November and December Author Readings Hosted by The Seattle Public Library
release date: November 10, 2020
Attend author events, book discussions and literary programs from the comfort of your own living room this fall. The Seattle Public has a wide variety of online author events coming up in November and December, from a history of Seattle’s hip-hop scene to queer memoirs to a discussion of the multigenerational effects of Japanese American incarceration during WWII.
Library events are free and everyone is welcome. Registration is required for each event, visit the Library's calendar to sign up.
AUTHOR READING SCHEDULE
- 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 - Words, Writers, and Southwest Stories: The history and culture of travel in Washington state. Author and broadcaster Harriet Baskas will take the audience on a tour of notable highlights of state transportation history, examining not just how we get around, but why we travel and where we might be going next. Presented in partnership with The Southwest Seattle Historical Society.
- 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 - Jack Straw Writers’ Showcase. Join us to hear new work from members of the Jack Straw Writing Program, curated by Anastacia-Reneé. Presenters may include: Anastacia-Reneé, Rob Arnold, Ebo Barton, Jeffrey Lee Cheatham II, Ching-In Chen, Elaina Ellis, Michelle Goodman, Maisha Banks Manson, Wryly T. McCutchen, Troy Osaki, Helen K. Thomas, Jose Trejo-Maya and Arianne True. Presented in partnership with Jack Straw Cultural Center.
- 6 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 - “My Unforgotten Seattle.” In his new memoir, third-generation Seattleite, historian, journalist, and museum visionary Ron Chew highlights Seattle’s unsung champions in the fight for racial inclusion, political empowerment, American ethnic studies, Asian American arts, Japanese American redress, and revitalization of the Chinatown-International District.
- 7 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 - Daudi Abe and Jazmyn Scott discuss "Emerald Street." In “Emerald Street,” Abe chronicles the development of Seattle hip hop from its earliest days, drawing on interviews with artists and journalists to trace how the elements of hip hop - rapping, DJing, breaking, and graffiti - flourished in the Seattle scene. Join us to hear Abe and Scott discuss the history of hip-hop in Seattle. Presented in partnership with LANGSTON, Wa Na Wari and Elliott Bay Book Company
- 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 - “Unmuted Stories.” Join us for a reading & live Q&A with local authors of “Unmuted: Stories of Courage and Resilience from the GenPRIDE Community,” an engaging new anthology of memoirs by fourteen LGBTQIA elders and allies. Presented in partnership with GenPRIDE Seattle.
- 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 - “Setsuko’s Secret.” Author Shirley Ann Higuchi, chair of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation, uncovers her family’s past and embarks on a transformational journey as she learns about Japanese American incarceration during World War II. She will be joined by Darrell Kunitomi and Aura Newlin, who are also descendants of former incarcerees featured in the book. They will discuss the book, the multigenerational effects of trauma and the incarceration’s relevance to contemporary issues of racism and identity in America. Tom Ikeda, founding Executive Director of Densho, will moderate the discussion. Presented in partnership with Densho and the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation and sponsored by the Seattle and Puyallup Valley chapters of the Japanese American Citizens League.
- 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 - “Black Trans Prayer Book.” Don't miss an incredible evening with J Mase III and co-editors of the Black Trans Prayer Book, an interfaith, multi-dimensional, artistic and theological work that collects the stories, poems, prayers, meditation, spells and incantations of Black transgender & non-binary people.
MORE INFORMATION
Many author events are presented in partnership with The Seattle Public Library Foundation, author series sponsors the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation, and Seattle City of Literature. Thanks also goes to media sponsor The Seattle Times.
All physical locations of The Seattle Public Library are currently closed in accordance with public health guidelines. Find out more at spl.org/ChiefLibrarian. Visit the Library’s Road to Reopening page for more information on book returns, Curbside Service and other Library services being offered while Library buildings are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.