Featured Events in Berkeley in January, 2025(November Updated)

Join us at Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore on January 15th, 2025 when Bay Area author Barbara Rhodes comes to the store to share her new book Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion Into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom. Barbara will sign copies of her book after the presentation. Click Here to preorder a copy of Composting Our Karma .Engaging teachings on the core Korean Zen practice of “don’t-know mind” that encourage us to cultivate and apply a clear mind, improve our intuition, feel naturally at ease, and generate compassionate wisdom to face whatever arises. ​​Barbara Rhodes (Zen Master Soeng Hyang) offers the core Korean Zen teaching of don’t-know mind as an antidote to the over-thinking, overly stimulating modern world that is the cause of so much suffering. In this collection of essays, Rhodes shows us that there are ways we can work with, or “compost,” whatever we’ve got in front of us, digest it into energy that can get us through the rough times, and cultivate a satisfying life. “Don’t-know mind,” Korean Zen’s foremost teaching, points to our clear enlightened mind before suffering arises based on concepts and judgments of like and dislike. While simple, it is a lifelong exercise, with immediate benefits that get deeper with practice. By applying don’t-know mind to meditation, everyday existence, and life’s challenges, readers will learn to work with their own mind’s reactions to things; trust their intuition; perceive situations clearly; and act with natural courage, compassion, and enthusiasm. Rhodes offers fascinating insights from her professional life as a nurse; her commitment to engaged Buddhism; her life experience as a member of the LGBTQ community; her use of psychedelics on her spiritual path; and more. Readers will appreciate her down-to-earth wisdom, compassion, enthusiasm, and faith in the power of this practice. Based in Richmond, California, BARBARA RHODES is the School Zen Master of the Kwan Um School of Zen, a longtime Buddhist practitioner and teacher, and a retired hospice nurse. Information Source: Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore | eventbrite

Join Rebecca Brantstetter at Books Inc. Berkeley for a reading and discussion of her helpful guide to a career in education, Small Habits Create Big Change! Small on-the-job changes you can make to identify your strengths, prevent burnout, and maintain your passion for being an educator Small Habits Create Big Change is a valuable collection of micro-habits—small, science-backed adjustments—that educators can use to reclaim their mental health and their love for their jobs. This book helps you identify your unique personality type, so you can find the hacks and tweaks that will actually work as you strive to manage stress and reignite your passion for working with students. Many educators feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and on the verge of burnout, but it's never too late to turn things around. Best of all, psychologist Rebecca Branstetter gives you solutions that you can use while you work, so you don't have to sacrifice your already-scarce downtime. Large-scale approaches to preventing educator burnout often fail to consider an important fact—educators are individuals, and no one-size-fits-all solution will really fit everyone. People's innate strengths and weaknesses play a big part in determining whether the changes we make are likely to work for us. This unique book accounts for what makes you who you are, giving you options, ideas, and proven strategies that set you up for success. This way, you can manage stress, battle burnout, and get excited about your career once again. Identify your strengths and weaknesses using the exclusive Thrive-o-gram personality indicatorLearn micro-habits that turn research about burnout prevention into transformation in your daily lifeUnderstand how to tap into your core strengths and protect your positive energyPersonalize your action steps with a Thriving RoadmapThis book isn't just about understanding who you are. It's about preventing burnout by aligning your work with your core strengths, values, and habits. All K-12 educators, including school psychologists and school-based mental health providers, will benefit from this balanced approach to work, fostering self-compassion, mindfulness, and resilience. REBECCA BRANSTETTER, PhD, is the founder of The Thriving Students Collective and Thrive Hive TV Network, online platforms for boosting the mental health and learning needs of children and the educators who support them. A national media expert, Rebecca’s expertise has appeared in The Washington Post, NPR, CNN, and Parents magazine. Information Source: Books Inc. | eventbrite

