It is a bittersweet moment when you turn the last page of a world that has been such a vivid part of your life for the past five years. Spending over 900 pages in Colson Whitehead’s New York of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, with Ray Carney, Elizabeth and Pepper, has been one of the …
Nisha is a burnt-out abortion clinic worker who accidentally inherits an ancient Hindu power, after which chaos of the finest order ensues (think literal demons coming for her). Patel’s research into Indian history and mythology gives the story added weight (not to mention how sharply she captures the current state of reproductive rights in our …
This is the new standard for AI horror. Tremblay blends satire, paranoia, and genuine emotional depth into a story that is as heartbreaking as it is terrifying. Julia and Bernie quickly become characters you care about, and their cross-country journey transforms from a technological experiment into a meditation on identity, humanity, and love. Unsettling, clever, …
Spencer Ruchti of Third Place Books and Misha Stone of the Seattle Public Library spoke to Libby Denkmann on KUOW’s Soundside about the past year in books. The episode is overflowing with good recommendations and good feelings, if you’re in need of either right now. The interview can be found on your preferred podcast app, or at …
How to categorize this! Set across 15th-18th century France, you could call it lush, historical horror, dark academia, queer romance, or a fantasy retelling of the tale of the Beast of Gevaudan. (A little something for everyone.) Professor Sebastian Grave is a morally complicated near immortal who shares his skin with a demon and has …
Where do I even start with this one? Let’s start with the illustrator. Shinsuke Yoshitake is a picture book author/illustrator who has been translated into English for a few years now. I had The Boring Book for my kids and it was on frequent rotation during reading time. His books are funny, philosophical, and charmingly illustrated. But …
From Danielle, the owner of Ada’s Technical Books in Seattle, WA: 1. We are almost completely sold out of all Ada’s branded merchandise at the store, but don’t worry! We’ve opened a short-run, print-on-demand shop where you can purchase a variety of branded merch. Shop here. 2. For our birthday week of June 1st through 6th, we will have cupcakes and affogatos for …
Douglas Stuart’s books transport me entirely. They wrap me up in stories and characters’ lives that are so real and so beautifully broken that I can’t help but daydream about them and worry about them while my book is closed. Reading this book felt like breathing the freshest air and running into the wind. I …
Laurie Frankel has a way of treating serious issues in a warm and loving way, and of bringing understanding to contentious topics. Maybe this book can open a few yes to the horrors of the Texas (and unfortunately other states’) laws. –Karen Emmerling, Beach Books, Seaside, OR I was instantly drawn to 77-year-old Pepper Mills; …
Maybe no one asked for a gayer, funnier, or cozier version of Outlander, but I do not care, dear reader, for George Falls Through Time was exactly what I needed a m4m low drama romantasy to be. Calling it a romantasy may be a stretch as that genre encompasses a certain YA fairytale mystique, however, …
