One Book, One Coast
One Book, One Coast is the largest book club on the West Coast, with over 140 participating library systems. By connecting readers across California, Oregon and Washington through one shared title, One Book, One Coast highlights the power of libraries and stories in bringing people together for conversation and reflection.
Our 2026 Selection
The 2026 One Book, One Coast selection is “They Called Us Enemy” by George Takei, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger and illustrated by Harmony Becker.
Published in 2019, “They Called Us Enemy” is a New York Times bestselling graphic memoir which recounts Takei’s childhood imprisoned within American concentration camps during World War II. It reflects on civil liberties, democracy, and what it means to be American — both historically and today.
George Hosato Takei was born on April 20, 1937. He is an American actor and author, best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the television series “Star Trek.” Takei is also a proponent of gay rights and active in state and local politics apart from his continued acting career. He has won several awards and recognition in his work on human rights and Japanese-American relations, including his work with the Japanese American National Museum.
How to Find a Copy
We are offering unlimited digital copies of “They Called Us Enemy” through Hoopla and unlimited digital copies of the e-book version in English and Spanish through OverDrive and its Libby app.
You can place holds or see where physical copies of the book are located in our catalog.
Programs and Events
As part of One Book, One Coast, we are hosting programs with Seattle-area authors that explore Japanese American incarceration and resistance, and other themes in Takei’s book.
We are also hosting a live-stream event with George Takei.
All Library events are free and open to the public. Registration is required for One Book, One Coast events.
About One Book, One Coast
One Book, One Coast is a shared reading initiative connecting more than 140 library systems across California, Oregon, and Washington. Led by LA County Library, One Book, One Coast highlights the power of libraries and stories in bringing people together for conversation and reflection.
A full list of participating library systems can be viewed at LACountyLibrary.org/oboc.