Our Community Reads is a program of the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries in which the community selects a book and then comes together for a series of events related to themes in the book.
The selected book for the 2025 Season of Our Community Reads is Flight Behavior by noted author Barbara Kingsolver.
Set in the Tennessee mountains, Flight Behavior looks at the effects of climate change on people and the environment. Dellarobia Turnbow stumbles upon “a lake of fire,” which is actually a valley teeming with millions of Monarch butterflies who have veered off course in their migration from the mountains of Mexico. As the news spreads, the tiny town becomes the center of media attention, religious fanaticism, and scientific scrutiny.
A team of ecologists investigates; tourists flock to the mountain; opportunists look for ways to make a fast buck; myth-makers invoke religion to explain “the miracle.” Caught in the middle, Dellarobia is torn between science and belief.
Here is the January through March 2025 schedule of activities and events for this wonderful book:
January 2025
January 21 – Tuesday – 1:30 to 2:30 pm
Field Trip: Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges
Join Martha Nitzberg, Interpretive Ranger, and volunteer docent June Langhoff at a Monarch overwintering site. Learn about their amazing migration and the Methuselah generation that winters on our coast. Weather permitting, we’ll take a short, guided walk to the Monarch grove. Binoculars will enhance the experience. Coffee & snacks provided.
Location: Meet at the Natural Bridges Visitor Center — 2531 W Cliff Drive (parking fee)
Note: There will be an optional stop at Lighthouse Field (another overwintering site) afterward.
Click here to register for this event.
January 23 – Thursday – 11 am to 1 pm
Book Discussion
Join your fellow readers to talk about our 2025 selection and discuss major themes in depth. Casey Coonerty Protti, owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz, will facilitate the conversation. Sandwiches provided by Aegis Living, Aptos.
Location: The Loft Coffee Shop — 2701 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos
Click here to register for this event.
January 25 – Saturday – 5 to 7 pm
Film ~ Ice on Fire
Ice on Fire is a documentary narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio which premiered to a standing ovation at Cannes Film Festival in 2019. It explores both the potential extinction level effects caused by arctic methane release and newly developed technologies that could reverse global warming. According to Variety, the film “continues to spread the alarm about climate change but this time offers concrete solutions.”
After the film, Dr. Gary Griggs, Distinguished Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UCSC, will moderate a brief Q&A session. Dr. Griggs is also Chair of the California Ocean Sciences Trust, and a columnist for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. His latest book is California Catastrophes – The Natural Disaster History of the Golden State.
Location: La Selva Beach Branch Library — 316 Estrella Avenue, La Selva Beach
Click here to register for this event.
January 29 – Wednesday – 6:30 pm
Through the Lens: Photographers in nature
Local nature photographers Seraphina Landgrebe, Kevin Lohman, and Bruce Leventhal join fellow photographer Jim Bourne for a lively discussion of how to capture those special images in the wild. Seraphina Landgrebe has been awarded “Photographer of the Year” by the Professional Photographers Association of the Monterey Bay Area and has operated a successful portrait studio for 30 years in Santa Cruz County. Kevin Lohman is an award-winning wildlife photographer living in Santa Cruz, with an educational background in marine science. Bruce Leventhal is an educator, naturalist, and photographer with degrees in biology emphasizing ecology, evolution, and behavior. Samples of their work will be on display.
Location: Radius Gallery at the Tannery Arts Center — 1050 River St #127, Santa Cruz
Click here to register for this event.
February 2025
February 1 – Saturday – 1 to 3 pm
Poetry in Flight: A Writing Workshop
In a creative and supportive setting, poet-teacher Magdalena Montagne will guide you in writing poems inspired by the many themes of Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior — identity, belonging, climate activism, social justice, and more. No experience necessary; appropriate for teens and up.
Location: Fireside Room, Scotts Valley Branch Library — 251 Kings Valley Road, Scotts Valley
Click here to register for this event.
February 5 – Wednesday – 6:30 pm
Displaced: How Climate Change is Causing Dislocation and Economic Hardship in Latin America & Beyond
Nick Rowell, Professor of Political Science at Cabrillo College, discusses how natural disasters and severe shifts in weather are destroying human habitats and forcing entire communities to abandon their homes and livelihoods, unwillingly joining the growing numbers of climate refugees.
Location: Betty Leonard Community Room, Aptos Branch Library — 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos
Click here to register for this event. Event will also be available via Zoom.
