Welcome to your reading community! On this page, you’ll find book recommendations and opportunities to join reading discussions. It’s more than just books we love … it’s the place for people who love books!
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These memoirs, essays, and poetry collections draw from similar themes as Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe’s candid, lyrical memoir: family history, healing from trauma, and the power of language. |
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These books about punk music and the women who make it are full of rebellious energy and the DIY spirit. |
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Coast Salish Culture and Stories Coast Salish peoples have called this area home since time immemorial. These books recognize the Puget Sound’s indigenous history and celebrate the work that modern artists, poets, and thought leaders do to honor Coast Salish culture. |
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Historical Fiction from Black Authors Full of interesting settings and characters, these works of historical fiction from Black authors transport readers to the past for an immersive reading experience. |
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Nonfiction that takes us behind the scenes of Hollywood, filmmaking, and our favorite movies. |
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These Hollywood novels capture the glitz, glam, and high drama of the filmmaking industry. |
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Pacific Northwest Book Awards 2024 The PNBA Awards are presented by the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association. The awards seek to honor excellence in writing from the Pacific Northwest, specifically authors or illustrators residing in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia. Read on for the 2024 shortlist and winners! |
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If you’re in need of ideas for your next book club selection, we can help! Our quarterly lists are filled with engaging titles sure to spark discussion. Each title is available in various formats so you can read the way you want to; just click the author’s name to see the full list of options. Happy reading! |
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2024 Carnegie Medals – Nonfiction The Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, established in 2012, recognize the best fiction and nonfiction books for adult readers published in the U.S. in the previous year. These awards are presented by the American Library Association. Check out this list of 2024 nonfiction honorees! |
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2024 Carnegie Medals – Fiction The Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, established in 2012, recognize the best fiction and nonfiction books for adult readers published in the U.S. in the previous year. These awards are presented by the American Library Association. Check out this list of 2024 fiction honorees! |
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Nonfiction to Satisfy Your Curiosity “I love listening to audiobooks, and my favorite genre is nonfiction. It’s like listening to a super-long podcast! I gravitate toward accessibly-written microhistories and sociology—books that teach me something new about how the world works. These were the nonfiction books I read in 2023 that have stuck with me, from the irreverent to the lifechanging.” -Emma, Collection Development Librarian |
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Mystery and Suspense for All Moods “I read pretty widely and enjoy lots of genres, but for me, nothing compares to a page-turning thriller or whodunit. Happily, this was a banner year for interesting, well-crafted mystery and suspense novels. Not only did we get books from big names in the genre, we also were introduced to debut authors that are sure to become favorites. From gritty and realistic to funny and snarky, these are my top picks of the year.” — Mary K, Collection Development Librarian |
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“I love poetry so much that I am convinced I can find a poet or poem to make everyone fall in love with it. My love for poetry comes from great teachers, amazing professors, and participating in poetry slam and spoken word events around the world. My pick list includes a variety of poetry that I have enjoyed from the stage to the page to the audiobook. See if you can find a poem to make you fall in love.” -Cynthia F., Communications Specialist |
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There’s a lot of material available about Native American/Indigenous People, but not all of it is by Native People. In this list you’ll find material made by people from across Native America. |
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As 2023 winds down, WCLS staff are looking back at their reading year and picking out their top choices. Take a look at our wide-ranging list of staff picks – maybe you’ll find a new favorite of your own! |
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Capture the cozy vibes this holiday season with these novels filled with family, love and small-town charm. |
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Keep on the sunny side with fiction from equatorial countries. These novels are written by authors from South America, Africa, and island nations in between. |
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These novels are by authors who live in the coldest, darkest places: countries that touch the Arctic Circle. |
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Fall offers a bumper crop of interesting memoirs for readers. From celebrities to names that are less well known, read on to explore these recently published picks. |
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These exciting nonfiction books are about life, death and adventure on the coldest continent: Antarctica. |
