SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cuesta College will welcome acclaimed author Susan Straight for its 17th Annual Book of the Year event on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center (CPAC) on the San Luis Obispo Campus. A book signing will follow the presentation.
Straight, an award-winning writer and professor of creative writing at the University of California, Riverside, will discuss her latest novel, Sacrament: A Novel (2025), the ninth in her celebrated body of work. Set in California’s Inland Empire during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel explores the courage, resilience, and personal lives of ICU nurses and first responders as they work to support their communities and families amid a crisis.
Now in its 17th year, Cuesta College’s Book of the Year program is a signature community-read initiative that brings students, employees and the broader public together through literature. Each spring, the college partners with local public libraries to select a contemporary author and host a campus event that fosters discussion, connection, and shared learning.
“We are excited to be hosting acclaimed author Susan Straight for our 17th annual Book of the Year event,” said Matthew Davis, co-chair of the Cuesta College Book of the Year Committee. “She’s an enthusiastic and engaged presenter — you don’t want to miss her presentation.”
The event is open to the public. Cuesta College students may attend for free by reserving a seat via email at cuestabook@cuesta.edu. General admission tickets are $20, plus a $3 ticketing fee, and are available at tickets.cuesta.edu.
Copies of Sacrament: A Novel are available at Cuesta College campus libraries and local public libraries. Additional resources about the book and author can be found through the Cuesta College Library Guide at libguides.cuesta.edu. Community members are also encouraged to follow updates from the Cuesta College Library on social media and through the San Luis Obispo County Public Library.
The college extends special thanks to the San Luis Obispo County Library Foundation for its support of this year’s program.
About Cuesta College Book of the Year
Cuesta College’s Book of the Year program is an annual literary initiative that engages
the campus and local community in a shared reading experience. Through partnerships
with regional public libraries, the program highlights contemporary authors and meaningful
works that inspire dialogue, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. The program
culminates each spring with a featured author event, providing students and community
members the opportunity to connect directly with writers and explore the themes of
the selected work.
About Cuesta College
Cuesta College empowers students to imagine and achieve brighter futures through high-quality
education, personalized support, and a welcoming community. With a main campus in
San Luis Obispo, a North County Campus in Paso Robles, a South County Center in Arroyo
Grande, and a variety of online offerings, we offer opportunities that inspire growth,
spark innovation, and open doors, helping every student succeed on their unique path.
Learn more at cuesta.edu.