Local Authors Take the Stage for KUOW’s Book Talks Series at The Seattle Public Library
release date: January 30, 2026
Join KUOW and The Seattle Public Library for a KUOW Book Talks Live series at the Central Library. From February through May, KUOW Book Club host Katie Campbell will sit down with a different local author each month to discuss their latest work — each one a KUOW Book Club pick.
The series kicks off with author and historian Coll Thrush on Feb. 26, who will talk about his new book, “Wrecked: Unsettling Histories from the Graveyard of the Pacific.” On March 23, writer and artist Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe will discuss her essay collection, “Thunder Song,” and on April 23, Molly lguín will share “The Sea Gives Up the Dead,” a collection of short stories. Seattle author Sonora Jha will close out the series on May 23 with a talk about her new novel, “Intemperance.”
“We are thrilled to bring some of our region’s most amazing authors to the Central Library,” said KUOW’s Campbell. “You can expect transformative conversations, diverse voices, and unforgettable storytelling. Read along, bring your questions, and be part of the conversation!”
All library events are free and open to the public but registration is required. Find details and registration links below or at KUOW’s Live Events page.
- KUOW Book Talk with Coll Thrush. Thursday, Feb. 26, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Central Library, Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium. Historian Coll Thrush will explore the stories behind his new book, "Wrecked: Unsettling Histories from the Graveyard of the Pacific" a deeply researched look at the Northwest coast, where more than 2,000 shipwrecks reveal powerful histories of place, people, and survival. Thrush is a professor of history and associate faculty in critical Indigenous studies at the University of British Columbia, and the founding co-editor of the “Indigenous Confluences” book series at the University of Washington Press. Register here.
- KUOW Book Talk with Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe. Monday, March 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Library, Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium. Writer and artist Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe will discuss her celebrated essay collection, “Thunder Song,” which explores Indigenous identity, resilience, and community, weaving together stories of trauma, healing, and creative expression. A member of the Upper Skagit and Nooksack Indian Tribes, LaPointe is the author of three books and a distinctive voice of the Pacific Northwest. Register here.
- KUOW Book Talk with Molly Olguín. Thursday, April 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Library. Seattle-based writer Olguin will discuss “The Sea Gives Up the Dead,” which won the 2023 Grace Paley Prize in Short Fiction. The imaginative debut collection reimagines myths and fairy tales through a queer lens, exploring the borders between fantasy and reality, love and loss, and the monstrous and the human. Olguín’s fiction has appeared in Redivider, The Normal School, River Styx, Quarterly West, and more. Register here.
- KUOW Book Talk with Sonora Jha. Thursday, May 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Central Library, Level 1 – Microsoft Auditorium. Acclaimed Seattle author Sonora Jha will discuss her latest novel, "Intemperance," a sweeping and intimate story inspired by an ancient Indian ritual and the complexities of aging, love, and self-possession in a modern world. Sonora Jha is the author of four books, including "The Laughter," winner of the 2024 Washington State Book Award for Fiction. Register here.
Thanks to Library sponsors The Seattle Public Library Foundation and The Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation and to our partner Third Place Books. KUOW Live Events are supported by Phinney Ridge Painting and Microsoft.
About the KUOW Book Club
The KUOW Book Club launched in 2024 to feature stories and authors from the Pacific Northwest. Curator Katie Campbell picks monthly titles, both fiction and non-fiction, and provides analysis as we read. Each month ends with an author interview, giving readers a look behind the scenes from some of the most talented writers in the region. Join the KUOW Book Club by signing up for the newsletter! More information is available at kuow.org/books.
About The Seattle Public Library
The Seattle Public Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. With 27 locations and a Mobile Services unit, a digital and physical collection of 2.9 million items, and thousands of programs a year, we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and empower community.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information. Find out more about our future plans at www.spl.org/StrategicPlan.