This spring, the Chetco Community Public Library invites the community to take part in One Book, One Coast, a shared reading initiative connecting more than 130 library systems across Oregon, California, and Washington.
As the largest book club on the West Coast, One Book, One Coast brings readers together around one book to create opportunities for conversation, reflection, and meaningful connection across neighborhoods, cities, and state lines.
The Chetco Library and its partners will read and discuss They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger and illustrated by Harmony Becker. Extra physical copies of the book will be available to borrow as early as March 23 and unlimited digital copies of the eBook will be available from April 1 through June 6 on the Libby app by Overdrive. Through this shared reading experience, communities are encouraged to explore themes of identity, patriotism, family, loyalty, and resilience while strengthening connections through dialogue and learning.
"There is something incredibly moving about a hundred communities reading the same words at the same time,” says Katlyn Liddell, Assistant Director. “Reading George Takei’s memoir feels particularly resonant right now. Our town has a unique tradition of looking past conflict to find our common humanity in the aftermath of war and conflict, and I believe this book will spark the kind of honest, heartfelt conversations that Brookings is known for. I invite everyone to pick up a copy and join us in this journey of dialog and connection."
How to Participate
Community members may borrow physical copies of They Called Us Enemy from the Chetco Library as early as March 23.
From April 1 through June 6, unlimited digital copies of the eBook in English and Spanish will be available through the Libby app by OverDrive. The eBook is also available on-demand in English on the Library’s hoopla app for Chetco Library cardholders.
The Chetco Library will also lead a community book discussion at Chetco Brewing at 5:30pm in Brookings on May 27, along with additional smaller events and take-home activities throughout the spring.
Residents are encouraged to visit chetcolibrary.org/OBOC2026 for more information and a full listing of events and activities.
About the Book
They Called Us Enemy is a powerful graphic memoir by George Takei that reflects on civil liberties, democracy, and what it means to be American — both historically and today.
Author Talk with George Takei
To close the program, George Takei will appear for a special author talk and book signing on Sunday, May 31 at 2 pm at East Los Angeles Library. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube, allowing readers across the region to participate together, and the Chetco Library will present a free watch party of the live author talk in partnership with Chetco Brewing at 830 Railroad St in Brookings. A link to the livestream will be shared with the community in the coming months as well.