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This is your year! You’re finally going to write that novel and National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo) is just the time to do it. Look to these guides for inspiration as you work toward that 50,000 word goal. |
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Native American Heritage Month: Titles for Adults These books and DVDs provide many perspectives on the Native American experience. Read on to explore memoir, history, poetry and more. |
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Whether you’re looking to better understand your own experiences or that of a friend or loved one, these memoirs and guides can help. |
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The Lambda Literary Awards (also known as the “Lammys”) are awarded yearly by Lambda Literary and celebrate outstanding LGBTQ+ storytelling from a given year. Read on for a selection of 2023 winners! |
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If you’re in need of ideas for your next book club selection, we can help! Our quarterly lists are filled with engaging titles sure to spark discussion. Each title is available in various formats so you can read the way you want to; just click the author’s name to see the full list of options. Happy reading! |
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2023 Washington State Book Awards – Adult Winners & Finalists Selected by the Washington Center for the Book and The Seattle Public Library, the WSBAs honor books published by Washington authors in 2022. A winner in each category was announced on Sept. 26. |
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The finalists for the 2023 National Book Awards were announced on October 3. Check out this list of honorees in fiction, nonfiction and translated literature, and watch for the announcement of winners on November 15. |
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Read about the stars, space exploration, about our place in the universe with some of the best science writing Earth has to offer. |
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Get introspective with these new astrology books and use the stars to manifest success. |
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Audiobooks for Exploring Nature Grab your earbuds and get outside! These nature-themed audiobooks make the perfect companions for a hike, picnic or ramble on the beach. |
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There’s nothing like a strong sense of place to take a story to the next level. In these audiobooks, the setting is just as much a character as any of the people. Sink into one of these unique worlds for an absorbing listening experience. |
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Read by the Author: Celebrity Memoirs What’s juicier than a celebrity memoir? That same memoir brought to life by the celebrity’s own voice! Check out these glimpses at life in the limelight, read by their famous authors, for a fascinating listening experience. |
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Weddings bring together large casts of characters who share family history–and family drama. These novels are the perfect combination of funny, dramatic, and romantic. |
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Summer Fun for the Young at Heart The books in this list will help you slow down, get outside, and reconnect with your childhood sense of joy and wonder. |
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From the Garden to Your Kitchen: Cookbooks These cookbooks will inspire you to make the most of summer produce from the farmers market or your garden. |
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Whatcom Grooves: Books for a Summer of Jazz Celebrate our summer jazz series with books about jazz and music appreciation! Gather with your neighbors for a joyous hour of live music at events hosted by Friends of the Library in South Whatcom, Ferndale, and Blaine. Learn more at wcls.org/jazz. |
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Summer Reading 2023: Read books. Plant trees. This summer, join us as we read for trees. Find out more at the library or wcls.org/summer-reading. Turn to this list for tree-inspired books. |
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Whether you’re looking to become a stronger ally to family and friends or to better understand the varied experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community, these resources offer perspective, insight and support. |
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Juneteenth: Resources for Adults Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is an American holiday celebrated annually on June 19th. Learn more about slavery, emancipation, and Juneteenth with these Black History resources. |
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Must-Read Fiction by Native Authors From thrillers to fantasy to literary fiction and more, these novels by Native American and First Nations authors explore a range of topics and provide plenty of page-turning reading. |
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Racism and Antiracism: Learn More Now Reading is a place to start. To help build a deeper understanding of racism and its effects across the country and in our communities, we are increasing the number of anti-racism books in our collection. |
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Disability Pride Month is celebrated each year in July. Disability Pride has been observed since 1990, the year that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This month provides an opportunity for disabled people to share their stories and come together as a community, and for others to learn more about the experience of living with a disability. Check out these fiction and nonfiction works to learn more. |
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Black Authors of the Pacific Northwest Explore the fiction and nonfiction work of Black authors from our region. |
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These writers explore the experience of the Asian American diaspora, generational trauma, and`the complexities of living between two (or more!) cultures. |
