Andrea G.
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Pie and Whiskey
There are some combinations so perfect that when your attention is drawn to them, you wonder how you’ve missed them for years. That was my feeling upon discovering Pie & Whiskey, which is simultaneously: a fantastic compilation of short work from Washington authors, edited by Kate Lebo and Samuel Ligon; a raucous, celebratory literary event… Continue reading
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Seattle Public Library’s Most Checked Out Books, 2017
We’re already into 2018, but I can’t resist one more look back at reading in 2017. Do you ever wonder what others in the city are reading? Here’s a sneak peak: lists of the 10 most checked out print books and ebooks. So what was Seattle reading in 2017? We mostly checked out fiction, with… Continue reading
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New fiction roundup – January 2018
1/2: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn – Recluse Anna Fox stays in her New York apartment, drinking wine, watching old movies, and spying on neighbors. Then she sees something shocking happen with the new family across the way. Twisty psychological suspense for fans of Gone Girl and Girl on the Train. Continue reading
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Ideas for Book Giving this Holiday
Librarians give – and get – a lot of books this time of year. Seeing that familiar shape surrounded by festive wrapping is a special thrill. Sure, we know it is a book, but what book? We recently shared some ideas on how to choose good books for your loved ones. Now here are some… Continue reading
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New fiction roundup – December 2017
12/1: The Mansions of Murder by Paul Doherty – In the 18th outing for Dominican friar Brother Athelstan, he must figure out how someone committed two murders and escaped from a locked church with a king’s ransom. For lovers of locked room mysteries and historical fiction. 12/1: If the Fates Allow edited by Annie Harper… Continue reading
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Intriguing European Fiction Nov 2017
As part of our intermittent, ongoing series rounding up interesting international fiction, let’s take a tour of European fiction published this fall in the US. The Dying Game by Asa Avdic (Sweden) In this psychological thriller set on a remote Swedish island, Anna is supposed to fake her death and then spy on the reactions… Continue reading
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Your Thanksgiving Kitchen Helper
Thanksgiving is just over a week away. Have you figured out where and with whom you’ll be celebrating and eating? If you’re cooking, have you begun planning your meal? If you’re a worrier, have you begun panicking? No matter where you are in the process, here are a few books, DVDs and websites to help… Continue reading
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Let’s talk time
Sunday morning saw us fall back from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time, setting our clocks back an hour. It reignited the biannual discussion in my house about the wisdom (or lack thereof) of time change, the history of time, the whole shebang. With time on my mind, I pulled together these books for your… Continue reading
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New Fiction – November 2017
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Lovecraft Revisited
Confession: I have never read anything by legendary horror/fantasy writer H.P. Lovecraft. And I am unlikely to do so going forward. What I have been doing is reading a bunch of books inspired by Lovecraft. I’m sure that there are references and nuances I’m missing, but I’ve really been enjoying these books on their own… Continue reading
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New fiction roundup – October 2017
October sees a new releases by big name authors as well as a selection of debuts. Continue reading
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New Fiction Roundup – September 2017
Eagerly awaited novels by local favorites Nancy Pearl and Jamie Ford, together with novels by Celeste Ng and National Book Award Winners James McBride and Jesmyn Ward are just a taste of the great fictional offerings in store this month. Continue reading
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#BookBingoNW2017: Science Nonfiction or Science Fiction
Book Bingo 2017 is nearly at its end, with just two weeks left to get your bingo or blackout and turn in your card. Have you been puzzling over the Science Nonfiction/Science Fiction category? Enjoy these ideas for avenues to explore. Science Nonfiction Continue reading
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Solar Eclipse 2017: Reading for all ages
Whether you’re reading in advance of the solar eclipse on August 21, or stockpiling suggestions to read afterward, here are a selection of books for readers of all ages; check out the full list in our catalog. Continue reading
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New fiction roundup – August 2017
The dog days of summer are here – check out a book hot off the presses to round out your summer reading. Continue reading
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Get Beachy
Perhaps your summer plans involve lying on a beach, relaxing and soaking in the sun; or maybe not, and you’ll be beach-dreaming on the bus, making furtive excursions to Alki, Golden Gardens, or Magnuson Park. Either way, here are some beachy reads to get you in the summer mindset. The Shark Club by Ann Kidd… Continue reading
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Grilling Season
Charcoal, gas, open pit: the 4th of July is almost upon us, and my mind has turned to grilling. Perhaps yours has too. Whether you’re a novice with your first grill or an expert looking to try a new ingredient or technique, here are some cookbooks to get your creative juices flowing. The Big-flavor Grill… Continue reading
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Book Bingo: Published the Year One of Your Parents Was Born
Listen: when I saw the Book Bingo category “published the year one of your parents was born” the first thing I did was Google “books published in 1950.” I was prepared to tell you of more labyrinthine research processes to help you find a book for this category, but it turns out Google is a… Continue reading