SB Reads 2025

Join Santa Barbara Public Library in celebrating family, belonging, queer joy, and creative expression for this year’s SB Reads Program! We’ll be reading and discussing The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen and hosting an exciting line-up of engaging programs and events for readers of all ages.

About SB Reads

Each year, Santa Barbara Public Library distributes free copies of selected titles and aspires to engage our community by reading the same book at the same time in the hopes that readers will connect with one another. We invite participants to explore themes, participate in discussions, and examine the world from different points of view.

About The Magic Fish

Real life isn’t a fairytale.

But Tiến still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’s hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tiến, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through?

Is there a way to tell them he’s gay?

A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a young boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected. The Magic Fish tackles tough subjects in a way that’s accessible for readers of all ages, and teaches us that no matter what—we can all have our own happy endings. (Publisher Description)

Print copies are available in English and Spanish at the SB Reads Kickoff on October 24 at Central Library Plaza, 5:00 - 6:30 PM then while supplies last at all SBPL locations. Ebooks and digital audiobooks are available in English.

Santa Barbara Reads is funded through the annual support of the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation. To learn more about the foundation and how to support SB Reads 2025, visit their website. 

Sign Up to Tell a Story at SB Speaks: Cultural Storytelling

SB storytellers, join Santa Barbara Public Library in celebrating stories that center queerness, liberation, family, immigration, and belonging for this year's SB Reads selection, The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen. 

Calls for storytelling performances open October 3, 2025 and close October 24, 2025. Please register online in advance as space is limited.  We will contact you the week of November 3 to confirm if you’ve been selected to perform your story. Performances should be no longer than five minutes in length.

Click here to register