In a cultural moment where the simple act of reading is increasingly politicized, the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Reads program stands as a beacon for intellectual freedom, community engagement, and the transformative power of literature.
Launched in 2013, WeHo Reads is an innovative literary series curated by the City’s Arts Division, in collaboration with the West Hollywood Library and a range of cultural partners. More than just a calendar of readings, WeHo Reads is a movement—a safe haven where ideas are shared, creativity is nurtured, and diverse voices are uplifted. Over the past decade, it has become one of the region’s most celebrated public literary initiatives, with a deeply loyal audience and a dynamic roster of acclaimed authors.
Defending the Right to Read
As school boards and local governments across the country continue to ban books—many of them written by LGBTQ+ authors, authors of color, and those tackling themes of race, gender, and identity—West Hollywood continues to reaffirm its progressive roots. The city has long championed LGBTQ+ rights, civil liberties, and cultural expression. With WeHo Reads, it doubles down on the belief that access to literature is a fundamental human right.
Books are bridges to understanding. When certain stories are erased from shelves, we don’t just lose art—we lose empathy, history, and identity. WeHo Reads ensures that these stories are not only protected but celebrated.
A Decade of Celebrated Voices
Over the years, WeHo Reads has featured an impressive array of literary talent—authors who are as diverse and dynamic as the city itself. The program has welcomed:
- Angie Thomas, bestselling author of The Hate U Give
- Kate Schatz, co-author of Rad American Women A-Z and Rad Women Worldwide
- Charles Yu, National Book Award winner for Interior Chinatown
- Tosh Berman, local poet and memoirist
- Sarah Schulman, foundational voice in queer literature and AIDS activism
- Natashia Deón, novelist, lawyer, and founder of REDEEMED
- Luis J. Rodriguez, former poet laureate of Los Angeles
- Sandra Tsing Loh, incisive humorist and storyteller
- Nalo Hopkinson, speculative fiction writer
- David Ulin, former book editor of the Los Angeles Times
- Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other Parties
- Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sympathizer
- Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage
- Tommy Orange, author of There There
- Roxane Gay, essayist and author of Bad Feminist
- Yaa Gyasi, author of Homegoing and Transcendent Kingdom
- Ocean Vuong, poet and author of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
- Rebecca Solnit, historian and author of Men Explain Things to Me
- Clint Smith, poet and author of How the Word Is Passed
- Hanif Abdurraqib, cultural critic and author of A Little Devil in America
A Festival of Ideas
WeHo Reads often anchors broader civic celebrations such as National Poetry Month, Banned Books Week, or LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Events take place at iconic West Hollywood venues like the City Council Chambers and West Hollywood Library, and are increasingly accessible online, further democratizing participation and reach.
More than just lectures, these gatherings are true conversations—where audience members feel empowered to ask questions, share stories, and connect with both creators and each other. They also spotlight local indie bookstores, arts nonprofits, and cultural institutions that align with the program’s mission.
The Future Is Literate
In a time when libraries are under threat and book bans are rising across the country, WeHo Reads reminds us why literature matters. West Hollywood’s unwavering commitment to free expression, diverse storytelling, and community access to the arts is more vital than ever.
As the program enters its second decade, it continues to expand its reach and reimagine what a civic literary initiative can be. Whether you're a lifelong bibliophile or just discovering the magic of books, WeHo Reads invites everyone to show up, listen deeply, and keep turning the page.
To learn more about upcoming WeHo Reads events, visit www.weho.org/wehoreads.
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