Staff Picks
Discover the best fiction and nonfiction books, selected by our staff. Find new featured book lists every month, or explore our picks by genre.
Featured Adult Fiction
Asian American and Pacific Islander Fiction
Enjoy a variety of fiction from the past year penned by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors, selected by our librarians. (Created April 2022).
SAM'S Our Blue Planet: Global Visions Of Water
This list by librarians was created in support of SAM's Blue Planet: Global Visions of Water exhibit (March 18-May 30, 2022) with suggestions for readers of all ages. (Created March 2022).
LGBTQIA+ Fiction
From literary fiction to mystery, romance to sci-fi and beyond, here's a wide variety of recently published LGBTQIA+ fiction from 2021 recommended by our librarians. (Created February 2022)
2021 Washington State Book Awards
The Washington State Book winners and finalists including fiction, nonfiction and poetry for adults, and books for young readers from picture books to young adult literature. Created September 2021).
Seattle Staff Faves 2021: Fiction
Every year we ask our staff across the system for their favorite books published in a given year. Enjoy these fiction staff favorites, some with staff annotations, and others with annotations from Kirkus, unless otherwise noted. (Created November 2021)
Seattle Reads 2021: Recommendations after reading THE VANISHING HALF
A list of fiction to read after Brit Bennet's The Vanishing Half, Seattle Reads 2021 selection. (Created Aug. 2021).
Book Bingo 2021: Beach Read
Here are some suggestions for your Summer Book Bingo 2021 category: Beach Read. (Created July 2021)
Book Bingo 2021: Olympics Host City
Here are some suggestions for your Summer Book Bingo 2021 category: Olympics Host City. (Created July 2021)
Book Group Fiction
A staff selection of character-driven books, great for discussion. (Updated June 2021).
Book Bingo NW 2021: QTBIPOC
Here are some suggestions for your Summer Book Bingo NW 2021 category: QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, or person of color). (Created May 2021)
Asian American and Pacific Islander Fiction
Enjoy a variety of recent fiction penned by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors, selected by our librarians. (Created April 2021)
Black International Fiction
A collection of fiction written by Black authors from countries around the world (excluding the United States) published between 2018 and 2021, some of which are forthcoming.
Featured Adult Nonfiction
Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Poets
Celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month with these poetry collections. (Updated May 2022)
Transgender and Genderqueer Poets
This list of poetry by transgender and genderqueer poets was created by librarians at The Seattle Public Library. (Updated March 2022)
Seattle Picks: Women in Music
Librarians at The Seattle Public Library selected this list of recent music writing by and/or about women in music. (Created February 2022)
Seattle Staff Faves 2021: Nonfiction
Every year we ask our staff across the system for their favorite books published in a given year. Enjoy this variety of nonfiction staff favorites, with annotations by staff members unless otherwise noted. (Created November 2021)
2021 Cookbooks
This list of notable cookbooks published in 2021 was selected by librarians at The Seattle Public Library. Annotations from Publishers Weekly unless otherwise noted. (Created November 2021)
Latinx and Latine Memoir
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), librarians at The Seattle Public Library selected this list of recent memoirs by Latinx and Latine authors. (updated September 2021)
Seattle Reads 2021: Nonfiction recommendations for THE VANISHING HALF
A list of nonfiction to read after Brit Bennet's The Vanishing Half, Seattle Reads 2021 selection. (Created Aug. 2021).
Nonfiction Anthologies
A list of recent non-fiction anthologies selected by librarians. (Created August 2021)
Book Group Nonfiction
A staff selection of thought-provoking non-fiction titles, sure to spark spirited discussions in your book group. (Updated June 2021)
Book Bingo NW 2021: BIPOC Food Writing
A staff selection of books for the Summer Book Bingo NW 2021 category: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color) Food Writing.
Pride 2021: LGBTQ Poets
A list of recent poetry by LGBTQ poets selected by librarians at The Seattle Public Library. (Created June 2021)
Adult Fiction
Adult Nonfiction
Native American Nonfiction
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, librarians at The Seattle Public Library have selected these recent nonfiction titles by North American Indigenous authors. (Updated Oct. 2021).
