February 2016

  • NAAM Art Exhibit

    ~posted by Elizabeth S. and Carl K. Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, and Romare Bearden are among the notable artists featured in a traveling exhibit of 68 works at the Northwest African American Museum now through April 17th. The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper includes drawings, etchings, lithographs, and watercolors,… Continue reading

  • 125th Anniversary Series: What We Were Reading in 1891

    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 of articles here about the Library’s history and life in… Continue reading

  • Most Egregious Oscar Snubs, 2016 edition

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  • Black History in Seattle

    ~posted by Abby B. At the library, every month is Black History Month. We get questions and requests for African American history, culture and fiction throughout the year. In honor of the nationally recognized celebration, we’re shining a spotlight on Black History in Seattle. Here are some great resources to explore if you want to… Continue reading

  • City Council Reads – Lorena Gonzalez, Citywide Position

    The Seattle City Council was sworn in last month, and we here at ShelfTalk thought asking them about books would be a great way to learn more about our councilmembers. We asked them to tell us about books they’ve read (or almost read), books they want to read, books that inspired them, books they feel guilty… Continue reading

  • Election Season: Required Viewing

    It’s safe to say that this election season is shaping up to be unlike any other in recent memory. Candidates are angry. Voters are angry, and frustrated. These three films – two features and a documentary – help us understand how we’ve gotten to this point. Continue reading

  • Reading Race: Best Fiction of 2015

    When it comes to developing a better understanding of race in America, no tweet, speech or blog post can help us to explore complex realities or inspire empathy and understanding with anything like the thoroughness and subtlety of a good novel. 2015 saw the publication of a wealth of fiction exploring racial issues and realities… Continue reading

  • Reading Race: Best Non-Fiction of 2015

    The books we read reflect the interests and concerns of our times, so it is no surprise that 2015 was an important year for non-fiction that delved into race in America. As we struggle to reach better awareness and deeper understanding, few things are quite so helpful as a good book. Beyond merely informing our views, books provide… Continue reading

  • Awesome Upcoming Children’s Fantasy Titles

    -posted by Selby G.  This is your ‘fair warning’ to get your ‘fantastic eyes’ on these great kids’ fantasy books and become a ‘reader’ before the latest installments come out. I am insanely excited for March 1st, and not because it is National Pig Day or the sixtieth day of the year. I am excited because… Continue reading

  • City Council Reads – Sally Bagshaw, District 7

    The Seattle City Council was sworn in last month, and we here at ShelfTalk thought asking them about books would be a great way to learn more about our councilmembers. We asked them to tell us about books they’ve read (or almost read), books they want to read, books that inspired them, books they feel guilty… Continue reading

  • Slow cooking for cold weather

    -posted by Anne C. This winter, I visited my aunt at her home in rural England. I love her old house, with its thick stone walls, but my favorite feature is the oil-fired aga in the heart of the kitchen. An aga, rare in the US, is a very efficient, unique kind of cast-iron stove… Continue reading

  • Kehinde Wiley: A Richer Republic

    There they are, in dramatic pose, embellished by a florid, heavily patterned background.  Commanding your view, a delicious mix of vibrant color, dramatic flair, dare and mystery.  Just who are these people, anyway? What did they do to warrant a place on the world stage?  Not only that, they have assumed the pose of a… Continue reading

  • Seattle’s Presidential Visits of the Past

    -posted by Jade D. In honor of Presidents’ Day, we took a look through our digital collections to find mentions of some of Seattle’s earliest presidential visits. We’ve highlighted the first five below – take a look! October 11, 1880 marked the date of the first president to visit Seattle with the arrival of Rutherford… Continue reading

  • Presidential Lives (and Deaths)

    -posted by Carl K. “Who is buried in Grant’s tomb?” was a question famously and frequently asked by Groucho Marx of contestants who would otherwise be leaving without a prize on You Bet Your Life, his witty 1950s game show. And it was a trick question. The answer to this question and the path to… Continue reading

  • Black History Month: the Seattle Black Panther Party display at the Douglass-Truth Library

    -posted by Kelli K. The Douglass-Truth Library is hosting an outstanding exhibit in honor of African American History Month: the history of Seattle’s Black Panther Party. Full of photographs, copies of the Black Panther Newspaper, books, and even a black leather jacket and black beret, it visually illustrates the views and impact of the Black… Continue reading

  • City Council Reads – Tim Burgess, Citywide Position

    The Seattle City Council was sworn in last month, and we here at ShelfTalk thought asking them about books would be a great way to learn more about our councilmembers. We asked them to tell us about books they’ve read (or almost read), books they want to read, books that inspired them, books they feel guilty… Continue reading

  • Date Yourself with a Comic Book (or Three)

    ~posted by Micah K. One of my favorite ways to treat myself is to curl up in bed with my dog, a nice cup of tea, some chocolate, and a graphic novel. Or if I’m itching to get out of the house, I’ll take one of these quick reads to one of my neighborhood’s pubs to… Continue reading

  • City Council Reads – Mike O’Brien, District 6

    The Seattle City Council was sworn in last month, and we here at ShelfTalk thought asking them about books would be a great way to learn more about our councilmembers. We asked them to tell us about books they’ve read (or almost read), books they want to read, books that inspired them, books they feel guilty… Continue reading