Staff Picks
Discover the best fiction and nonfiction books, selected by our staff. Find new featured book lists every month, or explore our picks by genre.
Featured Adult Fiction
Novels in Verse for Grown ups
In celebration of National Poetry Month, here are a wide variety of novels-in-verse for adult readers. (Created April 2023)
Horror 2022
From creepy to eerie to downright terrifying, here's a diverse selection of recently published horror fiction recommended by our librarians. (February 2023)
Best Debut Fiction of 2022
The best debut fiction of 2022 as selected by librarians at The Seattle Public Library. (Created Nov. 2022).
Staff Faves 2022: Fiction
Enjoy these fiction staff favorites, some with comments from staff, together with blurbs from the publishers. (Created Nov. 2022)
Native American Fiction
In observance of National Native American Heritage Month, here are some suggested novels published in the last five years. (Updated October 2022.)
Seattle Fiction
Take a trip through the many stories of Seattle with a variety of adult fiction books. (Created September 2022).
Book Bingo NW 2022: Banned or Challenged Book
Here are some suggestions for your Summer Book Bingo NW 2022 category: Banned or Challenged Book.
Book Bingo NW 2022: Book to screen
A recommended list of books made into films curated by Library staff for Book Bingo NW 2022: Book to screen. (Created June 2022).
LGBTQ+ Fiction
From literary fiction to mystery, romance to sci-fi and beyond, here's a wide variety of recently published LGBTQ+ fiction from 2022 recommended by our librarians. (Created June 2022)
Featured Adult Nonfiction
African American Nonfiction
Enjoy these recent African American nonfiction titles published within the last two years and recommended by our librarians. (February 2023)
Food Writing
Enjoy this variety of recently published food writing recommended by librarians at The Seattle Public Library. (March 2023)
Gardening in the Pacific Northwest
A selection of books and one website featuring resources on gardening in the PNW. (Updated February 2023).
Classic Black Cinema
Explore the history of Black cinema with these classic films directed by and starring African Americans. List includes resources as well. (February 2022)
Publish Your Writing
A collection of books and resources selected by SPL librarians for writers interested in publishing their work. (Sep. 2022).
Personal Finance
Take control of your money and your future with the support of these personal finance books selected by librarians at The Seattle Public Library. (Created Oct. 2022).
Seattle Staff Faves 2022: Nonfiction
Enjoy this variety of nonfiction staff favorites, with annotations by staff members unless otherwise noted. (Nov. 2022)
Seattle Picks: Native American Poetry
This list of poetry by North American Indigenous poets was created by librarians at The Seattle Public Library. (Updated October 2022)
Filipino American History Month: Nonfiction
A mixed plate of Nonfiction to celebrate Filipino American History Month. (Created September 2022).
Latinx and Latine Poetry
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, librarians selected this list of poetry by Latinx and Latine poets. (Updated September 2022).
Book Group Nonfiction
A list of recently published nonfiction books selected by our librarians. (Updated August 2022)
Science and Nature
Librarians at Seattle Public Library created this list of recent adult nonfiction books about science and the natural world, written in an engaging and accessible style for the layperson. (July 2022)
Book Bingo NW 2022: Debut author
A list of debut author suggestions created by Library staff for Book Bingo NW 2022: Debut Author. (Created June 2022).
