Santa Barbara Public Library will kick off the 2025 SB Reads program with a community celebration, 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 at the Michael Towbes Library Plaza, 40 E. Anapamu St.

This year’s selected title, “The Magic Fish” by Trung Le Nguyen, is the first graphic novel to be featured in SB Reads.

Those attending the kickoff event can:
 
• Pick up a free copy of “The Magic Fish” in English, or “El pez mágico” in Spanish.
• Contribute to a community art project led by local artist Veronica (Vero) Sanchez.
• Sign up for upcoming SB Reads activities, including book clubs, workshops, and special events.
 
Free copies of “The Magic Fish”/“El pez mágico” will also be available at all Santa Barbara Public Library locations starting Oct. 25, while supplies last.

For more, visit SB Reads 2025, SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SBReads2025.

Vero Sanchez is a Mexican graphic design artist and acrylic painter based in Santa Barbara. She holds a BA in cultural anthropology from UC Riverside. Her work is primarily centered in artivismo (art-activism), and celebrates cultural and socio-political identities.

Through SB Reads, each year, Santa Barbara Public Library distributes free copies of a selected title and invites the community to engage in events and discussions focused on the book.

“We hope that readers will connect with each other by exploring themes, participating in discussions, and examining the world through different viewpoints,” the city said.

SB Reads is made possible through the financial support of the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation.