The 2024 Season of Our Community Reads

Our 2024 Season has come to a close.

Thank you to all of you who participated!
Stay tuned for upcoming plans and events for the next season.

The true story of Mokhtar Alkhanshali and his harrowing journey through war-torn Yemen in pursuit of the world's most dangerous cup of coffee. A Yemeni-American, Mokhtar is working a dead-end job in San Francisco when he discovers Yemen's central place in the history of coffee.
He travels deep into his ancestral homeland to tour terraced farms high in the country's rugged mountains and meet beleaguered but determined farmers. But when war engulfs the country Mokhtar must find a way out of Yemen without sacrificing his dreams or abandoning his people.
"Exquisitely interesting... This is about the human capacity to dream--here, there, everywhere."
-Gabriel Thompson, San Francisco Chronicle

"A vibrant depiction of courage and passion, interwoven with a detailed history of Yemeni coffee and a timely exploration of Muslim American identity." - David Canfield, Entertainment Weekly
Calendar of events for the
2024 Season of Our Community Reads
Four books were initially presented as candidates.The Monk of Mokha was selected at a voting event in September 2023.
To view our group of finalists click here.

Our Community Reads is a program of the Friends of the Aptos Library in which the community selects a book and then comes together for a series of events related to themes in the book.

Presented in association with the Friends of the Capitola, Felton, La Selva Beach, and Scotts Valley libraries, in partnership with Cabrillo College and Aptos High School, and with the support of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.  

Our events aim to create a shared experience that will increase appreciation for our community libraries and for our local bookstores; foster pride in the varied experiences that our area offers; and the enrichment –– culturally, intellectually, and emotionally –– that comes from the joy of reading!

January 2024

January 24 - Wednesday - 11 a.m.
    Book Discussion 
  • Join your fellow readers to talk about our 2024 selection and discuss major themes in depth.
  • Casey Coonerty Protti, owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz, will facilitate the conversation.
  • Sandwiches provided by Aegis Living Aptos.
  • Location: The Loft Coffee Shop — 2701 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos
  • Click here to view the discussion questions.

January 30 - Tuesday - 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:45
    Author Talk ~ An Evening with Dave Eggers
  • Meet the Monk of Mokha author Dave Eggers and learn about a multiyear collaboration to tell the story of Mokhtar Alkhanshali’s quest, traveling from San Francisco to Ethiopia, Abu Dhabi, Djibouti, and to the remote coffee farms of Yemen in search of the world’s most delicious (and most dangerous) cup of coffee. Questions from the audience are encouraged. For Dave Eggers' website click here.
  • Location: Due to the long wait list we are shifting the event to a different venue. It will now be held at the 418 Project located at 155 S. River Street (in the old River Front Twin Theater). Parking is conveniently located next door. See map.

February 2024

February 2 - Friday - 6 p.m.
    Sacred Brew? The Religious, Political, and Cultural Role of Coffee in Yemen  
  • Dr. Flagg Miller, UC Davis Professor of Religious Studies, talks about the role coffee plays in Yemeni culture and about his current coffee-growing research project in Yemen. Dr. Miller's academic focus is on cultures of modern Muslim reform in the Middle East, especially Yemen.
  • Dessert and coffee will be provided.
  • Location: Fireside Room, Scotts Valley Library, 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley
  • Click here for a recording of this event.

February 6 - Tuesday - 7 p.m.
   Yemeni Stories: The Yemeni Immigrant Experience
  • Jehan Hakim, a 2nd-generation Yemeni-American Muslim, founder of the Yemeni Alliance Committee and board member of Just Foreign Policy, will join us for a virtual talk from Texas. Her experience spans interfaith coalition building, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training, and consulting.
  • Geneffa Jahan, Professor of English at Cabrillo College, will moderate the discussion.
  • There will be a bag of Harazi Blend Yemeni Style coffee for a lucky audience member!
  • Location: Ow Family Community Room, Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola
  • Click here for a recording of this event.

February 7 - Wednesday - 1 p.m.
   Coffee Warms the Heart ~ Art workshop
  • Hearts and flowers are familiar symbols of love. With Valentine’s Day just a week away, you'll create a bouquet or a greeting card using coffee paint as your medium.
  • Artist Lise Bixler leads this fun art workshop. No experience needed. All materials supplied.
  • Location: Felton Library Community Room, 6121 Gushee St., Felton

February 10 - Saturday - 11 a.m.
   Writing Under the Influence of Coffee! ~ Writing workshop
  • Starting with a few coffee-flavored writing prompts to get you motivated, facilitators June Langhoff and members of the Santa Cruz chapter of Shut Up & Write follow up with silent writing, and end with optional sharing.
  • Loads of encouragement and coffee will be provided.
  • Location: Fireside Room, Scotts Valley Library, 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley
  • Click here for a slide show of this event.

