Ibi Zoboi (The People Remember; American Street) pays radiant homage in Star Child to the woman who inspired her, taught her and shared her birthday. She deftly combines poetry, prose, quotes and photos to create what she calls the “constellation” of science fiction writer Octavia Estelle Butler: “I decided to call this biography a constellation because Octavia’s …
From the Tacoma Ledger article “Books, Plants, Records and More: Parable Tacoma” by Rosie Mendoza Bautista Sept. 2021: Parable is a new bookstore within the Tacoma community. It sells new and used books alongside plants, records, clothing/accessories and local artisan goods. It is family-owned, community-owned, LGBTQ+, black-owned and woman-owned. Co-owner, LaKecia Farmer spoke to the …
Lit Hub’s “Rotten Tomatoes for Books,” Book Marks, interviewed Portland author Karen Russell, author of Sleep Donation. For her thoughts on 19 books, click here, but below– a sampling. Book Marks: First book you remember loving? Karen Russell: The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle BM: Favorite re-read? KR: Geek Love by Katherine Dunn BM: What book do you …
Octavia Butler (a Seattleite!) should be required reading, and this book is a prime example as to why. This novel follows teenage Lauren, a visionary leader dedicated to seeking freedom and safety despite the fear, violence, and complacency of those around her. You will be in awe of her at every turn. Butler transcends the …
Dawn is complex, deeply compelling, and endlessly thought-provoking in its meditations on what it means to be human, who gets to be considered human, and what’s at stake in these categorical distinctions. Set in a dystopian future, Dawn’s chilling, unsettling narrative reminds us how the words we use and distinctions we make so urgently matter …
Celebrate Women’s History Month by reading works from women of color authors in Seattle By LeAnn Nguyen March 5, 2018 for ethnicseattle.com March is Women’s History Month, dedicated to celebrating the contributions that women have made to history and society. While women have been involved in many areas, we wanted to highlight a few who …
On July 10, 2017, NPR aired “Octavia Butler: Writing Herself Into The Story” by Karen Grigsby Bates about Octavia Butler, beloved scifi author who lived in Seattle from 1999 until her death in 2006. Octavia Butler used to say she remembers exactly when she decided to become a science fiction writer. She was 9 years …
