November 2025
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Fractured Fairy Tales and Female Antiheroes, 5 Readalikes for Fans of Wicked
Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them? These stories reinvent well-known stories and turn fairy-tale tropes inside out. Once-overlooked characters learn about themselves and grow their magical powers, and good and evil can depend on your perspective. In Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher, an unassuming third-born princess allies with… Continue reading
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December 2025 Author and Community Events
Head to the Library in December for stirring author talks, artist tours, a special community celebration at the Douglass-Truth Branch, a screening of “The Librarians” and more! All Library events are free and open to the public. Find information and registration through the event links below or at www.spl.org/Calendar. Registration is not required unless noted.… Continue reading
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Power of Community: Celebrating 50 Years of “Douglass-Truth”
A half-century ago, the Central District came together to rename its library to reflect its community. On Saturday, Dec. 13, from noon to 5 p.m., all of Seattle is invited to celebrate this milestone at the Douglass-Truth Branch, and honor its rich community histories. The branch library opened in 1914, but it didn’t become the… Continue reading
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Mossback’s Northwest: Early Roots of Seattle’s Libraries
How did Seattle become a literary city? The roots to that accomplishment began “in the muck and mire of the frontier city,” says Cascade PBS host of Mossback’s Northwest, Knute Berger (aka Mossback). Mossback recently aired a fascinating episode on the city’s literary roots, and its connection to Skid Road. It was filmed partly in… Continue reading
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The Year’s “Best Of:” for Both the Dilettante and the Obsessive
Do you have a stack of magazines waiting to be read? Are bookmarked articles haunting you? Do you wish someone would just tell you the best ones that you should definitely read? Well you’re in luck – this is your reminder to explore the best in essays, articles, and short stories with annual compilations. Put… Continue reading
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5 Fiction and Nonfiction Books that Dive Into AI
If representations of AI in fiction are starting to feel eerily plausible to you, you’re not alone! AI suddenly seems to be everywhere — in your phone, in your browser, offering tech support and an uncanny form of virtual friendship. How did this happen, where is it headed and what will it mean for humanity?… Continue reading
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New Fiction Roundup, November 2025
Surreal stories, character studies, family sagas and more await you in November’s new releases. 11/4: Bitter Honey by Lolá Ákínmádé In 1978, Nancy immigrates from Gambia to Sweden; in 2006, Nancy’s daughter Tina is representing Sweden at the Eurovision contest. But long buried secrets and a complicated mother-daughter relationship threaten to upend both their lives. (general fiction) 11/4: Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite Eniiyi has grown up with… Continue reading
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Book Buzz: 2026 Global Reading Challenge Books
Across Seattle, fourth and fifth graders are getting excited about books — specifically, eight books that range from a story about a 10-year-old sock detective to a graphic novel about an all-girls, hijab-wearing basketball team. This year’s Global Reading Challenge books have been selected! The Global Reading Challenge is a 31-year-old reading incentive program that’s… Continue reading
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Indigenous Stories for Teens
November is National Native American Heritage Month, and one way we celebrate is through the sharing of stories by and about Native Americans. Whether or not you are Native American, these new titles for teens make for fantastic stories. Gary Robinson’s book Billy Buckhorn and the Book of Spells launches a series about a Cherokee… Continue reading
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Eve L. Ewing, Author of “Original Sins,” Presents the Bullitt Lecture on December 4
If you’ve wondered about the roots of inequality in our educational system, Eve L. Ewing has answers for you. Ewing — bestselling author, cultural organizer and Marvel comics writer – will visit Seattle on Thursday, Dec. 4 to present the 2025 Bullitt Lecture in American History about her new book “Original Sins: The (Mis)education of… Continue reading
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New Nonfiction Roundup – November 2025
Welcome to November’s list of notable nonfiction! The fall publishing season wraps up with dozens of new titles to consider, including some memoirs and self care guides from your favorite entertainers. History, poetry and some exciting new cookbooks round out the month’s picks. Here we go! “Rocktober” may be over, but November has a host… Continue reading
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‘The Secret Lives of Library Books’ — Seattle Times Follows the Journey of a Hold
Every wonder how your library holds “magically” appear at your branch? Seattle Times reporter Sara Jean Green and photographer Karen Ducey explored this question by diving into a behind-the-scenes story of how millions of books travel around our region each year to serve the needs of our region’s Library users. Sara and Karen joined SPL… Continue reading
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Nightstand Reads with Author and Editor Becky Siegel Spratford
Hear Becky discuss her latest book, Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature with Sadie Hartmann, aka Mother Horror, at Central Library this Thursday, November 6th at 7pm. This event is presented in partnership with Charlie’s Queer Books and the Horror Writers Association of America’s Seattle Chapter. Continue on for her nightstand reads! While… Continue reading