Behind the Scenes: Book Discussion Leaders

Each year a team of trained volunteers lead our Citywide Reads book discussions. This trusty team of literary devotees work tirelessly to provide the most interesting book discussions around. Volunteers Tiffany, Jessica, Sarina, and Ivy are ready. Are you?

Citywide Reads at the Farmers' Market

Did you miss us at Wednesday's farmers' market? Don't worry, you have another chance. We'll be at Sunday's market on Main Street. Stop by to chat about the Citywide Reads program and The Highest Tide!

Complimentary Books Are Here!

Stop by any Santa Monica Public Library and pick up a complimentary copy of The Highest Tide. All branches and the Main Library's first floor Information Desk will have the books ready to give out beginning Monday, March 24 while supplies last. Many thanks to the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library for sponsorship!

How Will You Participate This Year?

The 2008 Citywide Reads schedule is out!

Discussions
Monday, April 14 at 12 p.m.Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m.Montana Avenue Branch, 1704 Montana Ave.
Friday, April 25 at 3 p.m.Cafe Bolivar, 1741 Ocean Park Blvd.
Saturday, May 3 at 11 a.m. Ocean Park Branch, 2601 Main Street
Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m. Joslyn Park Craft Room, 633 Kensington Rd.
Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. Santa Monica Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk Below the Pier’s Carousel. The Aquarium will be open after its regular hours to host the discussion.
Saturday, May 10 at 1 p.m. Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd.
Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30 Barnes & Noble, 1201 3rd Street Promenade
Friday, May 16 at 2 p.m. It’s A Grind, 602 Santa Monica Blvd.

Special Events
Exploring Our Environment with Jean-Michel Cousteau
Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m. Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium
Ocean explorer and educator Jean-Michel Cousteau addresses the issues of environmental education, ocean conservation, and sustainable living. Hands-on demonstrations and informational booths, sponsored by the Ocean Futures Society, Catalina Environmental Leadership Program, and Ambassadors of the Environment, will be available after the presentation.
Flavors of the Sea with the Too Hot Tamales
Sunday, April 20 at 2 p.m. Main Library, North Entry Courtyard
Border Grill and Ciudad proprietors, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, better known as the Too Hot Tamales, present a Highest Tide-themed, seafood cooking demonstration.
Getting to Know Rachel Carson
Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium’s Tara Treiber presents an introduction to pioneering writer, scientist and ecologist, Rachel Carson, the heroine of The Highest Tide’s Miles O’Malley.
City-TV Call-In Show
Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Tune in to Channel 16 for a live, moderated discussion of The Highest Tide.
The Santa Monica Bay
Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m. Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Learn about the unique ecology of the Santa Monica Bay. This Heal the Bay presentation focuses on the causes and consequences of ocean pollution. The audience will discover what they can do to decrease their impact on the Santa Monica Bay.
Documentary Screening: Deep Blue
Tuesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 3 at 3:30 p.m., Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
You have two chances to check out this breathtaking BBC documentary on underwater and seaside life. The April 29 screening will feature closed captions for the hearing impaired.
Paul Tracey’s Little Blue Planet
Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. Main Library, Children’s Activity Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Accompanied by an eight-foot globe, entertainer Paul Tracey encourages children to care for our planet by using music to draw attention to saving forests, inter-cultural understanding and endangered species.
An Afternoon with Jim Lynch
Saturday, May 17 at 3 p.m. Santa Monica College, Pavilion, 1900 Pico Blvd.
The award-winning author of The Highest Tide presents a reading and discussion, followed by a book signing. Co-sponsored by the Santa Monica College Associates.

Santa Monica, this is your Citywide Reads program. How will you participate?

COVER ME! Teen Book Cover Art Contest

MARCH 15 to APRIL 30

Attention Teens!

Ever wished you could design your own book cover? Here's your chance! Show us your creative talents and design YOUR OWN cover for The Highest Tide by Wednesday, April 30.

Winners will be notified on or before Saturday, May 10 and will be invited to a private "meet and greet" with the author, Jim Lynch, on May 17. Participants MUST be teenagers, ages 13 to 18 or in grades 8 to 12.

Here's how to enter:

1. Pick up an entry form at any Santa Monica Public Library (Main and 3 branches) between
March 15 and April 30.

2. Fill out, sign, and date the entry form on or before the submission deadline: WEDNESDAY, April 30.

3. Drop off your completed entry form and artwork (which must be on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper) to the Youth Reference Desk at the Main Library or mail to:

Cover Me! Teen Book Cover Art Contest
Santa Monica Public Library c/o Erica Cuyugan
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Bookcrossing.com Books Are Being Released

Citywide Reads is partnering with www.bookcrossing.com to distribute The Highest Tide around the City. During the next week, we will register the books with bookcrossing and distribute them around Santa Monica. The books can be found by logging onto www.bookcrossing.com or people can find them serendipitously. The promotion is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Bookcrossing is a free site that registers books and then tracks them as they make their way around Santa Monica and perhaps the globe. The Highest Tide is available now at all of the branches and additional promotional copies will be given out beginning March 24.

Look around your local coffeehouse, laundromat, or even the DMV. You just might find a good book!