Actor Kevin Sorbo of TV's "Hercules," with guest moderator Christine Spines, discusses his new autobiography, "True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal - And How Nearly Dying Saved My Life" at the Santa Monica Public Library during his book signing on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

On television, Kevin Sorbo portrayed an invincible demigod; in his real life, a sudden health crisis left him partially blind and incapacitated at just thirty-eight years old. Yet since appearances are everything in Hollywood, he hid the full details about his condition from the press and continued to film Hercules, which was the number one TV series in the world. In this inspiring memoir, Sorbo shares the story of the crisis that ultimately redefined his measure of success.

True Strength is the story of transformation, persistence, and hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Sorbo reflects on his childhood in Minnesota and his early acting days in Hollywood, to his charmed life as television’s beloved Hercules, and where he is today. He recounts the onset of his symptoms, his frightening hospitalization, and his arduous path to recovery. With this honest account of personal tragedy and triumph, Sorbo aims to blaze a trail for those who have ever suffered acute illness or a serious setback in life and are now struggling to find their way back. 

Dr. Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of this year's Santa Monica Citywide Reads book selection, signs her debut novel 'Wench' at the Santa Monica Library during her author talk on Saturday, February 26, 2011.

(top) American Icon, sex symbol, actress and entertainer Raquel Welch, 69, with writer and funny man Bruce Vilanch, discusses her new book "Beyond the Cleavage" at the Santa Monica Library on Monday, April 12, 2010. (above) Ms. Welch signs her book for her fan Aaron Merken at the Santa Monica Library on Monday, April 12, 2010. The icon looks back on growing up in California and bursting onto the scene in 'One Million B.C.' to afailed marriage to becoming a single mother and, at last, becoming a famous actress.

The Cat in the Hat, Kiwanian Dr. Janie Jones Harding, reads a book to Katelyn Kloss, 3, at the Santa Monica Public Library during  Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica's  Seuss-tastic day on Saturday, March 6, 2010.

(top) Children enjoy Richard Woloski's 'He Be Buggin' Puppet Show' at the Santa Monica Library during the celebration of children’s author/illustrator Eric Carle 40th publication anniversary of his children’s book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” on Saturday June 13, 2009. (above) Kadin Kloss, 5, and TJ Keith, 4, make a collage art work during the 'Happy Birthday, Very Hungry Caterpillar!'

(1) First-grader Nell Kerndt makes a card for her mother during Santa Monica Library’s "The Living Room Project" on Saturday, May 2, 2009. (2) Mitch and his son Isiah, 4, make Mother Day cards during the Living Room Project. (3) James Ghaffari, 20 months, plays Tic-Tac-Toe with his mother Lohne during the Living Room Project. (4) Anita Nepus, 90, hula hoop during the Living Room Project (5) Hoopnotica gives a class to children during the Living Room Project. (6) Henri Blits, 59, gives an uppercut to Robin Davidson, 52, while boxing on Wii Fit during Santa Monica Library’s "The Living Room Project" on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Blits knocked-out Davidson in the third round.

Activities during Santa Monica Library’s Living Room Project included live music, hula hooping, yoga, a film screening, a Mother’s Day card workshop, and a dance class. The Living Room project is designed to help adults rediscover the library as their community center, a place to connect, get active, and learn. The Living Room promotes the idea that adults can meet for lifelong learning and social connections in the comfort of the community library. Santa Monica Public Library is an environment where adults can keep learning, and where they can create and nurture an active lifestyle. "The Living Room” was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

(1) A Mormon, an animal rights activist, a police detective, a fat activist, a feminist, a formerly homeless person, a little person and an ex-gang member  were just a few of the 'Living Books' who were available to be checked out for a 30 minute conversation at Santa Monica Public Library’s second Living Library Project on Saturday, April 18, 2009. (2) Lesleigh Owen, self-proclaimed "fat activist," who stands up for the rights of plus-size people, speaks with her "reader," Simram Kwalsa, during Living Library Projecton Saturday. (3) Nate Wyne, a practicing Morman, speaks to his reader. (4) Teenagers Natasha Simmonds, 15, (left) and Keshia Nash, 15 speak to their reader. (5) Micheal Gogin, a little person who is an actor and musician speaks to his reader, Lucy Baddeley.

During this unique event, a group of 18 volunteers served as “Living Books” who shared their personal life stories with a “Reader.” It was an opportunity to bring together people who have special interests, beliefs or experiences to speak with people from different backgrounds to share their personal story. Books and Readers had the opportunity to speak in private and personally in a structured, protected, free space within a limited time but without any further commitment. Once returned they could borrow another Book. The Living Library idea is simple – a personal conversation can break down prejudices and pre-conceptions and dialogue fosters understanding and tolerance.

Santa Monica Public Library was the first in a wave of libraries across the United States to host a Living Library. Greg Mullen, City Librarian, says of the Living Library event “Santa Monica Public Library is proud to host this innovative and unique event that will allow the community to come together to learn more about each other. “ The Living Library Project was first presented in 2000 to the public in Denmark at the Roskilde Festival. Since then, it has been adopted by organizations in Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Portugal.