The Coronado Public Library announced “The Women” by Kristin Hannah as the winner of the 2025 Coronado Community READ title.
Following a months-long process recruiting book title nominations from the public, narrowing down the nominations to the top five via the Community Read Selection Committee, and finally requesting the public vote on the top title, the library will now start planning programs around “The Women.”
“The Women” by Kristin Hannah, who also authored “The Nightingale” and “The Four Winds,” tells the story of nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath. Raised in Coronado in the 1960s, she always followed the rules. But as the world shifts in 1965 and her brother heads to Vietnam, she enlists in the Army Nurse Corps, determined to make a difference.
Thrust into the chaos and destruction of war, Frankie faces unimaginable challenges, forging deep friendships amid life-and-death struggles. Yet the greatest battle comes after the war, as she and her fellow veterans return to a divided America, confronting angry protests and a nation eager to forget the sacrifices made in Vietnam. This novel highlights the women who put themselves in harm’s way to help others and honors their commitment and sacrifice for their country.
In addition to the main Community READ title, children’s and tween/teen companion titles were also selected. The tween/teen winning title is the chapter book, “Inside Out and Back Again” by Thanhha Lai. A Newberry Honor Book and 2011 National Book Award Winner, the book is inspired by the author’s own childhood experience as a refugee fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Siagon.
The winning title for the kids category is “Hundred Years of Happiness” by Thanhha Lai and illustrated by Nguyen Quang and Kim Lien. This picture book showcases the love between grandparents and grandchildren and the joy that reminders of a faraway home can bring.
The year 2025 marks the ninth year of the Community READ, a monthlong program which strives to strengthen the fabric of the community through the shared reading of a single book. The library, with help from local partners including the Friends of the Coronado Public Library, the Cultural Arts Commission, the Coronado Historical Association, the Coronado Unified School District and Bay Books, will plan a series of events for all ages to further this connection this coming March. Events will include but are not limited to book discussions, movie showings and concerts.
