shelftalkwriters
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#BookBingoNW2020: Mentioned in another book
Book Bingo is still underway, and some of those squares may be giving you trouble. Here are some suggestions for the mentioned in another book square. The beauty of this category is that there are so many books about books to choose from. Additionally, so many books mention other books in them, naturally and surreptitiously,… Continue reading
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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
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#BookBingoNW2020: Afrofuturism
#BookBingoNW2020 is upon us! One of the new categories this summer is Afrofuturism. If you saw Black Panther or watched Janelle Monaé’s emotion picture for their album “Dirty Computer,” then chances are you have already been exposed to Afrofuturism. But have you read any Afrofuturist books? Dictionary.com defines Afrofuturism as (noun) “a cultural movement that… Continue reading
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More Short Stories Online
Short stories are the form in which many writers hone their craft. And while each year’s Best American Short Stories and Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy anthologies compile some of the best of that year, they don’t highlight all of what gets published and is worthy of note. So much depends on who edits… Continue reading
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Speculative Short Stories to Read or Listen to Online
Friday the 13th of March was a dynamic scene at the Central Library, with patrons queuing for help to find good books to read during the library’s closure, and the DVD aisles packed with browsers. I miss assisting patrons in person in finding a great story to read or watch – though do visit my… Continue reading
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2020 Adaptations: From Book to Screen
Books are increasingly becoming Hollywood’s most treasured manna–the star-stuff that inspires the year’s buzziest television films and movies. Here are some books and series coming to screens big and small this year: Let’s start with adaptations with Northwest ties! Continue reading
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Conversation Hearts: An Inclusive Love Fest for Romance Readers and Writers
Romance readers and writers are passionate people. They are passionate about the power of love to transform people’s lives and to transform the world. They are passionate about an HEA (Happily-Ever-After) or a HFN (Happy-for-Now). And it’s safe to say they are tired of hearing ill-informed and dismissive opinions about the genre they love. If… Continue reading
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Top 10 Noteworthy 2019 Speculative Fiction Books Part 1
Even though it’s only October and there are still two more months left for publishing and reading in 2019 we are already assembling our “best lists”. Here are some of our favorite speculative fiction works this year (so far): The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders. This is a science… Continue reading
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Heist Fantasy: Magic, Action & Adventure
I have realized that some of my favorite recent fantasy reads have featured an elaborate heist adventure at the center of the story. Heist fantasies offer the magic, action and adventure that will keep you turning pages while they also feature characters on the margins of society, grifters and scrappy survivors whose struggles and high-stakes… Continue reading
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November Literary Holidays
November marks twelve months of literary holidays! So to finish it off, here are three November literary holidays. The entire month is Picture Book Month, an international initiative to support literacy and encourage the use of picture books. There are blogs dedicated to championing the importance of picture books throughout the month. So in honor… Continue reading
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October Literary Holidays
October is known for its spooky holiday themes, but the literary holidays are less spooky and a whole lot of fun. If you are familiar with the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, then this day might be for you. On October 6th, it is Mad Hatter day due to the number he wears in… Continue reading
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John Wyndham’s Work Remains Scary and Thought-provoking
I love discovering authors that were impactful in their era and whose work still holds up today. Wyndham is the kind of writer I truly enjoy–he writes the kind of unfussy, competent prose that is underrated and more supple than it first appears. His writing reminds me of the work of Walter Tevis, Theodore Sturgeon, and James Tiptree, Jr. where… Continue reading
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September Literary Holidays
September means school’s starting. What better way to get warmed up for school than with a few literary holidays? National Read a Book Day has been celebrated on September 6th since the early 2000s. To celebrate, I’d like to give you this word: tsundoku. This is a Japanese word for collecting reading material but not reading… Continue reading
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August Literary Holidays
August may have few nationally acknowledged holidays, but if you appreciate literature I’ve got a few things you can celebrate. Kicking off the month we have National Book Lover’s Day taking place on August 9th. On this day celebrate by enjoying the smell of books, visit the library, drop literary references into casual speech, or just enjoy… Continue reading
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#BookBingoNW2018: Award-Winning Authors
I’m sure you have heard of the Newbery Medal, Man Booker Prize, Hugo Award, and many, many other author awards. In addition to these well-known awards, let me introduce you to a few newer ones and their winning authors. Black Caucus American Library Association (BCALA) Literary Award, established in 1994, recognizes African American authors in… Continue reading
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July Literary Holidays
Here’s a quick look at some of the literary holidays you can celebrate this month: Almanacs, paperbacks, and the Wizarding World! The entire month of July is read an Almanac month. Providing a wealth of knowledge, they are typically published once a year. The most common almanacs are used for planting dates, tide tables, and… Continue reading
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June Literary Holidays
Here are some interesting literary holidays to enjoy in June. June is GLBT Book Month, which started as LGBT Book Month in the early 1990s. To quote the GLBT Book Month website: “[this is] a nationwide celebration of the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.” In… Continue reading
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May Literary Holidays
May is a great month for books. Let me give you the holidays to prove it. May is Get Caught Reading Month, which started in 1999 as a way to encourage the love of reading. Bonus: It can be a great time to read outdoors and make your reading visible to the world. Children’s Book… Continue reading