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 | Nancy Pearl Recommends: Whatcom Literacy Council Breakfast 2024 Just in time for fall reading season, librarian and author Nancy Pearl shared her list of can't-miss reads at Whatcom Literacy Council's annual breakfast. Check out this selection of what Nancy's been reading lately and place your holds! |
 | New Native American books This list includes teen graphic novels, children's graphic novels, and picture books about Native Americans and written by Native American authors. |
 | Branch Out 2024 Lightning Book Talks The 2024 Whatcom County Library Foundation fundraising celebration Branch Out was held on Friday, September 6 at the Bellwether Hotel. This yearly event featured four WCLS librarians doing one-minute lightning book talks of these titles. Check them out! And if you missed Branch Out this year, we hope you'll join us next year. (The list includes links to the print format; click the author name to find other formats.) |
 | Hit the Ground Running with Fast-Paced Fiction These fast-paced new novels are suspenseful, plot-driven, and action packed. |
 | Dive Deep with Microhistories Microhistories are history books that are laser-focused on particular event or cultural phenomenon, but they also open windows into broader historical themes. Learn something new with these micro histories that dive deep. |
 | No Frills Literary Fiction The new literary fiction books in this list feature spare, candid prose and introspective themes that get straight to the heart of the matter. |
 | Booker Prize 2024 Each year, the Booker Prize recognizes extraordinary literary contributions by selecting the top work of fiction written in English as determined by a panel of judges. The 2024 longlist has just been revealed and includes "blackly comic page-turners, multigenerational epics, meditations on the pain of exile – plus a crime caper, a spy thriller, an unflinching account of girls’ boxing and a reimagining of a 19th-century classic," just to name a few. Read on for the titles featured on both the longlist and shortlist. The winner of the Booker Prize will be announced on November 12. |
 | Take the Plunge: Swimming Nonfiction Pack your swimsuit and a towel and get into the water! These memoirs, how-to books, and travel guides will inspire you to swim all year long. |
 | Oceanic Nonfiction Nonfiction about everything ocean: marine biology, ecology, and underwater communication. |
 | Shipwrecks Maritime disasters, mutinies, and the hunt for shipwrecks on the ocean floor. |
 | Disability Pride Month In July we remember that disability impacts all of us. Over 1 in 4 Americans have some type of disability, whether visible, invisible, or a combination of the two. Celebrate the work of disabled advocates, activists and authors with these nonfiction books. |
 | Hispanic Heritage Month: New Fiction Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with these engaging new novels by Hispanic and Latino authors! |
 | Killer Humor Death doesn’t always need to be serious. These darkly funny mysteries feature unconventional, often cynical sleuths who find humor in tragic and absurd situations. |
 | Road Trip Romances Road trips provide plenty of opportunites for building sexual tension. Enjoy the reading journey with these travel-themed romantic comedies. |
 | Standalone Sci Fi Novels These sci fi and speculative fiction stories wrap up in just one volume and won’t leave you on a cliffhanger. |
 | Summer’s Most Anticipated Fiction 2024 Ahh summer! A time for leisure, hot sun and cold drinks – and of course loads of reading. Check out this list of some of the most anticipated novels of summer 2024 to find what’s worth saving room for in your beach bag. |
 | The Magic of Japan Explore Japan and its unique culture with books about travel, mythology, fashion, and traditional Japanese ways of being. |
 | Read with Pride: New Fiction Celebrate Pride Month with these newly published novels–including literary fiction, romances, and speculative genre fiction–featuring LGBTQIA+ characters and relationships. |
 | Read with Pride: New Nonfiction Celebrate Pride Month with these newly published nonfiction books, memoirs, and poetry collections by LGBTQIA+ writers. |
 | Love Bridgerton? Read This Next Dearest reader, once one has binge-watched all of Netflix’s Bridgerton, one finds oneself in need of further diversion. What delicious scandals will arise in these steamy page-turners? One must only turn the pages to discover! |
 | Music Meets Poetry Music and poetry are deeply intertwined. Beyond elements like rhythm and rhyme, the poets in this list integrate music into their work in surprising ways. |
 | Middle Eastern Poetry Explore the Middle East’s deep poetic history with poetry both ancient and contemporary. |
 | Understanding Autism April is Autism Acceptance Month. Celebrate with these books that explore the wide range of perspectives, experiences, and challenges within the autistic community. |
 | Cozy Fiction in Translation Short and sweet, these translated novels deliver the cozy vibes for a heartwarming and reflective reading experience. |
 | Birding Guides and Memoirs Birdwatching encourages us to slow down and pay attention to the natural world around us. These field guides and birding memoirs will inspire you to look and listen the birds in your own backyard, or even take up a birdwatching practice. |
