July 2017

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Genre That Is New To You

    Figuring out what to read for this square is different for everybody and may take a little self-reflection. A tricky part is not launching yourself into The Land of Titles That Would Be Horribly Painful And I Would Never Finish, defeating the whole point of actually reading something.  I do recommend spending a few moments… Continue reading

  • Here’s Looking at You!: Documentary Films about Artists

    An artist’s life can be as compelling as the work they produce. A documentary, at best, strives to render a portrait of the artist as honestly as possible. This, of course, is as close as any of us will get to being in the same room with a person whose life and work draws us… Continue reading

  • Business Database Quick Start Guide: DemographicsNow

    Are you exploring a business idea or trying to expand your existing small business? You will undoubtedly get to a point where you’ll need to conduct market research to help you form a viable plan and make a strong case to investors or lenders. The Seattle Public Library subscribes to a wide range of tools… Continue reading

  • The Comic Book Mignola-verse

    When I’m asked for comics recommendations, people often bring up “The Big Two”, Marvel Comics or DC, as a starting point. We’re talking Iron Man or Superman. Thor or Batman. Sometimes that’s the right route to take, but other times, a suggestion outside of this much focused-upon segment of the comics medium is the more… Continue reading

  • Get Beachy

    Perhaps your summer plans involve lying on a beach, relaxing and soaking in the sun; or maybe not, and you’ll be beach-dreaming on the bus, making furtive excursions to Alki, Golden Gardens, or Magnuson Park. Either way, here are some beachy reads to get you in the summer mindset. The Shark Club by Ann Kidd… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Collection of Essays or Short Stories.

    Maybe you already love reading essays or short stories. Perfect: this Summer Book Bingo square is a freebie. But let’s assume this square gives you some pause. Maybe the term “essay” reminds you of those horrible things you were supposed to write in school, or “short stories” calls to mind unappetizing literary dissections in Language… Continue reading

  • 10 new books librarians are loving

    Each month librarians across the U.S. nominate new books they love for the Library Reads Top 10. Here are the ten titles for August 2017 — nine novels, one memoir — for you to get on your hold list now. Also, these titles work for your Summer Book Bingo “recommended by a librarian” square! Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Read a book by a SAL speaker

    Perhaps that fourth row middle square – to read a book by “A SAL speaker (past or upcoming)” — gave you pause this year. It’s a delightful challenge because you have dozens and DOZENS of incredible authors to choose from. SAL stands for Seattle Arts & Lectures, our partner in the adult summer reading program Book… Continue reading

  • ACT’s ALEX & ARIS: Beyond the Theatre

    ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) presents the world premiere of ALEX & ARIS by Moby Pomerance from July 14 to August 6, 2017. ALEX & ARIS is the story of a young prince (who would go on to become Alexander the Great) and his time as a pupil of the great philosopher Aristotle. Librarians at Seattle… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Young adult

    Need a book for that Young Adult square but aren’t quite sure where to start? Young adult fiction has come a long way since Sweet Valley High, with captivating, well-written titles that cross and blend just about every genre out there.  There is, of course, an abundance of teen romance,  but there is also excellent… Continue reading

  • Gifts of Empathy, Outrage, and Perspective

    When people talk about the value they derive from reading, they will often mention how it widens their perspective, allowing them to partake of the lives, thoughts and experiences of others. As Joyce Carol Oates puts it, “Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin.” Some studies have supported the popular view… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Art and Artists

    What is art, anyway? Merriam-Webster defines it as “the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.” With such a broad definition, there are many different directions readers can go with this particular Book Bingo square. Here are a few strategies for filling this square: Fiction A few authors,… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Poetry

    Bingo is a game of chance. Take a chance on poetry. Reading a poem, for some, is akin to entering a country where everybody speaks a language, except the one you know. Poetry can be daunting.  It can, also, be a journey unlike any other.  Take, Josephine Yu’s Prayer Book of the Anxious, for instance.… Continue reading

  • Fiction new book round up – July 2017

    Mystery, psychological fiction, literary coming of age – a variety of great beach reads are being published this July. Continue reading

  • Nonfiction new book round up – July 2017

    New nonfiction coming out in July 2017 – memoir, science, history, politics and environment. Enjoy! Continue reading