James Crossley (Madison Books) and Miriam Landis (author of the new middle-grade novel Lauren in the Limelight) were colleagues at Island Books, Mercer Island, WA. They reunited for this exclusive interview for nwbooklovers.org. James: We’ve known each other a long time, and while you’ve worn many hats over the years, I know you best from …
This is a book I wouldn’t have picked up if it hadn’t been a gift. But now I’m very glad that I did. Fifth-grader Kazu sees a strange ghost-girl in the middle of the night and the next morning at school he sees her again. Except this time she’s his classmate, and everyone acts as …
After Noah’s best friend passes away, he decides to continue their science project on Mothman, the infamous cryptid. As Noah processes his grief, he writes letters to Mothman– about being trans, autistic, and feeling different from other kids. After all, Mothman is misunderstood too; he may understand Noah better than anyone. Dear Mothman is often …
On Wednesdays, the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Bestseller list is published. Every week, we love to see what has been most popular in independent bookstores around our region. As we peruse the list, we ponder patterns. Then we present this weekly feature: Thursday Themes. This week, we noted bestsellers that had just been published since the holidays and …
From Portland’s Annie Bloom’s Books: Books from Local Authors Want another way to shop local this holiday season? Pick up one (or more!) of these wonderful 2022 books from Portland authors. Lost Restaurants of Portland, Oregon (Paperback) by Theresa Griffin Kennedy A full menu of unforgettable events and historical milestones. Delve into the Rose City’s …
Vampires were wiped out twenty years ago in the Reaping…or were they? Readers ages 8-12 (who aren’t afraid of monsters or the dark) will LOVE this hilarious and spooky story of four kids navigating a terrifying world– many of the book’s themes reminded me of life during lockdown. Recommended for readers ages 8-12. –Becky, Secret …
Seattle author Mark Holtzen interviewed Kristi Wientge; the two are long-time critique partners and long-distance friends. Best Friends, Bikinis, and Other Summer Catastrophes is available at bookstores around the country as of May 17, 2022. Mark Holtzen (MH): You have a new middle grade children’s book. What first inspired this story idea? What caused …
It’s time for a Thursday Theme, where we shine a spotlight on some of the titles featured in this week’s Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association regional bestseller list. Whether on the cover, in the title, or as a contributor, creatures with wings popped up a lot among our bestsellers. Cloud Cuckoo Land Anthony Doerr (#11 Hardcover Fiction) …
This is one of my favorite middle grade books in a long time. It reminds me of E.L. Konigsburg’s A View from Saturday. It deals with heartbreaking, crushing difficulties in such a lovely, loving way that I found myself feeling uplifted rather than bogged down in the darkness of it all. The story centers around …
Memorably set in WWII Ukraine and then Germany, this middle grade novel-in-verse is the story of two sisters who used their talent playing the piano to escape their parents’ fate on the death march to Drobitsky Yar. They hid as students in a prestigious German music school in Berlin through the whole war. One of the …
