Once again, the Benicia Public Library is asking community members to read the same book during the same time frame. Starting on March 1st the Library is asking the community to read "My California." This book is a collection of essays written by California authors about California.

"Fly-fish the pristine waters of the Owens River. Step up to the microphone in a California honky-tonk. Surf the biggest waves California has ever seen. Mingle with ducks in an urban oasis. Roller skate through L.A.'s Union Station. "My California," a Los Angeles Times bestseller, is a collection of travel and adventure stories by twent-seven of California's finest writers.

Books will be available to check out at the Library for a two-week period. No holds can be put on these books. This will make the book available to as many people as possible. Books will also be available for purchase at Bookshop Benicia. 

In conncetion with this book, we will have two evening where authors of the book will be at the Library to speak, March 18th and March 19th. There will also be a community book discussion on "My California" on Monday, April 14th. 

In conjunction with this program, the Library will also be sponsoring a writing contest. We are asking students and adults to write an essay entitled "My Benicia", about their experiences in Benicia. The essay should be no more than 200-250 words. The winners of this contest will be asked to read their stories for the Library's California Oral History Grant. We are asking students in 4th, 8th and 11th grades to participate. More information will be available at the Library.