Join award-winning journalist John M. Glionna at Books Inc. Berkeley for a reading and discussion of his new book No Friday Night: Reservation Football on the Edge of America. John will be in conversation with photojournalist Randi Lynn Beach. No Friday Night Lights is the story of a rural Nevada high school football team that never wins. Veteran reporter John M. Glionna examines the 2022 season in which the McDermitt Bulldogs practiced for weeks in the summer only to learn once again that they had come up short of the necessary players due to the dwindling population on the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation on the Nevada-Oregon border. Eight-man football helps give the coaches and kids a sense of community—despite a lack of wins, and despite their home’s status as one of the most remote locations for a public school in the West. Glionna’s relationships with coaches, players, parents—and even those McDermitt residents remotely connected to high school football—provide telling insights into local lives, many of them from the Paiute and Shoshone tribes of Fort McDermitt. Although victory and recognition elude the players, Glionna illuminates their hard work and dedication—leaving the reader with glimpses of life on the ground in “flyover” country. No Friday Night Lights features a smart, sharp reporter taking us to a place we'd never be able to visit on our own—a place, frankly, we probably wouldn't want to visit. Glionna finds humanity and community there, and occasional glimpses of hope. —Will Leitch, Los Angeles Review of Books “In his nuanced, deeply reported, and beautifully written book, John Glionna takes us to a tiny town with a rugged past, uneasy present, and uncertain future. Still, the indomitable residents and their high school’s struggling eight-man football team carry on. Glionna reminds us why such towns and teams matter.”—Steve Padilla, editor with the Los Angeles Times “With a lysergic flair for heart-of-America storytelling, John M. Glionna takes us deep into a football country where few boys are left with what they need to bring a much-needed win to a town on the other side of glory days. Get in the truck and let Glionna take the wheel. You’re in good hands for a periscope view into a contemporary slice of the American West you’ve never before seen.”—Ed Komenda, reporter for the Associated Press “Veteran reporter John Glionna tells the story of McDermitt, Nevada, population 114, a dying former mining town steeped in poverty where the fielding of an eight-man high school football team is a Sisyphean task that underscores how, even in the face of crushing defeat, sport offers hope by building character. For the McDermitt Bulldogs, winning isn’t the goal—simply being able to play the game is.”—Mike Anton, former reporter for the Kansas City Star and Los Angeles Times “Ever a friend of the underdog, John M. Glionna travels the secluded backroads of Nevada to chronicle the travails of a hardscrabble reservation football team. Along the way we encounter all manner of characters, from the young high school athletes and their fans to a supportive if dwindling community clinging to their routines in an abandoned mining town. The McDermitt Bulldogs rarely win, but the players and the town itself remain resilient champions on the field of life.”—Joe Eckdahl, assistant managing editor of the Los Angeles Times, retired “In this terrifically poignant, soulful book about a hollowed-out town and its remaining people, John Glionna makes you feel as though you’re walking through lilies in the field, everything blessed and enlivened by his attentiveness, humor, and real affection.”—Robert Basil, professor of communications at Kwantlen Polytechnic University “While the typical traveler through McDermitt, Nevada, hastens to put this dying, segregated town behind him, John Glionna saw something different, through the lens of the town’s eight-man high school football team, coached by a white and a Native American. Having endured persistent adversity in their personal lives, the coaches fielded teams that, though nearly always scoreless, endured failure with grace and dignity. Glionna’s plainspoken, inspirational study of these young football failures guides the reader into the rich soul of this community.”—David H. Wilson Jr., author of Northern Paiutes of the Malheur: High Desert Reckoning in Oregon Country “John Glionna is one of our best narrative journalists. This book shows why—about a piece of our country that’s never had it easy, now populated with the Say When casino, mercury mines, Paiutes and whites and their history, and a coach who battles each year to field an eight-man high school football team. Haunting yet peaceful as a ranch at dusk, his story doesn’t find endings made in Hollywood but instead in a real and forgotten American small town that no one, not even its own residents, expects to make it.”