Fostering ‘Belonging’
Through selected books and more than 100 free events, Silicon Valley Reads hopes to spark connection, empathy and understanding across Santa Clara County for its 2026 event under the theme “Bridges to Belonging.”
Silicon Valley Reads will officially kick off on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, with a free in-person and live-streamed event at De Anza College in Cupertino with the authors of the three featured adult books.
“The Power of Bridging,” a nonfiction work by John A. Powell, “offers practical strategies to build an inclusive society where everyone feels they belong.” “Mainline Mama” is Keeonna Harris’ memoir about navigating motherhood with an incarcerated partner.
Annie Hartnett’s “Unlikely Animals” is a novel about connection and community as seen thro…
Fostering ‘Belonging’
Through selected books and more than 100 free events, Silicon Valley Reads hopes to spark connection, empathy and understanding across Santa Clara County for its 2026 event under the theme “Bridges to Belonging.”
Silicon Valley Reads will officially kick off on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, with a free in-person and live-streamed event at De Anza College in Cupertino with the authors of the three featured adult books.
“The Power of Bridging,” a nonfiction work by John A. Powell, “offers practical strategies to build an inclusive society where everyone feels they belong.” “Mainline Mama” is Keeonna Harris’ memoir about navigating motherhood with an incarcerated partner.
Annie Hartnett’s “Unlikely Animals” is a novel about connection and community as seen through the eyes of a woman caring for her dying father, who sees the ghost of natural historian Ernest Harold Baynes, among others.
Events centered on the Silicon Valley Reads theme will include author talks, classes, workshops, community discussions, kids crafts and other programs. The complete schedule of events will be available at siliconvalleyreads.org in the new year.
Interpreting open space
The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority is hosting an interpretive host training Nov. 15 at the Tilton Ranch Complex in Morgan Hill. If the weather is uncooperative, the training will be held at the authority’s offices at 33 Las Colinas Lane in San Jose.
This training is a qualification for representing the authority as a community outreach volunteer, as well as for participating in trail patrol and for leading hikes as a docent. This training is also required for volunteers who want to help out as a part of the habitat protection team at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma.
The training is set for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sign up before Nov. 12 at http://bit.ly/4o42xYI. After that date, email khill@openspaceauthority.org to indicate interest.