Nonfiction

  • Celebrate Rad American Women For Women’s History Month

    In honor of Women’s History Month, I wanted to be sure all of you have read the amazing book published in 2015, Rad American Women A-Z by Kate Schatz. You may notice it’s shelved in the Children’s section, but don’t let that fool you – this little alphabet book is a must-read for all ages. The concept… Continue reading

  • 2016 Audie Award Nominees

    -posted by Library staff Award season isn’t over yet! Last month, the Audio Publisher’s Association announced the 2016 Audie Award Finalists and it is going to be difficult to choose winners from these amazing choices in 2015 audiobooks. The Audie is awarded to the best in the audiobook industry, in genre categories like “History /… Continue reading

  • World TB Day at the Central Library

    TB IS THE WORLD’S #1 INFECTIOUS DISEASE KILLER.  EVEN MORE THAN AIDS.  If you found that statistic surprising, you’re not alone!  Tuberculosis seems like something our grandparents dealt with and then it sort of petered out, but that’s not the case.  It is widespread, and many of the more virulent forms in today’s world are… Continue reading

  • Handwriting for Health

    ~posted by Rebecca K. In everyday life, during meetings or class, it may seem easier and faster to type notes on your laptop. But did you know that writing by hand may be more beneficial to your brain health? This is partly because writing, as opposed to typing, forces you to slow down in order… Continue reading

  • Embracing Gender Diversity

    ~posted by Micah K. Here at Seattle Public Library we think a lot about how we can be a more inclusive resource for our communities. When the American Dialect Society announced in January that the singular “they” was the word of 2015, we started discussing in more depth the benefits of using gender neutral language… Continue reading

  • More Unusual Nonfiction

    ~posted by Frank Bored with biographies? Tired of travel guides? Sick of self help? Had it with histories? Here are six new nonfiction titles on topics that are singular, peculiar, and fascinating. Fashion Victims: The Dangers of Dress Past and Present by Alison Matthews David. David tells the stories of death by clothing – whether intentional or accidental.… Continue reading

  • Get Your Brunch On!

    I’m a huge fan of brunch because it combines some of my favorite things; sleeping in, booze before noon, and breakfast food! Plus everyone loves brunch too, so it’s a wonderful opportunity to booze with friends in a relaxing environment. Since my late night days are long behind me, I can brunch and have the… Continue reading

  • NAAM Art Exhibit

    ~posted by Elizabeth S. and Carl K. Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, and Romare Bearden are among the notable artists featured in a traveling exhibit of 68 works at the Northwest African American Museum now through April 17th. The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper includes drawings, etchings, lithographs, and watercolors,… Continue reading

  • Black History in Seattle

    ~posted by Abby B. At the library, every month is Black History Month. We get questions and requests for African American history, culture and fiction throughout the year. In honor of the nationally recognized celebration, we’re shining a spotlight on Black History in Seattle. Here are some great resources to explore if you want to… Continue reading

  • Slow cooking for cold weather

    -posted by Anne C. This winter, I visited my aunt at her home in rural England. I love her old house, with its thick stone walls, but my favorite feature is the oil-fired aga in the heart of the kitchen. An aga, rare in the US, is a very efficient, unique kind of cast-iron stove… Continue reading

  • Kehinde Wiley: A Richer Republic

    There they are, in dramatic pose, embellished by a florid, heavily patterned background.  Commanding your view, a delicious mix of vibrant color, dramatic flair, dare and mystery.  Just who are these people, anyway? What did they do to warrant a place on the world stage?  Not only that, they have assumed the pose of a… Continue reading

  • Presidential Lives (and Deaths)

    -posted by Carl K. “Who is buried in Grant’s tomb?” was a question famously and frequently asked by Groucho Marx of contestants who would otherwise be leaving without a prize on You Bet Your Life, his witty 1950s game show. And it was a trick question. The answer to this question and the path to… Continue reading

  • Black History Month: the Seattle Black Panther Party display at the Douglass-Truth Library

    -posted by Kelli K. The Douglass-Truth Library is hosting an outstanding exhibit in honor of African American History Month: the history of Seattle’s Black Panther Party. Full of photographs, copies of the Black Panther Newspaper, books, and even a black leather jacket and black beret, it visually illustrates the views and impact of the Black… Continue reading

  • What to Eat with your Beer for the Super Bowl

    ~posted by Frank It’s Super Bowl weekend. If you’re a football fan, it’s time to grab a beer and settle in for the game. If you’re a Seahawks fan, you may want to drown your sorrows in a beer. If you’re not a football fan, what better way to pass the time than with a beer?… Continue reading

  • New and Noteworthy Northwest Nonfiction

    ~posted by Frank Craving some new narrative nonfiction about Seattle and the great Northwest, or from local authors? Look no further than these dozen books. 26 Songs in 30 Days: Woody Guthrie’s Columbia River Songs and the Planned Promised Land in the Pacific Northwest by Greg Vandy. One of KEXP’s most noted DJs explores the… Continue reading

  • Binge-worthy TV and book pairings

    There is great fun to be had in chasing a topic or setting across formats: getting into a TV show and then delving more into that world with a novel that explores a similar storyline, or vice versa. From hackers to courtroom drama to Jack the Ripper, here are a few ideas to get you started.… Continue reading

  • 125th Anniversary Series: Seattle in 1891

    -posted by Jade D. “Changing lives. Creating the Future.” 2016 marks the 125th anniversary of The Seattle Public Library. After it was adopted as a department of the city in 1890, the Library opened its first reading room in Pioneer Square on April 8, 1891. To honor this milestone, we will be posting a series… Continue reading

  • Ten Nonfiction Blockbusters….Coming this Spring

    ~posted by Frank This spring, ten titans of nonfiction release their latest books. They’re all in the catalog and holds queues are currently short, but they won’t be for long. Continue reading