January 2017

  • 20 Essential Seattle Books, Part 3: Place

    Next in our ongoing series of 20 books that capture the essence of Seattle, we look at a variety of titles that capture a sense of our city and its environs. Whether you’re new in town, just passing through, or you’ve lived here all your life, these titles will enhance your awareness of and appreciation for the misty… Continue reading

  • Points of Departure: Understanding Human Migration

    Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series portrays conditions that precipitated the exodus of African Americans out of the south as well as the complexities encountered by the migrants upon their arrival and settlement in the northern states. Alejandro Santiago, also, sought to portray a historic event; one which we can witness today. 2,501 Migrants: A Journey consists… Continue reading

  • A Little Life, A Little Home, A Little Break

    In December I got engaged and bought a house with my fiancé and my mind has been abuzz with all the planning and decorating and, honestly, “grownup-ness.” I thought I would use inspiration from that to kick off the new year with a blog post and to also take a break from Shelftalk to focus… Continue reading

  • Epistolary Novels in the 21st Century

    If you ever took an English class that covered the history of literature, you very likely spent at least a few minutes on epistolary novels, or novels written as a series of documents, traditionally letters. The examples that spring to my mind are the classics, such as Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson (c.… Continue reading

  • 20 Essential Seattle Books, Part 2: Diversity

    Here at the library, we’re often asked by both locals and newcomers, “What books are must reads for Seattleites?” While we’re not much for ‘must’ or ‘should,’ we thought we’d list twenty titles that capture essential aspects of the history and culture of this place. Not a definitive list: a jumping off place. Our first post looked at Seattle’s history, and… Continue reading

  • Where I’m Bound: African Americans and Migration in Art and Life

    It began with a poem! Reading the Langston Hughes poem One-Way Ticket inspired Jacob Lawrence to make a sketch of a train station waiting room filled with travelers, travelers like the ones seeking The Warmth of Other Suns. As a boy who became an artist, he knew about traveling. Lawrence moved from city to city and house… Continue reading

  • 2017 Books You’ll Want to Put on Hold Now

    The Seattle Public Library offers a huge selection of materials to the public, and we are constantly adding new titles. How can you stay on top of what’s new at the Library? Shelf Talk is a good place to find recommendations, but there’s a very easy way to see what the Library is getting. When… Continue reading

  • Microhistories

    There is a certain satisfaction in reading deeply on one topic, which is why I love microhistories. For our purposes, microhistories are nonfiction books which view history and its larger themes through the examination of a singular object, event or idea. Here are a few recent titles to get you started – see a list… Continue reading

  • The World Ends Today at 12:05

    We’ve had hundreds of murders, scores of heists and scams, repeated instances of paranormal activity, and even a bit of cannibalism. Yet is rare that we’ll destroy an entire planet. But during Thrilling Tales: A Storytime for Grown Ups starting at noon today, we just might manage it. In H.G. Wells’ 1897 story The Star, a mysterious mass from outer space… Continue reading

  • Born in January

    January marks the start of a new year for most of us, but for these famous people it also marked the beginning of an eventful and impactful life! Click on any name below to discover a list of nonfiction books that explore the lives and works of some of the world’s more influential January babies. Continue reading

  • Begin Bold, End Inspired: Ideas and Inspiration for the Artistically Inclined

    Break open this beginning like the seed that it is! A New Year’s cold, hard exterior is full of all the necessary nutrients to carry you through to a nourishing end. Why not begin by cracking open a book, eyeing a DVD, lending your ear to a CD or eBook, anything to propel you towards… Continue reading

  • Publishing new book round-up – January 2017

    Looking for something new? Here’s a selection of books being published this month. Continue reading