James Wang: What You Need to Know About AI @ Atherton Library branch, San Mateo County Library | Aug. 7
The Bay Area technologist, investor and writer introduces his new book, What You Need to Know About AI. Joined in conversation by Google technologist Justin Kuczynski, the two tech gurus provide a crash course on AI. Wang’s new book is thorough, but not thick with heavy side trips into the logistics and mathematics of the topic. (For that, see the 350-plus research endnotes.) Written in three parts, the book covers the history of AI’s development, tackles its current and future applications, and argues that, in spite of inevitable disruptions to workforce, warfare, education and elsewhere, AI is likely to “increase the value of our very humanity.” Regardless of one’s position—pro, con, curious, anxious—the event and Wang’s book are terrific ways to learn more from someone on the frontline.
Aug. 7 @ 3 pm | Free | Atherton Library, San Mateo County Library | smcl.org
Maggie Tokuda-Hall: Authors Against Book Bans @ Main Branch Oakland Public Library | Aug. 13
Author of best-selling children’s and young adult books, Maggie Tokuda-Hall is also a founding member and was at one time president of Authors Against Book Bans. The coalition of writers, illustrators, anthology editors and contributors, and other book creators, collaborates to resist the unconstitutional movement to limit the freedom to read. Tokuda-Hall will speak on current and future threats, what AABB is doing about it, and how people can support and advocate for everyone’s right to have access and complete liberty to choose books according to personal preference and interest.
Aug. 13 @ 6 pm | Free | oaklandlibrary.org
Robert Hass: A Third Commonness @ Mrs. Dalloway’s | Aug. 14
The Berkeley-based writer, former poet laureate of the United States, and Pulitzer Prize winning author introduces his latest book, A Third Commonness: Essays on Poetry, Poetics, and the Natural World. In a conversation with poet Brenda Hillman, they will navigate through time, topography, and the history of literature in all its forms as it connects to the land and its people. The book lives up to its title, exploring ecopoetics, Zen Buddhism, region-based writing, and other topics through the lens of essays, lectures, and expectedly, poetry. Hass and Hillman are gifted educators, both with notable stints at Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga, and for Hass, at UC Berkeley as professor of poetry and poetics until 2019. Highly entertaining and buoyant off the page as much as on, Haas will make his poetry and writing spring to life in the course of the evening. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.
Aug. 14 @ 7 pm | Free | Mrs. Dalloway’s | mrsdalloways.com
Nancy Kurshan: Levitating the Pentagon and Other Uplifting Stories @ Rockridge Branch Oakland Public Library | Aug 19
Author and activist Nancy Kurshan appears at the Rockridge Branch for a riveting discussion of her new book, Levitating the Pentagon and Other Uplifting Stories. Covering seven decades, the memoir chronicles Kurshan’s remarkable life history and radical social change worldwide. From cofounding the Youth International Party, or Yippies, to organizing anti-war demonstrators and participating in protest marches in the 60’s to visiting North Vietnam with an all-women’s delegation in 1970, solidarity and support for social justice has been her call. Black liberation, feminist, abolitionist, and international protest movements are topics her book addresses. Publisher’s Weekly in its review called the book a “revealing memoir, valuable historical document, and galvanizing guide to following one’s beliefs.” Find inspiration for engaging in advocacy with this rare opportunity to meet Kurshan in person.
Aug. 18 @ 6:30 pm | Free | oaklandlibrary.org
Chloe Benjamin: Under Story book launch @ Mrs. Dalloway’s | Aug. 31
The New York Times bestselling and Berkeley-based author launches her new novel, Under Story. Following Benjamin’s acclaimed The Immortalists, an NPR best book in 2018, Under Story centers on biologist Laurel Salter, a young woman haunted by her past, now working as a dishwasher among the scientists at an isolated research station in Antarctica. Bestselling novelist Kirsten Chen joins Benjamin in a conversation about the novel’s primary themes: love, life, imagination, bravery, redemption, and the truths we owe ourselves and the planet in order to survive. Benjamin will sign her new book after the presentation. Previous titles by Benjamin and Chen are available the store: get an early jump on literary gifts from two local authors for the holiday season.
Aug. 31 @ 7 pm | Free | Mrs. Dalloway’s | mrsdalloways.com