Coronado Times

Lie Detectors & Tall Tales
2026-03-19 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
As a part of this year’s Coronado Community READ, kids of all ages are invited to an exciting and interactive storytelling show that asks the big question: When is it okay to lie? LA-based storyteller Adam Mellema brings the theme to life through hilarious tales from his own childhood, along with beloved stories like Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema and a fresh, playful take on The Boy Who Cried Wolf. The fun ramps up with plenty of audience participation, as volunteers are invited onstage to test out Adam’s “lie detector machine” and tackle tricky (and funny) hypothetical situations.
With nonstop movement, character voices, and big energy, Mellema prances, dances, and acts out every role in this fast-paced performance for all ages. Best of all, some of the stories featured are books you can check out from the library and take home the very same day.
This event is free to attend thanks to the support of the City of Coronado and the Friends of the Coronado Public Library. Seating is first come, first seated.

He dances… He sings… He’s got the energy of ten cheetahs! Adam plays all the characters in his stories: every man, woman, child, and paperweight. Mellema has performed all over the world including China, South Africa, Chile, and Mexico. Adam moonlights as an Emmy Award-winning Children’s Television Producer for companies including Disney Channel and Mattel. He is currently Head of Content for Yippee TV, a streaming service for kids where he has overseen the creation of 55 original series. Mellema co-created the campy action figure hit, Playtime, and Backseat Drivers, the world’s first car show for kids. His preschool series, Maggie’s Market, is in its fourth season. In his “spare time,” Adam serves on several boards for local arts organizations, visits old places, and dreams of learning to play the zither.

At Your Fingerprints, Forensic Science Workshop
2026-03-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
This workshop will provide a brief overview of the forensic science disciplines with a focus on fingerprint analysis. A hands-on portion of the workshop will allow attendees to determine the basic fingerprint pattern classification of their own fingerprints!
This program is for adults over the age of 18. Space is limited, registration is recommended. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits.

Tina Young is a College Professor in Southern California where she teaches basic and advanced forensic photography, forensic technology, forensic analysis, criminal evidence, and California State-certified forensic technology and bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) courses.

She worked as a Crime Scene Specialist from the mid-1990s to early 2000s. She’s a private BPA practitioner and has testified as a BPA expert witness in San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino County Superior Court. She has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Forensic Sciences degree.
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Since July, 2007, she’s maintained certification as a Certified Bloodstain Pattern Analyst through the International Association for Identification.
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Tina is the author of a forensic technology textbook, contributing author in forensic photography textbooks, and authored several forensic journal articles. She was featured on the Discovery Channel’s What on Earth series.
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Tina’s latest passion is her forensics fiction novel series for young adults, Bailey McKenzie, Crime Scene Specialist.

San Diego Storytelling Festival
2026-03-21 10:00 - 17:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Storytelling Festival Returns to the Coronado Public Library

Head over the Coronado Bridge for the San Diego Storytelling Festival as it returns to the Coronado Public Library on Saturday, March 21. This year’s theme, “Light in the Dark,” invites audiences to explore stories that illuminate hope and resilience through a full day of free performances, workshops, and interactive experiences.
The festival opens at 10 am with Light in the Dark, featuring local and visiting storytellers sharing folktales, history, and personal narratives inspired by the international theme At 11 am, audiences can choose between Sea to Shining Sea, celebrating America’s 250th birthday through stories from coast to coast, and Good Craic: Irish Stories and Music, where twice All-Ireland storytelling champion Mairtín de Cógáin brings the lively Irish seanchaí tradition to life with wit and charm.
The day will also include a special workshop with Grammy winner Adam Mellema, who will share his “secret sauce” for gathering and preserving family stories. In the afternoon, Deidra Davis will create a live art installation with stories during A Community Tree, while Darci Tucker’s dynamic first-person portrayal in Revolutionary Women offers a vivid look at colonial America.
The day also features Out Loud: Teen Voices, showcasing student storytellers from Morse High School, and a Story Circle/Open Mic where community members are invited to share short, heartfelt stories of their own. The festival concludes with Voices at the Water’s Edge, an inspiring celebration of personal and traditional stories designed to send audiences home with new stories, good memories, and light in the dark.
Hosted in partnership with Storytellers of San Diego, which has brought oral storytelling to the region for more than 40 years, the festival is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to join for one event or stay for the day to experience storytelling in its oldest and most vibrant form. Learn more at coronadolibrary.org.

