The earliest surviving written literature is from ancient Mesopotamia, dating to roughly 2100–1200 BCE.  "The Epic of Gilgamesh is often cited as the first great composition, although some shorter compositions have survived that are even earlier," writes author Adam Zeidan for the Britannica website. "Apart from its length, the Epic of Gilgamesh may be considered the earliest significant composition because of its enduring impact on literature through the ages. It is believed to have influenced other ancient literary works, including the Iliad, the Odyssey, Alexander romance literature, and the Hebrew Bible, all of which continue to have significant literary impact in their own right." 

Over the course of history, written words have been left on stone or clay tablets, scrolls, and sheets of papyrus. Paper-based books as we know them today were made possible by the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. Many other innovations contributed to the increasing sophistication of book manufacturing and distribution. Most recently, the development of e-books made books available on computers, digital tablets, and mobile phones. These newly portable tomes make reading ever more accessible. According to a recent article in the New York Times, for example, actor and author Ed Helms read the classic novel Moby-Dick on his phone while standing up during rides on the New York subway. 

Tri-Valley Book Clubs

While it is not a truth universally acknowledged, many avid readers are in want of an enjoyable discussion about books. Book clubs are a wonderful way to participate in such discussions, and the Livermore Public Library is one popular place to find one. The Library hosts four different volunteer-run book clubs. Officials say new members are always welcome, and no registration is needed to attend meetings.  

Meetings of the Good Reads Book Club are held at 7 pm in person on the fourth Thursday in January, March, May, August, and October at Livermore's Civic Center Library in the Storytime Room. The History Book Club meets both in person at the Civic Center Library Board Room and online on Zoom at 7 pm on the third Tuesday of each month. Members vote on future books. Meetings of the new Thursday Classic Mystery Book Club are held in person on the third Thursday of each month at 2 pm at Civic Center Library Board Room. "Each month, the club selects and reads a mystery novel published before 1960 by Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, Rex Stout, John Dickson Carr, Erle Stanley Gardner, Ngaio Marsh, Dashiell Hammett, Ellery Queen, and other well-known authors," officials say. Meetings of the We're Talkin' Books! Club are held at 7 pm on the first Thursday of each month on Zoom and in person at Civic Center Library Board Room. This club "is member-centered and led by a small group of book club veterans. Reading selections based on member recommendations and consensus."

Town Center Books, which has two locations, also hosts book clubs. The two clubs that meet in person take place at the Pleasanton store. The General Book Club meets at 7 pm on the second Wednesday of each month. The Mystery Book Club meets at 7 pm on the third Tuesday of each month. The Mystery Book Club is facilitated by historical mystery author Ann Parker. "The discussions are exciting and entertaining as all aspects of the stories are brought up," according to bookstore executives. "Our facilitator adds another perspective to the group's discussions as well, since she can look at the books from a mystery author's point of view."

The Poetry Book Club of Town Center Books takes place online via Zoom meetings. The club is facilitated by Dr. Karen Van Zino, a writer and poetry lover. "Each month focuses on a different collection of poetry from a wide range of poets." executives say. "Discussions are based around the meanings, emotions, and personal takeaways from the selected readings." Individuals interested in the Poetry Book Club should contact the bookstore for more information.

Related Events and Programs

The 11th Annual Bay Area Book Festival will be held on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday,  June 1, 2025. This East Bay tradition takes place in Berkeley. Paid tickets are required to hear the headlining authors, but most of the other Festival events are free. The two-day celebration will feature hundreds of authors on 15 stages. The Festival's popular Family Day will be held on May 31 at the downtown branch of the Berkeley Public Library Central branch. "Family Day will again be filled with readings, panels, discussions, and interactive fun featuring the most exciting and engaging names in young people's literature," according to Festival officials.

Aspiring and practicing writers are invited to reserve a free spot at one of the eight writing workshops that will take place during the Festival. The nonprofit that drives the Bay Area Book Festival is also responsible for two year-round celebrations of writers and books. Women Lit features groundbreaking female-identified authors such as Gloria Steinem and Eve Ensler, while Bay Area Book Festival #UNBOUND, the virtual branch of the group's programming, amplifies bestselling and emerging voices across all genres of literature.

The City of Pleasanton Library kicks off its Summer Reading Program on Saturday, May 31. The Rhythm Builders performance group will offer an interactive percussion show at 11 am and 2 pm. Readers of all ages will receive a free book by signing up for the program between 10 am and 5 pm. To take part, simply read a book and log the hours spent reading. As part of the program, which runs until August 3, 2025, participants are eligible for prizes.

Tri-Valley Cultural Jews host a Shavuos Bookfest to celebrate this annual holiday. The group describes it as "a joyful, thoughtful, and uniquely Secular Humanistic way to mark the holiday." The Savuos Bookfest is open to all and will be held in Pleasanton on Sunday, June 1, at 11 am. Adults and children are invited to speak for up to five minutes about "a book you loved, something new you learned, or a topic you know and want to share." Attendees are asked to bring a sweet dessert to share in honor of the holiday tradition. Lunch will be provided. Those who plan to attend should email culturaljews@gmail.com by May 29. The suggested donation is $15 for non-member adults.

Author Nora Ephron wrote that "reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it's a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it's a way of making contact with someone else's imagination after a day that's all too real." Book clubs, in turn, are a place to share the joys, challenges, and questions that good books spark within their readers. Whichever book one reads and however one reads it, there are Tri-Valley book clubs, literary events, and plenty of fellow book enthusiasts available to deepen the pleasure of reading.

For more information about book clubs at the Livermore Public Library, please visit library.livermoreca.gov/digital-library/books-more/book-clubs.

For more information about the City of Pleasanton's 2025 Summer Reading Program, please visit www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/your-community/pleasanton-library/summer-reading-program.

For more information about the Bay Area Book Festival, please visit www.baybookfest.org/2025-festival.

For more information about Tri-Valley Cultural Jews and its Shavuos Bookfest, please visit trivalleyculturaljews.org.