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The Seattle Public Library is kicking off September with an amazing lineup of author and community events, including New York Times bestselling author Aiden Thomas (“Celestial Monsters”), Lambda finalist Garth Greenwell (“Small Rain”) and reproductive health expert Dr. Karen Tang (“It’s Not Hysteria”) in conversation with Tik Tok sensation Jane Park Kang. You’ll also get a chance to make letterpress book art during Banned Books Week.
All Library events are free and open to the public. Find information and registration through the event links below or at spl.org/Calendar. Many of these events are supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.
The Library offers a range of other free events and workshops in September, including story times, Homework Help (which will begin the week of Sept. 16), one-on-one business help and civic and community programs.
• Aiden Thomas and Margaret Owen discuss “Celestial Monsters.” From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. Aiden Thomas, a trans Latinx author from Portland, and award-winning YA author Margaret Owen discuss “Celestial Monsters,” Thomas’ heart-stopping duology finale to “The Sunbearer Trials.” Aiden Thomas (he/him/they/them) is the New York Times bestselling author of “Cemetery Boys.” The event partner is Charlie’s Queer Books. Registration is required.
• Garth Greenwell and Daniel Tam-Claiborne discuss “Small Rain.” From 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. “Small Rain,” which Miranda July called “incredibly moving,” is a novel about one man’s near-death experience by the critically acclaimed author of “Cleanness,” a 2023 finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. Greenwell will speak with Daniel Tam-Claiborne, Seattle writer and producer. Event partner is Third Place Books. Registration is required.
• Beacon Hill Branch “Libraries for All” 20th Anniversary Celebration. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14. Beacon Hill Branch. Join us to celebrate the Beacon Hill Branch’s anniversary with hands-on activities, refreshments, and photos and memories of the branch throughout the years. Registration is not required.
• Anna Zivarts discusses “When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency.” From 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. In “When Driving Is Not an Option,” Seattle-area disability rights advocate Anna Letitia Zivarts shines a light on the number of people in the U.S. who cannot drive and explains how improving our transportation system with nondrivers in mind will create a better quality of life for everyone. Live ASL captioning provided. Event partners are Elliott Bay Book Company and Island Books. Registration is required.
• Dr. Karen Tang and Jane Park Kang discuss “It’s Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told).” From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20. Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium. Dr. Karen Tang, board-certified gynecologist, is on a mission to transform how we engage with our bodies and our healthcare. “It’s Not Hysteria” is a comprehensive guide to common conditions and potential treatment options, designed to help readers to take control of their gynecologic health. Dr. Tang will talk with former newscaster and Tik Tok sensation Jane Park Kang. Registration is required.
• Escribiendo e ilustrando cuentos de suspenso. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21. Central Library, Level 4, room 2. En este taller de cuatro días aprenderán a escribir e ilustrar una historia de suspenso inspirada en autores y artistas latinoamericanos. Las sesiones serán impartidas en español por dos artistas locales mexicana. Central Library. Students will learn and be exposed to the creative techniques of authors and artists from Latin America. They will also learn how to write short suspense stories and various graphic techniques to illustrate their prose. No se requiere inscripción, registration not required.
• Banned Book Week Kick-off. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, Central Library, Living Room, Level 3. Words have power! Kick off your celebration of Banned Books Week with Partners in Print. Stop by the Central Library, Living Room between to letterpress print your own words about what books mean to you. You’ll print two posters — you can keep one and hang one in a public display that will be enjoyed all week long. Registration is not required.
WRITING EVENTS AND BOOK CLUBS
• Writers Read. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8. Columbia Branch meeting room. Join us for a monthly reading series with the African American Writers’ Alliance featuring an open mic and selected author readings from local writers. Registration is required.
• Low Vision Book Group. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10. Central Library, Level 1 - Room 165. Join our Low Vision Book Group for a discussion of “The Impossible First: From Fire to Ice-Crossing Antarctica Alone” by Colin O’Brady.
• Write with Hugo House: Seattle Writes. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10. Fremont Branch. Write with Hugo House is a drop-in writing circle for adults of all experience levels. All genres of writing welcome. Registration not required.
• Virtual Write With Hugo House. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 11. Join us for an online writing circle for all ages and genres of writing. Facilitated by poet Jeanine Walker, this circle will focus on generative writing through poetry prompts, but it’s designed for all writers. Registration is required.
• It’s About Time Writers Reading Series. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sep. 12. Ballard Branch Meeting Room. It’s About Time Writers Reading Series features author readings and open mics. Registration is not required.
• El Club Latino. From 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 15. Central Library Level 8 - Meeting Room. Únase al Club deLectura de la Biblioteca Central. El libro de este mes es: “Donde somos humanos: historias genuinas sobre migración, sobrevivencia y renaceres” de Reyna Grande. No se requiere inscripción.
• Poetry Potluck @ Ballard Branch. From 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18. Ballard Branch Meeting Room. Join our informal gathering to read aloud and listen to poems by writers throughout the world and across time. Registration is not required.
• Write with Hugo House: Seattle Writes @ Douglass-Truth Branch. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept.19. Douglass-Truth Branch meeting room. Do you crave a dedicated space to write and connect with fellow writers? Our group, facilitated by Miz Portiontè Floes, provides just that.
Find more events at www.spl.org/Calendar.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.