Feathers & Form Art Workshop
2026-03-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join visual artist Stacie Birky Greene for a bird drawing workshop designed for people of all levels. In this hands-on session, Stacie will guide participants through techniques to observe and sketch birds with confidence and creativity. You’ll learn how to see key features like proportion, posture, anatomy, and feather texture, and how to capture these on paper with simple, expressive lines. The workshop also encourages participants to connect personally with nature as they draw — seeing birds not just as subjects, but as living forms with motion, attitude, and character.
This program is for adults over the age of 18. Space is limited, registration is recommended. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits.

Originally from Colorado, Stacie Birky Greene received degrees in Art and Art History from the University of Kentucky. She also studied in Florence, Italy, and at the Art Institute of Chicago. Although painting was the focus of her training, she has explored her art in a wide variety of media, including drawing, performance, photography, installation and video.
The central focus of Birky Greene’s work has been to explore nature through a combination of materials and techniques. Her approach has often been guided by a fascination with form and shape, particularly as nodes for connecting unlikely allies, such as coral and cacti. By taking organic materials (or at least their representation) out of context, she compels the viewer to revel in patterns of structural unity. Her recent work has also considered the impact of human consumption and climate change on the natural world. Appalled by mass deforestation and habitat destruction, she has turned her attention to bird species that have gone extinct since the time of her own birth. The tangible results of this study will be revealed over the course of the next few years, in a variety of projects. One feature of these works that is important to consider is her choice of materials: namely, junk mail, which she either uses “as is” or manipulates, with the addition of other detritus, into homemade paper. It is a project that implicates us all in its struggle: here are beautiful objects made, nevertheless, from unwanted materials. Moreover, the materials themselves are the products of overconsumption of resources – fossil fuels burned in production and transportation, and deforestation to provide wood pulp for paper. The problem of avian ecology and the pressures these birds face is multidimensional, but the viewer is placed in the unlikely position of assessing and admiring the victim even as its emblem is formed from components that have been implicated in its destruction.
Birky Greene lives in San Diego, and she exhibits her artwork locally and internationally. She has taught art to children and adults since 1998.

Best of the Best Book Club: "The Calculating Stars" by Mary Robinette Kowal
2026-03-25 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 4th Wednesday of each month to discuss books that have won major awards.
For our March meeting, we will discuss the 2019 Hugo Award winner The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal, a novel that imagines an alternate history of spaceflight that speaks volumes about the present.
Place this title on hold via our online catalog, or check out the e-book through the CloudLibrary app.
About The Calculating Stars
On a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to earth and obliterated much of the east coast of the United States, including Washington D.C. The ensuing climate cataclysm will soon render the earth inhospitable for humanity, as the last such meteorite did for the dinosaurs. This looming threat calls for a radically accelerated effort to colonize space, and requires a much larger share of humanity to take part in the process.
Elma York’s experience as a WASP pilot and mathematician earns her a place in the International Aerospace Coalition’s attempts to put man on the moon, as a calculator. But with so many skilled and experienced women pilots and scientists involved with the program, it doesn’t take long before Elma begins to wonder why they can’t go into space, too.
Elma’s drive to become the first Lady Astronaut is so strong that even the most dearly held conventions of society may not stand a chance against her.

Birding 101: How (and why) to spot birds in your neighborhood
2026-03-26 18:30 - 19:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Have you ever seen a bird? Then you’re already a birder! Join San Diego Bird Alliance for a fun and easy introduction to the world of birds. San Diego is one of America’s “birdiest” counties, and we’ll talk about what makes our region so special. You don’t need to go far to experience this bounty, and we’ll talk about how to spot and identify some familiar birds right in your own neighborhood. Along the way, we will learn about free resources like eBird, the Merlin Bird ID app, and ways to get plugged in with other local nature enthusiasts. This talk will be given in English, with English/Spanish resources available. All ages are welcome!