—Sam Quinones, author of The Least of Us and Dreamland “There are few better feelings for a nonfiction bibliophile than to escape life’s requirements and return to a cast of literary characters you were reluctant to leave in the first place. No Friday Night Lights was that book for me. . . . Small town football is this story’s centerpiece, but those tied to it by seemingly the thinnest of threads are as fascinating as the players and coaches. McDermitt may be a speck on the map, but it looms large in this raconteur’s tale.”—Tris Wykes, reporter for the Valley News (West Lebanon, NH) John M. Glionna is an award-winning journalist who has traveled the world as a newspaper and magazine writer. After twenty-six years at the Los Angeles Times he now works as a freelance writer. He is the author of Outback Nevada: Real Stories from the Silver State. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, and Outside and has been included in Best American Sports Writing and Best Los Angeles Times Foreign Reporting. Randi Lynn Beach is an award-winning photojournalist, artist, and filmmaker who has spent the last 15 years working with editorial, non-profit, and corporate clients. Her photographs have appeared in Rolling Stone, People, Seventeen, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and Washington Post among others. Her most recent documentary series can be seen at www.pixchannel.com. Information Source: Books Inc. | eventbrite

Join Books Inc. Palo Alto in welcoming local author JR Rice for a reading and book discussion of his novel Broken Pencils. Jonah Tarver, a troubled Oakland teenager grappling with his parents' troubled marriage, his own mental disorder, and the weight of his best friend's death, embarks on a desperate quest to find meaning in life. On his eighteenth birthday, coinciding with his Senior prom, Jonah, along with his girlfriend Taniesha, his best friend Trevon, and a group of peers, spirals into a night of reckless indulgence in drugs and alcohol in the vibrant city of San Francisco. As tensions escalate and emotions run high, Jonah finds himself thrust into a gripping twelve-hour journey through the dark underbelly of San Francisco's nightlife, forever altering his perception of the world. Will Jonah uncover the purpose he so desperately seeks, or will he discover that life, like broken pencils, may have no point? I highly recommend Broken Pencils, and not just for a young adult audience. I think that everyone who reads this book will put it down with a heavy heart and a deeper understanding of what many people go through when grappling with bipolar disorder. J.R. Rice is a fantastic writer and I'm hoping to read more of his work. — Richard Bist, ReaderViews Kids J.R. Rice's Broken Pencils is more than a story of a teenager's life; it's a reflection of how things from the past can unfold in a single day...At its core, the novel grapples with the theme of brokenness, portraying it not as a defect to be mended but as an intrinsic part of the human experience. - Karen Almeida, Literary Titan Broken Pencils tackles a sensitive and difficult topic in a meaningful way that provides food for thought and allows one to become introspective about mental illness and the difficulties faced by those who live with it. — Jennie More, Readers Favorite Filled with youthful exuberance, raucous partying, vicious truths, and heartbreaking volatility, Broken Pencils is a novel that aims for poignancy, targeting an age group where many struggle to find meaning. — R.C. Gibson, IndiesToday Rice delves into the complex life and psyche of Jonah, a young Black man suffering from mental health issues and trauma following the death of his best friend....A gripping coming of age story and a skilful exploration of grief, the human psyche and broken relationships. — Beth Thompson, Readers' Choice Book Awards Rice weaves together moments of heartache, triumph, and introspection with such vividness that it feels like peering into real lives rather than fictional characters. This authenticity deepens the emotional impact felt by the reader and truly makes this book a must read. — Literary Global In this literary work, Rice boldly explores the profound impact of losing a loved one and how parents' constant fighting can disrupt their children's happiness...The book underscores the vital importance of seeking help to heal mentally and find inner peace, as carrying pain for too long can impede progress. — Amanda Hanson, The US Review of Books Broken Pencils is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of human relationships, the enduring impact of family dynamics, and the redemptive power of friendship and self-discovery. — Neena H. Brar, The Prairies Book Reviews Broken Pencils is a singular feat of narrative momentum. Dauntless insight and camera angle dance sharply producing a new geometry of storytelling. — Tongo Eisen-Martin, Poet laureate of San Francisco, California, activist, and author Broken Pencils