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Memoirs by Bill Griffeth, left, Paula Williams Madison and A.J. Jacobs are
the featured books for this year’s Silicon Valley Reads. The authors will
all discuss their works at local libraries, and Silicon Valley Reads will
offer events throughout Santa Clara County Jan. 25-April 9 around the theme
of ‘Finding Identity in Family History.’  (Courtesy of Silicon Valley Reads)
Memoirs by Bill Griffeth, left, Paula Williams Madison and A.J. Jacobs are the featured books for this year’s Silicon Valley Reads. The authors will all discuss their works at local libraries, and Silicon Valley Reads will offer events throughout Santa Clara County Jan. 25-April 9 around the theme of ‘Finding Identity in Family History.’ (Courtesy of Silicon Valley Reads)

With DNA testing becoming more popular and immigration increasingly in the news, the 2019 Silicon Valley reads theme of “Finding Identity in Family History” is more ubiquitous than ever.

Silicon Valley Reads is an annual community program presented by the Santa Clara County Library, the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the San Jose Public Library. The theme is chosen by librarians who look for issues they feel are important to the region. Books are selected that represent the theme, and community is encouraged to read the works and discuss them.

“We gather ideas for books throughout the year and also possible themes as they come up in conversations in headlines,” said Diane McNutt, Silicon Valley Reads coordinator.

This year’s theme will be explored by three different memoirs written by authors who explore how their family heritage has affected their sense of identity. The three books chosen to represent the 2019 theme for Silicon Valley reads are “It’s All Relative” by A.J. Jacobs, “The Stranger in My Genes” by Bill Griffeth and “Finding Samuel Lowe” by Paula Williams Madison.

These authors will participate in events around the Bay Area that will include talks and Q&As about their work. Silicon Valley Reads will kick off Jan 25 with a discussion with Jacobs, presented by the Los Altos Library Endowment.

“These are people who are very successful professionally, but it really shook them that who they thought they were or where came from wasn’t exactly accurate. It’s this idea of how much of your self-identity, no matter you age, is tied in your ancestry and what you know and don’t know,” said McNutt.

“It’s All Relative” takes a look at the history and science of genetics, genealogy and identity, while also telling the story of Jacobs’ three-year quest to document the largest family tree ever. Jacobs will appear at Cambrian Branch Library on Saturday, Jan. 26, at noon to discuss his book.

Griffeth, co-anchor of CNBC’s “Nightly Business Report,” will discuss “The Stranger in My Genes” at Almaden Branch Library on Saturday, March 2, at 3 p.m. The book brings together mystery and genealogy by documenting his quest to discover the truth about his family after a DNA test reveals the family Griffeth grew up with may not be his blood family.

Journalist and retired NBC Universal executive Madison penned “Finding Samuel Lowe” to detail her discovery of a Chinese grandfather and her search for his descendants in China, which led her to 300 long-lost relatives.  A documentary version of her book, also titled “Finding Samuel Lowe,” will be screened at Rose Garden Branch Library on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2 p.m. The library will screen “Little White Lie,” another documentary about uncovering family secrets, Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m.

As part of Silicon Valley Read’s activities for children, teens and families, Willow Glen Branch Library will offer a workshop on “Family Roots: Unlock Your History” that will teach adults and teens the basics of genealogical research.  It is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, at 3 p.m.

Silicon Valley Reads will offer more than 140 public free events throughout Santa Clara County in February and March, including an art exhibit, films, panel discussions, workshops, and activities for children, teens and families. The complete calendar of events can be found at SiliconValleyReads.org,
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