Book Bingo

  • #BookBingoNW2018: Award-Winning Authors

    I’m sure you have heard of the Newbery Medal, Man Booker Prize, Hugo Award, and many, many other author awards. In addition to these well-known awards, let me introduce you to a few newer ones and their winning authors. Black Caucus American Library Association (BCALA) Literary Award, established in 1994, recognizes African American authors in… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2018: A SAL author

      There is no shortage of ideas for the Book Bingo challenge to read a Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL) author. SAL has been bringing writers to Seattle for three decades (here is the complete list), so there are literally hundreds of options. In the spirit of being current with this year’s literary happenings around town,… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2018: Memoir or biography — deep thoughts from funny people

    #BookBingoNW2018: Memoir or biography — deep thoughts from funny people

    If you’re looking for a lighter summer read but still want some substance, check out these memoirs by comedians. Lately I’ve been feeling a little too world-weary for anything heavy but a little too… existentially keyed up? for pure escapism. Luckily, the library has a great collection of memoirs that weave in issues of family… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2018: Written by an author from another country

    #BookBingoNW2018: Written by an author from another country

    Sitting in the top right corner, the category Written by an author from another country could be vital to making bingo vertically, horizontally, or the elusive diagonal bingo. We’re here to help you get it filled. For inspiration, you could consult previous posts about intriguing African fiction, East Asian fiction, European fiction, Latin American fiction, or Australian… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2018: History

    #BookBingoNW2018: History

    Looking for something to fill in that “history” box on your Summer Book Bingo card?  Fortunately, the days of dry history tomes are, well, history.  There are currently lots of great authors who are writing fascinating nonfiction history books that have the page-turning quality of a good story. Here are some of my favorites: Nancy… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2018: LGBTQIA Author or Character

    Throughout history the personal stories of LGBTQIA+ people have been either ignored or told secondhand, but as readers we can address this by seeking out memoirs, biographies, and historical works that center LGBTQIA+ voices. Writer and activist Hida Viloria’s trailblazing memoir Born Both: an Intersex Life explores the author’s intersex identity and activism. Janet Mock’s… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2018: Author (or character) with a disability*

    Something special is happening in Seattle July 1 through the 6th: The USA Special Olympic Games! “More than 4,000 athletes and coaches representing 50 state Programs and the District of Columbia, along with the support of tens of thousands of volunteers and spectators, will compete in 14 Olympic-type team and individual sports.” –from Special Olympics… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2018: Graphic Novels

    #BookBingoNW2018: Graphic Novels

    It’s summertime, which nowadays essentially means Marvel™ movies season! Not looking for more Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, or the Avengers? Then check out these lesser-known, but equally Marvel™-ous graphic novels: Black Bolt vol. 1 Hard Time by Saladin Ahmed & Christian Ward Blackagar Boltagon (yes, really), the silent king of the Inhumans, finds himself… Continue reading

  • The Return of Summer Book Bingo!

    The Return of Summer Book Bingo!

    It’s that magical time of year for readers in Seattle – it’s Summer Book Bingo! We’re now into our fourth year partnering with our pals at Seattle Arts & Lectures on this adult summer reading program that challenges you to read in certain categories. (Pick up a card at any of our locations or download… Continue reading

  • #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

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Reread a Book You Read in School

    Although we are hard pressed to think of a single drawback to Book Bingo, it is true that for some readers it calls forth unwelcome memories of required reading. Yet the popularity of bingo and similar reading challenges and groups suggests that something appeals to us about being stretched beyond our habitual reading appetites. Might those same… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Finish in a day

    As much as I enjoy being immersed in a great book for days on end, there is something particularly satisfying about finishing a book quickly. This year’s Summer Book Bingo again features the category “Finish in a Day.” For the sake of consistency, I have chosen to limit this list to books that average about… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Genre That Is New To You

    Figuring out what to read for this square is different for everybody and may take a little self-reflection. A tricky part is not launching yourself into The Land of Titles That Would Be Horribly Painful And I Would Never Finish, defeating the whole point of actually reading something.  I do recommend spending a few moments… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Read a book by a SAL speaker

    Perhaps that fourth row middle square – to read a book by “A SAL speaker (past or upcoming)” — gave you pause this year. It’s a delightful challenge because you have dozens and DOZENS of incredible authors to choose from. SAL stands for Seattle Arts & Lectures, our partner in the adult summer reading program Book… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Young adult

    Need a book for that Young Adult square but aren’t quite sure where to start? Young adult fiction has come a long way since Sweet Valley High, with captivating, well-written titles that cross and blend just about every genre out there.  There is, of course, an abundance of teen romance,  but there is also excellent… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Art and Artists

    What is art, anyway? Merriam-Webster defines it as “the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.” With such a broad definition, there are many different directions readers can go with this particular Book Bingo square. Here are a few strategies for filling this square: Fiction A few authors,… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Poetry

    Bingo is a game of chance. Take a chance on poetry. Reading a poem, for some, is akin to entering a country where everybody speaks a language, except the one you know. Poetry can be daunting.  It can, also, be a journey unlike any other.  Take, Josephine Yu’s Prayer Book of the Anxious, for instance.… Continue reading

  • #BookBingoNW2017: Set in another country

    Hopefully by now you’re well on your way to completing a Summer Book Bingo Card, but if not, we’re here to help. For the “Set in another country,” square there is a super-secret librarian trick to browsing fiction by country in the library catalog. To bring up a list of fiction set in a particular… Continue reading