Home Page Feature
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Outer Space
We hear from readers all the time that they read to escape, and what can be a bigger escape than an out-of-this world read? From nonfiction exploring the universe to science fiction on an interstellar ship, the Book Bingo Outer Space category lets you expand your reading to another dimension. Adina, the protagonist of Marie-Helene… Continue reading
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And the 2026 Seattle Reads Book Selection Is …
Consider the rest of your summer booked! Today, we announced that the 2026 selection for our citywide book group Seattle Reads is Sara Nović’s wonderful novel “True Biz.” “True Biz” is Nović’s second book, a New York Times bestseller about a seismic year at the River Valley School for the Deaf. With a fast-paced storyline,… Continue reading
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Fire Season: Writings on a Burning World
With the Spokane fires raging, Spain and France experiencing unprecedented wildfires, and Seattle smoke season upon us, it’s hard not to think about the new reality of summer wildfires and smoke. Reading can help us make sense of the world around us, and for better or worse, there’s no shortage of titles for all ages… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Water
Get your feet wet with highlights from Seattle Public Library and King County Library’s 2026 Book Bingo “Water” category below, or dive straight into the deep end with the full curated list here. Fiction: All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall is part post-apocalyptic survival story, part adventure travelogue, and part meditation on… Continue reading
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StoryWalk in Magnolia Summer 2026!
We’re so excited to celebrate the 6th year of our Summer 2026 StoryWalk partnership with Daybreak Star Preschool, Magnolia Farmers Market, and the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library! Over the years, this program has become a beautiful bridge connecting the urban Native community with our neighbors here in Magnolia. Each year, the teachers at… Continue reading
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August 2026 Events: StoryWalk, Book Talks, El Vez and More
Savor summer by taking a StoryWalk in Magnolia, enjoying a talk with “Raised by Ferns” author Maya Jewell Zeller, or honoring the first Day of Remembrance with Frank Abe and Densho at the International District/Chinatown Branch, among many other library programs in August. All Library events are free and open to the public. Many of… Continue reading
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A Peek at Peak Picks – August 2026
We’re adding four new titles in August! It’s a smaller than normal list because of the upcoming transition to a new Integrated Library System. In fiction, beloved author and winner of The Story Prize, Paul Yoon, is back with the unforgettable story of a working dog who, after a devastating war, embarks on an odyssey… Continue reading
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7 Summer Book Bingo Recommendations
Book Bingo season is a time to reconnect with reading for joy and discovery. To help readers across King County find great picks for their Book Bingo board, the owners of West Seattle’s Paper Boat Booksellers join a Seattle Public Library Reader Services librarian with suggestions for three bingo categories. Learn about Book Bingo and get… Continue reading
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Upgrading and Modernizing the Library’s Integrated Library System (ILS)
We are excited to announce that The Seattle Public Library is preparing to transition to a new, modern integrated library system (ILS), which is critical operational infrastructure for Library collections and services. This major project was a promise we made to Seattle residents in the 2019 Library Levy and is an important part of our… Continue reading
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Call for community representatives: Library Art Review Committee (ARC)
Do you have background and interest in public art? The Seattle Public Library is seeking applications from members of the public to serve as representatives to the Library’s Art Review Committee (ARC)! The Library is currently seeking three (3) members of the community with excellent knowledge of the arts and strong familiarity with local Northwest arts,… Continue reading
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Air Conditioning Coming to the Fremont and West Seattle Branches
Air conditioning is coming to the Fremont and West Seattle branches! This work is part of the Library’s larger Cooling Center Project, which is providing air conditioning and improved ventilation to the Library’s Carnegie buildings, allowing them to serve as shelters from extreme heat and wildfire smoke, preventing unscheduled closures during hot weather, and significantly… Continue reading
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Adventure Romance for Summer
Summer is the perfect time to go into the great outdoors in pursuit of treasure (and romance)! As with all genres, there are many possible sub-genres to be had here; adventure romance can be modern, historical, set in a desert, a jungle, or on the sea! What matters is the journey. Let’s set the scene with movies! Romancing the Stone is a classic romantic comedy from… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: PNW Black, Indigenous, or POC Author
Every year readers request Local Authors of Pacific Northwest as a general category, because reading about this place we call home can be so inspiring. But let’s be honest—not all local authors get the same attention and broad readership as others, and this is especially the case for authors of color. Here are some PNW Black, Indigenous, or POC titles to try: Red Paint:… Continue reading
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Summer 2026 Author and Community Events
Stay cool and cultured by attending one of the Library’s author and community events this summer, including a conversation between KUOW’s Katie Campbell and cabin-builder Patrick Hutchison, an evening with science fiction author with Rebecca Roanhorse, and a Book Bingo silent reading party at the Seattle Center’s Mural Amphitheater. Also check out Summer Quest, our… Continue reading
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Aging Protagonists in Fiction
As May (Older Americans Month) has just passed, I’ve been thinking about the many books being published that feature older protagonists. It’s been exciting to see this shift—possibly a result of the American population living longer, and hence, reading longer. The publishing industry must be paying attention as the number of Americans 65 and older is projected… Continue reading
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New Fiction Roundup – June 2026
Summer reading season begins! 6/2: Blunt Instrument by Amy BloomWhen a largely disliked professor is murdered, Dell Chandler – former English professor, current private investigator – is called in to sift through departmental squabbles and student complaints to solve the murder before bad PR can damage the school’s reputation. (mystery) 6/2: The Disaster Gay Detective… Continue reading
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New Nonfiction Roundup – June 2026
Whether you’re looking for your next great read or looking to check off a Book Bingo square, June has some great new nonfiction to consider (in addition to June’s Peak Picks). Politicos, AI skeptics, and anyone else who wants to take a deep dive on recent events have a lot of options this month. Cory… Continue reading
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Book Bingo NW 2026: Historical
One of the goals of Book Bingo is to have as many entry points as possible for readers, and the “Historical” category is a great example. An alternate history speculative fiction? Check! A biography of a historical figure? Perfect! A Regency romance? That works! If you’re looking for somewhere to start, try one of these,… Continue reading