San Jose author Ava Homa reads from her new poetry collection, "Daughters of Smoke and Fire." It's about a sister's fight for her brother's freedom, set mainly in the Kurdish region of Iran.

San Jose author Ava Homa reads from her new poetry collection, " Daughters of Smoke and Fire ." It's about a sister's fight for her brother's freedom, set mainly in the Kurdish region of Iran.

Oakland author Maggie Tokuda-Hall reads from her young adult fantasy novel, "The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea." This passage from the point of view of the sea.

Oakland author Maggie Tokuda-Hall reads from her young adult fantasy novel, " The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea ." This passage from the point of view of the sea.

San Francisco author Anne Raeff reads from her new book, "Only the River." It's about displacement, revolution, and love.

San Francisco author Anne Raeff reads from her new book, " Only the River ." It's about displacement, revolution, and love.

Oakland author Melanie Abrams reads from her new book, " Meadowlark ." It's about two teenagers who escape a strict spiritual commune.

Oakland author Melanie Abrams reads from her new book, "Meadowlark." It's about two teenagers who escape a strict spiritual commune.

San Francisco-based author Dorothy Hearst reads from "Bobo’s Cave of Gold." She and Pamela Berkman write the children’s series "At the Heels of History," featuring dogs and their human companions at key moments in our past.

San Francisco-based author Dorothy Hearst reads from "Bobo’s Cave of Gold." She and Pamela Berkman write the children’s series " At the Heels of History ," featuring dogs and their human companions at key moments in our past.