Livermore Reads Together

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LIVERMORE READS TOGETHER 2026

SILVER LIES by ANN PARKER

Silver Lies by Ann Parker (book cover)

For the first time in its distinguished history, the Livermore Reads Together program—sponsored by the Friends of the Livermore Public Library—will feature a novel by a local author. The award-winning "Silver Lies" (Book 1 in the Silver Rush Mysteries series) by Livermore resident Ann Parker has been selected as the 2026 Livermore Reads Together featured book. The community selected "Silver Lies" as the 2026 Livermore Reads Together featured book through online and in-person voting. The historical novel topped six Western-themed titles recommended by the Livermore Public Library.

Community members are invited to pick up a copy of "Silver Lies" and join in the exciting Livermore Reads Together events celebrating the West and the American frontier. It’s a wonderful opportunity to read, discuss, and connect with fellow book lovers!

ABOUT THE BOOK

"Silver Lies" was named one of the Best Mysteries of 2003 by Publishers Weekly and the Chicago Tribune. It received the WILLA Literary Award and the Colorado Gold Award, and was also a finalist for both the Spur Award and the Bruce Alexander Historical Mystery Award.

Set in the silver boomtown of Leadville, Colorado, in the late 1870s, "Silver Lies" introduces Inez Stannert, the sharp-minded co-owner of the Silver Queen Saloon. She runs the establishment with her business partner, Abe Jackson—a free Black man whose presence in the frontier town challenges the social norms of the time. When a body is discovered behind their saloon, the event unsettles the town’s fragile social order. As Inez and Abe are drawn into a web of secrets, betrayals, and rivalries, Inez must confront not only dangerous truths about others but also the hidden past she carries herself.

ABOUT AUTHOR ANN PARKER

Ann Parker, author of the "Silver Rush" historical mystery series, is a Livermore resident with deep family roots in Colorado. Her ancestors include a great-grandfather who worked as a blacksmith in Leadville, a grandmother employed at the bindery of Leadville’s Herald Democrat newspaper, a grandfather who taught at the Colorado School of Mines, and another grandfather who labored as a gandy dancer on Colorado railroads.

The first five books in her award-winning "Silver Rush" series are set primarily in 1880 in the silver boomtown of Leadville, Colorado. The three most recent installments follow her protagonist, Inez Stannert, to San Francisco in the early 1880s. The series was selected as a “Booksellers Favorite” by the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association and is published by Poisoned Pen Press, an imprint of Sourcebooks.

After concluding a long career as a science writer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Ann discovered that retirement wasn’t quite her cup of tea. Today, she works part-time as a bookseller at Towne Center Books in Pleasanton, where she enjoys being surrounded by books and fellow book lovers. In her spare time, Ann reads voraciously, writes, wrangles household cats, and drinks copious amounts of coffee.

Ann is listed in the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame and is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Women Writing the West, and Western Writers of America.

LIVERMORE READS TOGETHER EVENTS

March 1–30, during library hours: Light of the West art show by the Livermore Art Association at the Civic Center Library Art Gallery.
March 1–31, during library hours: Livermore Reads Together Cattle Roundup — Find the stuffed cow in the library and enter to win a raffle prize. Open to kids at all branches.
March 3-31, during library hours.: Springtown Take & Make Craft — Collect a craft kit to make a horse and learn about Livermore's ranching history. Open to kids at Springtown Library.
Wednesday, March 4, 7 p.m.: Livermore Reads Together Ranching trivia with EBRPD - Join a naturalist from Del Valle Regional Park to test knowledge of Livermore's agricultural history in this family-friendly trivia game. All participants will be entered to win a raffle prize. Open to all ages in the Storytime Room at Civic Center Library.

Saturday, March 7, 2 p.m.: Light of the West Art Show Reception - Meet and greet the artists featured in the March Art Exhibit. Open to all ages in the Community Rooms at Civic Center Library.
Sunday, March 8, 2 p.m.: Trailblazers of the West - Presented by Encore Players. Open to adults in the Storytime Room at Civic Center Library.
Cowboy Bingo. Join the fun at Rincon Library on Monday, March 9, at 6 p.m., or Springtown Library on Tuesday, March 10, at 4:30 p.m. Play bingo, win books, and enjoy Western-themed fun! Open to all ages.
Tuesday, March 10, 7 p.m.: Online Author Talk — Marianne Monson on "Frontier Grit: The Unlikely True Stories of Daring Pioneer Women". For adults on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88064438285.
Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m.: Cowgirl Tricks — a comedic bonanza featuring trick roping, whip cracking, music, magic, audience participation, and plenty of kooky cowgirl shenanigans! Fun for the whole family at Civic Center Library Plaza.
Saturday, March 14, 3 p.m.: Livermore Reads Together Quiet Read-In — Enjoy an hour of quiet reading, whether it’s "Silver Lies" or the latest favorite book. Open to all ages in the Community Rooms at Civic Center Library.
Sunday, March 15, 3 p.m.: Verse on the Vine Poetry Reading: Voices from the Range. Open to teens and adults in the Storytime Room at the Civic Center Library.
Wednesday, March 18, 7 p.m.: Then & Now: Livermore Stories — Ranching at Sycamore Grove, presented by LARPD Ranger Eric Whiteside. Open to adults in the Storytime Room at the Civic Center Library.
Thursday, March 19, 7 p.m.: Livermore Reads Together Author Talk—Meet featured Author Ann Parker at a special Q&A and Book Signing. Open to adults in the Community Rooms at Civic Center Library.
Friday, March 20, 3:30 p.m.: Rincon Crafternoon – Make Your Own Cowpoke. Participants will use paper and creativity to design a representation of themselves in western wear. Open to kids at Rincon Library.
Sunday, March 22, 2 p.m.: The Vivants in Concert. Enjoy a lively bluegrass performance by this talented acoustic quartet. Open to adults in the Storytime Room at the Civic Center Library.
Livermore Reads Together—Western Paint Night. Pinot’s Palette will lead an engaging paint night for teens and adults on Monday, March 23, at 6 p.m. at Rincon Library, and Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m. at Civic Center Library. Registration is required by calling 925-373-5505.

All Livermore Reads Together events are free and open to the public thanks to the support of the Friends of the Livermore Public Library. For additional program information, call 925-373-5500.