This spring, TRL is participating in One Book, One Coast!
Organized by LA County Library, One Book, One Coast brings together library systems across Washington, Oregon, and California 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.
They Called Us Enemy is a graphic memoir recounting actor/author/activist George Takei’s childhood imprisoned within American concentration camps during World War II. Confronting questions of patriotism, family, loyalty, and community, George’s work is a stunning examination of what it means to be American, both long ago and today.
By connecting readers across three states through one shared title, One Book, One Coast highlights the power of libraries and stories in bringing people together for conversation and reflection, exploring a complex chapter of our nation’s history together through thoughtful and respectful dialogue. We hope you will join us!
Read They Called Us Enemy now:
- Access the ebook any time on ComicsPlus by signing in with your TRL library card and PIN number!
- Check out the ebook on the Libby app by Overdrive. They Called Us Enemy
- Check out a print copy of the book, available in our TRL Catalog. They Called Us Enemy
Special Online Author Talk with George Takei, May 31, 2026: One Book, One Coast will close this year’s reading program with a special author talk featuring George Takei! The event will be held in-person at East Los Angeles Library and will also be livestreamed on Zoom (click here to register!) and livestreamed on YouTube, opens a new window (the YouTube link will be active on May 31.)
Other Western Washington libraries participating in One Book, One Coast include Seattle Public Library, King County Library System, Pierce County Library, and Tacoma Public Library. Read more about One Book, One Coast and see a full list of participating libraries across the West Coast at https://lacountylibrary.org/one-book-one-coast/.