 | Spring Cleaning Out with the old, in with the new! These books will help you harness spring cleaning energy and get organized. |
| Garden Wonderlands Get inspired with these gardening books that will teach you how to grow fragrant flowers, attract pollinators, compost nutritious soil, and more. |
 | If You Liked Red Paint These memoirs, essays, and poetry collections draw from similar themes as Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe’s candid, lyrical memoir: family history, healing from trauma, and the power of language. |
 | Punk Revolution These books about punk music and the women who make it are full of rebellious energy and the DIY spirit. |
 | Coast Salish Culture and Stories Coast Salish peoples have called this area home since time immemorial. These books recognize the Puget Sound's indigenous history and celebrate the work that modern artists, poets, and thought leaders do to honor Coast Salish culture. |
 | Historical Fiction from Black Authors Full of interesting settings and characters, these works of historical fiction from Black authors transport readers to the past for an immersive reading experience. |
 | At the Movies Nonfiction that takes us behind the scenes of Hollywood, filmmaking, and our favorite movies. |
 | Hollywood Historical Fiction |
 | Pacific Northwest Book Awards 2024 |
 | Book Club Picks Winter 2024 If you're in need of ideas for your next book club selection, we can help! Our quarterly lists are filled with engaging titles sure to spark discussion. Each title is available in various formats so you can read the way you want to; just click the author's name to see the full list of options. Happy reading! |
 | 2024 Carnegie Medals - Nonfiction The Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, established in 2012, recognize the best fiction and nonfiction books for adult readers published in the U.S. in the previous year. These awards are presented by the American Library Association. Winners were announced on January 20, 2024. |
 | 2024 Carnegie Medals - Fiction The Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, established in 2012, recognize the best fiction and nonfiction books for adult readers published in the U.S. in the previous year. These awards are presented by the American Library Association. Winners were announced on January 20, 2024. |
 | Nonfiction to Satisfy Your Curiosity "I love listening to audiobooks, and my favorite genre is nonfiction. It’s like listening to a super-long podcast! I gravitate toward accessibly-written microhistories and sociology—books that teach me something new about how the world works. These were the nonfictions books I read in 2023 that have stuck with me, from the irreverent to the lifechanging." -Emma, Collection Development Librarian |
 | Mystery and Suspense for All Moods "I read pretty widely and enjoy lots of genres, but for me, nothing compares to a page-turning thriller or whodunit. Happily, this was a banner year for interesting, well-crafted mystery and suspense novels. Not only did we get books from big names in the genre, we also were introduced to debut authors that are sure to become favorites. From gritty and realistic to funny and snarky, these are my top picks of the year." -- Mary K, Collection Development Librarian |
 | Meet Your Next Favorite Poet "I love poetry so much that I am convinced I can find a poet or poem to make everyone fall in love with it. My love for poetry comes from great teachers, amazing professors, and participating in poetry slam and spoken word events around the world. My pick list includes a variety of poetry that I have enjoyed from the stage to the page to the audiobook. See if you can find a poem to make you fall in love." -Cynthia F., Communications Specialist |
 | Native Author or Contributor There's a lot of material available about Native American/Indigenous People, not all of it is by Native People. In this list you'll find material made by people from across Native America. |
 | WCLS Staff Favorites 2023 As 2023 winds down, WCLS staff are looking back at their reading year and picking out their top choices. Take a look at our wide-ranging list of staff picks - maybe you'll find a new favorite of your own! |
 | A Small Town Holiday Romance Capture the cozy vibes this holiday season with these novels filled with family, love and small-town charm. |
 | Fiction from the Equator Keep on the sunny side with fiction from equatorial countries. These novels are written by authors from South America, Africa, and island nations in between. |
 | Arctic Fiction for Dark Days These novels are by authors who live in the coldest, darkest places: countries that touch the Arctic Circle. |
 | New Memoir Fall 2023 Fall offers a bumper crop of interesting memoirs for readers. From celebrities to names that are less well known, read on to explore these recently published picks. |
 | Sub-Zero Nonfiction These exciting nonfiction books are about life, death and adventure on the coldest continent: Antarctica. |
 | Inspiration for NaNoWriMo This is your year! You're finally going to write that novel and National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo) is just the time to do it. Look to these guides for inspiration as you work toward that 50,000 word goal. |
 | Native American Heritage Month: Titles for Adults These books and DVDs provide many perspectives on the Native American experience. Read on to explore memoir, history, poetry and more. |
