January 2016

  • New and Noteworthy Northwest Nonfiction

    ~posted by Frank Craving some new narrative nonfiction about Seattle and the great Northwest, or from local authors? Look no further than these dozen books. 26 Songs in 30 Days: Woody Guthrie’s Columbia River Songs and the Planned Promised Land in the Pacific Northwest by Greg Vandy. One of KEXP’s most noted DJs explores the… Continue reading

  • Send us a story: Door to a Pink Universe

    I hid out in a big pink notebook….I made myself a universe in it… ~Octavia Butler The operative word is open. Open the door. Enter. I don’t have to tell you, traveler, that a library is a vast, uncharted tendril of time. Have you not traversed, at least, two worlds, to arrive at the hive?… Continue reading

  • The Science of Love

    We often think of love as a mystery, or even a fairy tale, but there is science underlying our attractions! Next Tuesday, February 2, just in time for Valentine’s Day, Dr. Pepper Schwartz will be here at the library discussing the science of love, and how understanding it can help improve your love life. She… Continue reading

  • Binge-worthy TV and book pairings

    There is great fun to be had in chasing a topic or setting across formats: getting into a TV show and then delving more into that world with a novel that explores a similar storyline, or vice versa. From hackers to courtroom drama to Jack the Ripper, here are a few ideas to get you started.… Continue reading

  • Demanding Drama

    ~posted by Frank It started off just like any other weekend. I left work on Friday afternoon with three DVDs that were waiting for me on the holds shelf, looking forward to some escapist entertainment. By the end of the weekend, I was in a state of despair, since these three movies were dark, difficult and… Continue reading

  • 125th Anniversary Series: Seattle in 1891

    -posted by Jade D. “Changing lives. Creating the Future.” 2016 marks the 125th anniversary of The Seattle Public Library. After it was adopted as a department of the city in 1890, the Library opened its first reading room in Pioneer Square on April 8, 1891. To honor this milestone, we will be posting a series… Continue reading

  • Ten Nonfiction Blockbusters….Coming this Spring

    ~posted by Frank This spring, ten titans of nonfiction release their latest books. They’re all in the catalog and holds queues are currently short, but they won’t be for long. Continue reading

  • Remembering Alan Rickman

    Today, we mourn the loss of Alan Rickman, who died at the age of 69 in London. He was a versatile actor who starred in dozens of films and plays on both sides of the Atlantic. While he is known to almost everyone as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films, Rickman leaves behind an… Continue reading

  • 20 Essential Seattle Books, Part 1: History.

    Here at the library, we’re often asked by old timers and newcomers alike, “What are must read books for people living in Seattle?” While others have offered intriguing suggestions, librarians aren’t really big on shoulds and musts, knowing how readers have such diverse tastes, moods and motivations. That said, we thought we’d venture a little list of titles… Continue reading

  • David Bowie’s Favorite Books, at your library.

    Music legend, movie star, icon, iconoclast, and yes – reader. As part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s 2013 exhibit “David Bowie Is,” Bowie shared an eclectic list of 100 favorite books. Here they are, in reverse chronological order, linked to the library catalog. Still looking for a reading challenge for the next year, or five? This… Continue reading

  • Got Seahawks Playoff Fever? We’ve got the Cure!

    Well, we made the playoffs, and your library couldn’t be more excited! If you’re looking for a place to watch the game, we’ll be showing the NFC Wild Card Round this Sunday, January 10 at our Central Library’s Microsoft Auditorium. The game starts at 10:05; enter at the 4th Avenue entrance anytime after 9:45 a.m.… Continue reading

  • Seattle Repertory Theatre’s “Disgraced” — Beyond the Theatre

    In Ayad Akhtar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Disgraced (previews tonight, January 8, and continuing through January 31), a New York lawyer named Amir struggles with identity issues after his Muslim heritage is questioned. Amir and his wife, Emily, an artist, host a small dinner party where conversational sparring on politics and culture seem to be the center… Continue reading

  • Clean Your Plate 2016

    ~posted by Micah K. Do you have a New Year’s Resolution around fitness or food this year? This list is for you. These are some of the best Paleo cookbooks I have read this winter. Let me tell you a secret though: I’m not Paleo. However, as someone with a lot of food allergies, I… Continue reading

  • Love Science Fiction & Fantasy? Join the Other Realms Roundtable!

    If you love science fiction and fantasy and are looking to find out about more good books to read, then the Other Realms Roundtable may be just for you! Starting in January, the Other Realms Roundtable book group will be meeting on the 2nd Thursday of the month at noon at City Hall’s City Grind… Continue reading

  • Star Trek Geek Out: A Weekend of Star Trek Revelry

          While the pop culture world is all aflutter about the new Star Wars, 2016 is sure to be the year of Star Trek. With a new Star Trek film forthcoming and in a year that marks the 50th anniversary of the original series, in 2016 it’s time to give Star Trek its… Continue reading