Author Events
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One Book, One Coast: Explore Stories of Japanese American Incarceration and Resistance
This spring, The Seattle Public Library is participating in the first-ever One Book, One Coast program – the West Coast’s biggest book club. Now, we’re excited to share the final details of the programs we have planned. Through May, more than 190 library systems across California, Oregon, and Washington are encouraging millions of library readers… Continue reading
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April and May 2026 Author and Community Events at the Library
Author and community programs are blooming at the Library this spring, from an evening with famed audiobook narrator Julia Whelan to One Book, One Coast programs that reframe and retell the history of Japanese American incarceration. All Library events are free and open to the public. Many of these events are supported by The Seattle… Continue reading
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Listen to This Podcast: KUOW Book Talk With Coll Thrush
What do Pacific Northwest shipwrecks have to do with settler colonialism? Author and historian Coll Thrush recently published a book, “Wrecked: Unsettling Histories from the Graveyard of the Pacific,” which explores this topic through six years of extensive research. He shared his findings in a recent KUOW Book Talk at the Central Library, in conversation… Continue reading
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Spring 2026 Author and Community Events at the Library
Author and community programs are blooming at the Library this spring, from a KUOW Book Talk with Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe about “Thunder Song” on March 23, to an evening with famed audiobook narrator Julia Whelan on April 15, to two One Book, One Coast events with local authors that reframe and retell the history of… Continue reading
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Learn About the Hidden Histories of Native American Activism on March 10
“How can a nation founded on the homelands of dispossessed Indigenous peoples be the world’s most exemplary democracy?” That is the question that opens Dr. Ned Blackhawk’s “The Rediscovery of America,” which won the 2023 National Book Award in Nonfiction. The Library is honored to have Dr. Blackhawk present this year’s annual Bullitt Lecture in… Continue reading
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Read George Takei’s Graphic Memoir with the West Coast’s Biggest Book Club
We have good news for Seattle readers! This spring, The Seattle Public Library invites you to take part in One Book, One Coast, a shared reading initiative connecting more than 140 library systems across California, Oregon, and Washington, including more than a dozen in Washington State alone. Organized by LA County Library, One Book, One… Continue reading
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Local Authors Take the Stage for KUOW Book Talks
Want to be part of a book club that features selections by some of our region’s greatest talents, and offers you a chance to meet the author in person? Welcome to the KUOW Book Talks Live series at the Central Library. From February through May, KUOW Book Club host Katie Campbell will sit down with a… Continue reading
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Impact Story: When a Children’s Author Comes to Town
The benefits of reading for kids are well-known: literacy, language skills, empathy. But on a winter morning at Seattle’s John Rogers Elementary, a group of 40 fourth and fifth grade readers are showing something else: pure, unadulterated excitement. The students are crowded on the floor of the school library for a talk from Ernesto Cisneros,… Continue reading
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February and March 2026 Events at the Library: Red Floor Poetry, Healing Fiction and More
If you could use a heart-centered program right about now, go to the Library. Make a zine for someone special on an upcoming Saturday; watch multidisciplinary artist Miz Floes perform a neighborhood narrative in a fusion of spoken word and theater on Feb. 19; or take your beloved to the Red Floor for love poetry… Continue reading
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“We Belong Together”: New Series by Guest Curator Amber Flame
Could you use a little more community, connection, and cheap date ideas this winter? We have just the series for you. Writer and interdisciplinary artist Amber Flame has guest-curated a new series titled “We Belong Together” at the Central Library. With a kickoff event this Sunday, Jan. 25, the three events will explore how we expand… Continue reading
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Winter 2026 Author and Community Events at the Library
Soak in creative and cozy winter vibes at Library programs in January and February. Browse zines and make your own on Saturdays at the ZAPP Zine Collection, celebrate the 60th anniversary of “Dark Shadows,” enjoy love poetry on the Central Library’s Red Floor with guest curator Amber Flame, and more. All Library events are free… 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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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
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Celebrating Banned Books Week and More October 2025 Events
Grab your favorite banned or challenge book and help us celebrate the freedom during Banned Books Week, which takes place from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11 this year. We’ll have a read-in, programs highlighting the impact of censorship and displays. Plus, you can stop by your favorite neighborhood library and pick up a “Read What… Continue reading
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Fall 2025 Author and Arts Events at the Library
When is the Library a comedy club? On Wednesday, Sept. 24, when guest curator Amy Hirayama kicks off a series of programs titled “Serious Play,” with a night of comedy gold from local comedians. This fall you can also explore the myth of bringing your authentic self to work with viral Ted Talk speaker Jodi-Ann… Continue reading
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Why Old Trees Matter: A Conversation with Lynda Mapes
As August draws to a close, our summer book club series with KUOW is wrapping up with a topic relevant to any northwesterner: the connections between trees, salmon, and Indigenous knowledge. On Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 6:30 p.m., Lynda Mapes will be at the Central Library auditorium to talk about her recent book, “The Trees… Continue reading
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Silent Reading Party, a New Exhibit, and More August 2025 Arts Events
Is a silent reading party the ideal event for an introvert? Find out this Saturday, Aug. 9, at a fun program at the Seattle Center, which includes book swap opps and Book Bingo tips. Other not-to-miss late summer events include the final program in our KUOW Book Club series, an exhibit celebrating the African American… Continue reading
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July and August 2025 Author Events at the Library
From a pop-up book sale to KUOW Book Club events to two programs that will show you that horror can be a summer genre, the Library’s upcoming book and author events will inspire and engage. We also have many amazing programs for kids and families, from magic to music to artmaking, which you can find… Continue reading