August 2026
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Women Beyond the Verge of Collapse
Women are collapsing right and left on the covers of novels. I was first drawn to the trend by the humorous image on the cover of Emily Nemen’s Clutch, wherein a smartly-dressed woman is lying prone, immobile. If you love a women-pushing-forty-behaving-badly romp or you dig novels with rom-com wittiness minus the tropes, this despairing friend group… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Animal
About this time every year, with less than 30 days until the end of Book Bingo season, I carefully plot my last few squares, sometimes reframing how I interpret a category. Take, for instance, the “Animal” square. Earlier this summer I made a list of books about animals I’d long been eyeing, but I couldn’t… Continue reading
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University Branch Renovations Move Forward, Air Conditioning and Elevator Installed
In our March 2026 University Branch update, we announced the completion of the seismic retrofit portion of this project and highlighted some of the significant work planned for the summer, including the installation of the new branch HVAC system and elevator, major interior renovations, and several accessibility improvements in and around the building.We are pleased… Continue reading
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In the Weeds
By August, my early season enthusiasm for a tidy garden has waned. Leafy greens have bolted and lean rangily against each other. Vetch curls up potato stems and launches its seeds in tiny explosions. Lemon balm is everywhere. Grasses at the edge of the lawn are tawny and arching, and I pick a couple of blackberries whenever I… Continue reading
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13 Not-to-Miss Author Programs at the Library in Fall 2026
Get out your calendar! The Seattle Public Library has an incredible lineup of book-related events and author talks this fall, from the kickoff of the Jaipur Literature Festival Seattle to Seattle Reads events featuring “True Biz” author Sara Nović to an evening with Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize award-winning author of “John of John.” All Library events… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Myth & Legend
Whether you’re looking for a companion read to Chrisopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of The Odyssey or filling in the Myth & Legend square on your Book Bingo card, this curated selection of recommendations has something for everyone. Dan Jones’ Queer Heroes of Myth and Legend: a Celebration of Gay Gods, Sapphic Saints, and Queerness Through the Ages Hidden in the margins of history books, classical literature,… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Hard-to-Love Protagonist
When it comes to challenging protagonists, I adore an angry, unhinged woman with an ax to grind – sometimes literally! If you support women’s wrongs, these four titles will leave you cackling, wincing in horror, or perhaps wondering, “Good for her?” Please enjoy these hard-to-love heroines for your book bingo square. Best Offer Wins by… Continue reading
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Planned System Upgrade in September: Temporary Service Disruptions to Expect
Last month, The Seattle Public Library announced that we are excited to transition to a new integrated library system (ILS), the behind-the-scenes system that manages collections, circulation, and patron accounts. Our current ILS is outdated and no longer supported by its vendor. We will replace it with a new, more reliable, secure, and efficient system… Continue reading
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7 Page-Turning Nonfiction History Books
It is a truism that we ignore history at our own peril. However, few of us want to page through dusty textbooks, and often what we want is entertainment. Fortunately, enjoyment and learning go hand in hand in these nonfiction history books that are written with the flair of a novel. These titles, a mix… Continue reading
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Back to School Fiction for Teens
Maybe you’re not ready for school to start, or maybe you’re excited to see your friends again. Either way, who can resist a great story that happens to take place at school? GN = graphic novel MS = middle school In Band Nerd, by Sarah Clawson Willis, Lucy’s dedication to playing the flute for the… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Outer Space
We hear from readers all the time that they read to escape, and what can be a bigger escape than an out-of-this world read? From nonfiction exploring the universe to science fiction on an interstellar ship, the Book Bingo Outer Space category lets you expand your reading to another dimension. Adina, the protagonist of Marie-Helene… Continue reading
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And the 2026 Seattle Reads Book Selection Is …
Consider the rest of your summer booked! Today, we announced that the 2026 selection for our citywide book group Seattle Reads is Sara Nović’s wonderful novel “True Biz.” “True Biz” is Nović’s second book, a New York Times bestseller about a seismic year at the River Valley School for the Deaf. With a fast-paced storyline,… Continue reading
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Fire Season: Writings on a Burning World
With the Spokane fires raging, Spain and France experiencing unprecedented wildfires, and Seattle smoke season upon us, it’s hard not to think about the new reality of summer wildfires and smoke. Reading can help us make sense of the world around us, and for better or worse, there’s no shortage of titles for all ages… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Water
Get your feet wet with highlights from Seattle Public Library and King County Library’s 2026 Book Bingo “Water” category below, or dive straight into the deep end with the full curated list here. Fiction: All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall is part post-apocalyptic survival story, part adventure travelogue, and part meditation on… Continue reading
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Thank you, Seattle! Voters say yes to the 2026 Library Levy
Dear patrons, This week, Seattle voters approved the $480 million, seven-year 2026 Library Levy with currently 72% of voters saying yes to the measure. While important votes are still being counted, we believe this is a strong win for our libraries. We are so thankful that Seattle voters continue to support and fund a strong… Continue reading
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Freedom, flintlocks, and fantasy!
This year our nation reached a milestone anniversary – 250 years since we declared our independence, an act of defiance against one of the most powerful nations of the day. As we reflect on the courage, vision, and determination required to engage in a conflict against an empire for a future uncertain, one might start… Continue reading
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StoryWalk in Magnolia Summer 2026!
We’re so excited to celebrate the 6th year of our Summer 2026 StoryWalk partnership with Daybreak Star Preschool, Magnolia Farmers Market, and the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library! Over the years, this program has become a beautiful bridge connecting the urban Native community with our neighbors here in Magnolia. Each year, the teachers at… Continue reading