained how she embedded many themes in her writings including memory, Costa Rica, photography and a darkroom. The audience had a wonderful time asking questions about The Year of Fog and enjoyed the interaction with the author. If you weren't able to attend Michelle Richmond’s presentation, there are many other additional 2011 Silicon Valley Reads activities.

The Silicon Valley Reads 2011 selected novel is The Year of Fog by award-winning Bay Area author, Michelle Richmond. You are warmly invited to meet Michelle at a free author talk and book signing on Saturday, March 26, at 3 to 4 p.m. in the Community Room of Almaden Library and Community Center.

The Year of Fog “follows the journey of a young woman through the mysteries of memory and guilt after her fiance's six-year-old daughter disappears while in her care.” Michelle’s book will be on sale at the author visit, which is co-sponsored by the Friends of Almaden Library.

This is the ninth year of Silicon Valley Reads, Santa Clara County's one book-one community program. The Santa Clara County Library, the County Office of Education, and the San Jose Public Library Foundation present the program each year, with the sponsorship of a number of local foundations, organizations and Friends of the Library groups throughout the county.

The Year of Fog, a novel by Michelle Richmond, is the selection this year. You will have a number of opportunities to hear her talk about the book and her work as a writer, as well as to have her sign your copy of the book. She will be at the Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Library on Saturday, February 12 at 1 PM, at the West Valley Branch on Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 PM, the Cambrian Branch on Wednesday, March 16 at 6:30 PM, the Berryessa Branch on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:30 PM, the Almaden Branch on Saturday, March 26, at 3 PM, and the Santa Teresa Branch on Wednesday, March 30 at 6:30 PM. The  Silicon Valley Reads website lists all author visits and numerous other events.

The library has copies of the book in paperback and also in audiobook and eBook formats.

My book club, like many others, read the book this month. We had a lively discussion about memory and loss, among other themes explored in the book. I'm curious -- what did you think of the book? Did you read the end at some point to break the tension or did you read straight through?

Every year Silicon Valley residents have the opportunity to read the same book and come together to discuss it and participate in a variety of programs on topics related to it. Silicon Valley Reads programs take place in libraries and other venues throughout the county.

The title selected for adults for 2011 is:

The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond - "Photographer Abby Mason's life is changed forever by the disappearance of the young girl with whom she had been walking on a cold and foggy beach, and her desperate search for the truth behind the child's vanishing."

The companion books for children are:

Alabama Moon by Watt Key (grades 4-8) - "After the death of his father, ten-year-old Moon leaves their forest shelter home and is sent to an Alabama institution, becoming entangled in the outside world he has never known and making good friends, a relentless enemy, and finally a new life."

One by Kathryn Otoshi (grades K-3) - "A number/color book reminding us that it just takes one to make everyone count."

Pouch! by David Ezra Stein (preschool-K) - "A baby kangaroo takes his first tentative hops outside of his mama's pouch, meeting other creatures and growing bolder each time."

Silicon Valley Reads will kick off on January 26, 2011, with a conversation between author Michelle Richmond and Mercury News columnist Mike Cassidy. The free program will be held at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 6:45 pm, and it's a good idea to arrive early since last year's event attracted an overflow crowd.

• Events at San Jose Public Libraries
 
• More Silicon Valley Reads 2011 events throughout the area