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One Book, One San Diego

One Book, One San Diego is our region's premier literary program, presented in partnership between KPBS and over 80 public libraries, service organizations and educational institutions. Now in its 19th year, the purpose is to bring our community closer together through the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book.

Each year, One Book, One San Diego features one book for adults, one for teens, one for kids and one for Spanish language readers (One Book Sin Fronteras).

Year round, the community is asked to nominate titles the entire region should read together. The Advisory Committees review these nominations and ultimately select titles they believe fit the selection criteria best. In the fall, KPBS and our community partners host events inspired by the books selected.

KPBS

Which of these books will be the 2025 One Book, One San Diego selections?

We asked you to give us your best book recommendations and we weren’t just looking for a book you liked, but for a book you thought everyone in San Diego should read for One Book, One San Diego.

Our One Book, One San Diego advisory committees read and reviewed all eligible nominations and have narrowed down the list to ten finalists in each category.

While only one book in each category will be the official selections, the list of finalists was just too good not to share with you. These books represent a diverse group of voices and genres, and all are worthy of a spot on your bedside table, beach blanket or summer reading list.

One Book for Adults Top 10 Finalists (in author alpha order)

  1. Chain Gang All Stars, 2023, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
  2. Martyr!, 2024, Kaveh Akbar (available in Spanish)
  3. Deacon King Kong, 2020, James McBride
  4. Long Bright River, 2020, Liz Moore (available in Spanish)
  5. The Mountain in the Sea, 2022, Ray Nayler (available in Spanish)
  6. Our Missing Hearts, 2022, Celeste Ng
  7. True Biz, 2022, Sara Novic
  8. Black Sun, 2020, Rebecca Roanhorse
  9. The House of Hidden Meanings, 2024, RuPaul
  10. Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, 2023, Lisa See (available in Spanish)

One Book for Teens Top 10 Finalists (in author alpha order)

  1. The Making of Yolanda La Bruja, 2023, Lorraine Avila (available in Spanish)
  2. The Last Cuentista, 2021, Donna Barba Higuera (available in Spanish)
  3. Mexikid, 2023, Pedro Martín (graphic novel) (available in Spanish)
  4. Everything Sad Is Untrue, 2020, Daniel Nayeri
  5. Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz's Indigenous People's History of the United States: A Graphic Interpretation, 2024, adapted by Paul Peart-Smith (graphic novel)
  6. Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam, 2023, Thien Pham (graphic novel)
  7. Halfway to Somewhere, 2025, Jose Pimienta (graphic novel)
  8. The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn, 2023, Sally J. Pla
  9. Weirdo, 2024, Tony Weaver, illustrated by Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo  (graphic novel)
  10. Dragon Hoops, 2020, Gene Luan Yang (graphic novel)

One Book for Kids Top 10 Finalists (in author alpha order)

  1. The Interpreter, 2025, Olivia Abtahi, illustrated by Monica Arnaldo (available in Spanish)
  2. An American Story, 2022, Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dare Coulter
  3. This Is How We Play: A Celebration of Disability and Adaptation, 2024, Caroline Cupp and Jessica Slice, illustrated by Kayla Harren
  4. In the Groves, 2024, Andrea Cruz Floren (available in Spanish)
  5. Millie Fleur's Poison Garden, 2024, Christy Mandin
  6. Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez, 2024, Belen Medina, illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro
  7. Cougar Crossing: How Hollywood's Celebrity Cougar Helped Build a Bridge for City Wildlife, 2021, Meeg Pincus, illustrated by Alexander Vidal
  8. My Daddy is a Cowboy, 2024, Stephanie Seales, illustrated by C.G. Esperanza (available in Spanish)
  9. The Artivist, 2023, Nikkolas Smith
  10. The Spice Box, 2024, Meera Sriram, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat

The BIG One Book, One San Diego selection announcement for 2025 is nearly here! Join us on the main stage of the inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival, Saturday, August 23, from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., to discover this year's selected titles for the adult, teens, kids, and Spanish language categories.
At the book festival, attendees will also enjoy panel discussions with award-winning authors, an array of independent booksellers, exhibitor booths featuring local authors, engaging activities, live entertainment, and more.

This free event is open to book lovers of all ages. We can’t wait to see you there!

Learn more and register for the book festival at: https://sdbookfestival.eventbrite.com

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  • One Book, One San Diego Announces 2024 Titles
    One Book, One San Diego has announced the selections for the 2024 region-wide read: “Know My Name: A Memoir,” by Chanel Miller has been chosen for adult readers; “Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice,” by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile for teens and tweens; and “Barrio Rising: The Protest that Built Chicano Park,” by María Dolores Águila and illustrated by Magdalena Mora for children.
  • Meet Our One Book, One San Diego Authors for 2024!
    One Book, One San Diego is our region's premier literary program, presented in partnership between KPBS and over 80 public libraries, service organizations and educational institutions. Now in its 18th year, the purpose is to bring our community closer together through the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book.
  • One Book, One San Diego 2023 Selections
  • One Book, One San Diego 2023 Selections
    One Book, One San Diego Announces 2023 Titles
    All three books selected for the One Book, One San Diego 2023 season exemplify courage, hope, advocacy, and solidarity. Each title explores the significance of taking pride in where we come from and coming together across differences to accomplish what we can't on our own.

Sponsors

One Book is funded by the Linden Root Dickinson Foundation. Additional support comes from the Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation, the Frieda Berlinski Foundation, and the Payne Family Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Find answers to the most common questions about the 2025 One Book, One San Diego program below.

What is One Book, One San Diego?

In its 19th year, One Book, One San Diego is a community reading program. It is a partnership between KPBS, San Diego Public Library, the San Diego County Library, and a long list of other community partners found below. The purpose of the program is to bring together our community and encourage residents to join together in the shared experience of reading and discussing the same book. The program also encourages participation in related events, discussions of the ideas raised in the featured books, and examination of how these ideas connect with our daily lives and local communities. Each year, One Book, One San Diego features one book for adults, one for teens, one for kids and one for Spanish language readers (One Book Sin Fronteras).

What is One Book for Kids?

One Book for Kids is a companion program to One Book, One San Diego that is just for kids! The Children's and Young Adult Advisory Committee reviews community nominations and ultimately selects a title they believe fits the selection criteria best. In the fall, KPBS and our community partners host events inspired by the book for kids and families.

What is One Book for Teens?

One Book for Teens is a companion program to One Book, One San Diego, that is just for tweens and teens! The Children's and Young Adult Advisory Committee reviews community nominations and ultimately selects a title they believe fits the selection criteria best. In the fall, KPBS and our community partners host events inspired by the book for teens, tweens, and their families.

How are the books chosen?

The process for selecting the One Book titles is designed for maximum community participation. Residents of San Diego and Imperial County and Baja California are invited to nominate books through online and paper submissions. The One Book Advisory Committees review all book nominations and select titles they believe will best meet the One Book criteria and goals of the program.