Authors & Books
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6 Books That Speak to the Enduring Appeal of Monsters
For Halloween season, these books explore our enduring fascination with monsters in new and surprising ways, from fresh takes on vampire tales to a bestiary that spans time and worlds. Monsters come in many forms and illuminate deeper truths about our fears and even our hopes. Portland author Keith Rosson infuses his horror novels with… Continue reading
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Let’s Talk About Books!
We have good news for library patrons who want to chat with others about what they’re reading — Let’s Talk About Books is happening at branches around the city! Let’s Talk About Books (LTAB) is a no-pressure book group where folks can share what they’re reading and get ideas for their next read. All are… Continue reading
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Book Groups: What to Read Next, Part Two
Welcome back to part two of a semi-regular series that answers the question: what should my book group read next? The titles below were chosen for their complexity and ability to sustain a discussion; and for their copy count, having enough copies at the Seattle Public Library as of this writing for a book group… Continue reading
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Book Bingo 2026: A Record Summer of Reading Far and Wide
Summer might be in the rearview mirror, but we’re taking one more moment to celebrate a season of great reads, new discoveries, new connections, and a little friendly Book Bingo competition! It’s time to wrap up Summer Book Bingo 2026. For the second year, The Seattle Public Library (SPL) and Seattle Arts and Lectures (SAL)… Continue reading
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5 Fresh & Creepy YA Horror Novels
The famous horror director Wes Craven once said, “Horror films don’t create fear, they release it.” Similarly, horror fiction at its core helps to shed light on the fears we already hold, whether that’s a fear of not belonging, of betrayal, of losing someone close, or even the fear of losing ourselves. These 5 brand-new… Continue reading
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Learn to Read: Decodable Books
Is your child learning to read? You can practice together with decodable books! The school year is well underway, and many elementary school students are learning to read. It’s an exciting – and challenging – time! There’s a growing understanding that reading does not come naturally to humans in the same way as learning to… Continue reading
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3 Ways to Celebrate the Freedom to Read, and a Milestone!
It’s always the right time to celebrate books and reading, but October brings new opportunities. Not only is it National Book Month, but next week (Oct. 4 through 10) is Banned Books Week, which the American Library Association started in 1982 to highlight the value of free and open access to information. Here are three… Continue reading
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Forever – is composed of Nows
Emily Dickinson’s life and her body of work have long fascinated me. Known for rarely leaving her house starting in her 30s, her poetry and letters reflect a life intensely lived and felt. She wrote constantly, but it was only after her death, when her sister discovered nearly 1,800 of her poems hidden away in… Continue reading
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A Peek at Peak Picks – late September/October 2026
We’re back, with NINETEEN new Peak Picks coming your way over the next few weeks! In fiction, YA novelist Ríoghnach Robinson’s magnetic, undeniably clever debut for adults— perfect for fans of Sally Rooney and Emily Henry—captures the tender ache of two people caught between criticism and connection in Bad Words; Emily St. John Mandel (Station… Continue reading
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6 Great Books to Read in Translation This Fall
There are many lofty reasons to read translated literature: understanding other cultures, seeking out diversity, bragging to your bookish friends. But at the end of the day, there’s only one reason you really need: These books are good! Read on to discover suggestions from a former bookseller at Third Place Books and a librarian at… Continue reading
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Adult Fiction for Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, celebrating the achievements, contributions, and perspectives of folks from Hispanic and Latina/o/e backgrounds. There are so many incredible recent books by Hispanic authors, including some in translation, and here we offer a small selection for your enjoyment. We Are Green and Trembling by Argentinian author… Continue reading
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Ahead of her Seattle Reads Events, Author Sara Nović Talks “True Biz”
Sara Nović is the author of “True Biz,” a New York Times bestselling novel about a seismic year at the River Valley School for the Deaf. “True Biz” is also the 2026 selection for Seattle Reads, The Seattle Public Library’s “one book, one city” program that started in 1998 and has since been replicated around the world. Nović… Continue reading
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Washington State Book Award Winners
The Washington Center for the Book just announced the winners of the 2026 Washington State Book Awards for works published in 2025 by writers from our wonderful state. Across genre, form, and audience, these winners represent outstanding titles by authors who currently live in Washington, as judged by other local authors, librarians, and booksellers. Creative… Continue reading
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Hot Awards News About SPL-Connected Authors
Over the last three days, the National Book Foundation announced its longlist for the five categories of the National Book Awards — a slow drip of literary celebration. It was super cool, and not surprising, to see some Library-adjacent authors among those selected. First up is Sara Nović, the author of this year’s Seattle Reads… Continue reading
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Fiction for National Translation Month
September is National Translation Month, a time to highlight the works and contributions of authors from around the world, and the translators who make their work available to more readers. Check out this taste of recent fiction in translation. Delicious Hunger by Singaporean author Hai Fan uses the author’s background as a guerilla fighter in… Continue reading
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Teen Books for When You Need a Good Cry
Sometimes you don’t need to be enticed with romance, fantasy, or current events. Sometimes you just need a reason to feel and let tears flow. For when you feel that you need an excuse, or need to blame the book for your tears, check out these titles: To start us off, try out The Leaving… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Soothing
Book Bingo is a great time to be intentional about reading books you may have been putting off or exploring new titles that may become new favorites. If you are at the point in your Book Bingo journey where you have been reading many exciting and interesting books yet need a moment to catch your… Continue reading
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Read Your Way to Jaipur Literature Festival Seattle 2026
What should you read before JLF Seattle? From the mysteries of the human brain and the legacies of empire to modern India, the Iranian Revolution, artificial intelligence and imaginative new fiction, the books featured at this year’s Jaipur Literature Festival Seattle (JLF Seattle) invite readers to explore some of the most compelling questions of our time. JLF Seattle: A… Continue reading