February 14, 2017
Forget Tinder—from friendships to loveships, SAL’s been bringing folks together for almost thirty years now through good books and good conversation. That why, this Valentine’s Day, we’re featuring one couple – Dana Bettinger and John Jacobs – who have been long-time friends of SAL. We asked them to share their SAL love story, including what role reading […]
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January 5, 2017
By Alison Stagner, Events & Development Coordinator, Sonder Editor My New Year’s resolutions, literary and otherwise, always have something in common: I never stick to them. I suspect this has something to do with the ridiculous idea that our calendar year begins in January, the month I am least likely to be out of my pajamas, instead […]
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December 23, 2016
Twelve fun (holiday) links from around the web. First of all: William Faulkner’s hot toddy recipe. How the Victorians invented Christmas cheer with the help of Dickens. Are you doing the Read Harder Challenge in 2017? “Hygge” is the new word of the season (unless you’re Danish, of course). Winter poems from the editors at Poetry […]
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December 16, 2016
One thing about 2017 is certain: the literature will be stunning. As the new year unfolds, many are turning to our cultural thought leaders for direction and perspective, which always makes for a good beginning—reading, as book-lovers have long suspected, has been proven to enhance our ability to empathize and to increase brain function. But before we get ahead […]
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November 22, 2016
Book nerds, it’s time to use your powers for good! On Small Business Saturday, November 26, Indies First will be unfolding at an independent bookstore near you. This national campaign to support local indies was launched by Sherman Alexie in 2013, a day where thousands of authors volunteered as guest booksellers across the country. In an open letter to fellow […]
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November 18, 2016
Perhaps this Thanksgiving weekend you’ll be joining the tens of millions of Americans on the road, or—in light of the recent election—hiding at home from certain relatives, eyes blurry as you scroll through your Facebook feed. Either way, this is a great time for a virtual escape. Luckily, we have Kim Brown Seely, a local writer who […]
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November 10, 2016
Ruth Dickey, Executive Director: “I am currently reading Walk Through Walls by Marina Abramović, which has stunned and moved me, and Bright Dead Things by Ada Limón. I was so captivated by Ada’s reading that I tried to purchase the book that evening, but Open Books had run out (and then I struck out at both Phinney […]
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November 4, 2016
Twelve fun links from around the web. From Frantumaglia, a new collection of writings by Elena Ferrante. On Fresh Air: Viet Thanh Nguyen on his escape from Vietnam. Rachel Zucker has a new podcast up with Shane McCrae! (See her on the 14th.) Who’s going to Wordstock in Portland? Emma Straub is. Five books making […]
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September 23, 2016
What are those vibrant SAL-red candles illuminating the stage at Benaroya Hall this season? Meet ‘Seattle Sunset’. SAL is excited to announce that, beginning in September, glassybaby is sharing 10% of its ‘Seattle Sunset’ proceeds in support of our Writers in the Schools Program. These candles will be lighting our stage with a festive glow all […]
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September 9, 2016
Summer Book Bingo is a partnership with The Seattle Public Library and Seattle Arts & Lectures to provide free summer reading fun for adults. This summer, participants read a total of 8717 books, and we received a whopping 248 blackout cards and 227 bingo cards. Although it’s officially ended, be sure to swing by your […]
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