January and February 2025 Author Readings and Community Events
release date: January 7, 2025
The Seattle Public Library’s upcoming arts and author events calendars include two silent reading events, an evening with Pico Iyer about his new book “Aflame,” a discussion with NCAA transgender athlete Schuyler Bailar about his book “He/She/They,” and an event with bestselling author Jennifer Finney Boylan on "Cleavage.”
All Library events are free and open to the public. Find information and registration through the event links below or at spl.org/Calendar. Many of these events are supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.
AUTHOR AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Book Bingo Silent Reading event. Thursday, Jan. 9, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Extend the Book Bingo love by participating in this great silent reading event! The evening will include Book Bingo "book tastings" based on the 2024 Book Bingo categories in the Living Room, an hour of silent reading in the stunning Reading Room on level 10 and throughout the Central Library, and lots of bookish conversation. This event is held in partnership with Silent Book Club Seattle and Seattle Arts & Lectures. Registration is required.
- Silent Reading Night at Green Lake Branch. Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Green Lake Branch. Cozy up for a quiet winter evening of reading at this silent reading event at the newly renovated Green Lake Branch. Registration is not required.
- Schuyler Bailar Discusses "He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters." Thursday, Jan. 16, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fremont Abbey, 4272 Fremont Ave N, Seattle. Schuyler Bailar (he/him), an educator, author, and advocate, is also the first transgender athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA Division 1 men's team. The inspirational speaker and author will discuss "He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters," an essential, urgent, and, as Schuyler points out, potentially life-saving book that will change the conversation about gender identity. This event is held in partnership with Charlie’s Queer Books. Registration is required.
- Pico Iyer and David Guterson Discuss "Aflame: Learning From Silence." Thursday, Jan. 16, from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Central Library. In “Aflame,” world renowned travel writer Iyer connects with inner stillness and joy in his many seasons at a Benedictine monastery, even as his life is going through constant change. Register at EventBrite. In partnership with Elliott Bay Books. Registration is required.
- Jesse Hagopian discusses “Teach Truth; The Struggle for Antiracist Education.” Thursday, Jan. 23, from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Town Hall Seattle. In his new book, “Teach Truth,” Seattle educator and author Jesse Hagopian discusses the current challenges to antiracist education and argues that what’s at stake is our democracy, not to mention the annihilation of entire systems of knowledge that challenge the status quo. He also
shows that the struggle for a liberatory education has a long history in the United States, and what it will take to build a movement to defend information, education and democracy. This event is held in partnership with Town Hall Seattle. Registration is required.
- Seattle Times Presents: Pictures of the Year 2025. Thursday, Jan. 30, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Central Library, Level 1 – Auditorium. Award-winning photojournalists and staff from The Seattle Times will tell the story of the year illustrated through their remarkable pictures. Registration is not required.
- T.J. Klune discusses "The Bones Beneath My Skin" with Seattle author Kim Fu. Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Central Library auditorium. In “The Bones Beneath my Skin,” bestselling fantasy author T.J. Klune (“The House of the Cerulean Sky”) has written a spine-tingling standalone novel, a supernatural road-trip thriller featuring an extraordinary young girl and her two unlikely protectors on the run from cultists and the government. This event is held in partnership with Charlie’s Queer Books. Registration is required.
- Jennifer Finney Boylan discusses "Cleavage: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us.” Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Central Library, Level 1 – Auditorium. What is the difference between men and women? Jennifer Finney Boylan, bestselling author of "She’s Not There" and co-author of "Mad Honey" with Jodi Picoult. In “Cleavage,” Boyle examines the divisions — as well as the common ground — between the genders, and reflects on her own experiences, both difficult and joyful, as a transgender American. In partnership with Elliott Bay Books. Registration is required.
WRITING EVENTS AND BOOK CLUBS
- Virtual Writers Read. Sunday, Jan. 12, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Online. Join us for a monthly reading series featuring an open mic and selected author readings from local writers. Registration is required.
- El Club Latino. Sunday, Jan. 12, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Central Library Level 8 - Meeting Room. Únase al Club de Lectura de la Biblioteca Central. El libro de este mes es: "La princesa ausente" de Víctor Muñoz. No se requiere inscripción.
- Writers Read. Sunday, Feb. 9, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Columbia Branch meeting room. Join us for a monthly reading series with the African American Writers’ Alliance featuring an open mic and selected author readings from local writers. Registration is required.
- El Club Latino. Sunday, Feb. 9, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Central Library Level 8 - Meeting Room. Únase al Club de Lectura de la Biblioteca Central. Únase al Club de Lectura de la Biblioteca Central. El libro de este mes es: "En agosto nos vemos" de Gabriel García Márquez. No se requiere inscripción.
MORE INFORMATION
The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. Find more events at www.spl.org/Calendar.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.