Annual CV Library Reading Event Kicking off Next Month

Author Jess Walter wrote The Cold Millions, which was chosen by Castro Valley Library for CV Reads this year.

Castro Valley Library is hosting its seventh annual “Castro Valley Reads” community event, sharing with us the novel The Cold Millions by best-selling author Jess Walter. Free copies of the book will be available to those who register for a book discussion group.

“Castro Valley Reads is an opportunity to discuss thoughtful books,” says Dawn Balestreri, Manager of the Castro Valley Library.  “But more than that, it is an invitation to come together as a community to grow in our understanding of important ideas and events. Nearly 1,000 community members have accepted our invitation over the past seven years. Will you join us this year?”

Registration for the Seventh Annual Castro Valley Reads is open now, and a special kick-off event takes place at the Library on Sunday, February 4 at 2 p.m. To register for this event, go to aclibrary.org/castro-valley-reads/ 

At the kickoff you can learn more about The Cold Millions and sing along as local horn ensemble fun’SQ plays union songs from the 20th century. There’s no need to register for the kick-off, but please register for a discussion group before attending.  

Adult Services Librarian Chris Selig explains the reasons The Cold Millions was selected this year.

“When we choose a book for CV Reads, we think about what’s happening in the world,” she says. “Last year we saw many people going on strike, including the Hollywood writers, United Auto Workers, college teaching assistants, and Kaiser employees. There’s a renewed interest in unions, and this book is about a time in Spokane when people were struggling over the ability to even protest. We just love this book.”  

She adds that despite the serious topics, including free speech, there is humor in the novel and the writing is lively. There is also violence, reflecting the realities that occur when folks are caught up in a system of inequality. The Cold Millions tells the tale of two orphaned brothers who are caught up in those turbulent times. One of the characters in the book, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, was a real “rebel girl”  living in the early 20th century. 

To add depth to CV Reads this year, several additional activities are planned for readers.  College history professor Jane Wolford will give a lecture about Flynn on Saturday, March 23 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The League of Women Voters will host a panel discussion about the First Amendment on Tuesday, March 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.. A lecture on income equality will be presented by Bill Sokol on Sunday, March 24 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

And on April 14 at 3 p.m. The Cold Millions author Jess Walter will speak at Castro Valley Center for the Arts, for those participating in CV Reads. 

Discussion groups designed especially for those in grades 4 to 7 are also scheduled, in addition to those for adults. Please check the Castro Valley Library website for dates and times.

CV Reads is funded by Friends of the Castro Valley Library. To find out more or get involved, please see https://www.friendsofcvlibrary.org/. 

Castro Valley LIbrary is located at 3600 Norbridge Ave., (510) 667-7900.