 | Understanding Mental Health Whether you're looking to better understand your own experiences or that of a friend or loved one, these memoirs and guides can help. |
 | Lambda Literary Awards 2023 The Lambda Literary Awards, also known as the "Lammys" are awarded yearly by Lambda Literary and celebrate outstanding LGBTQ+ storytelling from a given year. Read on for a selection of 2023 winners! |
 | Astronomy and the Stars Read about the stars, space exploration, about our place in the universe with some of the best science writing Earth has to offer. |
 | Astrology for Self Care Get introspective with these new astrology books and use the stars to manifest success. |
 | Audiobooks for Exploring Nature Grab your earbuds and get outside! These nature-themed audiobooks make the perfect companions for a hike, picnic or ramble on the beach. |
 | A Sense of Place: Audio There's nothing like a strong sense of place to take a story to the next level. In these audiobooks, the setting is just as much a character as any of the people. Sink into one of these unique worlds for an absorbing listening experience. |
 | Read by the Author: Celebrity Memoirs What's juicier than a celebrity memoir? That same memoir brought to life by the celebrity's own voice! Check out these glimpses at life in the limelight, read by their famous authors, for a fascinating listening experience. |
 | Wild Family Weddings Weddings bring together large casts of characters who share family history--and family drama. These novels are the perfect combination of funny, dramatic, and romantic. |
 | Summer Fun for the Young at Heart The books in this list will help you slow down, get outside, and reconnect with your childhood sense of joy and wonder. |
 | From the Garden to Your Kitchen: Cookbooks These cookbooks will inspire you to make the most of summer produce from the farmers market or your garden. |
 | Whatcom Grooves: Books for a Summer of Jazz Celebrate our summer jazz series with books about jazz and music appreciation! Gather with your neighbors for a joyous hour of live music at events hosted by Friends of the Library in South Whatcom, Ferndale, and Blaine. Learn more at wcls.org/jazz. |
 | Trees & Forests - Nonfiction For Adults This summer, join us as we read for trees. Find out more at the library or wcls.org/summer-reading. Turn to this list for nonfiction books about trees and forests. |
 | Pride Month: Books for Allies Whether you're looking to become a stronger ally to family and friends or to better understand the varied experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community, these resources offer perspective, insight and support. |
 | Juneteenth: Resources for Adults Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is an American holiday celebrated annually on June 19th. On this day in 1865, Union General Granger read orders in Texas notifying enslaved people that they were now free. Those freedoms had come with the Emancipation Proclamation, which became law in January 1863; however, enslaved persons in Texas did not become aware of their freedoms until two and a half years later. Learn more about slavery, emancipation, and Juneteenth with these Black History resources. |
 | Must-Read Fiction by Native Authors From thrillers to fantasy to literary fiction and more, these novels by Native American and First Nations authors explore a range of topics and provide plenty of page-turning reading. |
 | Racism and Antiracism: Learn More Now Reading is a place to start. To help build a deeper understanding of racism and its effects across the country and in our communities, we offer these resources. |
 | Disability Pride Month |
 | Black Authors of the Pacific Northwest Explore the fiction and nonfiction work of Black authors from our region. |
 | Asian American Memoirs These writers explore the experience of the Asian American diaspora, generational trauma, and`the complexities of living between two (or more!) cultures. |
 | Asian American Families in Fiction Feeling homesick? Try one of these family-centric novels by Asian American authors about family businesses, family dynamics, and intergenerational tensions. |
 | Wedding Season Romances |
 | Oppenheimer and the Atom Bomb Curious to learn more after watching the Christopher Nolan film? Read these books about Oppenheimer, Hiroshima, and nuclear fission for a more complex understanding of atomic history. |
 | Summer of Barbie It's shaping up to be a very Barbie summer! The new movie directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling lands in theaters July 21. In the meantime, learn more about this iconic doll and her influence on pop culture with these resources. |
 | Unexpected Crime Solvers Detecting may not be the main occupation for these unusual sleuths, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t great at it. From tea shop owners to home renovators to the queen herself (yes, really), these amateur detectives fit crime-solving in around their day jobs and still manage to crack the case. |
 | A Crime in the Making? True confession? Or a crime in the making? While these thriller titles are obviously all in good fun, it does make us wonder: if you read these books on an airplane, would you get a whole row to yourself? |
 | Vacation Gone Wrong Getting away from it all might not always be everything it's cracked up to be - at least in these thrillers that feature trouble in paradise. |
