Each year, Silicon Valley Reads brings together libraries, schools, and community organizations in 15 Bay Area cities to read a single book. I’m honored and delighted to announce that The Year of Fog is the 2011 selection, following on the heels of 2010’s In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan.

2011 programming will kick off on January 26 at the beautiful Heritage Theatre in Campbell, California, where I will be in conversation with San Jose Mercury columnist Mike Cassidy. This event, co-sponsored by Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley, is free and open to the public, but tickets are required.

The kickoff event will be followed by dozens of events in various venues during February and March. See the complete calendar of events here. There will also be a community-wide essay contest and photography contest based on the themes of The Year of Fog, with $2,000 in cash prizes. Read about the contest in the San Jose Mercury News.

Read Sal Pizarro’s announcement in the San Jose Mercury News. Read the official news release in its entirety here.

Update: Companion books for young readers announced!

From the press release:

Ultimately, this is a story of perseverance and love,” said Jane Light, Library Director for the City of San Jose and Co-chair of Silicon Valley Reads along with Linda Aceves, Chief Academic Officer for the Santa Clara County Office of Education and Melinda Cervantes, Santa Clara County Librarian. “We believe the community will enjoy reading this beautifully-written book and discussing its themes. But be aware – once you start reading it, you won’t want to put it down.”

Silicon Valley Reads 2011 will kick off on Jan. 26, 2011, with an on-stage interview of the author by Mercury News columnist Mike Cassidy. The free event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell. Other free Silicon Valley Reads events will be scheduled throughout Santa Clara County in February and March.

About the program:
Students, friends, families, co-workers, neighbors, book lovers – literally all who live, work or learn in Silicon Valley – are invited to participate in Silicon Valley Reads programs. Presented by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the Santa Clara County Library and the San Jose Public Library Foundation, Silicon Valley Reads is designed to promote reading and literacy, broaden the exposure to and appreciation of good literature, and build community.

Public events (most free) are scheduled to spark discussion of the themes of the selected books. There are many opportunities to read and discuss the Silicon Valley Reads books at libraries, bookstores, community organizations, and businesses.

Many thanks to Diane McNutt, Jane Light, and the entire board of Silicon Valley Reads, as well as the following 2011 sponsors, for giving me the opportunity to share this story with readers: Santa Clara County Library, Cupertino Library Foundation, First 5, Silicon Valley Library System, Silicon Valley Community Newspapers, NBC11, KLIV1590 AM, 95.3 KRTY.