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Asian American Families in Fiction Feeling homesick? Try one of these family-centric novels by Asian American authors about family businesses, family dynamics, and intergenerational tensions. |
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During wedding season, romance isn’t just for the bride and groom. Guests, wedding planners, and members of the bridal party all have a chance at love in these romantic comedies. |
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Curious to learn more after watching the Christopher Nolan film? Read these books about Oppenheimer, Hiroshima, and nuclear fission for a more complex understanding of atomic history. |
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It’s shaping up to be a very Barbie summer! The new movie directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling lands in theaters July 21. In the meantime, learn more about this iconic doll and her influence on pop culture with these resources. |
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Detecting may not be the main occupation for these unusual sleuths, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t great at it. From tea shop owners to home renovators to the queen herself (yes, really), these amateur detectives fit crime-solving in around their day jobs and still manage to crack the case. |
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True confession? Or a crime in the making? While these thriller titles are obviously all in good fun, it does make us wonder: if you read these books on an airplane, would you get a whole row to yourself? |
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Getting away from it all might not always be everything it’s cracked up to be – at least in these thrillers that feature trouble in paradise. |
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Celebrate National Poetry Month with a selection of poetry by local writers. Many of the poets included here have participated in the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest, held each spring in Whatcom County. |
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Sometimes poetry is best enjoyed aloud. Try listening to some poetry as an audiobook on Libby! |
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The winners and finalists of the Pulitzer Prize were announced May 8, 2023. Check out this selection of fiction and nonfiction honorees. |
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Creative Nonfiction for Deep Thinkers These personal, thought-provoking books blend the creative elements of fiction with the well-researched rhetoric of nonfiction. |
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Americans have been fighting for better working conditions for hundreds of years. Learn about historic and current labor movements with these nonfiction books. |
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An anthology is a collection of multiple works, usually pulled together by one editor with a particular creative vision. These short story anthologies showcase the creative ways that different authors approach the same theme. Find your favorite! |
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The Audies are awarded to audiobooks each year in categories like Audio Drama and Best Narration. These are the winners and some finalists from 2022, plus some newer titles we think will be nominated in 2023. |
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Pacific Northwest Book Awards 2023 The PNBA Awards are presented by the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association. The awards seek to honor excellence in writing from the Pacific Northwest, specifically authors or illustrators residing in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia. Read on for the 2023 shortlist and winners! |
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The world is filled with small joys, if only we remember to look for them. Try one of these books to unlock your own sense of delight and self-acceptance and find the joy in every day. |
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Compelling Contemporary Fiction for CoHo Fans Readers love Colleen Hoover books for their plot twists, emotional intensity and readability. Here are some titles to try while you wait for your Colleen Hoover holds. |
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Book Club Picks Winter 2023 If you’re in need of ideas for your next book club selection, we can help! Our quarterly lists are filled with engaging titles sure to spark discussion. Each title is available in various formats – click the author’s name to see the full list of options. |
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There’s a body in the stacks! But never fear, in these thrilling cozy mystery reads there’s always a librarian or an avid library user standing ready to play sleuth. |
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Faces are a smart design choice for biographies and character-driven novels. The covers of these books draw us in to read more about the intriguing characters behind the faces. |
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Cover Trends: Fruits and Flowers Floral book covers are a perennial trend. Our favorites this year incorporated still life, bouquets, and bold colors. |
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The colors that dominated book cover design in 2022 were bright bright bright: pink, orange, and all the sunset shades in between. |
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Each year, Goodreads users cast their votes for best book of the year. In 2022 over 5 million votes were cast! Check out this year’s winners in various categories to see if your favorites made the list. |
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Whatcom Reads 2023: The Cold Millions The 2023 Whatcom READS selection is The Cold Millions by Jess Walter Borrow the book, eBook or eAudiobook, then join us in early 2023 for community events including visits from author Jess Walter. Check out this list to further explore the people, places and themes in this extraordinary novel, as well as the rest of Jess Walter’s work. |