San Diego Bird Alliance is a local nonprofit defending our region’s birds, unique biodiversity, and threatened habitats through advocacy, education, and restoration. SDBA has served San Diego County’s diverse communities for over 75 years through community-based habitat restoration projects, environmental education programs, and recreational offerings. https://www.sandiegobirdalliance.org/

San Diego Writers Festival
2026-03-28 09:00 - 18:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The San Diego Writers Festival is a free, community-based event designed to celebrate the power of writing and storytelling.
Stories transform both the teller and the listener. In whatever form you welcome a story into your life—by reading a memoir or graphic novel, listening to a podcast or a poetry reading, watching a movie or play or going to the theater—stories are our pathways, our links, our bridges to one another.
At the San Diego Writers Festival, we ask two important questions: What if there was a place where all stories could be nurtured and heard? What if we opened up our community to stories from those who have been under-served, disenfranchised, or neglected?
We invite you to join us on our mission to hear one another, be educated and illuminated by one another, and inspired by one another—one story at a time.
Jodi Picoult headlines 7th annual San Diego Writers Festival in Coronado

Makers Monday: Birds and Detectives with LKW STEM Foundation
2026-03-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Hosted by LKW STEM Foundation, Birds & Detectives is an engaging, hands-on STEM Workshop that introduces students to the science of Forensic Ornithology — the investigation of bird evidence to solve real-world mysteries. Participants step into the role of nature detectives as they observe birds, analyze feathers and tracks, collect data, and use scientific tools to draw evidence-based conclusions.
Through guided inquiry and outdoor exploration, students practice core STEM skills such as observation, pattern recognition, data recording, and critical thinking while strengthening social-emotional skills like collaboration, curiosity, and perseverance. The workshop connects science learning to real careers in wildlife biology, environmental science, conservation, and forensic investigation, helping students see how STEM is used beyond the classroom.
Designed to be interactive, age-appropriate, and inclusive, Birds & Detectives blends science, nature, and problem-solving to spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire the next generation of STEM thinkers — one clue at a time.
Registration Required, please register EACH child individually

Book launch: "The Last Special Thing" by Alyssa Burns
2026-03-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Coronado Tasting Room, 1201 1st St # 101, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
2010 Coronado High School grad Alyssa Burns will celebrate the release of her debut novel, The Last Special Thing (releases April 1) at a book launch party at the Coronado Tasting Room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 30. The entire community is invited.

Alyssa Burns with copies of her debut novel. Courtesy photo.
The Last Special Thing is a young adult fiction novel that tackles drug exploration, a topic she approached with caution. It’s a book that she wished she had read while younger, because it explores how quickly people can find themselves in unexpected situations. It aims to teach young readers to navigate these things without condescension.
“You don’t open to page one and someone’s doing heroin,” she said. “There’s a step stool to how these things escalate, and that structure came naturally to this story.”
Burns was intentional about refusing both glamorization of drugs and oversimplified scare tactics.
“How we talk about drug use is: ‘Don’t do drugs because you’re going to get addicted and die,’” she said. “Maybe you’re not going to get addicted and die, but you’re also not going to have a good time. You’re going to make decisions you wouldn’t have made otherwise.”
The core message of the book is embedded in its title.
“You don’t need drugs, you don’t need a guy, you don’t need a thrill to be special,” Burns said. “You already are.”

Readers can preorder a signed copy of The Last Special Thing on Alyssa Burns’ website. To read more of Burns’ writing for The Coronado Times, click here.
LEARN MORE HERE

Stroll and a Story
2026-04-06 09:15 - 10:15 | Stop and Grow, 1339 Orange Avenue, Suite 8B, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Begin at the Stop & Grow children’s book store (1339 Orange Ave, near the Miguel’s hostess stand), and stroll down to Mathewson Park for an Easter-themed story time.

Amanda Johnson created Stop & Grow to get kids excited about reading

An evening with international soccer star Landon Donovan
2026-04-11 17:30 - 18:30 | Coronado Performing Arts Center, 650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
As excitement builds around the World Cup — played in part on U.S. soil this year — join the Coronado Public Library for a special evening with Landon Donovan, widely regarded as one of the greatest American soccer players of all time. Donovan will share reflections from Landon: A Memoir, offering an inside look at his life on and off the field, from defining career moments to the challenges that shaped his journey beyond the game.
A six-time MLS Cup champion and four-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year, Donovan remains the all-time assists leader for the U.S. Men’s National Team and is tied for the most international goals scored by an American man. His five World Cup goals make him the highest-scoring American male player in tournament history, and Major League Soccer honored his legacy by naming its MVP award after him. Yet Donovan’s memoir goes far beyond trophies and highlight reels, it’s a story of resilience, vulnerability, and self-discovery.
The event serves as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Coronado Public Library’s work with the Exceptional Families Program and requires a paid ticket for entry. The Friends of the Coronado Public Library are dedicated supporters who offer financial assistance for a variety of the Coronado Public Library’s programs that serve readers and learners of all ages. The Exceptional Families Program is a partnership with the Coronado Community Foundation and Camp Able which offers monthly programs that provide enrichment, respite, and community connection for families with special needs members, particularly those who have aged out of school-based services or are transitioning beyond the classroom.
Ticket options include:

