The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries is excited to present an author talk with Joshua Davis, New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed journalist, on Tuesday, February 24 at the Colligan Theater in Santa Cruz, California.
Joshua Davis will share the remarkable story behind Spare Parts, the book selected as the 2026 Our Community Reads pick by Friends of the Santa Cruz County libraries. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.). Attendees can register in advance and are encouraged to consider a donation at the door to support Friends’ programs.
About the Event
Joshua Davis’s talk will explore how he discovered the extraordinary journey of four Carl Hayden High School students who, with limited resources, built an underwater robot and went on to challenge well-funded university teams in a national robotics competition. His narrative goes far beyond engineering and robotics — touching on leadership, opportunity, perseverance, and the broader meaning of the American Dream.
This gathering offers Santa Cruz County readers a unique chance to engage with the author whose work has resonated with audiences far beyond the local community.
About Joshua Davis
Joshua Davis is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and co-founder of Epic Magazine. His writing — spanning narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, and storytelling — has appeared in major publications such as Wired and The New Yorker.
Davis’s acclaimed book Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream recounts the true story of innovation and resilience that inspired the 2015 Lionsgate film adaptation. He has also written The Underdog, a memoir reflecting on his own unconventional experiences, and his work has been adapted into film and television, including as an executive producer of the Apple TV+ series Little America.
In addition to his literary achievements, Davis has been nominated for prestigious journalism awards and has a rich history of reporting from around the world — from war zones to stories of technological innovation.
Our Community Reads
Spare Parts was chosen as the 2026 selection for Our Community Reads, a community-building initiative supported by the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. The program encourages residents throughout Santa Cruz County to read and discuss a shared title, fostering conversation across generations and backgrounds through related events such as author talks, panel discussions, book groups, and workshops. friendsofsantacruzlibraries.org
This event continues a long tradition of bringing authors and thinkers to Santa Cruz County to spark connection, inspire dialogue, and celebrate the power of stories to bring communities together.
Event Details
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 24
🕡 Time: 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
📍 Location: Colligan Theater, 1010 River St, Santa Cruz
🎟️ Registration: Register online; donations welcomed at the door