Coronado Times

Best of the Best Book Club: "Every Living Thing" by Jason Roberts
2026-04-22 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Public Library’s Best of the Best Book Club meets regularly on the fourth Wednesday of each month to discuss books that have won major awards.
For our April meeting, we will discuss the 2025 Pulitzer Prize winner Every Little Thing by Jason Roberts, an epic and extraordinary account of scientific rivalry and obsession in the quest to survey all of life on Earth.

About Every Little Thing
In the eighteenth century, two men — exact contemporaries and polar opposites — dedicated their lives to the same daunting task: identifying and describing all life on Earth. Carl Linnaeus, a pious Swedish doctor with a huckster’s flair, believed that life belonged in tidy, static categories. Georges-Louis de Buffon, an aristocratic polymath and keeper of France’s royal garden, viewed life as a dynamic swirl of complexities. Each began his task believing it to be difficult but not impossible: How could the planet possibly hold more than a few thousand species — or as many could fit on Noah’s Ark?
Both fell far short of their goal, but in the process they articulated starkly divergent views on nature, the future of the Earth, and humanity itself. Linnaeus gave the world such concepts as mammal, primate, and Homo sapiens, but he also denied that species change and he promulgated racist pseudoscience. Buffon formulated early prototypes of evolution and genetics, warned of global climate change, and argued passionately against prejudice. The clash of their conflicting worldviews continued well after their deaths, as their successors contended for dominance in the emerging science that came to be called biology.
In Every Living Thing, Jason Roberts weaves a sweeping, unforgettable narrative spell, exploring the intertwined lives and legacies of Linnaeus and Buffon — as well as the groundbreaking, often fatal adventures of their acolytes — to trace an arc of insight and discovery that extends across three centuries into the present day.

Monday Night Mystery Author
2026-04-27 18:30 - 19:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Mystery fans will want to make sure to attend a special Monday Night Mystery Author event featuring bestselling authors Wendy Walker and Ellery Adams on Monday, April 27 at 6:30pm. With over 45 books published between the two authors, they have mastered the art of crafting mysteries that keep readers hooked. During the program, they’ll share insights from their writing careers and offer a behind-the-scenes look at how they build suspenseful stories that keep fans coming back for more. Each author will also discuss their newest release: Wendy Walker’s psychological thriller Blade, set in the high-stakes world of elite figure skating, and Ellery Adams’ Invasive Species, a chilling mystery unfolding in the small town of Cold Harbor.
The event is free and open to the public, with limited preferred seating available through pre-order from Adventures by the Book.

SOLD OUT. Four-Star Admiral McRaven to discuss his latest book, "Duty, Honor, Country, and Life"
2026-05-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
This event is sold out.

The Coronado Public Library, in partnership with the Friends of the Coronado Public Library and Warwick’s Books, will host an evening with Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired Four-Star Admiral, former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Forces, and #1 New York Times bestselling author. This event will take place on Friday, May 1 at 7 pm at the Coronado Commmunity Center’s Nautilus Room.
McRaven will discuss his latest book, Duty, Honor, Country, and Life, in conversation with fellow Navy SEAL veteran Dan’l Steward. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Coronado Public Library, which supports library programs and services for the community. Tickets are required for entry, with complimentary admission available for those presenting a valid military ID.
Ticket options include:

$10 entry only
$30.48 for admission for one person and one copy of Duty, Honor, Country, and Life
$41.80 for admission for two people and one copy of Duty, Honor, Country, and Life
Free Military Admission – please present I.D.

Through a collection of speeches, letters, and reflections, Duty, Honor, Country, and Life offers stories of courage, sacrifice, and integrity. The book pays tribute to a wide range of individuals — from military service members and first responders to students and public servants — while emphasizing enduring values such as duty, honor, and civility.
Full of inspiration and wisdom, Duty, Honor, Country, and Life is a reminder to us all of our time-honored American values of civility and decency — and a reflection on what these values mean for the future of our country.
McRaven is the author of the bestselling Make Your Bed and Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations. Over the course of his military career, he commanded at every level, culminating in his role leading all U.S. Special Operations Forces. Following his retirement, he served as Chancellor of the University of Texas System from 2015 to 2018.
Joining him in conversation is Dan’l Steward, a Coronado resident and former Navy SEAL who trained alongside McRaven in BUD/S Class 95. Steward served more than 17 years in Naval Special Warfare, including assignments with SEAL Teams 1 and 2, the Pentagon, and international operations. After retiring as a Navy Captain, he continued to support the Naval Special Warfare community in a civilian role for nearly two decades.
Learn more about this event and purchase tickets at cplevents.org.

