Fiction
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New Fiction Roundup, September 2024
September kicks off a busy Fall publication season, with many books by returning favorite authors and much more. Get ready to cozy up to darker and chillier nights with one of the books below! 9/3: Colored Television by Danzy Senna On sabbatical and house-sitting in Los Angeles, Jane works on her second novel, but also… Continue reading
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September Author Events: Fantasy, Reproductive Health, Banned Books Letterpress
We’re kicking off this energetic month with an amazing lineup of author and community events, including New York Times bestselling author Aiden Thomas (“Celestial Monsters”), Lambda finalist Garth Greenwell (“Small Rain”) and reproductive health expert Dr. Karen Tang (“It’s Not Hysteria”) in conversation with Tik Tok sensation Jane Park. You’ll also get a chance to… Continue reading
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From Horror to Romance, Round out Summer With These 4 Beach Reads
Ready for a new twist on the beach read? Although “beach read” often conjures up images of breezy romances or gripping thrillers, we would argue that the classic summer novel is less about the content and more about the experience: something you read only for pleasure and that immerses you entirely in the story. Here… Continue reading
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August is Women in Translation Month
August is coming to a close, but there’s still time to celebrate Women in Translation Month by reading a book written by a woman writing in a language other than English! Choose from the titles below; from this list of select 2024 titles; or strike out on your own. Elevator in Saì Gòn by Thuận,… Continue reading
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Summer Books You May Have Missed, Part Two
During this long shadow of ransomware-attack recovery, the rest of the world still turns and books have continued to be published! As our systems finally begin to normalize and the flow of new releases and holds-placing resumes, here are some fiction titles published in July and August that may be of interest. This is Part… Continue reading
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Summer Books You May Have Missed, Part One
During this long shadow of ransomware-attack recovery, the rest of the world has continued to turn, and books have continued to be published! As our systems finally begin to normalize and the flow of new releases and holds-placing resumes, here are some fiction titles published in June and early July that may be of interest.… Continue reading
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Books About Books: Mystery/Thrillers
I love reading books about books. Even better? When they are unputdownable mysteries or thrillers! Here are some of my favorites: The Writing Retreat – When Alex is given the opportunity to participate in a month-long writing retreat hosted by the famous horror writer Roza Vallo, she accepts the offer despite the fact that… Continue reading
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Sports Romances to Accompany the Summer Olympics
The 2024 Olympics kick off in Paris on Friday, July 26, and sports content is on everyone’s minds. If you want to immerse yourself further in the world of competitive sports, check out a sports romance, perfect for indulging fantasies of the goings-on in Olympic Village! As a recent convert to the joys of women’s… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2024: BIPOC Romance
This summer, dive into these romances starring Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) characters that may have you smiling or swooning in the sunshine (or rain). The Mis-arrangement of Sana Saeed by Noreen Mughees follows Hijabi Sana Saeed in her pursuit for ishq (a transcendent love that intertwines “mind, body, and soul”) in this second chance romance… Continue reading
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Round Out Pride Month with These 4 Books from LGBTQ+ Writers
In an often unwelcoming world, many LGBTQ+ people cultivate what they call “chosen family,” creating networks of support that are vital in the best and worst of times. In honor of Pride Month, we recommend four books that speak to the power of queer community as an antidote to hate, intolerance and division. These books,… Continue reading
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Get a Jump-Start on 2024 Summer Book Bingo With These 4 Books
This year marks the Seattle Public Library’s 10th year of the Summer Book Bingo program, in partnership with Seattle Arts & Lectures. Book Bingo celebrates reading and discovery and incentivizes participation with a drawing for prizes. This year, we have the exciting addition of Teen Book Bingo, offering teen-focused challenges and prizes! And Spanish-language readers can… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2024: Something that scares you
Most people think of October and its howling autumnal winds when they think of scary stories, but summer is actually the perfect time to cool off with some shivers up your spine. Whether it be reading about a summer camp slasher, books bound in human skin or a dystopian surveillance state, you are sure to… Continue reading
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Cozy Horror: Gross But Also Sweet!
Yes, Cozy Horror is a THING! Even horror can combine elements of the gory and horrific with the sweet and reassuring. Don’t believe me? Here’s two to try: Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell This surprisingly delightful debut was fun, sweet, AND gross–frequently all at once! Who gets to call something… Continue reading
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Dear Reader, Try a Historical Romance
With the latest season of Bridgerton premiering on May 16, I’m all-in on historical romance, including the Regency era that Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes brought to the screen. For historical romances that flip the script on race, gender, sexuality, or feminism in the vein of Bridgerton, check out these options, sure to be the… Continue reading
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New Fiction Roundup, May 2024
Start planning your summer reading with this varied and compelling slate of new fiction titles coming in May! And don’t forget to check out our May Peak Picks offerings. 5/7: América del Norte by Nicolás Medina Mora Sebastián grew up wealthy and privileged in Mexico before coming to the US to attend an elite school… Continue reading
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Dig Into These Books for Spring
Read the latest column by Reader Services librarian Misha Stone on the Seattle Times website or below, where it’s republished with permission. The Seattle Public Library loves to promote books and reading. This column, submitted by the library, will be a space to promote reading and book trends from a librarian’s perspective. You can find these… Continue reading
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Seattle Reads: Read Deeper
Whether the 2024 Seattle Reads selection of Parable of the Sower was your introduction to the work of Octavia Butler or you’re a long time fan of the author, I hope you’re enjoying diving into Butler’s world of speculative fiction. Her creative and sometimes terrifying visions of the future, centering of Black experience, dreams of anti-hierarchical… Continue reading
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Celebrating Seattle Reads and ‘Parable of the Sower’ With Performances, Panels and a Party
The Library’s annual Seattle Reads program usually culminates with several days of events featuring the selected author and book. This year, our citywide book club is celebrating the 2024 selection, Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower,” with more than two months of performances, panels and discussions that will be held in collaboration with community organizations… Continue reading