Nonfiction

  • Bus Reads for April: Quarantine Edition

    I’ve found that commuting by bus gave me a lot more time to focus on my reading and being at home creates so many more distractions, I have less time to focus on a book in my hand. My few little escapes to walk the neighborhood have really been the only time I can slow… Continue reading

  • Revisit Past Events with Our Podcasts

    Was there an author event you missed out on at the library? Did you miss a Thrilling Tales adult story time? Don’t fret! The library records many of its events, everything from author readings to theatre previews. Found under the Books and Media tab on our homepage, Library Podcasts are sorted by year at the… Continue reading

  • Missing the Library? Us, Too…

    There’s a good chance you are longing for the days when you could simply walk into the library to pick up a book, watch a DVD, browse the internet or peruse the rest of the endless available services and materials. You’re not alone! So, in the spirit of the library being closed but many services… Continue reading

  • The Odd World of the Tiger King

    If you are like the rest of America, you may have seen the documentary “Tiger King” on Netflix.  The weird mix of true crime, eccentric characters, and cute tiger kittens left me wanting more. Get your quirky fix with these reads! Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Nature

    Today we unveil yet another Book Bingo category: nature. As someone who loves the outdoors as much as I love reading, I’m very excited for this square! Whether you’re a nature lover or not, here are some different ways to find a book that best suits your reading interests: Think Local: If you’re taking daily… Continue reading

  • Dinner in a Movie: Dining In with SPL Streaming Services

    When our video streaming queue, filled with murder mysteries and whodunnit crime documentaries, no longer looked as inviting, or the pile of books we had brought home stayed unread, or the housework we said was going to get done remains as unfinished as ever, it seems many of us are resorting to the kitchen to… Continue reading

  • Meditation for Tough Times

    We live amongst our stressors and our struggles. Anxiety manifests as feelings, physical symptoms, and in how we connect or disconnect with the people around us. We so often think “I’ll be more relaxed when-” but there is always the journey of getting to “when.” Mindfulness is the practice of finding peace wherever we are,… Continue reading

  • Vegetarian Cooking with Flipster and eCookbooks

    Whether you are busier than ever or have found yourself with more time than you ever thought possible, you still need to eat! If you are interested in adding more vegetables to your diet, want to try meatless Mondays, or are just tired of your same old standards, the library has many great digital vegetarian… Continue reading

  • Hoopla and Chill (with Penguins)

    It seems that the penguin is still a huge mystery to some. Penguins are some of the coolest (no pun intended) creatures around, but the majority of us never have any first-hand experience with them. This is usually due to geographical limitations; however, with our current climate of being stuck indoors, we can now digitally… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: On your shelf

    I’ve always been a reader but, as time goes on, I find that my eyes are perpetually larger than my literary stomach, resulting in piles of books all over the house and a Goodreads “to read” shelf that requires constant pruning.  Between teleworking and homeschooling there isn’t nearly much time to read as I had… Continue reading

  • Bringing the Outside In: Resources for Families Missing the Great Outdoors

    This past weekend, major parks, beaches, and many trails were closed in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. But fear not, many of our favorite parks and organizations are offering fantastic online content to help satiate our appetites for natural beauty, park history, and more. First, be sure to check out this book… Continue reading

  • Staying Healthy with Your Library: ProQuest Consumer Health Database

    This post is part of our Staying Healthy with Your Library series featuring online consumer health resources available from The Seattle Public Library. Databases require a library card number and PIN for remote access. For general health questions or in-depth research, ProQuest Consumer Health is an easy-to-use database of more than 500 trustworthy medical journals… Continue reading

  • We Got Your Ears Covered

    Two “Always Available” Overdrive digital nonfiction audiobooks and one with plenty of copies! For me, audiobooks fall into two categories: “Books I Meant to Read” and “Books to Listen to while Gripped by Insomnia.” Right now, that second category has taken prominence. I’m primarily a nonfiction book reader, so when I lie down for the… Continue reading

  • Start Your Job Search at the Library

    The Seattle Public Library’s Job Resources web page is a great place to start your job search, with resources on discovering a new career path, getting new job skills, creating a cover letter and resume, and finding job opportunities. Our community partner, WorkSource Seattle-King County, offers many great job seeking resources, and is currently posting… Continue reading

  • Reduce Stress with the Library

    There comes a time when it’s best to just turn off the news. With all that’s going on in the world it is easy to get caught up in the 24-hour news circus. However there is also a point when hearing more about what’s happening is no longer giving you any new information, it’s just… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Uplifting

    What better way to announce Book Bingo 2020 then with a teaser square?! Not to mention a square that is much needed. Here are a few books to get you started on completing your Uplifting square! And keep an eye out for the full downloadable card in early May.   We have to start with… Continue reading

  • An April Quartet, Part II: Some Soprano Sops a Poem’s Bread (the Rising)

    When poetry is on the menu how can you go wrong? There is such a bounty of poems, in the world, about our favorite pastime that you can have your pick and there’s plenty more where that came from! We have to start somewhere and that somewhere is right here. The resource list, An April… Continue reading

  • Comic Cuisine

    Before social-distancing, I thought I was a pretty decent home cook. Now, after eating nothing but my own cooking for two weeks, I’ve discovered that I only know about five recipes. For anyone in a similar boat, the library has nearly 2,000 digital cookbooks to inspire your cooking adventures. Personally though, most of those cookbooks… Continue reading