Pasadena Public Library Names Selections for ‘One City, One Story’ Community Book Group

The Pasadena Public Library has announced its selections for the 2021 “One City, One Story” communitywide book discussion group.

“Tattoos on the Heart” by Homeboy Industries Founder Father Gregory Joseph Boyle has been named the choice for the library’s upcoming spring program, while “Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park” by Conor Knighton will be the title for the summer edition, the Pasadena Public Library announced Wednesday afternoon.

“Now in its 19th year, One City, One Story is designed to broaden and deepen an appreciation of reading and literature and to promote tolerance and understanding of differing points of view by recommending a compelling book that engages the community in conversation,” the library said in a written statement. “This year’s theme is ‘Books for our Times.’”

In his book, Father Boyle “shares what three decades of working with gang members in Los Angeles have taught him about faith, compassion and the enduring power of kinship,” the statement said. “Critics hailed Tattoos on the Heart, as an ‘astounding literary and spiritual feat’ (Publishers Weekly) that is ‘destined to become a classic of both urban reportage and contemporary spirituality’ (Los Angeles Times).”

His long list of recognitions includes the California Peace Prize and he has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame.  President Barack Obama named him a “Champion of Change” in 2014.

Knighton’s “Leave Only Footprints” was recently listed as a New York Times bestseller, library officials said. He is an Emmy-award winning correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning.

His book chronicles his mission to visit every national park in the U.S. in a single year.

“Knighton shares informative and entertaining dispatches from what turned out to be the road trip of a lifetime,” the statement said.”Through his unique lens, America the Beautiful becomes America the Captivating, the Hilarious, and the Inspiring. Along the way, he identifies the threads that tie these wildly different places together — and that tie us to nature — and reveals how his trip ended up changing his views on everything from God and love to politics and technology.”

The city’s annual One City, One Story community book discussion group will only be held in an online format this year, said Program Coordinator Christine Reeder.

Since its inception nearly two decades ago, “The concept was that the community would select a book for everyone to read and to get together” she said. “Of course, this was the first year we had to do it virtually on Zoom.”

“Everybody has worked really hard to keep life as normal as possible,” Reeder added. “This is a big part of the Pasadena Public Library.”

Discussions and programming related to “Tattoos on the Heart” will be held throughout March, organizers said. A virtual conversation with the author is scheduled for 2 p.m. on March 14.

Events related to “Leave Only Footprints” will be held in June and July, according to the library. Details were to be announced later.

Copies of both books are available for checkout at Pasadena Public Library branches, either through curbside service or eBook format.

More information about the One City, One Story program, including more information on the final selections and eight additional finalists, is available online at https://cityofpasadena.libguides.com/onecityonestory.