Best Books About Seattle

Discover the vibrant local jazz scene of Seattle in the 1940s and 1950s in Jackson Street After Hours by Paul de Barros. Delve into the untold stories and unsung heroes who helped shape the genre, including Ray Charles and Quincy Jones in their early days. Through oral history, witness the moments where jazz legends and newcomers collided to create something truly special. Experience the passion and dedication that fuels jazz music in this meticulous and affectionate exploration of a forgotten era.

Experience the power of friendship, love, and loss in this poignant novel that spans more than three decades and takes readers on a journey through the Pacific Northwest. Follow Kate and Tully as they navigate the ups and downs of life, from their eighth-grade meeting to their pact of lifelong friendship. Tully, glamorous and ambitious, searches for validation and success across the globe, while Kate yearns for an ordinary life filled with love and family. As they weather the storms of jealousy, anger, and hurt, a single act of betrayal threatens to tear their friendship apart. Firefly Lane is a coming-of-age story that delves into the choices and secrets that both bless and curse this generation of women.

This gripping nonfiction book examines the tragic story of a young man who committed murder, and the intersecting lives of the victims and perpetrator in one American neighborhood. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eli Sanders offers a compassionate and probing investigation into the state of mental healthcare in America. The story is a wake-up call to a system that failed to see the danger signs, and highlights the potential for social change.

A family trip to Antarctica takes an unexpected turn when fiercely intelligent shut-in Bernadette Fox vanishes. Her daughter Bee takes it upon herself to uncover the secret past her mother has been hiding for decades by piecing together emails, invoices, and school memos. Where'd You Go, Bernadette is an entertaining novel that explores family dynamics, the importance of self-discovery, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and daughter.

Discover the vibrant history of Seattle through the lively characters who built it in "Skid Road." This illustrated edition covers the city's first century, from pioneering and Indian warfare to the Alaska gold rush and politics that shaped the Northwest. Learn about the great fire of 1889, the general strike of 1919, and the fascinating legacy of Seattle's early citizens.

Explore the rich literary landscape of Seattle with this anthology featuring personal stories, essays, and history from notable writers such as Tom Robbins, Garth Stein, and Jonathan Evison. This book is a tribute to the city's bid to become the second US City of Literature by UNESCO. Delve into the story of books, reading, writing, and publishing within one of the nation's most literary cities. With its humorous, moving, and illuminating tone, it's perfect for both close reading and casual browsing.

"Long for This World" is a compelling and contemporary family drama, centered around the moral dilemma faced by geneticist Dr. Henry Moss. His discovery of a potential cure for a fatal disease that causes premature aging in children could mean eternal youth, but at what cost? Henry must choose between saving the life of a critically ill boy he's grown to love or selling his findings for a fortune. The story unwinds through intricate character development, delving into the lives of Henry's family and their own internal struggles.

In an alternate history version of the Pacific Northwest, a catastrophic invention unleashed the living dead. Sixteen years later, Briar Wilkes is a widow with a ruined reputation and a teenage son to support. But when her son undertakes a dangerous quest to rewrite history, Briar must venture into a city overrun with undead, air pirates, and dangerous refugees to bring him back alive.

This memoir follows the turbulent journey of a young boy named Toby and his mother, as they are forced to constantly move and adapt after a divorce. Despite the challenges they face, they develop an unbreakable bond which helps Toby navigate adolescence. His struggles with a hostile stepfather lead him to engage in various schemes, culminating in an act of bold self-invention. With moments both heart-warming and humorous, this coming-of-age story paints a vivid picture of the frustrations and cruelties of growing up.