Fiction

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Set in a City of Literature

    Now that summer is truly underway, it’s time for a book bingo check-in. How’s it going? Do you need a few more suggestions for books set in Cities of Literature? We thought you might need some recommendations for books to read, so we asked our colleagues in the thirty-eight other Cities of Literature to recommend… Continue reading

  • Three on a Theme: Pandemic Philosophy

    As we progress into what seems like the umpteenth month of this pandemic, the long-term effects of what it feels like to be isolated from loved ones, constantly exposed to news reports about death and infection rates are starting to feel quite exhausting. Even though some lockdown measures are slowly thawing (have you tried curbside… Continue reading

  • Magical Tales by Women of Color

    I went on a search for stories with a magical theme to them by authors who are women of color. On my search I managed to procure these six stories for your enjoyment. They are all a little different, so hopefully you’ll find one to strike your fancy. The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Indigenous Author

    If you’ve been wanting to decolonize your bookshelf but aren’t sure how to start, Adult Book Bingo has an indigenous author square, which is an excellent opportunity to begin including more works by Native authors in your daily reading. The Library offers plenty of fiction and nonfiction by indigenous writers from all over the world,… Continue reading

  • Book Series by Volume – Classic Edition

    Today’s Book Series by Volume looks at a few ‘classic’ series that have stood up to time fairly well. A reminder: all series are measured in hardback as we all know that’s the only proper way. The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis – Filling over 1/3 of a cubic foot, this seven-book series seems… Continue reading

  • England, 1976: Heatwave

    If you spend enough time around books – reading books, reading reviews, shelving books – you start to notice trends, and sometimes they’re very specific. (For example in the first half of 2019, there were at least two books with main characters in comas reassessing their lives: The Inbetween Days and The Book of Dreams).… Continue reading

  • Short Stories on a Theme

    There are times when it may be hard to focus on a long novel, so a short story might be a better choice. You can pick up a book of short stories and read one or all. Many compilations feature different authors coming together to focus on one theme and giving you a selection of… Continue reading

  • Write On!: Get Graphic! Go Comic!

    Are you drawn to drawing your own world? Do you picture rows of frames, imagine scenes, come up with your own cast of characters and play those scenes out in your mind? Is there, somewhere near, a messy pile of graphic novels or comic books that you have poured over a hundred times or more?… Continue reading

  • #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

  • Book Series By Volume: Hard-boiled Edition

    For this installment of Book Series By Volume I’m sleuthing out detective novels. There are several bulky series to look at, but I’ve picked my personal big three. Harry Bosch Series by Michael Connelly The 22 books cover about one and a half cubic feet, but Bosch shows up in a couple other satellite series… Continue reading

  • Three on a Theme: Books About Trees for All Ages

    There is nothing quite like a book with some really good tree lore in it. Trees have always been a source of awe and inspiration for people, inspiring a sense of intense calm and mystery with their age, stillness, and connection to forces of nature that human beings simply cannot understand. As such, there are… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Trans or Non-Binary Author

    For transgender and non-binary folx, 2020 has been a mixed bag politically, while the intentional killing of trans folx continues, unabated. Publishing has been a bright spot, as trans and non-binary authors are more visible than ever before; yet J.K. Rowling’s controversial position on trans rights, considered by many to be transphobic, shows more work… Continue reading

  • Bus Reads for June and July: Quarantine Edition

    I’ve been trying to stick with physical books while working from home, mostly from my bookshelves or from our local bookshop here in Tacoma. I did manage to snag an ebook with my library card from Overdrive that was a very quick read. Quarantine reading has been pretty slow going compared to my commute reading… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020 Poetry or Comics

    One of the best things about Summer Book Bingo is how it challenges readers to step outside their comfort zones.  Of all the different kinds of books out there, however, poetry and graphic novels can be some of the most challenging. Readers not used to a visual format can sometimes struggle to make a cohesive… Continue reading

  • The Art of Protest: Artists Art Protest

    Between The Dead Eye and the Deep Blue Sea, there are artists who step back, survey the temperature of the times, put their fingers on the pulse and paint, write, compose, all the while Regarding the Pain of Others. There are artists who take to the streets, join the ranks of The Resisters. They can… Continue reading

  • 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

  • Book Series by Volume – Galactic Edition

    I’m one of those people that love book series – big book series. When I see a trilogy my first thought is often “Isn’t that cute!” as I turn my attention to truly massive piles of words. This can work to my disadvantage, as I have that compulsion to finish a series no matter the… Continue reading

  • Comics before Cinema! Part Three

    This is the third and final feature of comics as the original source material before their cinematic adaptations. I admit that I have not watched or read many of what I’ve listed (though not for a lack of trying!) and I made it a point to explore outside the expansive DC and Marvel universe. Today I will be showcasing the nitty gritty of graphic novels and comics, and how those stories… Continue reading