Camas Public Library joins West Coast’s book club

The Camas Public Library is joining more than 140 libraries across California, Oregon and Washington in One Book, One Coast, the largest regional book club on the West Coast.

Running through June 6, the initiative encourages communities throughout the region to read and discuss “They Called Us Enemy” by George Takei, co-written by Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott and illustrated by Harmony Becker. The award-winning graphic memoir recounts Takei’s childhood experience in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II and his later path toward becoming an actor and civil rights advocate.

“One Book, One Coast creates an opportunity for Camas readers to join a broader regional conversation while exploring themes of identity, justice, and resilience,” Camas Public Library Director Connie Urquhart said in a news release. “We’re excited to connect our community with readers and libraries across the West Coast through this shared experience.”

The featured event in the series is “Publishing Prejudice: A Talk with Vicki Nakashima,” to be held at 2 p.m. May 29. Nakashima will reflect on her family’s experience during World War II and examine the role media narratives played in shaping public understanding of Japanese American incarceration. The event is presented by the Japanese American Museum of Oregon.

The Camas Library will offer additional programs, including Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m. May 19 and June 4; Adult Book Club, 1:30 p.m. May 26, and 6:30 p.m. June 8; and Virtual Author Talk with George Takei, 2 p.m. May 31.

Participating library systems include Los Angeles County Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, Multnomah County Library, Seattle Public Library and Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Community members can access the book in both print and digital formats through the Camas Library catalog.