April 2024

  • Seattle Reads: Read Deeper

    Whether the 2024 Seattle Reads selection of Parable of the Sower was your introduction to the work of Octavia Butler or you’re a long time fan of the author, I hope you’re enjoying diving into Butler’s world of speculative fiction. Her creative and sometimes terrifying visions of the future, centering of Black experience, dreams of anti-hierarchical… Continue reading

  • A Peek at Peak Picks – May 2024

    We are adding ten titles to Peak Picks in May! In fiction, Miranda July returns with an irreverently sexy, hilarious, and surprising novel about a woman upending her life in All Fours; Diane Richards debuts with a magnificent work of “biographical fiction” that reimagines the turbulent early years of Ella Fitzgerald, arguably the greatest singer in the… Continue reading

  • Celebrating Seattle Reads and ‘Parable of the Sower’ With Performances, Panels and a Party

    The Library’s annual Seattle Reads program usually culminates with several days of events featuring the selected author and book. This year, our citywide book club is celebrating the 2024 selection, Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower,” with more than two months of performances, panels and discussions that will be held in collaboration with community organizations… Continue reading

  • Messy Women in Fiction

    At the risk of “treating complex women in literature as a ‘trope,’” I must admit there are few archetypes I love more than a messy woman. Getting to witness female characters act badly, make wild decisions, and generally buck expectations can be a liberatory reading experience. Check out some of my favorite examples of messy… Continue reading

  • Cook the Books

    When you finish a novel that includes a strong food theme, you may want to make a dish that continues those yummy good book feelings. Or maybe you’re part of (or want to start) a combo book club/potluck. Some of the books below already include recipes, but here are some suggestions to go even further,… Continue reading

  • Living in the Time of Drought(s)

    With the 8th hottest winter on record since 1895, the Washington State Department of Ecology declared a state-wide drought this week. Though there are limited exceptions for Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett metro areas, thoughtful consideration of your household’s water consumption can only help our local water ecologies. Below are some resources to help you consider… Continue reading

  • Picture Books on Grieving the Loss of a Pet

    Picture Books on Grieving the Loss of a Pet

    I recently said goodbye to my dog, Al Pacino. His death was unexpected and far too soon. Al was a Chihuahua mutt with a heart of gold. All he needed in life were belly rubs and chunks of apple. Al was beloved by the children who came to my branch, too, ever since he starred in… Continue reading

  • Love and Magic

    Sometimes on a dreary day, there’s nothing better than escaping into a book with the perfect mix of magic and romance. Here are some titles to start with: The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia In the city of Loisail, Nina arrives for her first season among high society, but she struggles to control her telekinetic… Continue reading

  • Next Chapter Roundup

    Spring is in full swing and so is programming! Join us for some highlighted programs for older adults below. Events requiring registration are noted below; all Library events are free and open to the public. Find information and registration through the event links below or at spl.org/Calendar. Public Transit Orientation Do you want to feel more… Continue reading

  • The Seattle Public Library to implement scheduled branch closures through June 4

    The Seattle Public Library is scheduling intermittent branch closures at several locations through Tuesday, June 4 due to limited staffing capacity. The temporary schedule listed below is being implemented to reduce unplanned closures and provide more reliable schedules to patrons. Several factors have impacted the Library’s staffing capacity, including changes to the Library’s minimum staffing… Continue reading

  • “In Their Own Words”: Youth Voices on Books Unbanned, Censorship and the Freedom to Read

    Two years ago, Brooklyn Public Library launched Books Unbanned, an initiative to fight unprecedented levels of censorship by offering a free digital-access library card for young people across the U.S. The Seattle Public Library joined the effort one year ago. During that time, the two libraries have have received thousands of compelling stories from teens… Continue reading

  • Interview with Robert Dugoni, local author of “A Killing on the Hill”

    Curious about what goes on in the mind of an author? Check out this deep dive with local author Robert Dugoni! Tell us a bit about your new book, A Killing on the Hill, coming out on Tuesday, April 9. What inspired you to write a book set in this specific time and place? I… Continue reading

  • New Fiction Roundup, April 2024

    April is another blockbuster month for new fiction releases! Fan favorites Amor Towles, Leigh Bardugo, Julia Alvarez, and Emily Henry are back with new releases, alongside very enticing work from potentially lesser known authors. 4/2: The Audacity by Ryan Chapman Victoria Stevens, wunderkind behind a Theranos-like startup, has slipped off the grid just in time… Continue reading

  • New Nonfiction Roundup – April 2024

    April is the peak of the spring publishing season, and this month’s nonfiction books do not disappoint! Blockbuster author Erik Larson’s latest, The Demon of Unrest, is a saga of hubris, heartbreak, and heroism at the dawn of the Civil War; Hampton Sides’ newest book, The Wide Wide Sea, tells a tale of imperial ambition,… Continue reading

  • Reading Widely, Cheering Wildly: Global Reading Challenge City Finals Recap

    Reading Widely, Cheering Wildly: Global Reading Challenge City Finals Recap

    Ten was the magic number for Loyal Heights Elementary’s The Sparky Beavers at the Global Reading Challenge citywide finals on Tuesday, March 26, at the Central Library. That’s how many tiebreaker rounds it took for this team of fourth and fifth graders to eliminate eight other finalist teams and become the 2024 Global Reading Challenge… Continue reading

  • Teen Fiction for National Humor Month 2024

    Teen Fiction for National Humor Month 2024

    To celebrate National Humor Month (which always begins on April Fools Day), here are some hilarious new titles for teens.  Enjoy! Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto Chloe’s eighteenth birthday and acceptance to an American university mean she can finally leave home and her emotionally distant father, but her bossy aunt thinks it… Continue reading