guest blogger
-
Nightstand Reads: Greg Atkinson
As a food writer, I use words and letters almost without thinking. Just as whisks, rolling pins, pots and pans are incidental to the actual foodstuffs with which they interface, so words and letters, paragraphs and sentences are just a means to an end. The end is whatever meaning I hope they will eventually convey… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reads: Russell Banks
Usually I’m reading three or four books more or less simultaneously — just starting one, halfway through a second, and about to finish a third or fourth. They await me somewhat impatiently in different spots around my house and studio: the bedside table, yes, and the chairside table in the living room, even the kitchen… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reads: Author Julie Otsuka talks about books
Author Julie Otsuka will read from her new novel, The Buddha in the Attic, on Friday, September 23, at 7 p.m. (doors will open at 6:30) at the Central Library. We’re thrilled to have Ms. Otsuka as a guest blogger today: One of the most emotionally affecting books I’ve read recently is a short novel… Continue reading
-
Books for Teachers: Library Friends help put thousands of books in Seattle classrooms
The Friends of the Library, a grassroots organization, is perhaps best known for the two huge book sales held each spring and fall (next book sale is April 16 and 17; find info here). In addition to fundraising, the Friends advocate for the Library and literacy. We asked Joan Abrevaya, a board member, to tell… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reads: Novelist Meg Wolitzer
Meg Wolitzer’s newest novel, The Uncoupling, just came out this week. Wolitzer, whose other novels include The Ten-Year Nap and The Position, will read on Monday, April 11, at 7 p.m. at the Central Library. We are thrilled that she’s our guest blogger for today, telling us about her nightstand reading stack: I tend to be a… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reads: On tour with The Head and the Heart
What do musicians read when on tour? We asked Charity Thielen, vocalist and violinist in The Head and the Heart, to give us a peek at her nightstand reads (or, rather, tour van reads) when they were on the U.S. leg of their three-month tour (they’re playing in Amsterdam tonight, then it’s on to Glasgow). We’ve… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reading: Kerry Colburn and Jen Worick
We asked local authors Kerry Colburn and Jen Worick to share their nightstand reads with us! Being asked about our nightstand reads is like being asked to choose between children … but we will for the sake of SPL. Jen’s nightstand: After reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, which I loved, I went on… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reads: Debut novelist Laurie Frankel shares her summer reading
We’re excited about novelist Laurie Frankel’s debut novel, The Atlas of Love, the story of a young single graduate student in Seattle who becomes pregnant and with the help of friends raises her baby, Atlas. Library Journal said, “Frankel’s debut is a wonderful literary treat that offers a fresh twist on the modern family.” Laurie,… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reading: Translator Bruce Fulton
Editor’s note: Seattleites Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton will read from their translation of the work of Hwang Sunwon at the Montlake Branch on Tuesday, May 25, at 6:30 p.m. We asked Bruce how he and his wife came to work translating the masters of Korean literature. We also asked him what books (not in Korean) he… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reading: Newbery winner Rebecca Stead
This month’s guest blogger is Rebecca Stead, author of When You Reach Me, a middle-grade novel that just won the Newbery Medal (the most distinguished honor in children’s literature). Rebecca is in Seattle today to visit schools, chat with Nancy Pearl for an upcoming episode of Book Lust on the Seattle Channel and to read tonight… Continue reading
-
Comixtravaganza 3!
In case you haven’t been paying attention, Seattle Public Library is currently hosting the third Comixtravaganza–a gracious celebration of comics, graphic novels, cartoonists, and also the comic fans! The third Comixtravaganza kicked off on January 13th, when Queen Anne Branch held a “Family Toon-in” program, an event where everyone was able to enjoy classic cartoons… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reads: Royce Buckingham
Seattle writer Royce Buckingham is the author of Demonkeeper (“scary and laugh-out-loud funny” said a School Library Journal Review) and Goblins (“a riotously good adventure” said Kirkus Reviews) . We asked this imaginative writer of teen books what he’s been reading, but forgot to ask him where he got the t-shirt he’s sporting in the photo below.… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reading: Seattle novelist Heather Barbieri’s late summer reading
In Heather Barbieri’s newest book, The Lace Makers of Glenmara, 26-year-old fashion designer Kate Robinson heads to Ireland to change destructive patterns in her own life. In Glenmara, Kate finds inspiration in the local lace-making society. Fans of Maeve Binchy’s work and The Friday Night Knitting Club (Kate Jacobs) will find much to enjoy in Lace Makers.… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reading: Amy Stewart on plant books, and planting books.
Most authors who write about plants are only of interest to the green thumbed, but Amy Stewart’s books are for everyone. Her latest – Wicked Plants: The Weed that killed Lincoln’s mother, & other botanical attrocities – might even save your life, or your pets’. Amy will be appearing around the area next week, including an evening… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reading: Author Lisa Lutz talks about what she’s reading — and even what she’s not reading
Lucky us! The author of the hilarious mystery series starring Izzy Spellman will be in Seattle next week. Double lucky us—because Lisa Lutz sent us a note from her book tour to give us a peek at what she’s reading: Since I’ve been under a strict deadline lately, and am currently on a book tour,… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reading: Get your recommendations from Scottish mystery author Val McDermid
Crime fiction fans take note: Val McDermid, author of several popular series (including the Tony Hill series) will be at the Seattle Public Library this Sunday at 2 p.m. to read from—and talk about—her newest book, A Darker Domain. We’re wildly excited to host Val on one of her rare Seattle visits as she reads… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reads: Martha Brockenbrough’s essential books for writers
It’s a little daunting to write a proper introduction here about Martha Brockenbrough. She is the founder of SPOGG, the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar, as well as National Grammar Day (which received quite a lot of press attention). Her new book, Things That Make Us [Sic], which just came out today, takes… Continue reading
-
Nightstand Reading: Eric Liu
Editor’s note: Whether he’s interviewing Daniel Schorr at Town Hall, inspiring leadership or talking about patriotism, local author Eric Liu manages to get us thinking—and to get the conversation going. In The True Patriot, a book written in the pamphleteering style of Thomas Paine, Liu and co-author Nick Hanauer offer a lively challenge to look… Continue reading