Linda J.
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Romantic Wednesdays: Reading List winners from ALA
The American Library Association released its 2014 Reading List last month, with winners and runners-up in eight categories. What I especially like about the Reading List — besides the fact that it covers romance, mystery, science fiction and other genres that make up the bulk of what most of us read — is that the… Continue reading
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Seattle v. Denver in the READING BOWL!
We know who will win the Super Bowl on Sunday, but which city reads more? We know the answer to that, too, but in the spirit of sportsmanship, we challenged Denver Public Library to a Twitter Reading Bowl to see who can get more people tweeting about what they’re reading. They accepted the challenge, and… Continue reading
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September Picks: Librarians’ favorites
Each month, librarians across the U.S. nominate their favorite forthcoming books for Library Reads. The top ten books make the official list then shared with readers everywhere. Stick with us for ten great recommendations each month! Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell At turns funny, sweet, smart, and sad, Fangirl traces Cath’s journey to independence as she… Continue reading
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Three smart, witty authors you want to read
I’m pretty sure you all know that David Sedaris has a new book, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls. Maybe you’re even one of the 1,095 people on the waiting lists for our 217 copies (that’s five different formats: print, large print, CD, eaudio and ebook). But there are some other writers out there who are… Continue reading
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Fiction with a side of wry: Five books our librarians love
Smart, witty and fun to read: That’s the criteria my fellow librarian Misha and I used when selecting books for our newest “Humor” list. Here are some of our favorites from that list. Middle Men by James Gavin With deadpan humor, these stories of Los Angeles men of the slacker variety provide insight and wit… Continue reading
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Don’t miss these five novels for Black History Month
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis Personal stories of the Great Migration come alive through the children and grandchildren (the 12 tribes) of Hattie Shepherd, a woman who left the South in 1923 in hopes of finding a better life in Philadelphia. Continue reading
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Seattle readers’ favorite teen books of 2012
Last week we asked people on Facebook to tell us their favorite teen novel published in 2012. For those who regularly read teen fiction (and since 55 percent of all young adult fiction is purchased by adults, it seems like there are a lot of us …), it will be no surprise that The Fault… Continue reading
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Seattle librarians help readers find books via Facebook
Give us a book you like, we’ll give you a book to love! Next Wednesday, November 14, readers will be able to get personalized book suggestions on SPL’s Facebook page. A team of librarians from six of our libraries will collaborate all day — from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. — to suggest books to… Continue reading
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Staff favorites: Three Novels our Librarians Love
Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks Based on the true story of Caleb Cheeshahteaumauck, who in 1665 was the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College, this luminous novel explores the intersecting lives of white settlers and Native Americans in the early years of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Bethia, the outspoken daughter of a Puritan… Continue reading
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Science Fiction Friday: Five books our librarians love
Rimrunners by C.J. Cherryh Intergalactic assassin Bet Yeager finds herself behind enemy lines and on the losing side of a war. Somehow she must stay alive and hide her true identity while making it to friendlier areas of space. (Alliance/Union series, Company Wars #4) The Life Cycle of Software Objects by Ted Chiang A start-up… Continue reading
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How you can help a student succeed in school
Our Library is seeking volunteers to be “Homework Helpers” at a few of our branches. You could assist students in first through 12th grade with homework assignments. Students drop in when they need help in English, history, math, science, social studies or other subjects. You could make a huge difference in someone’s life by volunteering for just a few… Continue reading
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Staff Favorites: Three nonfiction titles our librarians love
The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death by Corinne May Botz This is one of the oddest books I’ve ever read. It is a meticulously photographed collection of dollhouse dioramas of murder scenes from the 1940s and ’50s, based on real crime scenes. The level of detail is astonishing. Tiny carpets are realistically frayed. Food scraps… Continue reading
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Crime: Stealing Mona Lisa
You think someone would notice if the Mona Lisa (or La Gioconda, as I now like to call her) disappeared from a wall in the Louvre. But in 1911, the painting was gone an entire day before anyone reported it stolen. Guards actually did notice it was gone, but assumed it had been taken by… Continue reading
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Seattle Reads: Interview with Amy Waldman, author of ‘The Submission’
How did it feel to have your debut novel chosen for the Seattle Reads program? I was stunned, to be honest! A first novel gets written in a void — it’s hard to imagine anyone reading your book, let alone a whole city discussing it. It’s an honor to be part of such a pioneering… Continue reading
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Your Next 5 Books: For a family that cycles together
In this column we regularly highlight a Your Next 5 Books submission that we find interesting, funny, unique, or useful to other readers. Submit Your Next 5 Books entry now, or stop by and see us in person, and maybe you could see your (anonymous) reading habits on Shelf Talk! Continue reading
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Why we like first-person plural … and why we don’t
Writing a novel in first-person plural can’t be easy, but when an author nails it – like Jeffrey Eugenides did with The Virgin Suicides – it sticks with you. This narrative technique isn’t the “royal we” or a Greek chorus, but a collective voice that observes and is also part of the story. Next to… Continue reading
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Crime: If you like J.A. Jance mysteries …
Most of the J.A. Jance fans I know have a deep affinity for J.P. Beaumont, the Seattle detective who lets us see just enough of his personal life to make him real, then brings us right back to a tight focus on the case. We love his smart, brooding character; we’re crazy for the Seattle setting and we… Continue reading
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It’s okay to read teen books …
Here are just a few novels I found displayed with this sign at the Central Library: Fire by Kristin Cashore The First Part Last by Angela Johnson City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare What They Always Tell Us by Martin Wilson Supernaturally by Kiersten White The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the… Continue reading