October 2023 Author Readings and Community Events With The Seattle Public Library
release date: September 29, 2023
Join The Seattle Public Library in October for a range of exceptional events, including discussions with local author Peter Bacho (“Uncle Rico’s Encore”); bestselling author Lauren Groff (“The Vaster Wilds”); and author-illustrators Jillian and Mariko Tamaki (“Roaming); as well as the annual A. Scott Bullitt lecture with historian Blair L.M. Kelly, author of “The Roots of the Black Working Class.”
All Library events are free and open to the public; events requiring registration are noted below. Find information and registration through the event links below or at spl.org/Calendar.
The Library offers a range of other free events and workshops in October, including story times, business workshops and consults and civics and community programs.
AUTHOR OR COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Peter Bacho and Rick Bonus discuss “Uncle Rico’s Encore.” From 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. Peter Bacho, acclaimed local author and educator, discusses his book, “Uncle Rico’s Encore: Mostly True Stories of Filipino Seattle,” in conversation with Rick Bonus of the University of Washington. In this collection of autobiographical essays, Bacho centers the experiences of the Pinoy generation who grew up in Seattle's multiethnic neighborhoods. Presented in partnership with UW Press and University Bookstore. Registration not required.
- Ladies Musical Club Concert. From noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. The Ladies Musical Club kicks off a new concert series this month at the Central Library. Enjoy local musicians performing vocal and instrumental pieces in diverse musical styles and periods. Registration not required.
- “The Right to Read” Documentary Film Screening. From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. From executive producer LeVar Burton comes “The Right to Read,” a documentary that follows an NAACP activist, a teacher and two families working to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of lifelong success: the ability to read. A brief question-and-answer session with local literacy experts will follow. The event is presented in partnership with Team Readand The Seattle Public Library Foundation. Registration is not required but please RSVP for planning purposes.
- Finding Your Story: How to Write a Life. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14. Central Library, Level 4, Room 1. This free, two-hour workshop will offer you a chance to explore various ways that you might tell your story and your reasons for doing so. Writer and professor Susan V. Meyers will provide samples and exercises to help you launch your own storytelling project. Presented in partnership with 4Culture. Registration is not required.
- Jillian and Mariko Tamaki discuss “Roaming” with Jas Keimig. From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. Join us for an evening with author-illustrators Jillian and Mariko Tamaki as they discuss their most recent graphic novel, “Roaming,” with local arts writer Jas Keimig. Presented in partnership with Drawn & Quarterly, Short Run Comix & Arts Festival and Third Place Books. Registration not required, but RSVPs requested.
- Lauren Groff discusses “The Vaster Wilds.” From 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. Join us to hear bestselling author Lauren Groff discuss her new novel, about one spirited girl alone in the wilderness, trying to survive. Groff will be in conversation with Daniel Tam-Claiborne,a multiracial essayist, multimedia producer and author of the short story collection "What Never Leaves.” The event is supported by the Connie and Gary Kunis Foundation and The Seattle Public Library Foundation, and is presented in partnership with Elliott Bay Book Company. Registration is required.
- “From Page to Stage: Adapting ‘No-No Boy’ for Today’s Theater.” From 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 24. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. As the second in a guest-curated series celebrating the centennial of John Okada’s birth, Frank Abe, Paul Adolphson and guests will discuss the process of adapting John Okada’s “No-No Boy” for the stage. The event is supported by the Connie and Gary Kunis Foundation and The Seattle Public Library Foundation, and presented in partnership with the North American Post, Seattle Rep and University of Washington Press. Registration is required.
- The A. Scott Bullitt Lecture in American History presents Dr. Blair L.M. Kelley: “The Roots of the Black Working Class.” From 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25. Northwest African American Museum, 2300 South Massachusetts Street. For the A. Scott Bullitt Lecture in American History, award-winning historian Dr. Blair L.M. Kelley illuminates the adversities and joys of the Black working class in America through a stunning narrative centered on her forebears. The event is presented in partnership with Northwest African American Museum and is supported by the Connie and Gary Kunis Foundation and The Seattle Public Library Foundation.
WRITING EVENTS AND BOOK CLUBS
- Virtual Writers Read. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8. Online. 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. From 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8. Central Library, Level 4, Room 6. Únase al Club de Lectura de la Biblioteca Central. El libro de este mes es: “Antes de que se enfríe el café” de Toshikasu Kawaguchi. Join the Central Library Spanish Reading Club. This month's book is "Burning Fog" by Laura Baeza. This event will take place in Spanish. Registration is not required.
- Low Vision Book Group @ Central Library. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 10. Central Library, Level 4 - Room 6. Join our Low Vision Book Group for a discussion of the book "The Lost City of Z" by David Grann. Registration is not required.
- Write with Hugo House: Seattle Writes @ Fremont Branch. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 10. Fremont Branch. A drop-in writing circle for adults of all experience levels. All genres of writing welcome. Registration is not required.
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.