Explore Seattle from the Margins with historian Megan Asaka

View Seattle’s history from a new vantage point, that of the migrant workers who built the city with a discussion between Megan Asaka, author of Seattle From the Margins: Migrant labor History in 19th and 20th Centuries, and Seattle Times columnist Naomi Ishisaka, at 2:30pm on December 3rd at the Central Library.

The eagerly anticipated Peak Pick, Seattle from the Margins: Migrant Labor History in 19th & 20th Centuries by Megan Asaka is on library shelves now!

Seattle from the Margins examines the intersection of race and class in historical migrant communities that worked in the Pacific Northwest and built Seattle in the 19th and 20th centuries. Migrant workers are people whose lives are transient as they follow seasonal or temporary work, such as farming, logging, and fishing, all of which were—and still are—major contributors to Western Washington’s economy. Asaka was partially inspired by her own family’s history and weaves together the complex lives of displaced Coast Salish Indigenous peoples and immigrants from Japan and China; and how their communities intermingled. Seattle became a “stopping place” where people would gather as the work shifted up and down the Puget Sound, up into Alaska, and down into Oregon, but also became a place where migrants found solidarity and built communities and families together.

Fall 2022 Events: Improv-Inspired Lit Fest, Business of Books, Seattle Reads and More

Like us, you have a lot going on this fall. But trust us: You will want to make room in your calendar for at least a few of these inspiring, thought-provoking, community-driven and entertaining events at the Library. (Note: This list covers September and October; stay tuned for November and December!)

All Library events are free and open to everyone. Most events require registration beforehand, which you can find at the link. Questions? Go to www.spl.org/Ask. Find more events at www.spl.org/Calendar.

Banned: Censorship and Intellectual Freedom. Monday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Online. Seattle-area writers Jewell Parker Rhodes (“Ghost Boys) and Jonathan Evison (“Lawn Boy”), along with librarians Soraya Silverman-Montero, of The Seattle Public Library, and Deb Sica, of Alameda County Library, discuss censorship and intellectual freedom as well as the challenges faced by librarians and schools. Presented with Folio Seattle.

The Business of Books, four-part series.  Thursday, Sept. 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Beacon Hill Branch. Want to start a book-related business but don’t know where to start? This four-part workshop series designed for BIPOC literary entrepreneurs kicks off with an overview of the industry by former Sasquatch Books publisher Gary Luke; and a roundtable discussion with publisher Christina Vega, author and festival founder Jeffrey Cheatham II, and longtime bookseller Karen Maeda Allman. Other workshop dates are Oct. 8, Nov. 12, and Dec. 6.

Jekeva Phillips, curator of Bibliophilia

Bibliophilia, a four-day festival. Tuesday to Friday, Sept. 27, 28, 29, 30. Microsoft Auditorium, Central Library. Guest curator Jekeva Phillips brings the page to the stage combining poetry and prose with improvisational theater. Themes include “Heathcliff Letters” (Sept. 27), “Bestsellers” (Sept. 28); “Vonnegut” (Sept. 29); and a “Quiz Show” finale (Sept. 30, with games, prize packages and live reading and performance).

July Author Events: Daniel James Brown, Fonda Lee, Annalee Newitz and more

Here are a few reasons to be indoors in July: The Seattle Public Library’s lineup of free author programs, including Daniel James Brown (“The Boys in the Boat”) in conversation with Tom Ikeda about his new book “Facing the Mountain;” and two terrific Clarion West events featuring authors Fonda Lee, Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders.

You can trek to our air-conditioned Central Library for these events, or watch them livestreamed from the comfort of your couch. Registration is required for both in-person and online attendance; check the event descriptions at spl.org/Calendar for registration and links. See upcoming programs at spl.org/Authors.

Clarion West presents Fonda Lee

From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, Central Library and online

Fonda Lee is the World Fantasy Award-winning author of the epic urban fantasy “Green Bone Saga” as well as the acclaimed young adult science fiction novels “Zeroboxer,” “Exo,” and “Cross Fire.” This event is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, author series sponsors the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation and Seattle City of Literature, and is presented in partnership with University Book Store.

Virtual Writers Read

From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 10, online.

This monthly reading series features local writers reading from their diverse repertoires of poetry, short stories, novels and essays. It is

May Author Events: Douglas Stuart, Angela Garbes, Claudia Castro Luna and More

From Douglas Stuart’s story of working-class families and queer love to Seattle writer Angela Garbes’ memoir about the power and potential of mothering to reshape society, the Library’s May author programs feature a wide range of authors and topics.

And you can see some of these amazing authors in person! Four May events will be held at the Central Library’s Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium; the events will also be livestreamed via Zoom. Registration is required for both in-person and online attendance; check the event description at spl.org/Calendar for registration and links. All events are free and open to the public.

Douglas Stuart discusses “Young Mungo”–Central Library and online

From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 3

Douglas Stuart, the Booker Prize-winning writer of “Shuggie Bain,” will be at the Central Library to discuss his new novel “Young Mungo,” a story of queer love and working-class families, in conversation with Rick Simonson. “Shuggie Bain,” Stuart’s first book, was one of the most successful literary debuts of the century. The event is presented in partnership with Elliott Bay Book Company. It is supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation. “Young Mungo” is a Peak Picks title.

Live from Seattle’s Central Library (and Online): Author events this April and May

Last night (April 12), for the first time in two years, the Central Library opened the doors of its Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium for an in-person author event. Award-winning author Reyna Grande joined Seattle-area writer Kathleen Alcalá on stage for a conversation about her novel “The Ballad of Love and Glory,” about an unforgettable romance set against a forgotten war.

Another first for the Library: Attendees could choose between coming to the Library or tuning in online from the comfort of their home.

The Library is holding several other in-person events in April and May, testing the waters of live events again with extra safety precautions in place, including limiting attendance to 50% of the auditorium’s capacity. Mask use, although not required, is strongly encouraged. (More information about Library safety precautions is below.)

From Clyde Ford to Douglas Stuart, we have an exciting lineup for both in-person and virtual events in April and May. Registration is required, but all Library events are free. Check event descriptions at spl.org/Calendar for registration links and more information.