An Evening of Summer Stories featuring three bestselling authors
2026-05-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
If your ideal summer read involves friendship, second chances, family secrets, and a touch of seaside charm, you won’t want to miss a special Summer Reads author event at the Coronado Public Library on Tuesday, April 12 at 7 pm. The event brings together New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey, USA Today bestselling novelist Meg Donohue, and special guest Kate Luckinbill, offering a rare opportunity to hear directly from the voices behind some of this season’s most talked-about titles.
The three authors will explore their latest works: Harvey’s Summer State of Mind, Donohue’s The Memory Gardener, and A Book by Desi Arnaz, newly expanded with contributions from Luckinbill, granddaughter of the legendary entertainer. Together, the three will share the inspiration behind their work, the themes that shape their storytelling, and the creative journeys that brought these books to life.
For readers who gravitate toward uplifting yet layered fiction, Harvey’s newest novel promises a perfect escape. Known for her “elevated beach reads,” she weaves stories of love, community, and rediscovery—often set against warm, inviting backdrops. Donohue, beloved for her emotionally resonant and often cozy storytelling, brings a different but complementary tone, exploring memory, healing, and the quiet magic found in everyday life. Meanwhile, Luckinbill offers a deeply personal perspective, sharing family history and new insights into the life of Desi Arnaz.
A book signing will follow this talk.
Registration
The event is free and open to the public, with limited preferred seating available through pre-order from Adventures by the Book.
For readers who prefer a little peace of mind and want to show their early support of the authors, a VIP option includes guaranteed event admission and reserved seating with the pre-order of Summer State of Mind, A Book by Desi Arnaz, or The Memory Gardener.
And since we’re officially in a summer state of mind, we’re delighted to offer a discounted three-book bundle—the perfect pairing to kick off your summer reading season.

Coronado Legends: Ghost Stories and Local Lore book launch
2026-05-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
What secrets linger beneath Coronado’s sunny shores? Discover them at the launch of Coronado Legends, a captivating collection of local ghost stories and mysteries written by David J. Schmidt. From the haunting legend of Kate Morgan at the Hotel del Coronado to eerie tales of poltergeists, haunted hotels, and even our own haunted library, it shows a side of Coronado’s past not all might know!
The evening also includes live storytelling performances by members of Storytellers of San Diego, who will theatrically bring select tales to life, creating an immersive experience filled with intrigue, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural.
Books will be available for sale at this free event. Seating is first come, first seated.

Mystery Book Club: "The Word is Murder"
2026-05-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Public Library’s Mystery Book club meets regularly on the third Monday of each month. Receive reminder emails about our meeting by registering here. Registration is encouraged but not required.

We will be discussing The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz. Check out the book in print or ebook format from the Coronado Library Catalog by clicking here or by searching the title in Cloud Library and/or Libby.

Best of the Best Book Club: "When You Trap a Tiger" by Tae Keller
2026-05-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Public Library’s Best of the Best Book Club meets regularly on the fourth Wednesday of each month to discuss books that have won major awards.
For our May meeting, we will highlight AAPI stories by discussing the winner of the 2021 Newberry Medal When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller, an uplifting story that brings Korean folklore to life as a girl goes on a quest to unlock the power of stories and save her grandmother.
Place this title on hold via our online catalog, or check out the e-book through the CloudLibrary app.
About When You Trap a Tiger
Some stories refuse to stay bottled up…
When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni’s Korean folktales arrives, prompting Lily to unravel a secret family history. Long, long ago, Halmoni stole something from the tigers. Now they want it back. And when one of the tigers approaches Lily with a deal–return what her grandmother stole in exchange for Halmoni’s health–Lily is tempted to agree. But deals with tigers are never what they seem! With the help of her sister and her new friend Ricky, Lily must find her voice…and the courage to face a tiger.
Tae Keller, the award-winning author of The Science of Breakable Things, shares a sparkling tale about the power of stories and the magic of family.

Bridge & Bay Garden Club: Emily Dickinson's Garden with Rhianna Basore
2026-05-26 09:30 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Bridge and Bay Garden Club invites you to join them with Rhianna Basore, who will speak on Emily Dickinson, her gardens, and the legacy of her 1,800 poems, most of which were discovered after her death.
