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I'm back again folks with more Asian American and Pacific Islander book recommendations to continue celebrating AAPI Heritage Month - and this time we're talking about adult books! I've included a good range of fiction, non-fiction, romance, science fiction, and fantasy so there's all kinds of genres for your perusal.

Though there's a good amount of books on this list, but it only scratches the surface of amazing books by AAPI authors. I definiltey recommend following these authors and more on social media to continue hearing about more book recommendations. And if you have the means, support your local AAPI owned businesses in your community and consider donating to nonprofits that support the AAPI community (such as API Chaya here in Seattle).

Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more book-related fun and if you're looking for the audiobook version of any of these titles, you can head to Libro.fm where you can get audiobooks while still supporting Third Place Books!

Spring is in the air folks and I am READY! One of my favorite things about springtime is the feeling of starting anew and yes, I'll say it, turning over a new leaf. There's flowers blooming, blue sky and the promise of brighter days ahead, literally. One of my favorite TV shows that encapsulates that wonderous feelings is of course, Queer Eye on Netflix. Seeing the Fab Five encourage and truly support someone to be their best self both inside and out is just a beautiful thing to watch that's incredibly uplifting and empowering.

I've always loved a good makeover show or that classic movie scene where a character has a transformation montage but these can tend to lack depth and a positive message. But Queer Eye on the other hand, blends the fun makeover parts with a deep message of self-love and acceptance that feels much better than just superficial changes. So in honor of this delightful show that's bursting with Spring colors and new beginnings, I have curated a list of books inspired by each Fab Five member to help you have your own spring refresh to feel replenished and energized. The Fab Five being: Bobby Berk (design expert), Karamo Brown (culture expert), Tan France (fashion expert), Jonathan Van Ness (grooming expert), and Antoni Porowski (food and wine expert). I hope these books help you embrace Spring to its fullest and take care of yourself by refreshing your living space, mental/emotional space, style, physical body care, and recipes.

Independent Bookstore Day is here!!! A wonderful day to pick up a new book and support your favorite local indie bookstores this Saturday April 24th :) We've got exclusive merch and special edition books available in-store and online to celebrate! Due to Covid-19, Seattle Independent bookstores will not be holding our usual festivities with the challenge to visit all participating stores in a single day. However, there is a NEW and wonderful challenge that is happening this year that will allow people to safely participate amidst the pandemic called the 10-10-10 Challenge!

From April 24th - May 3, you can participate by making a purchase at 10 participating bookstores within 10 days and win a limited-edition Seattle Independent Bookstore Day Tote Bag! You can complete this challenge in-person or online. You can pick up a passport in-person at a participating bookstore or click here to print one out. With your passport you can keep track of all the different bookstores you make a purchase from. To see a list of all participating bookstores and how to submit your receipts, check out the Seattle Independent Bookstore Day website!

What better way to celebrate April than with poetry books! I am a bit biased as someone who reads poetry not only during National Poetry Month but every other month as well. But I’m here because I love poems and I want more people to love them too. 

Studying it in college, reading it during my lunch breaks, and writing it in my spare time, I am very familiar with the eye rolls and shrugs I get from people when I mention poetry. And, believe me, I understand when they say they just don’t get it because I don't get all of it either. One of the most common responses I hear is that school ruined it for them because required reading sometimes has a way of doing that.The overanalyzing in high school English class, your teacher and their unforgiving red pen, deters readers and nonreaders alike from picking up some of these amazing writers that are doing incredible things with language. Like Billy Collins writes, "all they want to do / is tie the poem to a chair with rope / and torture a confession out of it." You don't need a rope, a chair, or a confession - I promise.