SLO County Libraries Highlight California Winemaking, Farms, and Wildfires with 2025 Book of the Year

Author: Erica Thatcher
Date: 3/17/2025 1:05 PM

Literary event includes smoke-tainted wine seminar and a talk from award-winning California author

---

San Luis Obispo County, CA  County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries invites readers to enjoy and reflect on a classic California story as part of a countywide literary event in partnership with Cuesta College. 

This year's Book of the Year selection, Fire in the Canyon, a novel by Daniel Gumbiner, is a California Book Award finalist and a New Yorker's Best Book of the Year.

“Fire feels so real, and it’s a total page-turner,” said Erica Thatcher, spokesperson for the County of SLO Public Libraries. “Family farms, natural wines, and wildfires. There are some interesting and important ideas in this book. We hope folks will discuss and share this story and join us for scheduled special events.”

Oso Libre winemaker Michael Barreto leads a smoke-tainted wine tasting and discussion at the Atascadero Library Tuesday, April 8, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Fire in the Canyon author Gumbiner discusses his novel live at the Cuesta College Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo Thursday, April 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. A book signing will follow the lecture. Tickets are available at tickets.cuesta.edu.

Visit SLOLibrary.org to borrow a copy of Fire in the Canyon and to find out more about Book of the Year programming.