July 2020

  • Calm Down, Little Monkey! And Other Helpful Skills for Kids

    The Hello Genius: Milestones books by Michael Dahl are getting rave reviews from me, a parents of little ones, and the childcare centers I’ve shared them with! This board book series covers classic topics such as going potty, saying “please,” “thank you,” and “I’m sorry,” techniques for calming down, and sharing, all with excellent illustrations and… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Trans or Non-Binary Author

    For transgender and non-binary folx, 2020 has been a mixed bag politically, while the intentional killing of trans folx continues, unabated. Publishing has been a bright spot, as trans and non-binary authors are more visible than ever before; yet J.K. Rowling’s controversial position on trans rights, considered by many to be transphobic, shows more work… Continue reading

  • Our Table: Sharing Stories and Meals

    We begin, as with so many meals, with thanks. Thank you to our grocery clerks, farmers market vendors, restaurant owners and employees for all you do and all you have given for your neighbors, your customers and fans. Thank you for sharing what Seattle needs: sustenance for body and heart. To satisfy both, look to… Continue reading

  • Three on a Theme: Movies About Being Outside

    What is almost as good as getting outside in the summer time? Watching movies about other people getting outside! The outdoors are a great component of so many amazing films available at the library, but there are some films in which “outside” features almost as a character all on its own. These films are different… Continue reading

  • The Story of Film Part 12: Fight the Power – Protest in Film

    In our last column on Mark Cousin’s The Story of Film, we looked at the rise of Hong Kong and Bollywood cinema, and the triumph of big budget, high concept blockbusters in Hollywood. More change was on the way in the 1980’s, with the rise of MTV and music videos making a huge impact on… Continue reading

  • Celebrating 30 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The ADA Anniversary Movie Project

    Hello, my name is Isaac. I have worked for the Seattle Public Library for about a year now and I have come to appreciate a lot of what the Library has to offer. I have been recently helping the Library with the ADA anniversary movie project and I would have to say there is a… Continue reading

  • Bus Reads for June and July: Quarantine Edition

    I’ve been trying to stick with physical books while working from home, mostly from my bookshelves or from our local bookshop here in Tacoma. I did manage to snag an ebook with my library card from Overdrive that was a very quick read. Quarantine reading has been pretty slow going compared to my commute reading… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020 Poetry or Comics

    One of the best things about Summer Book Bingo is how it challenges readers to step outside their comfort zones.  Of all the different kinds of books out there, however, poetry and graphic novels can be some of the most challenging. Readers not used to a visual format can sometimes struggle to make a cohesive… Continue reading

  • The Art of Protest: Artists Art Protest

    Between The Dead Eye and the Deep Blue Sea, there are artists who step back, survey the temperature of the times, put their fingers on the pulse and paint, write, compose, all the while Regarding the Pain of Others. There are artists who take to the streets, join the ranks of The Resisters. They can… Continue reading

  • Three on a Theme: Music Documentaries on Kanopy

    The library has always had great resources for music buffs, but lesser known among these are the many documentaries about music, musicians, and musical history that are available on our video streaming services. Often, these include both great insights into the works of famous musicians or hidden gems that tell a particular story about music… Continue reading

  • In Case You Missed It: Juneteenth Book Fest

    The beauty of our present moment where more of our lives are convening on screens is that you can catch more author events and panels than ever before. On Juneteenth this year an incredible array of Black authors for readers of all ages met as a part of the Juneteenth Book Fest to discuss their… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Philosophy or spirituality

    In this year’s Book Bingo, the philosophy or spirituality square gives us a chance to explore. For philosophy, we can seek aspects about the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence that interest us.  And, for spirituality, it can be how to look more deeply, or less, into our soul or inner life.  To me… Continue reading

  • Book Series by Volume – Galactic Edition

    I’m one of those people that love book series – big book series. When I see a trilogy my first thought is often “Isn’t that cute!” as I turn my attention to truly massive piles of words. This can work to my disadvantage, as I have that compulsion to finish a series no matter the… Continue reading

  • Contemporary Plays Available as E-Books

    Months into this pandemic, Seattle’s theatres are still dark and the Central Library’s amazing play file is still behind closed doors. Nonetheless, there are still ways for you to access play scripts virtually and stay engaged with some stimulating contemporary theatre as we all await the theatres’ re-openings. Here are three plays that are available… Continue reading

  • Comics before Cinema! Part Three

    This is the third and final feature of comics as the original source material before their cinematic adaptations. I admit that I have not watched or read many of what I’ve listed (though not for a lack of trying!) and I made it a point to explore outside the expansive DC and Marvel universe. Today I will be showcasing the nitty gritty of graphic novels and comics, and how those stories… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: A SAL Author (past or upcoming)

    You may be pleasantly surprised by just how many options there are to read a Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL) author. SAL has been bringing writers to Seattle for over thirty years (here is the complete list), so there are literally hundreds of options. Or check out this amazing list of SAL Speaker titles available… Continue reading

  • Book Series by Volume

    This might be a bit late to the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” party, but there is never a bad time to dive into a great series of books. If you’re like me, a plain ol’ trilogy just doesn’t cut it – I want to live in that world for as long as I can, and… Continue reading

  • Write On!: Writers Writing Life

    You’ve read their work, admire their writing and anticipate reading their next book. Have you ever wondered, from whence did those words spring forth? Some readers are curious about the forces that give shape to a writer’s identity. They are intrigued about the circumstances that were foundational to the development of an author’s work. Continue reading