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, …
The Hairdresser’s Son is an exquisite literary achievement about mystery, discovery, the search for understanding, and the potential for change. Cornelis left the day he learned his wife was pregnant, leaving home only to meet death a day later. Now, his son, Simon, is running the inherited barber shop left to him by the man …
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 Saltwater Bookshop in Kingston, WA: An interview with one of the store’s owners, Madison. Meet Madison! In a sentence or two, tell us who you are. I’ve been a bookseller for 15+ years and an indie bookstore owner for 3! How long have you been at Saltwater? Since I created it with Lacey in …
Good Eggs meets Crazy Rich Asians as a wealthy Chinese family with multiple dysfunctional issues bank on the leading queer son to produce a male heir to continue the traditional namesake and lineage. —Gerard Villegas, Auntie’s Bookstore, Spokane, WA Treat yourself to queer books from Auntie’s Bookstore and other independent bookstores. Happy Pride Month!
Joseph Eckert’s The Traveler is the science fictional story of a man out of step with time. Every day, at 7:52 AM, Scott Treder slips forward in time. At first it is only twenty-four hours—one day—but the next time it happens, he slips two days. Then, four. And, well, you can see where this goes. …
In 1903, Ryui Wada arrives in Pasadena, California after leaving Yokohama, Japan to start a new life. After taking a job as an art dealer’s apprentice, Ryui faces new opportunities and dangers as he fights to adjust to his new home. Full of mystery, tension, and tidbits of true people and histories. –Lisa, Wanderlust Book …
This poetry collection is a celebration of everything that makes spring my favorite season — blooming flowers, trees, and birds — in the most beautiful verse and prose. I find Mary Oliver’s writing is best appreciated outdoors, in your favorite park or garden, while basking in the sunshine. Of course, it’s lovely to enjoy these …
