Authors & Books
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6 Books That Take Place in One Day
Stories with compressed timelines of 24 hours, with some flashbacks thrown in, take center stage here to showcase just how much one day can really make a difference. “One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America” by Gene Weingarten starts with the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist choosing dates out of a hat. He… Continue reading
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Whimsigoth – Three Variations on an Aesthetic
The final core we three wish to leave you with this year is the effervescent, highly mutable, slightly dark, yet utterly magical core of whimsigoth. May these suggestions spark warm fizzes of delight amidst the deep dark grey of winter. Meranda: My first taste of whimsigoth came from The Addams Family. The dark aesthetics, the… Continue reading
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What Seattle Read in 2025: The Library’s Most Popular Checkouts
It’s always fascinating to compile The Seattle Public Library’s top checkouts for the year to get a sense of what’s been on the minds of Seattle’s readers. In 2025, they turned closer to home and explored local voices — perhaps not surprising given the state of national dialogue. Several of our most checked-out print books… Continue reading
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While You Wait: Heated Rivalry
Perhaps you are enjoying the new television series Heated Rivalry. Maybe you have watched every episode as it has been released, read this interview with the actors and this one too. You probably found this interview with Chala Hunter, the intimacy coordinator for the series, fascinating. Perchance you even started learning Russian for free with… Continue reading
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No Wait? No Way! Always Available Digital Collections
One of the library’s best kept secrets is our collection of always available digital books and audiobooks. They can be checked out simultaneously, and checkouts are unlimited. Perfect for book groups or reconnecting with a personal favorite, these collections provide 24/7 access to timeless classics alongside brand new releases. The library just added “Mysteries and Thrillers… Continue reading
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Winter Break 2025 Activities at The Seattle Public Library
Looking for family fun and community while the kids are on winter break? Our libraries have planned board game bashes, crafternoons, maker events and early New Year’s parties. We are also hosting regular story times and other family programming. You can also stop by one of The Seattle Public Library’s locations any day we’re open… Continue reading
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2025 Staff Faves: Adult Fiction
Each year we ask our staff across the library for their favorite books published in the current year. Below you will find some of the fiction books that stood out to library staff in 2025. Find the full list of staff faves in our catalog: Seattle Staff Faves 2025: Fiction, Part 1 and Seattle Staff… Continue reading
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Family Drama, Secrets, and Second Chances: 5 Fiction Picks for Fans of Dysfunctional Families
Every family has its cracks – some small enough to laugh about, others deep enough to reshape a life. Fiction has always given us a safe way to explore the relationships that challenge us, comfort us, and occasionally derail the holiday dinner. These five novels from our new Lake City Branch display, Dysfunctional by Design… Continue reading
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“The Librarians” Takes You to the Front Lines of Democracy
“I never imagined that what’s happening right now could ever happen. It didn’t dawn on us that we would come under attack.” In the opening scene in the documentary “The Librarians,” a woman sits, her face obscured for anonymity. She is a school librarian, telling the story of what happened in Texas in 2021, after… Continue reading
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2025 Horror Fiction Picks
Explore the world of horror fiction with some of our librarians’ favorites! These titles were chosen as Peak Picks earlier this year and can now be found in our regular collections. They capture a wide range of horror subgenres, from historical to the weird and cosmic. Here you’ll find Gothic tales, witches, carnivals, social and… Continue reading
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2025 Staff Faves: Adult Nonfiction
Each year we ask our staff across the library for their favorite books published in the current year. Featured below are some of the nonfiction books that multiple staff loved! Find the full list of staff faves in our catalog: Seattle Staff Faves 2025: Nonfiction. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by… Continue reading
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2025 Staff Faves: Picture Books
As the year draws to a close, we enjoy asking staff from across the library system to share their favorite Kids books of the year. From picture books to chapter books, and from graphic novels to nonfiction – below are just a few of the Kids books published in 2025 that our SPL staff loved! … Continue reading
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2025 Staff Faves: Kids Books
KIDS CHAPTER BOOKS Benny on the Case by Wesley King is a heartfelt character-driven mystery featuring a neurodivergent male protagonist that explores friendship, belonging, and family. [-School Library Journal] In Grace Lin’s The Gate, the Girl and the Dragon, a Stone Lion cub travels from the spirit realm into ours in order to save his… Continue reading
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2025 Staff Faves: Teen Books
Every year, we ask staff members around the library system what their favorite reads published this year were. 2025 is no different, and we have a stellar lineup of fiction and graphic novels. Graphic novels first: Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi began in 2024, but volumes 3 through 5 were published this year. The… Continue reading
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Fractured Fairy Tales and Female Antiheroes, 5 Readalikes for Fans of Wicked
Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them? These stories reinvent well-known stories and turn fairy-tale tropes inside out. Once-overlooked characters learn about themselves and grow their magical powers, and good and evil can depend on your perspective. In Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher, an unassuming third-born princess allies with… Continue reading
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December 2025 Author and Community Events
Head to the Library in December for stirring author talks, artist tours, a special community celebration at the Douglass-Truth Branch, a screening of “The Librarians” and more! All Library events are free and open to the public. Find information and registration through the event links below or at www.spl.org/Calendar. Registration is not required unless noted.… Continue reading
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The Year’s “Best Of:” for Both the Dilettante and the Obsessive
Do you have a stack of magazines waiting to be read? Are bookmarked articles haunting you? Do you wish someone would just tell you the best ones that you should definitely read? Well you’re in luck – this is your reminder to explore the best in essays, articles, and short stories with annual compilations. Put… Continue reading
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5 Fiction and Nonfiction Books that Dive Into AI
If representations of AI in fiction are starting to feel eerily plausible to you, you’re not alone! AI suddenly seems to be everywhere — in your phone, in your browser, offering tech support and an uncanny form of virtual friendship. How did this happen, where is it headed and what will it mean for humanity?… Continue reading