Book Buzz: The Pacific Northwest Disaster Guide

The Pacific Northwest Disaster Guide by Henry Latourette Miller (illustrated by Jeff Parker) In the past few years, Pacific Northwest communities have experienced catastrophic flooding, landslides, wildfires and damage from severe wind. As close as it is to Whatcom County communities, a Mount Baker eruption would be cataclysmic. And there is the hulking threat of The … Read more

Book Buzz: Homeseeking

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen  This sweeping epic examines themes of displacement, identity and loss through the lives of a couple separated by war and circumstance. Suchi and Haiwen meet as children in pre-WWII Shanghai. Their connection is instant and intense, and friendship eventually blossoms into love. But Shanghai is gripped by occupation and political upheaval, … Read more

Book Buzz: The Names

Cover image of "The Names" by Florence Knapp

The Names by Florence Knapp  The baby is to be named Gordon. Her husband insists on it. Gordon is his name, and the son should be named after his father. And Cora knows that she must obey her husband’s instructions. Years of abuse have taught her the consequences if she does not. Yet she cannot … Read more

Book Buzz: The Berry Pickers

Cover image of "The Berry Pickers" by Amanda Peters

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters We’re several months away from berry season here in Whatcom County but that shouldn’t deter you from reading Amanda Peters’ thoughtful debut novel “The Berry Pickers,” which won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and topped many “best of the year” lists.  The book opens during the summer of … Read more

Book Buzz: The Road to Roswell

Cover image of "The Road to Roswell" by Connie Willis

The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis “The Road to Roswell,” by Connie Willis is a delightful romp of a sci-fi romance novel set in the American southwest. Francie, our story’s protagonist, has traveled to Roswell, New Mexico to be the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding. Of course, Francie’s true intention in … Read more

Book Buzz: The Bog Wife

Cover image of "The Bog Wife" by Kay Chronister

The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister Wenna Haddesley hasn’t seen her family, their crumbling manor, or their ancestra cranberry bog since she ran away as a teenager. But when she receives a letter calling her home for her family’s mystical, once-in-a-generation ritual, she returns to Appalachia to confront her past.  Upon arrival, she finds the … Read more

Book Buzz: The Stardust Grail

Cover image of "The Stardust Grail" by Yume Kitasei

The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei After years of pulling off interstellar art heists, Princeton graduate student Maya Hoshimoto now uses her skills of evasion to dodge her nagging thesis advisor. But when she stumbles upon a rare library book containing a map to the Stardust Grail—an artifact that could save an alien civilization—she and … Read more

Book Buzz: Black Woods, Blue Sky

Cover image of "Black Woods, Blue Sky" by Eowyn Ivey

Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey In early March 2020, just before the pandemic shut down travel, Alaskan author Eowyn Ivey visited Bellingham to share her book “To the Bright Edge of the World” as that year’s Whatcom Reads featured author. Now, five years later, fans of Ivey’s work have a new Alaskan novel … Read more

Book Buzz: When Women Were Dragons

Cover image of "When Women Were Dragons" by Kelly Regan Barnhill

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Regan Barnhill “When Women Were Dragons” is a work of magical realism by author Kelly Regan Barnhill. It imagines a world in which women randomly transform into dragons to fly away, leaving their human lives behind. While there is a mystery here of why women are “dragoning,” don’t let … Read more

Book Buzz: Famous Last Words

Cover image of "Famous Last Words" by Gillian McAllister

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister  On a beautiful June morning, literary agent Cam Deschamps has just arrived at work when she receives shocking news. Her husband Luke is involved in a hostage situation – not as a victim, Cam soon learns, but as the hostage taker in a standoff with police. The news is … Read more