31 Aug Embrace the Power of Shared Reading: Support Santa Barbara Reads 2023
Every year, the Santa Barbara Public Library brings our community together through the power of reading. We are thrilled that the Library has announced the captivating novel, A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende, as the featured title for Santa Barbara Reads 2023. This initiative encourages Santa Barbara residents to become part of a shared experience as we read the same book, engage in meaningful discussions, broaden our perspectives, and explore the world through literature.
A Long Petal of the Sea takes readers on a sweeping journey, following the lives of two refugees from the Spanish Civil War as they rebuild their lives in Chile. Isabel Allende’s storytelling provides a poignant reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope can flourish, and that love in all its forms can endure and sustain us in the face of adversity.
The Santa Barbara Public Library’s SB Reads program is about more than books. It’s an invitation to connect, reflect, and explore through the pages of a carefully chosen book. The SB Reads journey will commence on September 28, 2023, at 6 p.m. with a Backbone Storytelling event at Wylde Works at 609 State Street. Be among the first to pick up your print copy of A Long Petal of the Sea and embark on this shared reading adventure.
To ensure inclusivity, the Santa Barbara Public Library will offer A Long Petal of the Sea in multiple formats—English and Spanish, in print, digital, and audiobook. Two companion titles have been carefully chosen to engage and inspire young readers. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera offers a thrilling middle-grade adventure that explores the potency of storytelling and its connection to our past and future. Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, a beautifully illustrated picture book, pays homage to the role of libraries as sanctuaries for immigrants.
Santa Barbara Reads is made possible through the generous support of donors to the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation. By contributing to the Foundation, you play a vital role in fostering a love for reading, building a sense of community, and encouraging lifelong learning. To support Santa Barbara Reads 2023 and contribute to the cultural enrichment of our community, please donate.
