Book Buzz: Stolen Focus

Book cover of "Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--and How to Think Deeply Again" by Johann Hari

Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention–and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari If you’ve ever Googled “how to get my brain to focus” or lamented your lost capacity for concentration, check out writer and journalist Johann Hari’s most recent book, “Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention — and How to Think … Read more

Book Buzz: Small Game

Cover image of "Small Game" by Blair Braverman

Small Game by Blair Braverman Writer and dogsledder Blair Braverman has faced down nature on dozens of real-life adventures. After she became violently ill on an episode Naked and Afraid she wondered: what would have happened if the crew wasn’t there to pull me out?  Small Game is Braverman’s answer to that question. In her … Read more

Whatcom READS announces 2024 selection

Whatcom Reads logo

Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe is the Whatcom READS 2024 book selection. Jess Walter, author of the 2023 featured title, The Cold Millions, announced the book and author during the March 3 author event at the Mount Baker Theatre. Winner of a 2023 Pacific Northwest Booksellers … Read more

Book Buzz: The Swimmers

The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka It takes a minute to dive below the surface of Julie Otsuka’s third novel, “The Swimmers,” because its style and point of view, told initially from the first person omniscient, is disorienting. We know we’re in a pool, underground, where many people come to swim laps. Collectively, the swimmers are … Read more

Book Buzz: The Cold Millions further reading

Book covers of titles mentioned in this article: Rebel Voices, The women of the Copper Country, Deep River, The Wobblies

Whatcom READS season is in full swing, and now that you’ve had a chance to read Jess Walter’s novel “The Cold Millions,” you can dig deeper by availing yourself of library materials from public libraries and local higher-ed institutions. The Whatcom READS website links to a lengthy list of titles exploring topics mentioned in the … Read more

Book Buzz: You Are Not Broken

You are not broken by K J Casperson, M.D.

You Are Not Broken: Stop “Should-ing” All Over your Sex Life by KJ Casperson Nestled between articles on China’s approach to COVID-19, Ukraine’s cyber-defense program and needle exchanges in New York City, the Dec. 3, 2022, edition of The Economist included a piece titled, “The wounds of silence.” The author compared modern discomfort about talking … Read more

Book Buzz: Meredith, Alone

Cover image of "Meredith, Alone" by Claire Alexander

Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander  You might think that just because Meredith has not left her house in 1,214 days, she’s lonely. Far from it! After all, Meredith has her jigsaw puzzles, her online support group, grocery delivery and her cat Fred. Oh, and the visits from the volunteer charity arranged by her friend Sadie. … Read more

Book Buzz: Now Is Not the Time to Panic

Cover image of "Now Is Not the Time to Panic" by Kevin Wilson

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson  Many summers ago, Frankie was a bored teenager in a small town. Messing around with an old copy machine one afternoon, Frankie and her friend Zeke created a poster emblazoned with edgy illustrations and an enigmatic phrase. They hung copies up all over town anonymously, … Read more