Fall is here again, and that means it’s time to enjoy another community book with Read Contra Costa.
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The Contra Costa County Library system’s selection this year is the award-winning “The Things We Didn’t Know,” by Elba Iris Pérez. The book is a coming-of-age story about moving to the United States from Puerto Rico, learning to exist in two cultures and navigating family rifts while learning to assimilate to American culture.
Read Contra Costa is an annual event that encourages all county residents and library users to share in the experience of reading and discussing the same book at the same time. There are two opportunities to listen to the author discuss her novel and ask questions: She will appear in-person in the Pleasant Hill Library at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 and virtually via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12.
For more information, visit the library system’s Read Contra Costa page at ccclib.org/read-contra-costa. The book is available in hardback, eBook and eAudiobook formats, and the program runs through Nov. 12.
Book Rich Environments: For the last seven years, the library system has partnered with the Contra Costa Housing Authority and Tandem, Partners in Early Learning as part of the Book Rich Environments program to connect families living in public housing communities with reading-related resources.
Since 2018, Contra Costa libraries have delivered more than 40,000 free books to families across the county. The next event is called “Wild About Books” and takes place at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 3.
There will be free books for kids and teens, snacks, games, crafts and library card sign-ups. This event will take place at 875 El Pueblo Ave. in Pittsburg near the city’s Community Garden.
Consumer Reports: The county library system now provides free access to ConsumerReports.org, a buying advice tool that can help you get the best deal or product. You can use it to find reliable ratings and reviews for thousands of products and help you make the most of your time and money.
You can also access money-saving advice and tips, buying guides, videos and more. Some popular subjects include appliances, cars, electronics, health, fitness and food, and home and garden. To begin using Consumer Reports, visit ccclib.org/resources.
World’s magazines online: PressReader is a modern, digital platform that gives users the ability to browse, read and download more than 7,000 publications from more than 120 countries in 60 different languages.
Get unlimited access to the world’s best newspapers and magazines, including popular international titles like La Opinión, World Journal, Times of India, La Razón, China Daily, Newsweek, and the Boston Globe. Visit the Digital Resources page at ccclib.org/online-resources for information and to access the platform.
Visit ccclib.org to sign up for a library card and get connected to books and resources. For questions about Contra Costa library services and programming or account information, contact the library system via online chat, email ask@library.cccounty.us or text questions to 925-290-7627.
Brooke Converse is the Contra Costa County Library system’s public information officer and can be reached at brooke.converse@library.cccounty.us.
Library calendar
Introduction to Public Speaking: 11 a.m. Oct. 5 at the Dougherty Station Library. Designed specifically for middle and high school students, this program will help boost confidence and enhance personal relationships through effective communication. Registration is required.
Growing Microgreens Indoors Year Round: 11:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Martinez Library. Join master gardening volunteer Andrea as she demonstrates how vegetables and herbs can be grown year-round into microgreens indoors. After the presentation, participants will have a chance to start their own microgreens to take home.
Birds of Bhutan: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 via Zoom. Join award-winning photographer Bob Lewis for a journey to meet the most interesting birds among the more than 700 species that live in the small, forested Buddhist nation of Bhutan. Registration is required to receive Zoom link.