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What did WCLS staff enjoy reading in 2022? All kinds of interesting things, from fiction to nonfiction to children’s books and more! Take a look at this wide-ranging list to find a new favorite of your own. |
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Romance novels that feel like your favorite 90s rom coms. |
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Books from novelist/essayist/screenwriter Nora Ephron’s bibliography, plus other books inspired by her work. |
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The 2022 winners of and finalists for the Christy Awards, “honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction.” |
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These personal finance titles were purchased with a grant awarded to Whatcom County Library System by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation after the disastrous flooding event experienced in Whatcom County in November 2021. In addition to building the library’s personal finance collection, these titles were selected with the hope that this information would help impacted patrons who are confronting important financial decisions in the flood’s aftermath. Most titles are available in multiple formats. Click on the title entry to see all formats available. |
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Explore the past with this selection of recently published history titles for fall. |
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Nancy Pearl Recommends: Whatcom Literacy Council Breakfast 2022 Super reader and librarian Nancy Pearl presented her annual must-read list once again for Whatcom Literacy Council’s 2022 breakfast. Check out this selection of what Nancy’s been reading lately and place your holds! |
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Fall is a great time to pick up the memoir of a fascinating person. Check out one of these new releases to learn more about someone’s life. |
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Fairy tales may just come true after all in these romances about royals falling in love. |
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The winners of the 2022 National Book Awards were announced on 11/16/22. Check out this list of honorees in fiction, nonfiction and translated literature. |
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Every year the Edgar Awards recognize the best books published in the mystery genre. Most nominees are fiction, but nominees in the Fact Crime category are all works of nonfiction reportage. |
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These newly published novels are the first of their kind! Presented by The Center for Fiction, the First Novel Prize is an annual award that honors great fiction by first-time novelists. |
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Horror Novels for Spooky Season Get into the spirit of Halloween with these fresh and frightening horror novels, just right for a spooky night. |
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These guidebooks will teach you how to forage for wild, edible plants and mushrooms safely. |
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It’s hard to know just what we *don’t* know about life in the depths of the ocean. Try one of these eye-opening titles to learn more about the creatures and other lifeforms of the sea. |
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Hiking In and Around Washington Pick up one of these hiking guidebooks to help you plan your next outdoor adventure! |
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The prestigious Hugo Awards honor the best in scifi and fantasy publishing. This year’s awards were presented at the 80th annual WorldCon in Chicago. Check out the winners! |
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2022 Washington State Book Awards – Adult Finalists Selected by the Washington Center for the Book and The Seattle Public Library, the WSBAs honor books published by Washington authors in 2021. A winner in each category will be announced on Sept. 13. |
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Fall is a great time to get cozy in the kitchen. Check out these new and forthcoming cookbooks for plenty of culinary inspiration. |
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Encounter magical libraries, secret societies, and dangerous hallways in these fantasy novels that have an academic setting. |
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These novels give you an insider’s perspective of the privilege, drama, and academic rigor in private schools and grad programs. |
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These moody, intense novels set at elite schools will make you want to pull an all-nighter. |
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Netflix’s new adaptation of Persuasion is just one in a host of retellings of Jane Austen’s classic stories. Try one of these novels to get a fresh look at an old favorite or an homage to the author’s body of work. |
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All of these mysteries have a literary connection. |
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All the couples in these contemporary romances share a love for literature |
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You’ll discover otherworldly libraries and books with magic powers in these book-themed fantasy and sci fi novels. |
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Firing up the grill for a holiday get-together or a night with the family? These delicious books provide plenty of inspiration for mouth-watering menus. |
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What makes a great beach read? According to Jennifer Weiner, the ideal beach read has a summery setting, a likeable lead, and a little bit of romance. We think these books fit the bill. |
