December 2022

  • What Seattle Read in 2022: Most Popular Checkouts of the Year

    What Seattle Read in 2022: Most Popular Checkouts of the Year

    Curious about which books Seattle’s insatiable readers turned to in 2022? Need a little inspiration for that 2023 book list you’re already making? The Library has you covered. The most popular fiction book checked out from January through November 2022 was “The Sentence,” by Louise Erdrich. The most checked out e-novel was “The House of… Continue reading

  • A Peek at Peak Picks – January 2023

    Ten titles are joining Peak Picks in January! Fiction leads with three debut thrillers: Parini Shroff introduces us to Geeta, the subject of rumors that she killed her husband — to the envy of other women in her village in India — in the debut The Bandit Queens; screenwriter Michael Bennett’s first novel finds a… Continue reading

  • Poetry, Pictures, Architecture and Orcas: January 2023 Events and Author Readings

    Poetry, Pictures, Architecture and Orcas: January 2023 Events and Author Readings

    Want something to look forward to after the holidays? The Seattle Public Library’s author programs and community events in January 2023 include a Lunar New Year celebration, the Seattle Times’ annual Pictures of the Year event, and author events highlighting Lynda Mapes’ award-winning book about orcas and a picture book about Pacific Science Center architect… Continue reading

  • Gothic Teen Reads

    Gothic Teen Reads

    Gothic horror has always been one of my favorite genres. Even through the holidays, I find myself turning to the gothic for a fun escape. I love the unsettling atmosphere, the haunted houses, the ghosts, and the element of mystery woven throughout the story. Here are some of my recent teen gothic-horror favorites: Watch Over… Continue reading

  • Short Books to End the Year

    As the end of the year approaches, perhaps you’re looking for a short read, either to help you hit a reading goal or to devour during some self-care time as 2022 finishes up. If so, check out one of these reads, all coming in at under 200 pages. The Singing Hills Cycle novels by Nghi… Continue reading

  • Winter Break Fun: 8 Ways to Entertain Kids Through The Seattle Public Library

    Winter Break Fun: 8 Ways to Entertain Kids Through The Seattle Public Library

    Winter break is coming up – what’s your plan? If you need help keeping your children entertained and maybe even learning while they’re on break from school, The Seattle Public Library has many solutions, from new Read-Along books to streaming stories, TV and movies. Find more programs and services at www.spl.org or at any of the Library’s 27… Continue reading

  • Crafty Gifts for the Holidays and Beyond

    As year-end holidays approach, you may be looking to supplement (or replace!) store-bought gifts with handmade items. Take inspiration from one of the books below and make use of these dark winter evenings to make a homemade gift. Made with Love: Get Hooked with 30 Knitting and Crochet Patterns by Tom Daley British diver and… Continue reading

  • Seattle Staff Faves 2022: Nonfiction

    Library staff across the city weighed in on their favorite nonfiction books published in 2022 — and what a great list we created together! Read on for highlights of the excellent nonfiction included, with raves from staff; or jump straight into the full 36-item list. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton… Continue reading

  • Teen Staff Faves 2022

    Each year, we ask library staff around the system for their favorite books published that year.  Here are this year’s teen titles. In The Charmed List by Julie Abe, Ellie and Jack, two teens with magical abilities, are forced to go on a road trip as punishment for a prank gone wrong. Along the way,… Continue reading

  • How a Digital Artwork Helped The Seattle Public Library Lead in Book Data

    How a Digital Artwork Helped The Seattle Public Library Lead in Book Data

    One of the many reasons to visit the Central Library in downtown Seattle is a digital art installation located on Level 5 in the Mixing Chamber. If you take the neon-yellow escalator up from Level 3, and walk to the Quick Information Center reference desk, you can’t miss it: Above and behind the desk, six… Continue reading

  • New Fiction Roundup, December 2022

    Close out the reading year with gripping mysteries, enthralling historical fiction, and more. 12/6: Animal Life by Audur Ava Ólafsdóttir, translated by Brian FitzGibbon Dómhildur, a midwife in a long line of midwives, discovers decades worth of letters and manuscripts from her grandaunt, and as a storm blankets Reykjavik delves into the archive, she reflects… Continue reading

  • Kids Staff Faves 2022

    As the year draws to a close, we enjoy asking staff from across the library system to share their favorite Kids books of the year.  From picture books to chapter books, and from graphic novels to nonfiction – here are just a few of the Kids books published in 2022 that our SPL staff loved!… Continue reading

  • December 2022 Events: Authors, Art, Holly, a Concert and More

    December 2022 Events: Authors, Art, Holly, a Concert and More

    Brrr! Get cozy with The Seattle Public Library in December with engaging author programs, an art exhibit, a concert, fun events at the South Park Branch, a monthly movie and more. Many of these events require registration. Find information and registration at event links or spl.org/Calendar. All Library events are free and open to the… Continue reading