The Seattle Public Library - Programs & Events

In his latest work, Beschloss outlines how several occupants of the Oval Office - including Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan - combined courage with wisdom to change the future of the country, notwithstanding the criticism they earned. This program was presented on Thursday, June 7 at the Central Library.

Oates discussed her latest novel, "The Gravedigger's Daughter" on Monday, June 4 at the Central Library.

British novelist Jim Crace, winner of the Whitbread and National Book Critics Circle awards, discussed his latest work, "The Pesthouse," on Thursday, May 24 at the Central Library. Crace was joined by Seattle author Jonathan Raban.

The Library and Copper Canyon Press presented an evening with former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for "Delights and Shadows," and his longtime friend and fellow poet, Dan Gerber, on Thursday, May 24 at the Seattle Art Museum.

Atul Gawande, Harvard-trained surgeon and 2006 MacArthur Fellow, discussed "Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance" on Thursday, May 3 at the Central Library. The program was part of the Library's celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

The Seattle Public Library celebrated the publication of author Nancy Pearl's newest book, "Book Crush: For Kids and Teens-Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment and Interest" with a launch party on Monday, April 30 at the Central Library.

Join the Library for a discussion with local South Asian novelists Bharti Kirchner and Indu Sundaresan that took place on Wednesday, April 25 at the Central Library. The program is part of "Seattle Reads: 'The Namesake.'"

In celebration of Jourdan Keith's term as 2006-07 Seattle Poet Populist, Keith read and performed from 'Umbilical Topography' a collection of poems, flash fiction, and essays on Sunday, April 15. Keith was joined friends by Felicia Gonzalez and Brian McGuigan, who both read from their latest works. Gonzalez read from her forthcoming chapbook, "Recollection Graffiti." McGuigan read from new works and selections from his chapbook, "More Than I Left Behind.".

Author Deborah Rodriguez discussed her new book, "Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil," Tuesday, April 17 at the Central Library. The book looks at the lives of women in Afghanistan through the lens of the Kabul Beauty School. Rodriguez is director of the Kabul salon.

In this ninth year of the "Seattle Reads" series, The Seattle Public Library selected "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri. Lahiri visited Seattle May 14-15, to talk with readers about her critically acclaimed first novel. Seattle librarian Nancy Pearl, former director of the Washington Center for the Book, bestselling author, and regular commentator on National Public Radio and KUOW, interviewed Lahiri on stage at Town Hall.

Listen to a "Thrilling Tales" adult story time recorded on Monday, April 2 at the Central Library. One morning a supercilious bureaucrat wakes up to find his nose has vanished, but that's almost normal compared to what happens next! Step into this great 19th century Russian author's version of The Twilight Zone. Gogol's strange tale was recorded in honor of the 2007 Seattle Reads selection, "The Namesake."

Award winning poet and activist Luis J. Rodriguez gave a talk entitled "Imagining Peace and Community in a Time of Violence and Chaos" recorded at Town Hall.

Author Jonathan Raban read from his new novel, "Surveillance," Saturday, March 31 at the Central Library. In his latest work, a post-Sept. 11, 2001, novel set in Seattle a few years in the future, Raban explores the current political climate: national identity cards are mandatory and America has become obsessed with intelligence-gathering.

Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist William Dietrich discussed his new novel, "Napoleon's Pyramids," Wednesday, March 28 at the Central Library. "Napoleon's Pyramids" is a historical thriller set in post-revolutionary France and Egypt. Library Journal called Dietrich's new novel "rousing, swashbuckling fun and proof that a good writer can make history not only interesting but an exhilarating romp."

Author Tracy Chevalier read from her new novel, "Burning Bright," on Friday, March 23 at the Central Library. "Burning Bright" follows the Kellaway family as they move in next door to poet and painter William Blake in late 18th-century London.