The Silicon Valley Reads 2026 kickoff on Jan. 15 in the De Anza College Visual and Performing Arts Center featured an author panel, book signings and an accompanying art exhibit focused on belonging.
Silicon Valley Reads chose the theme “Bridges to Belonging” for 2026 to encourage the over 200 attendees to embrace empathy and find common ground in divided times, according to the event website.
Director of Silicon Valley Reads Reid Myers said that the organization’s advisory board unanimously chose the theme to bring the community together because “there is so much division right now, and people are feeling alienated.”
The organization invited three authors whose works focus on belonging and community to speak at their annual kickoff. Sal Pizarro, a Mercury News columnist, hosted the event.
“Belonging means community,” Keeonna Harris, author of “Mainline Mama,” said. “I belong to you, and you belong to me.”
Pizarro asked John A. Powell, author of “The Power of Bridging: how to build a world where we all belong,” what audience members can do to build new bridges with their community.
“Bridge with some part of yourself that you are not willing to spend time with, then bridge with someone who is not a long bridge, not an impossible bridge,” Powell said.
After the panel, attendees were encouraged to add to the chain of kindness with a paper link inscribed with what they love about their community or what gives them a sense of belonging.
“We’re hoping at the end of the Silicon Valley Reads programs… that we’ll have a huge long chain of kindness that people in the community have all contributed too,” Sarah Kishler, a San Jose Public Library librarian and volunteer, said.
All three authors had books available for purchase and book signing lines.
“I always like the signing line to talk face-to-face with people and to hear what they thought about the book,” Annie Hartnett, author of “Unlikely Animals,” said.
The Euphrat Museum of Art coordinated with Silicon Valley Reads to curate the exhibit “A Sense of Belonging,” which features artwork and photography themed to belonging with oneself and the community, according to the museum’s website.
Many of the artists are local such as Fatima Artan, 19, psychology major, and Amira Artan, 14, high schooler. Fatima Artan photographed Amira Artan wearing her handmade, beaded jewelry.
“I wanted to add more style to my outfits and I thought that accessories were the way to go,” Amira Artan said.
Silicon Valley Reads will host over 200 free events under the “Bridges of Belonging” theme until March at local libraries. The organization keeps a list of upcoming events on their website.
“We think that this event brings people together and makes people feel like part of the community,” Myers said. “The cohesiveness of the event does make people feel like they belong every year.”
