Nonfiction

  • Thug Kitchen

    ~posted by Kara Our region is ahead of the rest of the country when it comes to organic farming and produce provided to our population. But even though we spend six billion dollars on food, we only spend 2% of that on local food. One of those reasons is food deserts. Food deserts are something… Continue reading

  • Wandering River

    ~posted by Kara This year for my birthday I wanted to get away; getting away turned out to be Port Angeles, Washington. My boyfriend and I rented a small cottage near downtown and used it as a place to relax, but also to sight see. We lounged in pajamas and cooked lovely meals with a… Continue reading

  • Musicophilia and Alive Inside

    ~posted by Bob A few months ago I read Oliver Sacks’ Musicophilia, his collection of truly amazing stories that examine “the neural underpinnings of musical perception and imagery, and the complex and often bizarre disorders to which these are prone,” to quote the book jacket.  The sheer number of different disorders (amusia, dysharmonia, amnesia, aphasia,… Continue reading

  • Two Nonfiction books about the Pacific Northwest: ‘The Boys in the Boat’ and ‘The Boy Who Shot the Sheriff’

    I must confess–every year I tell myself that I will try to read more nonfiction and ever year I read a bit more but perhaps not as much as I had intended. Last year I happened to read two nonfiction titles that delve into different slices of Washington state history. First, I had heard so… Continue reading

  • Let’s Get Away

    by Marion S. Winter’s arrival makes me consider visiting places unlike Seattle. My kind of trip is exploring what’s unique about a place and its history. And having some relaxation time.  For my next trip I’m dreaming of a warm or tropical place or just getting far away. In seeking out some books, a few… Continue reading

  • Holiday Season: Time To Start Learning A Foreign Language

    By Library Staff There are many reasons and benefits to learning a foreign language.  It could help you achieve some career or traveling goals. It may also improve academic skills, aid in brain development, and slow aging. So, why not start this joyous project this holiday season to prepare for the new year? It’s a good time no matter what your goal is.… Continue reading

  • Finding ways to honor losses at the holidays

    by Ann G. The winter holidays are a time of cheer and cozy family times—for many of us, but not all.   More than we realize, many people feel past losses more acutely at this time of year, and even changes from the usual rituals can bring sadness.   Beyond knowing that a bittersweet feeling at holiday… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Friday: Time Is On Your Side, Yes It Is

    ~Richard C. My favorite part of the recent movie Interstellar (semi spoiler alert) was the character development when time started passing differently in the plot. Nothing terribly new about this in SF, but capturing the stark emotional realities of time in human space travel – this I found utterly moving (well, nearly exhausting after a 169… Continue reading

  • A Pacific Northwest Gem: Bill Holm and Northwest Coast Indian Art: An Analysis of Form

    By Rebecca Bill Holm’s Northwest Coast Indian Art: An Analysis of Form was the first work to systematically organize and describe this unique type of American art. First published in 1965, it has since become a foundational text for students, scholars, artists and others interested in learning about Northwest Coast Native American* art history, designs,… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Friday – Know Your SF

    By Richard C. Set aside those simple lists online for the best SF and Fantasy. Useful, yes. Context, no. Much in these genres stem from common themes and traditions, which is great. But many defy and transcend those patterns, which is often even better. So what’s to help us zoom out on our usual reading threads and find… Continue reading

  • Movie Mondays: Amazing Amy…Poehler

    Who doesn’t love Amy Poehler? Just look at the author photo from her new book, Yes, Please and try not to crack a smile. It’s impossible, right? Let’s follow the arc of her career, from improv to television and film. Continue reading

  • ebooks galore

    This fall, Simon & Schuster became the last of the “Big 5” publishers (joining Penguin/Random House, Macmillan, HarperCollins and Hachette) to make ebooks available to libraries. The Seattle Public Library added nearly 3,000 titles from Simon & Schuster and are now available for checkout in OverDrive. Here are the best of the best that Simon and Schuster… Continue reading

  • Seattle Rep’s ‘All the Way’ and the legacy of Lyndon Baines Johnson

    Seattle Rep’s ‘All the Way’ and the legacy of Lyndon Baines Johnson

    by Andrea In 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated and Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson was launched into the presidency. In his Tony Award winner for Best Play, playwright Robert Schenkkan dramatizes Johnson’s first year in office. Creating a vivid portrait of a brilliant politician and flawed man, All the Way brings to life Johnson’s passionate engagement… Continue reading

  • For Writers: Getting The Historical Details Right

    by Andrea There is no one season for writing, but often the fall feels like a time of rededication – students back to school, weather which encourages staying indoors, even National Novel Writing Month in November if sprint writing is your thing. To help you refocus, through November the Library is offering a variety of… Continue reading

  • The Making of a Monster

    ~By Anne C. Beasts, phantoms, despots and serial killers have thrilled and fascinated humans, time out of mind. Some of us shy away from such frightening thoughts, but others venture bravely into the dark corners of imagination, seeking out monsters, making their acquaintance, and bringing them into the light through arts and literature. Earlier this… Continue reading

  • Sharing Our Stories: Family History Storytelling at Northeast Library

    by Tom M. Every family has interesting stories. In my own family, both my wife and my sister have started to think about how to present all that they have discovered about their own families. The library can help everyone learn how to tell these family history stories, starting with an innovative workshop on the subject presented… Continue reading

  • On Myth and Monsters

    By Anne C. As the shadows lengthen and the autumn winds begin to wuther, you might find your fancy turning to the darker corners of the world and the things that creep and lurk there. Things that growl. Things that hunt.  Magical things. Terrifying things. Monsters. But, what is a monster? Where does the idea… Continue reading

  • The Power of Truth: Easy Biographies for Kids

    Sometimes a book that tells a true story of a fantastic adventure or a monumental idea that changed the world can overshadow any picture book or work of fiction, simply because the story is true. There is something very powerful about telling a child, this story actually happened. Done well, children’s books can bring events… Continue reading