February 13 - Tuesday - 6:30 p.m.
   "Baristas" film & High School Art Competition
  • Follow four passionate National Barista Champions — from Japan, Ireland, the USA, and Germany — as they represent their countries at the 2017 World Barista Championship in Seoul, South Korea. You’ll get a terrific behind-the-scenes peek into the preparations required for this tense competition. [This film contains some profanity.]
  • Yes, popcorn will be available! 
  • We’ll also view designs from our High School Art Competition, where students redesign The Monk of Mokha book jacket. Judged by staff members from Bookshop Santa Cruz.
  • Location: Ow Family Community Room, Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola
  • For a slide show of the high school students art competition click here.
  • The High School Art Competition is on display at the Aptos Branch Library through March 30, 2024. Also viewable on the Arts & Exhibits section of the SCPL website. 

February 15 - Thursday - 6:30 p.m.
   Brewing Revolution: Coffee and Class Struggle in 20th-Century Central America
  • Back by popular demand, Nick Rowell, Professor of Political Science at Cabrillo College, discusses how coffee is a factor in contributing to peace and prosperity in some instances, and civil war and revolution in others.
  • Location: Rio Sands Hotel Community Room — 116 Aptos Beach Drive, Aptos

February 17 - Saturday - 1 p.m.

   Coffee Botanical Illustration ~ Art workshop
  • Facilitated by art educators Sharon Ferguson and Jo-Neal Graves, participants will learn to look closely at each part of the coffee plant and create a botanical illustration. You’ll be guided every step of the way.
  • No experience needed. Materials, Instruction, support, and encouragement will be provided.
  • Location: Ow Family Community Room, Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola
  • For a slide show of this event click here.

February 18 - Sunday - 3 p.m.
   Johann Sebastian Bach’s Coffee Cantata ~ Live music!
  • Bach’s aria will be sung by lyric coloratura-soprano Lori Schumann, co-founder of the Santa Cruz Opera Project. She will be accompanied by piano and flute.
  • Come enjoy the music and learn about Bach’s relationship to coffee. (Hint: He drank 30 cups a day!)
  • Learn a bit more from Dinah Phillips about the intertwined history of coffee and music over the years.
  • Location: Downtown Library Meeting Room, 2nd floor — 224 Church Street, Santa Cruz
  • Photos of this event click here.
  • A recording of this event will be available here in a few days.

February 21 - Wednesday - 1 p.m.
   "A Small Section of the World" ~ Film & Coffee Tasting
  • A moving documentary about a group of women in a small, remote farming community in Costa Rica as they spark a revolution in the coffee growing world. Stay to taste some Costa Rican coffee after the film. (Program ends at 2:30 PM.)
  • Location: Felton Library Community Room, 6121 Gushee St., Felton

February 24 - Saturday - 1 p.m.
   Verve Coffee Tour  
  • Get a behind-the-scenes look at the coffee roasting process and learn about the secret sauce behind third-wave coffee. Our tour leaders, Hannah Meade and Laney Drury, represent this world-famous coffee company headquartered in our own backyard.
  • Location: Verve HQ, 104 Bronson Street - Suite 19, Santa Cruz
  • Photos of this event click here.

February 25 - Sunday - 4 p.m.
   Dror Sinai Musical Adventures
  • “Rhythm is all around us, in everything we see, we touch, we breathe.”  Experience this true force of nature as Dror Sinai, accompanied by his son Avi Sinai, shares his musical gifts and tells stories about his Jewish Yemeni roots.
  • Location: La Selva Beach Community Church — 26 Florido Avenue, La Selva Beach

February 27 - Tuesday - 6 p.m.
   Trivia Night
  • Zach is back! The ever-popular 2nd District Supervisor Zach Friend poses challenging questions from The Monk of Mokha. Join us for a fun-filled evening. Bring your book club members, friends, or come solo to show off your knowledge of The Monk of Mokha and all things coffee-related.
  • Dinner & Drinks available for purchase at this new venue.
  • Location: 41st Ocean Breakfast & Grill — 2623 41st Ave, Soquel — behind Café Cruz
On September 28, 2023 we held a voting party at the Capitola Library.
A large group of community members selected The Monk of Mokha.
Four books were candidates for the voting party. Curious?
Click here and add them to your reading list!
Chapters of the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries actively involved in Our Community Reads
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Click on image for larger view.
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Casey Coonerty Protti facilitated the book discussion event.
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An Evening with Dave Eggers
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Dr. Flagg Miller: The Religious, Political, and Cultural Role of Coffee in Yemen
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Yemeni Stories. Moderator Geneffa Jahan introduces Jehan Hakim
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Workshop: Writing Under the Influence of Coffee!
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High School Art Competition. Students redesigned The Monk of Mokha book cover.
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Professor Nick Rowell: Brewing Revolution in Central America
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Sharon Ferguson and Jo-Neal Graves leading art workshop.
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Bach’s Coffee Cantata ~ Live music!
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"A Small Section of the World" ~ Film & Coffee Tasting at Felton Library
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Verve Coffee Tour led by Hannah Meade and Laney Drury
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Musical Adventures: Dror Sinai accompanied by his son Avi Sinai.
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Led by Supervisor Zach Friend there were lots of laughs on Trivia Night!
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For many interesting facts about coffee click on the image above.

Our Community Reads
is in its seventh season!

Review our 2023 season
Review our 2022 season
Review our 2021 season
Review our 2020 season
Review our 2019 season
Review our 2018 season
Contact us!
Participate with us, offer book suggestions, help us plan the next season. We want to hear from you!
We are a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, all donations are tax deductible