 | Poetry from Local Authors Celebrate National Poetry Month with a selection of poetry by local writers. Many of the poets included here have participated in the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest, held each spring in Whatcom County. |
 | Poetry You Can Listen To Sometimes poetry is best enjoyed aloud. Try listening to some poetry as an audiobook on Libby! |
 | Creative Nonfiction for Deep Thinkers These personal, thought-provoking books blend the creative elements of fiction with the well-researched rhetoric of nonfiction. |
 | Labor in America Americans have been fighting for better working conditions for hundreds of years. Learn about historic and current labor movements with these nonfiction books. |
 | Short Story Anthologies An anthology is a collection of multiple works, usually pulled together by one editor with a particular creative vision. These short story anthologies showcase the creative ways that different authors approach the same theme. Find your favorite! |
 | Award-Winning eAudiobooks The Audies are awarded to audiobooks each year in categories like Audio Drama and Best Narration. These are the winners and some finalists from 2022, plus some newer titles we think will be nominated in 2023. |
 | Finding Joy The world is filled with small joys, if only we remember to look for them. Try one of these books to unlock your own sense of delight and self-acceptance and find the joy in every day. |
 | Compelling Contemporary Fiction for CoHo Fans Readers love Colleen Hoover books for their plot twists, emotional intensity and readability. Here are some titles to try while you wait for your Colleen Hoover holds. |
 | Crime at the Library There's a body in the stacks! But never fear, in these thrilling cozy mystery reads there's always a librarian or an avid library user standing ready to play sleuth. |
| Crime at the Library There's a body in the stacks! But never fear, in these thrilling cozy mystery reads there's always a librarian or an avid library user standing ready to play sleuth. |
 | Cover Trends: Portrait Art Faces are a smart design choice for biographies and character-driven novels. The covers of these books draw us in to read more about the intriguing characters behind the faces. |
 | Cover Trends: Fruits and Flowers Floral book covers are a perennial trend. Our favorites this year incorporated still life, bouquets, and bold colors. |
 | Cover Trends: Sunset Colors The colors that dominated book cover design in 2022 were bright bright bright: pink, orange, and all the sunset shades in between. |
 | Witty Romantic Comedies Romance novels that feel like your favorite 90s rom coms. |
 | For Nora Ephron Fans |
 | Personal Finance These personal finance titles were purchased with a grant awarded to Whatcom County Library System by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation after the disastrous flooding event experienced in Whatcom County in November 2021. In addition to building the library's personal finance collection, these titles were selected with the hope that this information would help impacted patrons who are confronting important financial decisions in the flood's aftermath. Most titles are available in multiple formats. Click on the title entry to see all formats available. |
 | In Love with a Royal Fairy tales may just come true after all in these romances about royals falling in love. |
 | True Crime Award Winners Every year the Edgar Awards recognize the best books published in the mystery genre. Most nominees are fiction, but nominees in the Fact Crime category are all works of nonfiction reportage. |
 | Prizeworthy First Novels These newly published novels are the first of their kind! Presented by The Center for Fiction, the First Novel Prize is an annual award that honors great fiction by first-time novelists. |
 | Horror Novels for Spooky Season Get into the spirit of Halloween with these fresh and frightening horror novels, just right for a spooky night. |
 | Foraging Without Dying These guidebooks will teach you how to forage for wild, edible plants and mushrooms safely. |
 | Mysteries of the Deep It's hard to know just what we *don't* know about life in the depths of the ocean. Try one of these eye-opening titles to learn more about the creatures and other lifeforms of the sea. |
 | Hiking In and Around Washington Pick up one of these hiking guidebooks to help you plan your next outdoor adventure! |
 | Academic Magic Encounter magical libraries, secret societies, and dangerous hallways in these fantasy novels that have an academic setting. |
 | Campus Novels These novels give you an insider's perspective of the privilege, drama, and academic rigor in private schools and grad programs. |
 | Dark Academia These moody, intense novels set at elite schools will make you want to pull an all-nighter. |
 | Austen Retold Netflix’s new adaptation of Persuasion is just one in a host of retellings of Jane Austen’s classic stories. Try one of these novels to get a fresh look at an old favorite or an homage to the author’s body of work. |
 | Murder by the Book All of these mysteries have a literary connection. |
 | Romances for Book Lovers All the couples in these contemporary romances share a love for literature |
 | Books Are MagicMurder by the Book You'll discover otherworldly libraries and books with magic powers in these book-themed fantasy and sci fi novels. |
 | It's Grilling Season! Firing up the grill for a holiday get-together or a night with the family? These delicious books provide plenty of inspiration for mouth-watering menus. |