February 7 – Friday – 11 am
Preschool Story Time
Join librarian Rowan Rammer for great stories and a butterfly craft activity related to Flight Behavior, by Barbara Kingsolver.
Location: Betty Leonard Community Room, Aptos Branch Library — 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos
No registration needed.
February 8 – Saturday – 11 am to 4 pm
38th Annual Migration Festival
Celebrate all the migratory creatures – whales, birds, and (of course) butterflies – who pass through our area every year. Family-friendly, with activities for grown-ups and kids alike: talks, games, crafts, music, and more!
Location: Natural Bridges State Park — 2531 W Cliff Drive (Free admission)
This is a State Parks event. No registration needed.
February 13 – Thursday – 6:30 pm
Timber! A History of Local Logging and the Path Toward Sustainability
A thought-provoking discussion of logging in our local forests. How proper logging practices and private landownership have come into conflict regarding protected species, and how natural disasters,especially fires, have impacted environmental policy. Panelists: Ed Orre, Cal Fire Division Chief, Resource Management for the Santa Clara Unit; Lisa Robinson, President of the San Lorenzo Valley Museum, member of the Conference of California Historical Societies and the Society of California Archivists; and Bryan Largay, Conservation Director of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. Moderated by Judi Heher of the Friends of the Scotts Valley Library.
Location: Fireside Room, Scotts Valley Branch Library — 251 Kings Valley Road, Scotts Valley
Click here to register for this event. Event will also be available via Zoom.
February 19 – Wednesday – 6:30 pm
On the Move: How Climate Change is Disrupting our Natural Habitats and Causing Unintended Migration
A discussion of the factors that are causing displacement and population reduction of both marine and terrestrial creatures here on the Central Coast. Panelists are Catherine Courtier (PhD candidate, UC Davis and NOAA SWFSC) and Paige Kouba (PhD, UC Davis).The event is moderated by Lauren Hanneman, Associate Faculty, Cabrillo College Department of Environmental Studies.
Location: Live Oak Library Annex at the Simpkins Family Swim Center — 979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz
Click here to register for this event. Event will also be available via Zoom.
February 22 – Saturday – 1 p.m.
Musing on Monarchs ~ Art workshop
An art project where we take a naturalist’s journey with these amazing creatures. Observe, draw, and write in this unique art experience, facilitated by artists and art educators Sharon Ferguson and Jo-Neal Graves. Your interest and love of the natural world are the only requirements.
Location: Ow Family Community Room, Capitola Branch Library — 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola
Click here to register for this event.
March 2025
March 4 – Tuesday – 6 pm
Film ~ Flight of the Butterflies
The stunning cinematography of this Canadian film follows Monarch butterflies on their migration from Canada, across the U.S., to remote overwintering sanctuaries in Mexico, where they settle in the hundreds of millions. Prior to the film, Martha Nitzberg, Interpretive Ranger at Natural Bridges State Beach, will share her expertise on the Monarchs of Santa Cruz.
Art works from an Aptos High School student art competition, redesigning the Flight Behavior book cover, will be shown. The judges are staff members of Bookshop Santa Cruz and Two Birds Books.
Location: Betty Leonard Community Room — Aptos Branch Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos
Click here to register for this event.
March 8 – Saturday – 10:30 am
From Manzanita to Milkweed: Plants to Support Monarchs and other Pollinators
Get to know the best native California flowering plants for your home garden. You’ll learn how to source the plants and even propagate some of them from seed. (Seeds wil be shared, plus a list of additional resources.) With over 20 years of California native plant experience, UC Master Gardener Janice Kuch has worked on various local habitat restoration projects, including a current native plant garden project at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park.
Location: Felton Branch Library Community Room — 6121 Gushee Street, Felton
Click here to register for this event.
March 13 – Thursday – 6 pm
Trivia Night
The Santa Cruz Public Library’s Victor Willis poses challenging questions inspired by Flight Behavior, its setting and subject matter. Book groups may participate, or you can fly solo. We will meet upstairs (there’s elevator access). Food and drink will be available for purchase. Join us as we wrap up another stimulating and entertaining Our Community Reads!
Art works from a Scotts Valley High School student art competition, redesigning the Flight Behavior book cover, will be shown. The judges are staff members of Bookshop Santa Cruz and Two Birds Books.
Location: Bruno’s Bar and Grill – Kings Village Shopping Center — 230 Mount Hermon Road
Click here to register for this event.