A book club unites communities across the West, and Monterey County joins in to remember the Japanese American experience.

What is a book club if not a collaborative reading program? When we think about book club meetings we might imagine a cozy, after-hours gathering of a few people with thick tomes in hand. But is it possible for all the communities along the Pacific to read together?

That’s the idea of "One Book, One Coast" that originated in the Los Angeles County library system, and now connects 140 library systems in California, Washington and Oregon, with Monterey County Free Libraries system being one of them.

The idea is to read one book together, in all communities, and organize discussions and events around it. The program starts with a book with a strong West Coast affiliation, rooted in regional history. For May, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it’s They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, the actor who played Lieutenant Sulu on the original Star Trek television series (1966-1969) and subsequent films.

This graphic memoir documents and comments on his experience as a child growing up detained in a Japanese American camp in Arkansas, an experience shared by over 140,000 people of Japanese ancestry during WWII. It’s a quick (200 pages) and entertaining read.

“We love book clubs,” said Be Astengo, managing librarian for Monterey County Free Libraries. “But we also joined because we thought the book they were reading was great. We have a strong history here that relates to the internment of the Japanese people during WWII, and it touches home.”

Speaking during a County of Monterey news briefing on May 6, Astengo added that MCFL is participating in celebrations of the Japanese American Citizens League, whose hall in Monterey is turning 100 years old this year. 

They Called Us Enemy can be accessed for free online with an MCFL library card. Unlimited digital copies are available on the Libby or Comics Plus apps, using your library card number. There are also physical copies available at MCFL branches. (For details, visit MCFL’s website or visit your local branch.)

It seems like it’s a perfect time to learn about the Japanese American history (and present) in the region.

In addition to the book club, some upcoming events include: 

• A presentation by historian Tim Thomas and JACL President Larry Oda at 1pm Saturday, May 9 at the Seaside branch library (550 Harcourt Ave., Seaside)
• A screening of the documentary Enduring Democracy: The Monterey Petition at 1pm Saturday, May 30 at the Marina branch library (190 Seaside Circle, Marina)
• A streamed live talk with George Takei about his book, hosted by Santa Clara libraries, at 2pm Sunday, May 31 (online)