Fiction
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Fiction to Celebrate Trans Voices
Trans people have always existed. Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20th, a day to mark trans lives lost to violence, observed after Transgender Awareness Week. Here are some recent adult fiction books that capture the history, complexity, and dynamism of the trans experience. Mad Eden, the debut novel by Morgan Thomas, author of the… Continue reading
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Notes on the Page: Books on the Power of Music
Music in literature is having a big boom right now, exploring the life, creativity, and torments of musicians in fiction. Check out one of these recent novels to get your music fix on the page! Yiyun Li’s latest novel (and Peak Pick!) Music Against the Night uses the true story of 18th century married musicians… Continue reading
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A House? In This Economy?!
The news is full of stories on rising interest rates, low housing stock, and the many difficulties facing first-time homebuyers. It seems like a great time to read a novel that tackles the vagaries of housing, from horror to romance to the lightly fantastical. Check out the titles on this list: A House? In This… Continue reading
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Adult Fiction for Native American Heritage Month
National Native American Heritage Month, observed in November, honors the histories, cultures, and contributions – historical and ongoing – of Turtle Island’s native peoples. One way to do this is through reading the stories of Indigenous authors. Check out one of these recent titles in adult fiction! Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band, Chippewa) is one… Continue reading
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Indigenous Stories for Teens
November is National Native American Heritage Month. Here are some great titles for teens highlighting Indigenous experiences and identities. Medicine Wheels by Byron Graves Bryce’s summer before junior year isn’t starting off as expected. After his mom goes back to jail, he goes to stay at his grandparents’ house on Wolf Creek reservation. Once there,… Continue reading
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6 Books That Speak to the Enduring Appeal of Monsters
For Halloween season, these books explore our enduring fascination with monsters in new and surprising ways, from fresh takes on vampire tales to a bestiary that spans time and worlds. Monsters come in many forms and illuminate deeper truths about our fears and even our hopes. Portland author Keith Rosson infuses his horror novels with… Continue reading
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5 Fresh & Creepy YA Horror Novels
The famous horror director Wes Craven once said, “Horror films don’t create fear, they release it.” Similarly, horror fiction at its core helps to shed light on the fears we already hold, whether that’s a fear of not belonging, of betrayal, of losing someone close, or even the fear of losing ourselves. These 5 brand-new… Continue reading
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A Peek at Peak Picks – late September/October 2026
We’re back, with NINETEEN new Peak Picks coming your way over the next few weeks! In fiction, YA novelist Ríoghnach Robinson’s magnetic, undeniably clever debut for adults— perfect for fans of Sally Rooney and Emily Henry—captures the tender ache of two people caught between criticism and connection in Bad Words; Emily St. John Mandel (Station… Continue reading
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6 Great Books to Read in Translation This Fall
There are many lofty reasons to read translated literature: understanding other cultures, seeking out diversity, bragging to your bookish friends. But at the end of the day, there’s only one reason you really need: These books are good! Read on to discover suggestions from a former bookseller at Third Place Books and a librarian at… Continue reading
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Adult Fiction for Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, celebrating the achievements, contributions, and perspectives of folks from Hispanic and Latina/o/e backgrounds. There are so many incredible recent books by Hispanic authors, including some in translation, and here we offer a small selection for your enjoyment. We Are Green and Trembling by Argentinian author… Continue reading
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Ahead of her Seattle Reads Events, Author Sara Nović Talks “True Biz”
Sara Nović is the author of “True Biz,” a New York Times bestselling novel about a seismic year at the River Valley School for the Deaf. “True Biz” is also the 2026 selection for Seattle Reads, The Seattle Public Library’s “one book, one city” program that started in 1998 and has since been replicated around the world. Nović… Continue reading
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Washington State Book Award Winners
The Washington Center for the Book just announced the winners of the 2026 Washington State Book Awards for works published in 2025 by writers from our wonderful state. Across genre, form, and audience, these winners represent outstanding titles by authors who currently live in Washington, as judged by other local authors, librarians, and booksellers. Creative… Continue reading
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Fiction for National Translation Month
September is National Translation Month, a time to highlight the works and contributions of authors from around the world, and the translators who make their work available to more readers. Check out this taste of recent fiction in translation. Delicious Hunger by Singaporean author Hai Fan uses the author’s background as a guerilla fighter in… Continue reading
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Teen Books for When You Need a Good Cry
Sometimes you don’t need to be enticed with romance, fantasy, or current events. Sometimes you just need a reason to feel and let tears flow. For when you feel that you need an excuse, or need to blame the book for your tears, check out these titles: To start us off, try out The Leaving… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Soothing
Book Bingo is a great time to be intentional about reading books you may have been putting off or exploring new titles that may become new favorites. If you are at the point in your Book Bingo journey where you have been reading many exciting and interesting books yet need a moment to catch your… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Horror
Summer beach reads don’t always have to be light. Sometimes, a horror novel can be just as fun. Horror novels have the power to pull you in and make your heart race; they can make you laugh, grimace, see the world in a new way, or all of the above. If you’re still working on… Continue reading
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Bands, Beats, and Books
Sunburns, poor acoustics, craning to see around someone’s too high lawn chair – outdoor concert season in the PNW is a unique slice of summer. With our place in music history secured thanks to early grunge, various venues across Seattle offering live music year-round, and with summer concerts taking our musical enjoyment to an 11, it’s hard not to have bands on… Continue reading
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Women Beyond the Verge of Collapse
Women are collapsing right and left on the covers of novels. I was first drawn to the trend by the humorous image on the cover of Emily Nemen’s Clutch, wherein a smartly-dressed woman is lying prone, immobile. If you love a women-pushing-forty-behaving-badly romp or you dig novels with rom-com wittiness minus the tropes, this despairing friend group… Continue reading