Literary Notes

Poet Jane Wong stops by the WTBBL studios to chat about her memoir, Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City. Library volunteer Amber Wang, who recorded the book for our catalog, joins her to discuss researching her family without an archive, writing about memories from a distance, hearing new stories from her mom, and much more.

Glen Erik Hamilton joins us to discuss his crime thriller series following the adventures of former criminal-in-training Van Shaw. He joins longtime WTBBL volunteer Rick Sipe to discuss his background, the logistics of Seattle as a setting for a thriller, his favorite (and least favorite) parts of being a writer, and much more.

Sci-fi author Timothy Zahn stopped by WTBBL in 2008 to discuss his book Allegiance, a story set in between the original Star Wars film and its sequel, along with many of his other works. The interview was conducted by WTBBL volunteer Jeff Cavanaugh.

Children's book author, food writer, and "Seattle Soup Lady" Caroline Wright swings by to talk about her cookbook, Soup Club. WTBBL volunteer Beth Larimore chats with her about the book, as well as the COVID lockdown-era club that inspired her to write it.

Writer Diana Morita Cole joins WTBBL via video call to discuss her book Sideways: Memoir of a Misfit. Born in the Minidoka Relocation Center during World War II, she discusses her tumultuous childhood and what we can learn from her story today. WTBBL volunteer Jillian Igarashi, who recorded the book for our collection, conducted he interview.

Fashion journalist and Guinness World Record holder Eden Dawn joins us via video call to chat about The Seattle Book of Dates. Written and researched extensively by Dawn and her husband Ashod Simonian, The Seattle Book of Dates is a guide to exploring the Pacific Northwest for two! WTBBL volunteer Holly Chaffin conducted the interview and recorded the book for our collection.

Author and illustrator Amy Hevron sits down with us to talk about her Tiny Habitats books, a series of picture books that teaches kids about wildlife in peculiar places. She talks with WTBBL volunteer Rachel Glass about her illustrations and research, and they do a deeper dive into some of the habitats depicted in her books.

Writer Jonathan Tropper came by the WTBBL studios in 2009 to chat about his book This is Where I Leave You, about a family forced to stay under one roof after the death of their father. The interview was conducted by WTBBL volunteer Heidi Lang.

New York Times bestseller Robert Dugoni chats with WTBBL volunteer Courtney Maheras about the Tracy Crosswhite novels, a long-running crime procedural series set in Seattle. They talk about the origins of Tracy, researching for crime thrillers, and Seattle restaurants that may or may not be fictional.

Community historian Ellie Belew joins WTBBL volunteer Sara Ainsworth to talk about the first women to work at Seattle City Light and the severe challenges they faced due to racism, sexism, unfair management, and the dangerous nature of their work. She recounts the story in her book High Voltage Women: Breaking Barriers at Seattle City Light.