Has the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture’s summer exhibit, Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures, sparked your curiosity? We’ve created these reading lists, by age group for further reading on the topic.
Mythical Creatures – Children
Mythical Creatures – Young Adults
Mythical Creatures – Adults
1993: Alene Moris
1994: Linda Ellerbee
1995: Anna Quindlen
1996: Cicely Tyson
1997: Carrie Fisher
1998: Judge Glenda Hatchett
1999: Gloria Steinem
2000: Cokie Roberts
2001: Kerry Kennedy Cuomo
2002: Madame Sadat
2003: Ellen Goodman
2004: Deloris Jordan
2005: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
2006: Lisa Ling
2007: Soledad O’Brien
2008: Jeannette Walls
2009: Jean Chatzky
2010: Liz Murrary
2011: Naomi Judd
2012: Elizabeth Smart
2013: Bonnie St. John
2014: Christopher Gardner
2015: Amanda Lindhout
2016: Sheryl WuDunn
2017: Glennon Doyle Melton
2018: Dr. Tererai Trent
2019: Victor Rivas Rivers
We are honored to share that Spokane Public Library was named a finalist for the 2019 National Medal award.
The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries by the Institute of Museum and Library Services in recognition of exceptional service to the community and for making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
This year’s finalists include public libraries and library systems; a statewide digital library; art, science, and children’s museums; and many other types of institutions that exemplify the great diversity of libraries and museums across the country.
This honor recognizes how our programs Library Cards for Spokane Public Schools, Books for Babies, Lilac City Live, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital Outreach Program and more impact Spokane and everyone who lives here.
We are grateful for your continued support and are honored to be recognized as a 2019 finalist. National Medal winners will be announced this spring.
Help us celebrate!
We invite you to share your own story about how Spokane Public Library has impacted your life.
Staff Picks: Kids
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
Staff Picks: Fiction
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Staff Picks: Non-Fiction
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
Almost Everything by Anne Lamott
The Diabetes Code by Jason Fung
Palaces for the People by Eric Klinenberg
Staff Picks: Mystery and Thriller
Staff Picks: Science Fiction and Fantasy
Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
Staff Picks: Comics and Graphic Novels
What are banned or challenged books and why do we celebrate Banned Books Week every September? According to American Library Association, a challenged book is “an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group,” while banned books are removed altogether. This is an issue commonly noticed in public libraries, schools and other facets of communities. Celebrating Banned Books Week means we celebrate the freedom to read and the freedom to share ideas without the threat of censorship. Below is a list of the Top 10 Banned Books of 2017, all available at the library.
While Hispanic Heritage Month only lasts four weeks, it’s always a good time to read from authors you may not have before. We have a variety of books written by Hispanic authors at the library. Go beyond your favorite genre and read something new. Below is a short list of books with a diverse range of perspectives. Check them out!
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and reflect on how Hispanic culture shapes our country. This is especially expressed in the form of children’s books. Below is a list of powerful stories to read to kids about Hispanic culture and the impact it has in our communities.
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
Islandborn by Junot Diaz
Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina
The Poet Upstairs by Judith Ortiz Cofer
Too many Tamales by Gary Soto
Day of the Dead by Linda Lowery
Mama Provi and the Pot of Rice by Sylvia Rosa-Casanova
Join us for the next Lilac City Live! on September 20th. A “late night” talk show featuring local Spokane talent at the Downtown Library — Drinks! Music! Authors! Artists! Comedians! It’s guaranteed to be a fun time. And it’s a great opportunity to see some awesome Spokane talent for free.
September 20th
7 PM, no-host bar featuring Little Spokane Brewing Company (all proceeds benefit Spokane Public Library Foundation)
8 PM, late night talk show-style show
Hosted by Ryan Dean Tucker
Guests
Ginger Ewing and Luke Baumgarten
Ginger and Luke are the co-founders of Terrain. The annual Terrain show will be held October 4 (preview night) and 5 at Terrain. Learn more about the show and how Terrain supports emerging Spokane artists.
Lavoy
Alaska band, Lavoy, will take the stage as the musical guest.
Power 2 the Poetry
Power 2 the Poetry specializes in the art of spoken word. They host a poetry slam at the Downtown Library each month.
Hannah Tilley
Hannah is the featured comedian.
Join us for the next Lilac City Live! at Pig out in the Park on August 30. A “late night” talk show featuring local Spokane talent, this time at the Ribbon Stage — Music! Authors! Artists! Comedians! It’s guaranteed to be a fun time. And it’s a great opportunity to see some awesome Spokane talent for free.
August 30, 2018
Bring your favorite Pig Out treats and pig out at the show!
8 PM, late night talk show-style show hosted by Ryan Dean Tucker
Guests
Bill Burke
Burke is the organizer of Pig Out in the Park. For the past 39 years, he has overseen all the bands and vendors, and watched as the festival grew. It is now one of the largest food festivals in Spokane (if not the largest).
Atari Ferrari
Musical guest Atari Ferrari features Matthew Hughes (vocals, guitar, songwriter), Robert Shugert (drums), Eric Woodard (guitar, vocals, songwriter), Scott Schultz (bass, vocals). (Source: Facebook & atariferrari.com)
Nathan Weinbender
Weinbender is The Inlander’s Film and Music Editor and is often a Film Critic for Spokane Public Radio.
Midnight Goats
Spokane-based The Midnight Goats are a musical-comedy duo. They’ve performed at major music festivals such as Seattle’s Bumbershoot and the Seattle Festival of Improvised Theater. (Source: Facebook)
The Man Booker Prize is awarded to a fiction piece deemed the best novel of the year. It is described as “the leading literary award in the English speaking world” and launches careers for many authors. The list below shares the longlist of nominees revealed for 2018 (the shortlist will be published in September). The winner will be determined in November, but you can still read all of them and determine for yourself which one is the best! And the nominees are (on order, so prepare to place a hold)…
This week, former President Obama recommended his reading list as he embarked on his first trip to Africa since leaving office. You can check out these titles from Spokane Public Library.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
A true classic of world literature, this novel paints a picture of traditional society wrestling with the arrival of foreign influence, from Christian missionaries to British colonialism. A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
Mandela’s life was one of the epic stories of the 20th century. This definitive memoir traces the arc of his life from a small village, to his years as a revolutionary, to his long imprisonment, and ultimately his ascension to unifying President, leader, and global icon. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand history – and then go out and change it.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (also available in ebook)
From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.
The Return by Hisham Matar
A beautifully-written memoir that skillfully balances a graceful guide through Libya’s recent history with the author’s dogged quest to find his father who disappeared in Gaddafi’s prisons.
The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes (also available in ebook)
It’s true, Ben does not have African blood running through his veins. But few others so closely see the world through my eyes like he can. Ben’s one of the few who’ve been with me since that first presidential campaign. His memoir is one of the smartest reflections I’ve seen as to how we approached foreign policy, and one of the most compelling stories I’ve seen about what it’s actually like to serve the American people for eight years in the White House.
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