summer reading
August 17, 2019
It was already the middle of the month when we happened across 31 Poets Recommend 31 Poetry Books to Read Every Day in August, but we like the idea and we like the list, and who says you have to start on the first of the month anyway?
over the border poetry
August 16, 2019
Wondering what’s new in Canadian poetry? CBC Books has posted their Fall Book Preview, with 23 collections of Canadian poetry to watch for this fall.
Books A’Sail
August 10, 2019
If your idea of bliss is some combination of reading and sailing, you should definitely consider Books A’ Sail 2019.
Board the Schooner Zodiac on Monday, September 16, 2019, along with Village Books owners Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert and special guest, author, librarian, critic, and reader Nancy Pearl. Cruise the San Juan Islands for three days, returning to port on Wednesday, September 18. In between, enjoy the scenery, the company, the fine meals, and discussion of three books: George and Lizzie by Nancy Pearl, Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian, and Passage to Juneau by Jonathan Raban.
Space is limited, so visit the Schooner Zodiac website and call to book a reservation at (206) 719-7622.
list
August 7, 2019
Small Press Distribution (SPD) is a nonprofit distribution network for independently published literature. In 2018, SPD sold over 225,000 books to wholesalers and jobbers, online booksellers, independent bookstores, university and college bookstores, individuals, libraries, chain stores, and other buyers. Their inventory represents a wide range of authors and subjects, and includes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, and magazines.
Each month, SPD compiles a list of the top 20 poetry, fiction, and nonfiction bestsellers, as well as staff picks and recommendations. Here, for example, is SPD’s Poetry Bestsellers for July 2019. There’s a lot of good browsing on the SPD website. Have a look.
and speaking of incarceration
August 5, 2019
WSBA finalists
July 18, 2019
And speaking of books (we were, yesterday), the Washington Center for the Book has announced the finalists for the 2019 Washington State Book Awards.
The finalists in poetry are
- What We Do by Michele Bombardier, of Bainbridge Island (Kelsay Press)
- The Book of Sharks by Rob Carney, formerly of Washington (Black Lawrence Press)
- Instruments of the True Measure by Laura Da’, of Newcastle (University of Arizona Press)
- Between Darkness and Trust by Lorraine Ferra, of Port Townsend (MoonPath Press)
- The Slow Art by Sierra Golden, of Seattle (Bear Star Press)
See the complete list of finalists in all categories and stay tuned for the announcement of the winners at a free public awards ceremony and reception on Saturday, October 12, 2019, 7:00pm, at the Central Library, Seattle. Congratulations one and all!
looking at books
July 17, 2019
The University of Washington Libraries Book Arts & Rare Book Collections is home to more than 40,000 titles not found in the regular Libraries stacks. Dating from the 11th century to the 21st, the 21,000-strong Book Arts Collection includes an extensive and growing number of artist-made and poetry books.
Materials are limited to in-library use and some require an appointment. For information, visit the website, call Special Collections at 206-543-1929, and see photographs of a few artist-made books on Atlas Obscura.
