July 2019

  • New Nonfiction Roundup – August 2019

    Three memoirs from adult children about a parent. Three books to challenge white readers about race. Two titles examine what works, and what doesn’t, in educating our children. And a quirky new guide to Seattle. All are coming your way this August! America is Better Than This. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley’s manifesto against Trump’s war on… Continue reading

  • Bus Reads for July

    Commuting to Seattle by bus five days a week gives me a lot of reading time. Here’s what I read on the bus in July: Early Riser by Jasper Fforde. I really enjoyed this book, I think the only issue I sometimes have with Jasper is that it sometimes feels like in his books there… Continue reading

  • What Your SeaFair Pirates Arrr Reading

    When they’re not hoisting the Jolly Roger or broadsiding a parade crowd with their cannons, the Seafair pirates love to weigh anchor with a good book, just like the rest of us. When asked, they’ll admit that Readin’ is their favorite of the “Three Arrrs!” So here me hardies is a brace of the saltiest… Continue reading

  • A Region of Makers

    We are a region of makers, artists, renegades, foodies, and punks. When you throw all that together we have some of the best markets to explore all that can be imagined! From the bigger markets like Renegade Craft, Urban Craft Uprising, and The Great Junk Hunt to more localized markets like Georgetown Night Market, Chinatown… Continue reading

  • “From the Archives of ZAPP” on Display Now at Central Library

    An exhibition showcasing highlights for the ZAPP (Zine Archive and Publishing Project) zine collections is now on view in the Level 8 Gallery at Central Library. “From the Archives of ZAPP” runs through August 31, 2019 and showcases a small fraction of the cultural treasures found in the ZAPP zine collection, focusing on locally made… Continue reading

  • Library Reads for August 2019

    Here are twelve books coming out in August that librarians across the country are loving. Library Reads usually features 10 books each month, but this time you get two bonus books by authors who are “alums” of Library Reads. Here you go: The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai: An intelligent, multicultural contemporary romance. Rhi, CEO of… Continue reading

  • 2019 Washington State Book Awards finalists!

    Congratulations to the finalists for the 2019 Washington State book Awards!  The awards, a program of the Washington Center for the Book, honor outstanding books published by Washington authors in 2018. Finalists in all eight categories will be honored and winners announced at a ceremony and reception on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, 7 to 9… Continue reading

  • The Apollo 11 Anniversary 1969-2019

    What began as one small step for [a] man, is now one giant leap through half a century of the calendar of human history, as we commemorate the first landing on the moon, July 20, 1969. With the anniversary comes books and other resources highlighting the landing, the astronauts, and the space race—which was an… Continue reading

  • Life with an Aging Parent, Part 2 – Online Resources

    Whether you are an older person or someone with an older person in your life, here are a few of the many informative, helpful and readily available free Library online resources to consider trying out.  Many provide full-text article access.  I’ve heard my elderly father talk about price shopping, his health and wanting to read… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2019: One Word Titles

    A few readers have asked if the one-word title reading challenge for Book Bingo can include a book with a subtitle. There are no hard and fast rules for Book Bingo (for any of the squares), but I’m going to weigh in with an enthusiastic and reassuring “YES! Read that book with a long subtitle!”… Continue reading

  • Books for Two or More

    There’s no need to go to the trouble of getting a large group together for a book group each month (unless you want to). I have a book group for two, sometimes more, and it’s going just fine. We get together once every two months to discuss our read. My book group’s previous selection was French… Continue reading

  • New Fiction Roundup, July 2019

    New titles this July include a fantasy novel inspired by Mexican folklore, a vision of southern Washington state in the early 20th century, a divided family brought together by brewing beer, and much more. 7/2: Deep River by Karl Marlantes – In this family saga, a set of Finnish siblings settle in a logging community… Continue reading

  • New Nonfiction Roundup – July 2019

    What’s new in nonfiction this July? Page-turning chronicles of crises close to home and abroad, women stepping out of the shadow of men, and a pair of graphic adaptations highlight the best this month has to offer. Amazing Decisions. A graphic guide to making better decisions, from Dan Ariely (Predictably Irrational).  America’s Reluctant Prince. Historian Steven M. Gillon… Continue reading