Join Southern California artist and debut author Devin Elle Kurtz for a special Storytime event where she’ll read her new picture book The Bakery Dragon. Devin is a visual development artist, illustrator, and lead background artist on the Netflix animated series Disenchantment. Registration not required to attend. 



The Library Shop will be present with a pop -up store for anyone who'd like to buy a copy to have signed and personalized.

Unfortunately, a number of the popular programs made possible through SRFOL’s financial support are temporarily on hold through December due to changes in payment processing procedures mandated by the City; Mini-movers and Music plus the Art Smarts, Family Arts, and Toshwerks programs are affected.  For complete details and updates, check our website. Highlighted events are sponsored by SRFOL.  

• Storytime: Every Wednesday and the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 10 am; toddlers and preschoolers.
• Rocketry:  Thursday, November 7, 3 pm; K–grade 2. Hands-on rocket-building adventure with the San Diego Air and Space Museum!
• First Robotics: Saturday, November 30, 10 to 12 pm. Students ages 8-14 will engage in an exciting, hands-on robotics program to help them prepare to take part in First Lego League (FLL) or First Tech Challenge (FTC). Details: [https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/firstrobotics1130]
• Chess Club:  Saturday, November 9 and 23, 11 am–1 pm.  
• Pajama Signing Story Time: Tuesday, November 12, 6–6:30 pm.
• Storytime with Author Devin Elle Kurtz:  Wednesday, November 13, 10 am. A visual development artist, illustrator, and lead background artist on the Netflix animated series, “Disenchantment,” Devin will read her picture book, The Bakery Dragon, at this special storytime event.    
• Explore the Shore!  Thursday, November 21, 4 pm; children and adults of all ages.  Exciting, hands-on program in partnership with Seal Society of San Diego.  
• Family Board Game Afternoon:  Saturday, November 23; for children ages 2–17 and families.  Fun-filled afternoon playing award-winning board games. In partnership with Toy Hermit.
• Kamishibai StoryBox Theatre:  Tuesday, November 26, 6 pm; all ages.
• In-N-Out Cover to Cover Reading Program:  Through November 16; ages 4–12.  Read 5 books and receive a free hamburger/cheeseburger from In-N-Out!  Details:  [https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/cover-to-cover].

In August, the Book Discussion Group began meeting at the library again. After four years of Zoom meetings, it was wonderful to see everyone in person, and we spent quite a bit of time catching up and meeting a couple of new members who had joined us on Zoom.

Our August book was The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel. This book is part of a loose trilogy, with a few characters from one book reappearing in the next. We read the first book (Station Eleven) a couple of years ago. The Glass Hotel centers on a Ponzi scheme and follows several people who are involved or affected by it. Written from multiple viewpoints, it was complex enough that several of us felt we needed to make notes to keep all the characters straight. We've really enjoyed both of her books, so there's a good chance the third book (Sea of Tranquility) will be on our list for next year.

Our September book was Rules for Visiting by Jessica Frances Kane. The group was fairly divided—some people really liked the book, often because they could relate to the protagonist's experiences or personality. Others enjoyed the book but felt it wasn’t particularly deep. This led to a great discussion about friendship and the different types of connections people form.

This month the group is reading Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power by Rachel Maddow.  Join the discussion on Thursday, November 14, from 12:00–1:30 pm in the library’s Seminar Room.  New Members welcome!  Copies of this book are available at the circulation desk. 

This week's recommendation comes from Brent Jensen, Library Assistant I, Mission Valley Library. Brent recommends: The Minotaur at Calle Lanza

by Zito Madu. "The occasion for this memoir is a month abroad in Venice during which the author reflects on his life, from childhood in Nigeria to adolescence in Detroit; the author himself is the minotaur that he eventually meets face to face in the maze of his wandering through past and present." To read Brent's full review, check out the October 6, 2024 issue of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Check out the reviewed book here:

“The Minotaur at Calle Lanza,” by Zito Madu

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C1804209

Check out the playlist books here:

“Labyrinths,” by Jorge Luis Borges

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C1244377

“Invisible Cities,” by Italo Calvino

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C235033

“Every Day Is for the Thief,” by Teju Cole

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C276233

Recommended Reads is an ongoing partnership with The San Diego Union-Tribune. Every other week, Behind the Desk goes in-depth on the books we recommend. Read the Sunday Paper to see our most recent reviews or view our past archive on the SDPL website: sandiego.gov/sdplreviews