 | Quintessential Beach Reads What makes a great beach read? According to Jennifer Weiner, the ideal beach read has a summery setting, a likeable lead, and a little bit of romance. We think these books fit the bill. |
 | Summer Page Turners From locked-room mysteries to crimes of fashion, these action-packed thrillers will keep you glued to the page all summer long. |
 | Feel-Good Fiction for Summer Dip into one of these fast-paced, heartwarming novels for some light summer reading. |
 | The Joy of Stargazing Summer affords plenty of opportunities to explore the wonders of the night sky. Whether you're new to stargazing or have some experience, these resources will add to your enjoyment. |
 | Making Peace with Technology Love it or hate it, technology is a part of our lives that is here to stay. With these resources you can learn how technology influences your daily reality, and find strategies to better manage your relationship with your devices. |
 | Book Recommendations from TikTok These books are popular among creators on TikTok. Search #booktok for more recommendations from avid readers! |
 | For Fans of Everything Everywhere All At Once The new movie Everything Everywhere All At Once is a multiverse story that's full of pop culture references. Expand your film knowledge with these homage-worthy classics! |
 | Everything: Books That Have a Lot Going On These books have a lot going on: intricate plots, Big Ideas, multiple timelines, and characters whose paths cross with each other in surprising ways. |
 | Everywhere: Into the Multiverse! The fabric of space and time gets warped in these literary sci fi novels. Parallel universes, divergent timelines, and alternate realities all circle around the concept we call "the multiverse." |
 | All At Once: Love Across Space and Time These genre-bending novels blend romance tropes with elements of sci fi, fantasy, and historical fiction for love stories that transcend space and time. |
 | Adrenaline-Charged Audiobooks Listen to one of these fast-paced thrillers during your next workout! |
 | Jewish and Kosher Cookbooks Looking to spice up your next seder? These cookbooks explore the vast world of Jewish cooking, with both traditional and innovative recipes from around the world. |
 | May the 4th Be With You! Star Wars Day is May 4! Mark the day with these books, games and music that celebrate events in a galaxy far, far away. |
 | Feel-Good Fantasy & SciFi If you like your fantasy and scifi novels a little more on the cozy side, these are the books for you. Curl up in one of these imaginative worlds and stay as long as you'd like. |
 | Build Your Financial Literacy Personal finance doesn't have to be a mystery. These resources offer advice, guidance and support as you navigate decisions around money and investing. |
STAFF REVIEWS
Book Buzz: Staff Favorites 2024
James by Percival Everett (reviewed by Mary Kinser, collection development librarian)A Travel Guide to the Middle Ages: The World Through Medieval Eyes by Anthony Bale (reviewed by Emma Radosevich, collection development librarian)The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera (reviewed by Paul Fullner, Everson and Sumas branch manager)Held by Anne Michaels (reviewed by Mary Vermillion, community relations … Read more
Book Buzz: Crow Talk
Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin For fans of her earlier novel, “The Music of Bees,” Spokane native Eileen Garvin’s latest book, “Crow Talk,” is another uplifting story featuring wounded characters who find consolation in nature and forge unlikely friendships that foster hope and healing. Frankie O’Neill feels like her life is coming apart at the … Read more
Book Buzz: Beasts of a Little Land
Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim Juhea Kim’s debut novel, “Beasts of a Little Land,” is a historic epic about the Korean peninsula during the first half of the 20th century. Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea and its struggle for independence, this vast national story is conveyed primarily through the lives … Read more
Book Buzz: The Sweet Blue Distance
The Sweet Blue Distance by Sara Donati Bellingham author Rosina Lippi’s latest novel, published under her pen name Sara Donati, is her first since 2019. Faithful fans of her internationally bestselling multi-generational family sagas will recognize familiar names because “The Sweet Blue Distance” is a crossover book, bridging the gap between where the six “Wilderness” … Read more
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COMMUNITY READS
Northwest Washington’s premier annual literary event, Whatcom READS celebrates reading, readers and strong communities through the shared experience of one book. The 2024-2025 selection is No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister Whatcom READS is hosted by all the public and academic libraries in Whatcom County and community partner Village Books. Learn more at whatcomreads.org.
PODCAST
WCLS in Whatcom County presents Library Stories
This twice-monthly show features book recommendations, conversations and interviews with library insiders, authors and community members. Tune in to laugh a little and learn a lot about library communities, staff, events, backrooms, happenings and, of course, books!
ALWAYS AVAILABLE SELECTIONS FROM LIBBY
A selection of popular titles you don’t have to wait for. Borrow one and start reading right away!
