Originally posted on the Island Books blog In July of 2018, I read about fifteen Young Adult (YA) books. I consumed them. Whether on audio, from the library, or the advanced copies from the store, I could not get enough. This was a new development. In high school I read some, mostly Cassandra Clare or …
For those of us who are late catching up with the Oregon writer Molly Gloss, Saga Press is doing a great service this year by bringing much of her work back in handsome new paperbacks. Her books have been balanced between speculative fiction and stories of women in the historical West; Wild Life seems like …
Robert Dugoni returns with another nail-biter of a spy thriller. In The Eighth Sister, retired CIA case officer Charles Jenkins is hauled back for one more mission. Sent to Russia to figure out who is assassinating members of a secret US spy cell, Jenkins discovers that not everything is as it seems, and, in fact, …
In the Spring of 2019, troubling news rapidly spread through the Washington state book community that the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) had quietly banned free, used books from being mailed to prisoners through non-profit organizations like Seattle’s Books to Prisoners. After public outcry and the investigative journalism of Joseph O’Sullivan of the Seattle …
This engaging collaboration between Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman takes on an upcoming apocalypse with hilarious results. A prissy angel and a hedonistic demon team up to halt the coming rapture. Witty and well written, Good Omens proves that even the apocalypse can be enjoyable. –Katie, Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island, WA Read it …
For whatever reason (having nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that publishing is dominated by intellectually aspirant professionals who live in Manhattan and Brooklyn), the New York novel is a fixture of every publishing season. Some people can’t get enough of them, some find them insufferable, and never the twain shall meet. Until now. …
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo came out last week. It’s a stunning book (look under the dust jacket!) and [Vintage Books and some other independent bookstores] have signed copies! [While supplies last…] I really loved this book! It’s a contemporary young adult about a young teen mother. In her search for identity …
One little taco truck learns to share in marvelous new inclusive way that makes room for everyone. A book that acknowledges the challenges of change and the friendships that come with finding your community and where you belong. A bright book bursting with color and flavors with a much bigger message! –Jesica DeHart, Neill Public …
After a successful pop-up at Alair (a gift boutique) in West Seattle for Independent Bookstore Day, Paper Boat Booksellers had this great news to share: We are so happy to announce that we just signed a lease on a space for our bookstore! Paper Boat Booksellers is coming to life and we can’t wait to …
Posted in Publishers Weekly Children’s Bookshelf newsletter May 7, 2019 by Emma Nichols, bookseller at Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA When I first started in bookselling, parents often balked at my comics recommendations. They wanted their kids to read “real books.” Five years later, a lot has changed: I’m still recommending comics and kids …
