Fiction
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New Fiction Roundup, October 2024
From spooky tales to epic fantasy and much more, October new releases have you covered as the nights get darker and cooler. 10/1: The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister The Haddesley family has long maintained a supernatural bargain – their family tends the cranberry bog and the bog sustains them, with each generation sacrificing their… Continue reading
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Get Cozy With It
With one weekend of rain underway, I’m ready to be on the couch, mug of tea in hand, reading a book that matches my mood. I’m looking for maximum coziness and though you can find cozy fantasy, cozy mystery, and even cozy horror, I’ve been diving into translated Japanese and Korean cozies, with a distinctly… Continue reading
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Books to Check Out for Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month honors the contributions and influence of Hispanic and Latine Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. It is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 annually. Check out one of these recent fiction reads by Hispanic/Latine authors to kick off the month! I describe The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden… Continue reading
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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