Zia is an activist, award-winning author and former journalist. In 2000, her first book, Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People, was a finalist for the prestigious Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize. She also authored the story of Wen Ho Lee in My Country Versus Me, about the Los Alamos scientist who was falsely accused of being a spy for China in the “worst case since the Rosenbergs.” Helen’s latest book is Last Boat out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese who Fled Mao’s Revolution. Released in January 2019, it traces the lives of emigrants and refugees from another cataclysmic time in history that has striking parallels to the difficulties facing migrants today.

LIBRARY LIVE presents prominent literary figures and emerging talent with their recent publications of fiction or nonfiction. All speakers are selected by volunteers who serve on the Library Live Committee: Loren Blackwood, Nancy Dahlfors (Chair), Lisa Dowling, Barbara Glabman (Library Trustee Liaison) Dorothy Larson, Toby Larson, Natasha Palmaer, and Melody Wilson. Contributors to this Rizzoli publication include Mike Diamond from the Beastie Boys, Steve Van Doren from Vans; artist Julian Schnabel; surfer Kelly Slater, and photographer C.R. Stecyk III.

Nancy Dahlfors, Library Live Committee Chair and NBPLF Board Member, says “This season explores the power of adoption and the need for finding loving homes for 50,000 children in California; surfing and skateboarding as pastime, competition and industry; the challenges of migrating families; and the literary complications of when fictional characters interact with Jackie Onassis. It’s a wide range of interesting and timely topics and we look forward to engaging our speakers and community in conversation over coffee and cookies.”