$10 entry only

$29.95 for admission for one person and one copy of Landon: A Memoir

Tickets can be purchased at cplevents.org or adventuresbythebook.com/calendar-event/landon-donovan-4-11-26/. This event will take place at the Coronado Performing Arts Center in partnership with Adventures by the Book. All seating is first-come, first-served.

Earth Day local author visit, book signing at Stop and Grow Books
2026-04-12 14:00 | Stop and Grow, 1339 Orange Avenue, Suite 8B, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Coronado author, Marianne Blackstone Tabner, will be at Stop and Grow Books on April 12 in celebration of Earth Day doing a book reading and signing of her book “Taking Turns.”

Plant a Seed, Read!
2026-04-13 15:30 - 16:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Come enjoy Plant a Seed, Read! with Amazing Dana the Magician. This interactive program is filled with colorful magic, audience participation, and engaging storytelling. Kids will see ideas grow, books come alive, and discover how reading can spark imagination.

Crafty Hour: Fantasy Book Nooks
2026-04-14 18:30 - 19:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Feeling crafty? Join us on the second Tuesday of every month for arts and crafts.
In the month of April, we’ll get ready to celebrate National Library Week by creating our own fantasy book nooks to decorate our home library shelves with.
Can’t make it to this program? Check back here the day after this program to download the instructions so you can recreate this craft at home.
This program is for adults over the age of 18. Space is limited, registration is recommended. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits.

The Friends’ 54th annual Spring Book Fair
2026-04-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Friends of the Coronado Public Library (Friends) 54th Annual Spring Book Fair will be held on Saturday, April 18, from 10 am to 4 pm, outside the Coronado Public Library.
This community tradition, held alongside the Coronado Flower Show, allows book lovers, families, and neighbors alike to browse thousands of books at exceptional prices, from bestsellers and hidden gems to children’s favorites and timeless classics. Visitors can also discover even more titles at the Honor Shop inside the library lobby and the Friends Bookstore, along with popular pre-loved books and ready-to-give gift items — perfect for any occasion.
Photo Credit: Jena WIllard for the Friends

Mystery Book Club: "Tokyo Express"
2026-04-20 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 the meeting by registering HERE. Registration is encouraged but not required.
In April, we will be discussing “Tokyo Express” by Seicho Matsumoto. Check out the book in print or ebook format from the Coronado Library Catalog by clicking here (print copies) or by searching the title in Cloud Library and/or Libby.

Best of the Best Book Club: "Every Living Thing" by Jason Roberts
2026-04-22 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 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.

A Story of Resilience: Remembering the Japanese American Incarceration
2026-05-26 11:00 | CA
As part of the One Book, One Coast program, join us for a powerful and personal talk with Kay Ochi and Setsuo Iwashita as they share their and their families’ experience with the Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II. Their conversation will allow attendees a meaningful opportunity to reflect on a pivotal moment in history, honor lived experiences, and deepen our understanding of resilience, injustice, and community. All are welcome to attend this important and engaging conversation.
One Book, One Coast brings together library systems across California, Washington State, and Oregon for a shared community reading program that celebrates literacy, learning, community, and civil discourse. All participating libraries will read and discuss They Called Us Enemy by George Takei with physical copies of the book available to borrow and unlimited digital copies of the eBook in English and Spanish available from April 1 through June 6 on the Libby app by Overdrive.
Learn more here

"No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson" with author & journalist Gardiner Harris
2026-06-04 19:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join the Coronado Public Library and the Harvard Club of San Diego for an author talk with journalist Gardiner Harris, discussing his acclaimed book No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson. This powerful work of investigative journalism examines the history of one of the world’s most trusted companies, uncovering decades of controversial practices and their impact on public health.
No More Tears was chosen as one of the five best in 2025 by both the National Book Critics and the LA Times. The Financial Times longlisted it as a Best Business book. It also was chosen as a best book of 2025 by the New York and Chicago Public Libraries.
Described by the Financial Times as “a savage takedown…[that] brings the receipts,” the book offers a compelling and eye-opening look at the pharmaceutical industry. This free event includes an author presentation and discussion, with time for audience Q&A.
Free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first seated.
Books will be available for presale through Bay Books. Orders must be received by May 27. Call 619-435-0070 to order. Limited copies will be available for purchase at the event.

