Brandon is the Consignment Buyer and an Event Host in Lake Forest Park. He shelves the Crafts, Fashion, and Travel sections. Because he often reads what he writes, his staff picks are typically LGBTQ+ fiction and short story collections (with the occasional writing craft, essay, or vegan cookbook thrown in). His favorite time to be in the bookstore is when local writers gather for the monthly open mic night.
I will never think of Best Western the same. This book is a trip through creativity in the midst of heartache. Writing through grief. Finding yourself by losing yourself, completely. In Death Valley, Broder brings readers along on a surreal journey that either has her lost in the desert for days or planted firmly in the queen size bed of her hotel room. I'm glad I will never know which one is true. This work is deeply personal. Trippy and emotional. Unpredictable and yet completely relatable. An exploration through the meaning of life, death, and everything in between; climb on the back of a giant bird and let the vivid colors of Death Valley consume you.
A departure from Tingle’s typical steamy sentient food stories, this first of two traditional LGBTQ+ themed releases is scary because it reflects a chilling reality. Told through the lens of a young queer woman, it answers the question: How far could hatred masked as religion go to keep queer youth in line? Expect plague-like flying insects, monsters, and one pretty cool scene involving a rock-n-roll flame-thrower. But in this cinematic exploration readers can also expect heartfelt emotion, love, and friendship. A crew of misfits brought together by a (terrible) common experience must travel back to the conversion camp that cursed them to rediscover their authentic selves, but do they have the tools they need to defeat their demons?
Pulling from real life experience with depression, anxiety, and ADHD, author Chuck Petrizzi has accomplished something amazing with this book intended to help kids work through complex emotions. His character, Nigel, sat in a box. He doesn’t even like being inside the box, but for some reason he can’t figure out how to leave. Beautifully written and illustrated by a local Seattle team of young creatives, I highly suggest this book for any child, or adult, looking to feel a little less alone.
Pairing breathtaking photography of the Seattle area with poignant prose, local author/photographer Becky Gibler takes readers on a deeply personal journey through grief after losing her partner of 19 years. It is deeply moving and I would highly suggest it to anyone who is mourning someone they love. Becky has accomplished something incredible here. While the book features an LGBTQ+ relationship (which is not often depicted in this genre) she proves that, truly, love is love. This book is for anyone who has loved or lost and I thank her for writing it.
#1 on my "I wish I'd read the book first!" list.
If you haven't watched the movie adaptation of this book on Netflix yet, wait! Devour the book then definitely watch the movie because they did a fantastic job capturing its bizarre essence. But, if you can, let this eerie road trip adventure unfold page by page the first time you experience it. This book is a subversive journey through genres that ends with a big red bow that may or may not be dripping with blood. If you like complicated relationships, inner dialogue, puzzles that don't feel like puzzles, and don't mind things getting a little weird, this wonderfully strange novel is for you.
Chelsea Bieker can tell you exactly who a character is without ever putting it on the page. She expertly allows the reader to learn through first person perspective. The way her characters move through the world will show you who they are without needless exposition. The theme of this collection is "seeking or sabotaging love" but this author will undoubtedly steal your heart with her profound understanding of human behavior.
Palahniuk loves to tell the story of listeners fainting during live readings from this collection. While the imagery throughout the stories is intense, what's more impressive is the flawless structure delivered over and over again. While this book may look like it belongs in the horror section, it is actually a prime example of transgressive fiction at its best. It is crafted with expert pacing and subject matter that will leave you truly, Haunted.
If you want to learn how to make vegan tuna nigiri out of red peppers, this is the book for you! With beautiful pictures and detailed, easy to understand instructions and ingredient lists, it is a game changer when it comes to making plant-based sushi at home. The secrets to the perfect grilled ginger inari, mock eel, and delicious fish-free dipping sauces are waiting for you!
I was riding a subway when I started this collection. The first story was so incredible I completely missed my stop and didn't even care. Brillant speculative fiction truly doesn't get any better than this. With themes such as systemic racism, it will hurt to process the words of this mirror turned on society, but you will never stop thinking about the important messages between these pages.
After years in the film industry Blake Snyder identified a pattern about the movies we love. What he discovered changed the world of screenwriting forever. Explained in 13 easy to digest steps, his breakdown for aspiring screenwriters is called The Beat Sheet. This book (and series) will change the way you think about not only writing but watching movies. It is a MUST read for anyone ready to see their story on the big screen!
