Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

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.

The call for nominations for the 19th season of One Book, One San Diego is open! What book do you recommend all of San Diego read for the adult, teens, kids, and Spanish language categories? Please submit all nominations prior to March 15 for titles to be considered for 2025. Share your favorite title or two today!

Email List Sign-up
Want to receive occasional email updates about One Book, One San Diego?

KPBS and One Book, One San Diego Free Screening Event

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM
San Diego Central Public Library
KPBS and One Book, One San Diego Screening Event: Free For AllJoin KPBS as we celebrate America’s Libraries with a public screening of Independent Lens: "Free for All: The Public Library." The film tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a simple idea into reality. From the pioneering women behind the “Free Library Movement” to today’s librarians, learn how the public library system impacts our culture and democracy.A panel discussion moderated by KPBS Arts Reporter Julia Dixon Evans will follow the film’s presentation along with audience Q&A. Julia will be joined by San Diego County Library Director Migell Acosta, Oceanside Public Library Principal Youth Librarian Amy Kleman and additional guests.This event is organized by KPBS in collaboration with the San Diego Central Library and One Book, One San Diego. Many thanks to the San Diego Central Library for generously hosting this event in their Neil Morgan Auditorium. Please register to attend this free public event.

Virtual One Book, One San Diego Adult Author Event for Students

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 4 PM
Virtual
Free
Join us for a special live virtual event for students* with Chanel Miller author of "Know My Name: A Memoir"Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.Register now!The event is free. A link will be provided in your confirmation email and event reminders. No other registration is required.*This event is specifically designed for upper high school and college students who have read "Know My Name" and want to engage with Chanel on how you can conduct agency and use storytelling to heal from challenging circumstances. Students, educators, friends and families are all welcome.Please join KPBS and our partners for a special live virtual event with Chanel Miller, author of our 2024 One Book, One San Diego adult selection, “Know My Name: A Memoir*.” A discussion and open Q&A session, specifically designed for our student audience, will follow a brief introduction by the author. One Book, One San Diego is a partnership, led by KPBS, with the San Diego Public Library, the San Diego County Library, San Diego State University, One Book Sin Fronteras and more than 40 others. For more information about One Book, One San Diego, please visit: kpbs.org/onebookOne Book One San Diego is funded by the Linden Root Dickinson Foundation, the Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation, the Payne Family Foundation, the Frieda Berlinski Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, the University of San Diego, the City of San Diego, Lloyd Pest Control.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.