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From locked-room mysteries to crimes of fashion, these action-packed thrillers will keep you glued to the page all summer long. |
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Dip into one of these fast-paced, heartwarming novels for some light summer reading. |
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Summer affords plenty of opportunities to explore the wonders of the night sky. Whether you’re new to stargazing or have some experience, these resources will add to your enjoyment. |
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From locked-room mysteries to crimes of fashion, these action-packed thrillers will keep you glued to the page all summer long. |
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What makes a great beach read? According to Jennifer Weiner, the ideal beach read has a summery setting, a likeable lead, and a little bit of romance. We think these books fit the bill. |
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Dip into one of these fast-paced, heartwarming novels for some light summer reading. |
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Love it or hate it, technology is a part of our lives that is here to stay. With these resources you can learn how technology influences your daily reality, and find strategies to better manage your relationship with your devices. |
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Book Recommendations from TikTok These books are popular among creators on TikTok. Search #booktok for more recommendations from avid readers! |
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For Fans of Everything Everywhere All At Once The new movie Everything Everywhere All At Once is a multiverse story that’s full of pop culture references. Expand your film knowledge with these homage-worthy classics! |
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Everything: Books That Have a Lot Going On These books have a lot going on: intricate plots, Big Ideas, multiple timelines, and characters whose paths cross with each other in surprising ways. |
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Everywhere: Into the Multiverse! The fabric of space and time gets warped in these literary sci fi novels. Parallel universes, divergent timelines, and alternate realities all circle around the concept we call “the multiverse.” |
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All At Once: Love Across Space and Time These genre-bending novels blend romance tropes with elements of sci fi, fantasy, and historical fiction for love stories that transcend space and time. |
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Listen to one of these fast-paced thrillers during your next workout! |
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Looking to spice up your next seder? These cookbooks explore the vast world of Jewish cooking, with both traditional and innovative recipes from around the world. |
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Star Wars Day is May 4! Mark the day with these books, games and music that celebrate events in a galaxy far, far away. |
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If you like your fantasy and scifi novels a little more on the cozy side, these are the books for you. Curl up in one of these imaginative worlds and stay as long as you’d like. |
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Personal finance doesn’t have to be a mystery. These resources offer advice, guidance and support as you navigate decisions around money and investing. |
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April is Poetry Month. These recent collections offer a myriad of opportunities to reflect and consider the power of words to inspire and move us. |
STAFF REVIEWS
Book Buzz: Daughters of Riga
Daughters of Riga by Marian Exall Bellingham author Marian Exall trades mysteries for historical fiction with her newest title, “Daughters of Riga,” which follows the lives of several women whose lives crossed paths in Latvia during World War II. While so much has been written about the Blitz in Britain and the occupation of France and … Read more
Book Buzz: This Is the Honey
This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets; edited by Kwame Alexander In 2020, poet Kevin Young, current director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and poetry editor for the New Yorker, published “African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle and Song.” Young’s 1,110-page anthology is a comprehensive array of Black poets from … Read more
Book Buzz: The Night Parade
The Night Parade: A Speculative Memoir by Jami Nakamura Lin “Maybe this isn’t a story about ghosts, but a story about telling a story about ghosts.” This genre-defying memoir uses multiple storytelling traditions to make sense of mental illness, motherhood, and grief. Jami Nakamura Lin, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at seventeen, has always … Read more
Book Buzz: Brutalities
Brutalities: A Love Story by Margo Steines Since she was a teenager, Margo Steines has been drawn to risk and self-inflicted suffering. Substance use, an abusive relationship, and careers as a dominatrix and a welder in high-rise buildings are all stops on her lifetime tour of pain—both physical and emotional. Even after she settles into … Read more
Find More Staff Reviews…
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COMMUNITY READS
Northwest Washington’s premier annual literary event, Whatcom READS celebrates reading, readers and strong communities through the shared experience of one book. The 2023-2024 selection is Red Paint by Sasha taqwšeblu LaPointe Whatcom READS is hosted by all the public and academic libraries in Whatcom County and community partner Village Books. Learn more at whatcomreads.org.
ALWAYS AVAILABLE SELECTIONS FROM LIBBY
PODCAST
WCLS in Whatcom County presents Library Stories
This twice-monthly show features book recommendations, conversations and interviews with library insiders, authors and community members. Tune in to laugh a little and learn a lot about library communities, staff, events, backrooms, happenings and, of course, books!
SURPRISE SELECTION
