Mill Valley Public Library

On Wednesday, May 20th, join us for a special conversation with Jeanne Carstensen , author of A Greek Tragedy, the gripping true story of a devastating shipwreck during the biggest refugee crisis since World War II. In conversation with author Nina Schuyler

One week! We are so excited to welcome Portia Elan () to discuss her buzzy new novel Homebound in conversation with Michael David Lukas (). “A joy...and a hauntingly beautiful exploration of what makes us human. It kept me up all night!” —MADELINE MILLER, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Song of Achilles

Link to register in bio!

Whether you’re deeply familiar with the topic, or just starting to learn more, tonight’s timely talk on the economics of immigration offers the chance to think critically, go deep, and ask questions. Immigration is one of the most talked-about (and often misunderstood) policy issues in the U.S. right now. What does the evidence actually say about immigration and crime? What are the economic impacts of government support programs, and who really benefits? Link in bio to register!

Are you an artist or craft vendor interested in tabling at Pride or the Juneteenth Freedom Festival? Click the link in our bio to fill out the form to potentially table at one of these exciting events! Booths are 10’x10’ and there is no charge.

Join us for a multimedia reading event! Acclaimed cartoonists will take us on a journey with words and pictures, reading nonfiction, literary fiction, and memoir, as their drawings are projected. Readings from Donna Almendrala, Rina Ayuyang, JF Frankel, Justin Hall, and Frederick Noland, hosted by Sophie Yanow. If you are graphic-novel-curious, this is a great introduction to the medium.

Thursday, April 23rd, join us at the for a conversation with author and former government reporter, Devi Laskar () author of The Atlas of Reds and Blues, in celebration of her new novel, Midnight, at the War. Inspired by journalists Christiane Amanpour and Sylvia Poggioli, Midnight, at the War is a book about a reporter chasing the biggest story of her career as she contends with a tense newsroom, a dangerous global conflict, and all the problems she’s running away from at home. In conversation with Dr. Vijaya Nagarajan ()

TONIGHT! We’re so excited to welcome McSweeney’s Executive Director Amanda Uhle (.uhle) to present her new memoir, Destroy This House: a tender, heartbreaking, and hilarious memoir chronicling the challenges of growing up with a desperately scheming father, a mother plagued by an acute hoarding disorder, and parenting parents while seeking independence. She’ll be in conversation with We’d love to see you there!

presents: The California Camera Club: Collective Visions in the Making of the American West

Join us for this author talk and book signing with Carolin Görgen, Associate Professor of American Studies at Sorbonne Université.
In her new book, Görgen examines the history and cultural significance of the California Camera Club, a San Francisco–based photographic association that emerged as the largest organization of its kind in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century. Görgen retraces the forgotten history of this group, its members, and their contribution to shaping the cultural imagination of California and the American West. In telling the story of these largely unknown photographers, the book offers a new perspective on American photography and its collective dimension.

Image credit: Los Angeles Public Library

On Wednesday, April 8th, presents a panel of talented local authors who have written about the complicated topic of grief and healing. Featuring Colleen Dolan, Julia Park Tracey (), and Carol Bruce (). Moderated by Christine Walker ().

After Hours is this Friday night! Claude M. Steele’s new book Churn reveals how trust building can be a fresh and surprisingly powerful strategy for mitigating tensions between people with different identities and levels of power. Steele braids together psychological research with his own biracial life story, demonstrating how initial wariness between people is as much a product of our history as of our biases. With Malcolm Gladwell–like clarity, captures the most commonplace tensions of life in a multifaceted democracy and how to minimize their corrosive effects in everyday life. Adults and high school students only. Free wine reception at 6:30pm for pre-registered guests. Register at the link in our bio!