The Literary Lions Gala is the KCLS Foundation’s signature celebration of libraries, literacy, and community. This year, the event returns to the Bellevue Library for a rare and special after-hours experience—an evening that brings together supporters, authors, and book lovers to uplift the programs that keep curiosity and connection thriving across King County. The 2026 …
Jack and Sandy, the founders of Grass Roots, are retiring. As of Monday, February 2nd, the ownership has changed to employees of the store: Jay and Brandon Enghauser. We are so honored to take on the legacy of Grass Roots, and hope to earn the love and support that you all have shown Jack and Sandy over the …
Beloved literary community member Steve Arndt died on February 6, 2026. Fond memories and deep appreciations abound. This piece is from a social media post by Nikki Darling of Eugene, OR. Steve Arndt coined the term “Spanbauerian” to describe all that he’d learned and loved at the hands of his friend and mentor Tom Spanbauer. …
This is the book you give to The Reader in your life. This isn’t just a love letter to books-this is 121 love letters to books! Each letter by an author, historian, journalist, musician, scientist, explorer, director, etc. is paired with an art piece from a different creator. That relative who only talks about literature? …
From Shelf Awareness Thursday, October 3, 2024: Obituary Note: Tom Spanbauer Author Tom Spanbauer, best known for his cult classic The Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon and his award-winning final novel, I Loved You More, as well as his long-running Dangerous Writing workshop, died September 21. He was 78. Born in Pocatello, Idaho, he attended …
From Annie Bloom’s Books September 7, 2024: We are incredibly sad to share that the beloved founder of Annie Bloom’s, Bobby Tichenor, passed away earlier this week. Bobby opened Annie Bloom’s nearly 46 years ago, in the fall of 1978 (while she was still in law school), and has been sharing her love of books …
The 2024 PNBA Book Awards Committee recognized the life and works of late author and artist Chandler O’Leary, whose books included 2023 bestseller On Island Time, The Best Coast, and Dead Feminists, a 2018 PNBA Award Winner. Chandler’s publisher, Sasquatch Books, created a slideshow that will be presented at the Book Awards virtual celebration on Zoom Feb …
Cheers and best wishes to Sally McPherson of Broadway Books in Portland, OR and James Crossley of Madison Books in Seattle, WA! Sally McPherson has been a co-owner of Broadway Books, but is retiring from that significant role (and hopefully finding more reading time). Sally will continue to be a significant part of the store …
From Broadway Books’ newsletter: One last piece of news, both exciting and sad. Sally [McPherson] has decided to retire from full-time work at the bookstore at the end of 2023, after working in the store for seventeen years (sixteen as co-owner). Because it is impossible for her to let go entirely, she will continue to …
