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
Book Bingo: Flower on the Cover
Here are some suggestions for your 2025 Book Bingo NW category: Flower on the cover/in the title.
LGBTQ+ Fiction
From literary fiction to mystery, romance to sci-fi and beyond, here's a wide variety of recently published LGBTQ+ fiction recommended by our librarians
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Fiction
Enjoy a variety of recent fiction penned by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander authors, selected by our librarians.
Arab American Heritage Month Fiction
Check out these recent novels by Arab American authors in celebration of Arab American Heritage Month!
Seattle Picks: Mystery and Thriller
In the mood for crime fiction, mysteries and thrillers? Check out these titles selected by a librarian at The Seattle Public Library
Black Love and Friendship
In honor of Black History Month and Valentine's Day, check out these stories centering Black love and friendship!
Seattle Picks: Science Fiction 2024
A variety of recently published science fiction titles recommended by our librarians.
Seattle Staff Faves 2024: Fiction, Part 1
Every year we ask our staff across the system for their favorite books published in a given year. Our staff are such voracious readers that we needed two parts for adult fiction this year!
Native American Fiction
National Native American Heritage Month, observed in November, honors the histories, cultures, and contributions – historical and ongoing – of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Hispanic Heritage Month 2024: Recent Fiction for Adults
Hispanic Heritage Month honors the contributions and influence of Hispanic and Latine Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States, and is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 annually. Check out these recent releases from authors of Hispanic or Latine background!
Featured Adult Nonfiction
Book Bingo NW 2025: Resistance
Here are some suggestions for your 2025 Book Bingo NW category: Resistance.
Selected Further Reading for "You Are Here"
Librarians have suggested these poetry, nonfiction and fiction titles for adults and teens that connect to the themes of "You Are Here."
Food Waste Prevention Week 2025
Join Seattle Public Utilities and the Seattle Public Library in learning more about the scale of the problem, how food waste contributes to climate change, the Indigenous food sovereignty movement, and how you can limit food waste at home.
Native American Poetry
This list of poetry by North American Indigenous poets was created by librarians at The Seattle Public Library.
Seattle Picks: History
These nonfiction history books – covering a wide variety of topics and time periods – are well-researched and page-turning true stories published in the last few years.
Black American Nonfiction
Enjoy these nonfiction titles by African American authors published within the last two years and selected by librarians at The Seattle Public Library
Cookbook Resolutions
Many New Year's Resolutions could be addressed with a good cookbook - from learning a new skill, to saving money, to trying something new (a flavor, an ingredient, a type of cooking), to eating "healthier" (whatever that means for you), to gathering with friends or family, and more.
Seattle Staff Faves 2024: Nonfiction
Every year we ask our staff across the library system for their favorite books published in the current year.
Native American Nonfiction
National Native American Heritage Month, observed in November, honors the histories, cultures, and contributions – historical and ongoing – of American Indians and Alaska Native.
Latine / Latinx Nonfiction
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), enjoy these recent memoirs and nonfiction by Latine authors, selected by librarians at The Seattle Public Library
Adult Fiction
Mental Health in Fiction
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Increase your own awareness by reading these stories of mental illness, treatment, and wellbeing.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Fiction
A staff selection of fiction by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander authors for adults.
Adult Nonfiction
Book Group Nonfiction
Looking for good books for discussion? These recently released nonfiction titles cover a variety of topics and viewpoints, and are sure to spark lively discussion in your book group!
Asian American and Pacific Islander Memoir
A staff selection of memoirs highlighting lived experiences by Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander authors.
