17 Dec Santa Barbara Reads Kick Off – A Night to Remember!
Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Friday at our SB Reads 2025 Kick Off!
Hosted in the Michael Towbes Outdoor Plaza, copies of The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen were given away accompanied by community artwork, arts and crafts, tea and donuts from Kin Bakeshop, and the Friends of The Library. This evening was a moment of joy and community amidst heavy times, made possible by donors like you.
SB Reads is just getting started, and there are many fun upcoming events – mark your calendars!
Starting with book discussions, join your neighbors in discussing the themes and inspiration derived from The Magic Fish.
- SB Reads Book Discussion: November 4, Downtown Farmers Market, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
- SB Reads Fiction Book Club Discussion: November 5, Central Library, 5:30 – 6:45 PM (Registration Required)
- Grupo de lectura en espanol: November 6, Fox Wine Co., 4:00 – 5:30 PM
- SB Reads Book Discussion: November 13, Central Library, 5:30 – 6:30 PM (Registration Required)
Join a Memory Pocket Altar Workshop inspired by the graphic novel, where you have the opportunity to create custom pocket altars and learn hand-sewing techniques!
- Memory Pocket Altar Workshop: October 26, Central Library, 10:00 – 11:30 AM (Registration Required)
- Memory Pocket Altar Workshop: October 30, Central Library, 5:00 – 6:30PM (Registration Required)
Still in a crafty mood? No fear! Stop by for a special Stained Glass Workshop in the Central Library’s Faulkner Gallery. Create a meaningful momento to cherish for years to come!
- Stained Glass Workshop Part 1: November 3, Central Library, 5:00 – 6:30PM (Registration Required)
- Stained Glass Workshop Part 2: November 10, Central Library, 5:00 – 6:30PM (Registration Required)
The Library’s “Library on the Go” will be making an appearance at Fox Wine Co on November 6th. At the Eastside Library, more refreshing beverages will be celebrated over “Magic” discussions at Refrescos y Retratos on November 7th. Register now to save your spot for a family portait taken by Cher Martinez!
On November 8th, the Library’s Montecito Branch will be celebrating The Magic Fish over Vietnamese Stories and Crafts, accompanied by students of UCSB’s Vietnamese Student Association.
Queer community is as important as ever, and on November 14th the public Library is celebrating queer voices and community through SB Speaks: Cultural Storytelling. Celebrating the themes of queer belonging in The Magic Fish, come together and listen to the stories of our community.
“Stories of queer joy, of found family, of the layers of home you’ve come from and find yourself in, of the people that you’ve built stars with amid the tundra of night.”
Interested in being a storyteller? Calls for storytelling performances have been extended through October 31st.
SB Reads 2025 is packed with events to build, support, and uplift community. For (even) more kids and family events, click here.
Thank you for supporting The Santa Barbara Public Library, and happy SB Reads!
