Whidbey by T Kira Madden Exploring the aftermath of child sexual abuse, “Whidbey,” the debut novel by author T Kira Madden, explores how such abuse continues to manifest in the lives of victims, as well as those who care about them. Madden is herself a survivor, and her first book, a memoir entitled “Long Live … Read more
On March 23, 2020, Washington state issued a stay-at-home order because of the spread of COVID-19, introducing a surreal period in our collective memory. It is interesting to watch how and when historical events show up in literature as a means of exploring, documenting and remembering difficult times in our shared history. Six years post-pandemic, … Read more
Evelyn in Transit by David Guterson Bainbridge Island author David Guterson — best known for his PEN/Faulkner award-winning debut novel, “Snow Falling on Cedars” — draws on his knowledge of and experiences with Tibetan Buddhism in his recently published novel, “Evelyn in Transit.” In the novel’s opening chapters, Evelyn, a young girl climbing trees in Evansville, … Read more
December is the month of “best-of” reading lists designed to celebrate literary excellence and guide readers toward meaningful reads, serving both as a reflection on the year in books and an invitation to discover new favorites for the year ahead. What books did Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) library staff love most this year? Several of … Read more
Ian’s Ride: A Long-distance Journey to Joy by Karen Polinsky On a beautiful, early summer Santa Cruz evening, Ian Mackay was poised on his bike at the top of the Great Meadow bike path, looking down at shimmering Monterey Bay. Tonight was the night, he decided, that he would break his record, rocketing down the … Read more
Enough: Climbing Toward a True Self on Mount Everest by Melissa Arnot Reid World-renowned climber Melissa Arnot Reid shares her story of becoming the first woman to summit Mount Everest without the use of supplemental oxygen in her new memoir, “Enough: Climbing Toward a True Self on Mount Everest.” In response to a traumatic childhood, … Read more
So Far Gone by Jess Walter If the news cycle has ever given you the urge to throw your phone out the window of a moving car, you will find a kindred spirit in Rhys Kinnick, the protagonist of Spokane author Jess Walter’s recently published eighth novel, “So Far Gone.” Rhys, an environmental reporter forced … Read more
Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature by David B. Williams Summer is a perfect time to slow down and look deeply at the habitat around us, and “Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature” by David B. Williams is a brilliant invitation to do so. While … Read more
On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer by Rick Steves Most folks in Whatcom County are familiar with Edmonds native and travel advocate, Rick Steves, whether from using his popular travel guides, watching his travel show “Rick Steves’ Europe,” hearing him speak at events (including Cascadia Daily News’ October … Read more
Cabin: Off-the-grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman by Patrick Hutchison Warmer weather and longer days are an invitation to take up home renovation projects, and weekend warrior homeowners often lean into YouTube videos and DIY books checked out from the library for guidance. If you’ve experienced home renovations that go sideways or take much more … Read more