Book Bingo

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Neuro-diverse protagonist or author

    In this year’s Book Bingo, the neuro-diverse protagonist or author square invites us to journey into the world of a person whose modes of thinking and ways of processing the world differ from those of the mainstream population. Neurodiversity, often associated with disabilities like autism or ADHD, can sometimes lead to deep connections, groundbreaking insights,… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW: Published in the 1920s

    Book Bingo is taking us back in time to the 1920s! Books published in the 1920s made up most of my English curriculum and though it was often hard to love a book that was assigned, that century on its own has held a lot of fascination for me, especially now, a hundred years later.… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Afrofuturism

    #BookBingoNW2020 is upon us! One of the new categories this summer is Afrofuturism. If you saw Black Panther or watched Janelle Monaé’s emotion picture for their album “Dirty Computer,” then chances are you have already been exposed to Afrofuturism. But have you read any Afrofuturist books? Dictionary.com defines Afrofuturism as (noun) “a cultural movement that… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Set At or By the Sea

    It seems as long as people have told stories, they have told sea stories. Gilgamesh crosses the sea and even dives to the bottom in the quest for eternal life. The nautical adventures of Homer’s Odysseus are literally legendary, as are those of Jason and the Argonauts. More recently, both Edgar Allan Poe’s Narrative of… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Epistolary

    And then there’s that square marked “epistolary.” You’d be forgiven for Googling that one, where you’ll find it means a story told in the form of documents, such as diaries, emails, texts, and – most traditionally – letters – aka, epistles. To which you might respond “they write novels in the form of letters?” Oh… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Animal as Main Character

    There’s something about stories narrated by animals that provide a very different reading experience. Whether they are anthropomorphized or remain true to their wild selves, animal narrators give us a chance to step out of our human skin and see the world around us in new ways. Here are some titles that are in turn… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Nature

    Today we unveil yet another Book Bingo category: nature. As someone who loves the outdoors as much as I love reading, I’m very excited for this square! Whether you’re a nature lover or not, here are some different ways to find a book that best suits your reading interests: Think Local: If you’re taking daily… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: On your shelf

    I’ve always been a reader but, as time goes on, I find that my eyes are perpetually larger than my literary stomach, resulting in piles of books all over the house and a Goodreads “to read” shelf that requires constant pruning.  Between teleworking and homeschooling there isn’t nearly much time to read as I had… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2020: Uplifting

    What better way to announce Book Bingo 2020 then with a teaser square?! Not to mention a square that is much needed. Here are a few books to get you started on completing your Uplifting square! And keep an eye out for the full downloadable card in early May.   We have to start with… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2019: By an author from Mexico or Canada

    If you’re still working away on your Adult Summer Book Bingo, we’re back with some suggestions for authors from Mexico and Canada to check out. I’ve focused on writers with a new book out in the past few years, but try our longer list in the catalog for even more suggestions including some classic authors… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2019: Set in Summer

    A particular satisfaction can be found in reading that mirrors the season outside, a satisfaction you can revel in while filling the BookBingoNW category Set in Summer. From coming-of-age, to mystery, to general fiction and nonfiction, we have ideas to get you started. Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman Over the course of… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2019: Science

    Looking for something to fill in your Book Bingo “Science” square?  Something that will stretch your brain? How about a fascinating page-turner that somehow makes complex topics easy to grasp? Here are some titles that bear no resemblance to a dusty chemistry textbook: A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived: The Human Story Retold… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2019: Set in the Northwest

    Welcome to another year of Summer Book Bingo and suggestions for the category “set in the NW!” This category is one of my favorites because it gives me a chance to explore my home region in fiction. Find these titles and other suggestions here. While I’m native to Portland, OR, there’s one book that made… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2019: Comics

    Comics is a magical and mysterious medium that can fill one or all of your Book Bingo card squares this summer! It’s up to you! Take a look at this recent staff booklist of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Comics and Graphic Novels and maybe try out In Between, a collection of poetry comics by… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW: published when author was under 35

    Book Bingo 2019 is now underway, and we know many of you are out there pouring over your 2019 bingo cards planning what to read, so today I’m here to help you fill the “published when author was under 35” square. Here are some suggestions for fiction, nonfiction and memoir published when the author was… Continue reading

  • Summer Book Bingo — let the reading begin!

    It’s time for our fifth season of Summer Book Bingo for grownups! We know you can’t wait to see this year’s categories, so here you go. First thing you need to do to get started on Book Bingo: head on over to your neighborhood library and pick up a card!  You can also download cards… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2018: About the Environment

    One of the many things I appreciate about the Book Bingo categories is that quite a few can be filled by both fiction or nonfiction, leaving the choice up to the reader. Today let’s look at the “About the Environment” category, which at first glance lends itself primarily to nonfiction, and instead see what fiction… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW: Suggested by a Young Person

    We asked our young patrons at the Central Library Children’s Center to suggest books for our adult Book Bingo players and they delivered! These young people know their kid lit – they suggested classics both modern and older, video game tie-ins, realistic fiction, fantasy, adventure – there’s something for every reader of any age. Find… Continue reading