Let's Read Los Angeles: Inventing the Dream

In Inventing the Dream: California Through the Progressive Era, the late historian Kevin Starr explores the emergence of Southern California as its own regional culture complete with Spanish architecture, orange groves, and a climate ideal for outdoor fun year-round. This is the second installment of Starr's "Americans and the California Dream" series, but the first with a focus on Southern California.

You can check out the book and e-book for free with your library card.

Photo: A fruit crate label from Richter & Crane features Central Library circa 1926. Los Angeles Public Library Fruit Crate Label Collection