pulls you down a complex river of identity, coming-of-age, mental illness, and issues of class and race in a way that taps into the universal experience of being human, all while couched in the skilled prose of a literary masterpiece. —M.M. Chouinard, USA Today bestselling author of The Dancing Girls J.R. Rice drives the reader headlong through the looking glass of Jonah Tarver's soul — and oh what ride. It is both hypnotic and often hallucinatory, but ultimately a journey of devastating truth. — Andrew L. Roberts, Author of Tears for Shulna Compelling and vulnerable, Broken Pencils is a poetic peek inside what it means to feel surrounded and alone at the same time. It juxtaposes the safety and simplicity of childhood against the illusion of freedom that adulthood brings. — Angela Drew, Author of ElderBerry Wine In this visceral odyssey through a single night, the reader is enveloped in Jonah's gut-wrenching journey toward clarity and acceptance...If there ever was a flawed hero to root for, it's Rice's modern-day Odysseus, Jonah. — Rosa del Duca, Author of Breaking Cadence The action of the book is full-throttle, but the story is also gripping because of Rice's multi-layered storytelling. It's rare that a book achieves this intensity of suspense and is also philosophically and psychologically resonant. — Heidi Kasa, Award-Winning author of The Beginners Author JR Rice has indeed illuminated a subject matter that deserves to be revisited. Starting with an important question, What can we do as a village to raise and protect the Jonah's of the world? — Monique McCoy, Author of Poetry's Daughter J.R Rice deftly uses Langston Hughes' work as both a structural and spiritual template...Rice emerges with his own voice as a life affirming force and a literary badass! — Dr. Mtafiti Imara, Professor of Music, CSUSM, and album composer As he tries to make sense of his life, Jonah rides through Rice's use of metaphors, poem excerpts, song lyrics, and the never ending quote, 'Still no cure for the common birthday.' Rice's use of imagination makes for a fantastical tale of what it means to be alive. — Leticia Garcia Bradford, editor and publisher at MoonShine Star Co Rice's writing pulls you into the edgy emotions of a young man caught between a strict and successful father, freewheeling friends, and his inability to shed past sorrow and make sense of his future. Broken Pencils catapults you into the complex emotional rhythms of a teen on the cusp of adulthood. — Tish Davidson, Author of From War Room to Living Room Broken Pencils is an in-your-face category five hurricane of written words. A beautifully written, yet tragic and gritty reminder that we are the choices we make. — Tony Aldarondo, Author of Poet on the Run Broken Pencils tackles youth and mental illness with an authenticity and sincerity that lingers with you long after you've finished reading. — Jason Baum, Author of Rocket J.R Rice had always been captivated by the power of words and their ability to inspire, motivate and transform lives. As a young man, he knew that he wanted to make a difference in the world through his writing and his ability to connect with people. After receiving his B.A in Creative Writing and an English Education teaching credential from California State University of Long Beach, J.R set out to pursue his dreams. He traveled abroad to Greece, where he had the honor of being mentored by the renowned author, George Crane. It was there that he honed his skills and developed his unique voice, which he would later use to inspire and empower countless others. His novella, Broken Pencils earned the 2024 Literary Titan Gold Book Award, the Literary Global Gold Award, 2024 Hawthorne Prize finalist, 2024 Independent Author Awards finalist in both Best African-American Literature and Best Debut Fiction, and 2024 International Firebird Book Award Third place winner in Best African-American Literature and Best New Fiction. In addition to his writing accolades, he earned the Rookie of the Year award at the 2005 National Collegiate Poetry Slam in Philadelphia. He was a Semi-Finalist in the 2023 Berkeley Poetry Slam Finals. He is the host and curator of SOCIAL SATURDAYS artist showcase in Oakland. He currently resides and teaches in the Bay Area. Information Source: Books Inc. | eventbrite

JOSIAH is theatrical magic: Cassel Miles is on a bare stage with only a cap, a handkerchief, and a bucket. Using excerpts from Josiah Henson's autobiography and vernacular from the time, he takes you on a remarkable journey from enslavement to freedom. Miles creates dozens of characters and conjures setting from thin air. It is true storytelling at its essence engaging audiences with a mix of drama, dance and movement. Join us on this Underground Railroad journey to freedom as you experience the captivating story of the 'Real Uncle Tom'. Information Source: Josiah - The Show | eventbrite