City of West Hollywood’s 2026 WeHo Reads Literary Series Reimagines History

The City of West Hollywood’s 2026 WeHo Reads literary series continued this fall with WeHo Reads: Reimagining History, bringing writers and readers together at the West Hollywood Library for an evening exploring the stories history remembers — and those it too often leaves behind.

Held on Wednesday, September 23 at the West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, the program featured four writers whose work revisits the past through historical fiction, poetry, essays, and storytelling, asking what can change when buried, silenced, or forgotten histories are recovered and reconsidered.

The evening featured Kate Maruyama, an author of realist and fabulist novels, short stories, and essays; Steven Reigns, West Hollywood’s inaugural City Poet Laureate and author of A Quilt for David and Outliving Michael; Mike Sonksen, also known as Mike the PoeT, a poet, professor, journalist, historian, and tour guide; and Désirée Zamorano, author of the historical novel Dispossessed and short-story collection Amarisa’s Cooking Pot.

West Hollywood City Poet Laureate Jen Cheng opened the program with a poetry reading. Together, the writers examined why artists continue to return to history for inspiration and understanding, and how literature can challenge familiar narratives by restoring voices and experiences that have been overlooked.

HERE is the City’s official photo set from the event by City photographer Jonathan Moore.

WeHo Reads is the City of West Hollywood’s literary series celebrating writers, readers, ideas, and the power of storytelling. The 2026 series continues with virtual programs this fall. More information is available at weho.org/wehoreads.