Seattle Picks

  • 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

  • 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

  • Seattle Picks: Historical mysteries

    A few historical mysteries, set in various locations around the world, selected by our librarians: Palace of Justice by Susanne Alleyn While Madame Guillotine is still in action in 1793, a serial killer, who cuts the heads off his victims, is loose in Paris. Aristide Ravel, freelancer to the Paris police, is the only one… Continue reading

  • Librarians select Top 20 Teen Novels

    After some spirited discussion, our Teen Services Librarians whittled down an admirable list of contenders to get to the Top 20 Teen Novels of the 21st Century. Then they decided to take it one step farther: Each Monday they feature one of the titles over on our Push to Talk blog, where there’s a bit… Continue reading

  • Seattle Picks: Short Classics

    We’re often asked for suggestions of shorter classics. Sometimes the reader has an assignment where the teacher or professor says “read a classic” and leaves it wide open. Sometimes the reader wants to explore classics, but feels a little intimidated. And sometimes the reader just wants a book that doesn’t weigh a lot. Our Short Classics booklist is one of… Continue reading

  • Seattle Picks: Terror for teens

    Take a look at some of the horror novels recommended by our teen services librarians: Possessed by Kate Cann Rayne takes a job at an old mansion to escape the London projects, and meets a group of rich, hot teens. When she uncovers the mystery of their power it will take all her strength and… Continue reading

  • Seattle Picks: Book Group Best Bets

    Is your book group in need of some new books to discuss? Try these new titles that are already becoming book group darlings! Bloodroot by Amy Greene  In lovely, lyrical Appalachian cadence, family members take turns narrating the life of a willful, heartbreaking and bewitching woman, Myra, from the Great Depression to the present time. Continue reading

  • Seattle Picks: Set in Seattle

    Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie Someone is murdering white men in Seattle, scalping them and leaving owl feathers behind. As racial tensions rise to fever pitch, suspicion falls on John Smith, an Indian raised by white parents. Leaving Yesler by Peter Bacho Choices are few for a mixed-race working class kid from the projects, but… Continue reading