Mystery Book Club: "The Hunter"
2026-06-08 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. Due to scheduling issues, this month’s meeting has been moved up by one week to the second Monday in June. Receive reminder emails about our meeting by registering. Registration is encouraged but not required.
We will be discussing The Hunter by Richard Stark (1962). Check out the book in print or ebook format from the Coronado Library Catalog by clicking here.

Brains and AI: The Future of Education and Learning
2026-06-10 18:30 - 19:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
On Wednesday, June 10 at 6:30 pm, join the Coronado Public Library as we welcome UCSD’s Dr. Terrance Sejnowski who will share insights into the future impacts of AI on education and learning. Classrooms, teachers, lessons, homework, reading, writing, and arithmetic look the same today as they did when we were children, what will the future bring to education? How will artificial intelligence (AI) and personal social robots shape the next generation? This lecture is based his personal experiences with “Learning How to Learn,” a wildly popular Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), with 6 million viewers in 200 countries, his insights from how brains learn, and the recent developments in AI described in his book ChatGPT and the Future of AI. This free lecture is open to all.
Terry Sejnowski received his Ph.D. in physics from Princeton University. He was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School before joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins, where he was a Professor of Biophysics. He currently holds the Francis Crick Chair at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies and is a Distinguished Professor of Biology and Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, where he is co-director of the Institute for Neural Computation. He also is the founding editor-in-chief of Neural Computation and is currently President of the Neural Information Processing Systems Foundation Board. In 1992, Sejnowski co-authored The Computational Brain with Patricia Churchland and in 2002 the book Liars, Lovers, and Heroes; What the New Brain Science Reveals About How We Become Who We Are with Steven R. Quartz. His book, The Deep Learning Revolution, was published by the MIT Press in 2018.

Book signing with Caitlin Rother for "Staged"
2026-06-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Bay Books, 1007 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Caitlin Rother, New York Times bestselling author of 17 books, will hold a book signing at Bay Books for her new book Staged, the sequel to her first thriller, Hooked.

Staged picks up where Hooked, the first in Rother’s “Katrina & Goode” thriller series, leaves off. But in short order, the two primary suspects in the recent murder of two biotech execs who were developing a sex drug turn up dead. One of these victims dies from a reportedly self-imposed hanging in his jail cell, followed by his father, who is found dead of an apparent heart attack several hours later. Both deaths seem very suspicious to surfing homicide detective Ken Goode and investigative reporter Katrina Chopin, because the forensic evidence doesn’t pass the smell test. Were one or more of these deaths staged?
As the investigation proceeds, Katrina soon realizes that the cold-case murders of her parents, both federal judges, and the alleged suicide of her twin brother, may be related to the four more recent deaths. Katrina and Goode work under the radar to connect dots between them, which point toward a cover-up by a cabal of wealthy elites that hires hitmen to keep its money and secrets safe.
Amid colorful descriptions of San Diego’s relaxed lifestyle and the beautiful beaches of La Jolla, this book is filled with nonstop investigative action and intrigue. All the while, Katrina and Goode, accused of “canoodling in public,” must navigate ethical boundaries that are constantly tested by an increasingly intense sexual attraction that poses a risk to both of their jobs—and their lives, as a stalker continues to pursue and threaten them.

Celebrating Independence Day with Richard Lederer
2026-06-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
On Tuesday, June 23 at 11 am, San Diego legend Richard Lederer will be serving up his trademark wit and wisdom in a special performance at the Coronado Public Library. This year, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, our nation’s birth certificate and mission statement. Union Tribune columnist and International Punster of the Year, Richard Lederer will talk about the significance of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address.
With more than 60 books to his name, including the exceptional Anguished English series, Dr. Lederer has a unique ability to make language both enlightening and fun. Dr. Lederer is also the founding co-host of the popular KPBS program, “A Way With Words.” A recipient of the prestigious Toastmasters International Golden Gavel award, Dr. Lederer will be sure to leave you laughing and learning. This event is free to attend thanks to the support of the Friends of the Coronado Public Library and the City of Coronado. Head to cplevents.org for more information.
