Literary Notes

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...

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.

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.

Urban planning and Asian American history professor Dr. Marie Rose Wong stops by to talk about her book Building Tradition: Pan-Asian Seattle and Life in the Residential Hotels, detailing the history of Seattle's International District and its single-room occupancy hotels. The interview was conducted by WTBBL volunteer Camille Blanchette.

Author and former WTBBL volunteer Kat Richardson sat down with us to chat about the third book in her supernatural mystery series, Greywalker. This interview was conducted back in 2008 by Jeff Cavanaugh.

Science writer Mary Roach joins us to talk about her latest book, Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy. She discusses the advancements made in replacing and enhancing parts of the human body and the people she's met from around the world to learn about them. The interview was conducted via video call by WTBBL volunteer Rachel Glass.

Historian Peter Blecha joins us to talk about his books Rock & Roll Archaeologist and Stomp & Shout: R&B and the Origins of Northwest Rock & Roll. He recounts his time as the senior curator for the Museum of Pop Culture and gives a brief overview of popular music throughout the Pacific Northwest. The interview was conducted by lead media technician Nathan Ureta.

Historian Frederick L. Brown discusses his book The City is More Than Human: An Animal History of Seattle with library volunteer Chris Snee. The book recounts the history of the city with a focus on the livestock, pets, and wildlife that helped shape Seattle into what it is today.

Writer and social worker Michael Keen visits our studio to talk about Notes From the Trauma Party, a novel taking heavy inspiration from his experiences with love, writing, addiction, and more. The interview was conducted by former WTBBL patron services specialist Izzy Fernandez. 

Writer and former National Park ranger Russell Cahill sits down with WTBBL volunteer Howard Lazzarini to discuss his memoir, two works of fiction, and the life outdoors that inspired them.

In 2009, author Jamie Ford stopped by our studios to discuss his debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. It tells the story of a Chinese-American boy in Seattle during the 1940s and his connection to a Japanese-American girl who was interned at a camp south of Seattle. Former volunteer Na Young Kwon sat down with Ford to talk about the novel, the hotel that serves as its setting, the...