Read-Alikes

Have you had an opportunity yet to join the community by reading this year's Silicon Valley Reads book: Brian Copeland's Not A Genuine Black Man?

Would you like to explore other books that are similar to Not A Genuine Black Man?

Well, you're in luck because the staff at the Palo Alto City Library has put together a display of books with similar themes, also known as "read-alikes." You can browse this display in person at the Main library, or you can visit the booklist online. The online booklist even links right into the library's catalog to connect you with any of the books you find interesting.

After I've read a book that has made an impression upon me, I love to discover similar books. The library is a great place for discovering these "read-alikes." We have many free resources to aid in finding your next good read.

Here are just a few of my favorites, with some ideas about how to use these resources to find "read-alikes" using the example of Not a Genuine Black Man:

If you enjoy browsing through books, explore the print resources available in the Reference collection for use inside the library. Try the "What Do I Read Next?" series, for example. You might browse through What Do I Read Next? Multicultural Literature for expert guidance in identifying other titles or authors of African American Literature, after reading about Brian Copeland's experiences as an African American.

Another wonderful book helps you find nonfiction recommendations: The Real Story: A Guide to Nonfiction Reading Interests. After reading Brian Copeland's autobiography, you might use The Real Story to find recommendations for other people's life stories or biographies.

The library also provides access to some great online resources for finding your next book. Check out our "Resources Online," in the library or at home, to get a listing of what's available to you with your library card.

My go-to online resource for finding fiction is Novelist. If you want to find fiction that ties into the themes of Not a Genuine Black Man, you might search for subjects like "Africans-Americans," "race relations," or "prejudice." If you particularly like historical fiction, you could narrow your results to only include those titles. You can find Novelist from the library's website under "Resources Online," listed within the subject "Literature, Reading & Music." Have your library card handy so you can access this powerful tool!

Last, but not least, you can come on in to the library in person and ask a librarian for recommendations. Check the Library Branches webpage for the location and hours of the branch most convenient for you.

Reading on the Rise

Books are back!

On Monday the National Endowment for the Arts released a report, "Reading on the Rise," showing the first increase in adult fiction reading since 1982. According to the New York Times, this recent rise in reading is "not a school-based trend but a broader, community-wide phenomenon."

Read the full New York Times article for more information and a link to the NEA report:
Fiction Reading Increases for Adults
By MOTOKO RICH
January 12, 2009

While experts are speculating about the causes of this rise in reading, Dana Gioia, the chairman of the NEA, names community-wide reading programs as key components in reversing the decline in reading. The NEA started The Big Read program in 2006 to combat the accelerating decline in literary reading. The Big Read offers the opportunity for a community to come together by reading one book, discussing it together, and attending related events over the course of a month.

Here in the Palo Alto area we have our very own community-wide month-long reading program, Silicon Valley Reads, now in its seventh year. Participate in building community literacy by reading this year's book selection, Not a Genuine Black Man, and then join us for our kick-off event with the book's author:

An Evening With Brian Copeland

Wednesday, January 28
6:30 p.m.
Palo Alto High School Haymarket Theater

photo attribution:
"There Is Creative Reading"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10565597@N00/2788065166

Silicon Valley Reads 2009

Happy New Year!

The Palo Alto City Library is starting off 2009 with the excitement of the annual Silicon Valley Reads program.

Silicon Valley Reads is a Santa Clara county-wide reading program to promote literacy and build community in our area. Each year Silicon Valley Reads selects a book that appeals to diverse audiences and considers issues relevant to Silicon Valley. Everyone who lives, works, or learns in our area is invited to read the selected book and to participate in the accompanying series of cultural events designed to spark discussion about the book's themes.

This year's book selection is Not a Genuine Black Man by Bay Area media personality Brian Copeland.

In this book, Copeland shares with us his experiences growing up as an African American in what he calls the "lily white suburbs" of San Leandro, California in our very own Bay Area. He offers us all his thoughtful consideration of his attempt to claim his own identity in an environment of socially sanctioned racial discrimination. Copeland's writing provides both comedy and tragedy, causing readers to laugh through their tears. This is a powerful and fascinating book.

The Palo Alto City Library encourages everyone to start reading the book before the program events begin in late January. You can find Not a Genuine Black Man through the library catalog--we own more than 25 copies! Or, if you can't wait, try your local bookstore.

Then join us for free program events in January and February:

Not a Genuine Black Man: An Evening with Brian Copeland

• date: Wednesday, January 28



• time: 6:30 p.m.



• location: Palo Alto High School Haymarket Theater, 50 Embarcadero Rd.
  

The Black History Show

• date: Saturday, February 7



• time: 7 p.m.



• location: Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Rd.
  

A Place to Call Home

• date: Friday, February 13



• time: 7 p.m.



• location: Main Library, 1213 Newell Rd
  

Entwined Heritage: University AME Zion Church & Palo Alto

• date: Sunday, February 22



• time: 3 p.m.



• location: Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd.

For more information, visit the library's website or call us at (650) 329-2436.

There will be more to come about Silicon Valley Reads 2009 right here on the blog, so stay tuned!

So Many Books, So Little Time

Some people prefer to read a short book rather than a tome. Others don't have the time to read a lengthy book. Or, perhaps your teen needs to read a book by tomorrow. Here is a search tool that displays only books of 200 pages or less. It does not link to our catalog, but you can find a title there and search for them here! Enjoy this book searching tool.