Literary Notes

Journalist, author, and filmmaker Nora Ephron stopped by the WTBBL studios in 2010 to discuss her memoir I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections. She speaks with volunteer Heidi Lang about her start in writing, growing older, and what she sees in the future for writers and journalists.

Writer Samantha Allen stops by to discuss her satirical horror novel Patricia Wants to Cuddle, which follows the shooting of a Bachelor-like reality show interrupted by a Bigfoot-like monster. Library volunteer Ren Caldwell chats with Allen about reality TV, connection in the age of social media, and much more.

Prolific fantasy & romance writer Katie Cross joins us to discuss her many works, her writing process, and much more. She was interviewed remotely by library volunteer Abby Travers.

Author and translator of Japanese literature Jay Rubin joins us to talk about his debut novel The Sun Gods, a sprawling tale of a son searching for his Japanese mother in the wake of World War II. WTBBL volunteer Rick Sipe conducted the interview.

Filmmaker and bus driver Nathan Vass returns to the WTBBL studios to discuss his second book, Deciding to See: The View From Nathan's Bus. He reunites with volunteer Chris Snee to talk about writing a second set of stories, the many characters he encounters driving buses at night in south Seattle, being in Paris during the terrorist attacks of November 2015, and more.

Drummer and independent music mogul Nabil Ayers came by our studios in 2022 to chat about his memoir My Life in the Sunshine: Searching For My Father and Discovering My Family. The book details his deep passion for music and his relationship with his father, jazz musician Roy Ayers. The interview was conducted by former integrative services librarian Ryan Gelskey.

Seattle Bike Blog founder and editor Tom Fucoloro talks with WTBBL volunteer Merri Ann Osborne about his book Biking Uphill in the Rain: The Story of Seattle Behind the Handlebars, a detailed history of bike culture in the Pacific Northwest.

Writer Karen Tei Yamashita stopped by our studios to talk about her book I Hotel, a novel detailing the final years of San Fransisco's I Hotel. In the early 20th century, it was a hub for Filipino migrant workers and Chinese immigrants, and in later decades it became a hotspot of Asian American activism when its demolition was announced. This interview was conducted in 2011 by audiobook production supervisor John Pai.

Novelist Jesse Q. Sutanto comes to the WTBBL studios to discuss her new novel Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block. She speaks with library volunteer Ren Caldwell about the trophy-wife upbringing that inspired the novel, her passion for travel, living with ADHD, and much more.

Creative director and food stylist Andrea Pons stops by to discuss her cookbook Mamacita: Recipes Celebrating Life as a Mexican Immigrant in America, and the fascinating true story behind it. She joins WTBBL volunteer Margarita Muñoz to talk about immigration, compare pinto beans and black beans, and enjoy homemade conchas.