Little Free Libraries in Seattle

Little Free Libraries in Seattle

Six months ago, we moved to this neighborhood and I wrote about my joy in finding a little free library nearby. At the time, this concept was new to me.

Since then, I’ve discovered our neighborhood is full of these Little Free Libraries, and it does help to build a sense of community in the neighborhood.

little free libraries

Gem was particularly fond of this lighthouse themed library. She brought her mermaid so she could check it out, too.

free little library lighthouse design

Another of our favorite libraries is actually two Little Free Libraries: one for kids and one for adults.

little free libraries for adults and kids
little free library

There is quite an active community around these book exchanges. There is a facebook page for local fans and Architects without Borders is sponsoring a design competition for the structures that house these libraries.

Gem decided she would like to donate some of her books to one of the little libraries.

Gem: I want to give these books to other kids who don't have any books.
Me: That's a very nice thing to do.
Gem: Well, these books are bad
Me: why are they bad?
Gem: Well it's not nice to hop on people, its not nice to mess up people's houses, and kids should never cross the street without holding a grownup's hand
seuss books

Bird nest with a guardian angel

Bird nest with a guardian angel

This bird found the perfect place to build her nest – complete with guardian angel.

bird nest with a guardian angel

I took this picture a few years ago. The piece I referred to as a guardian angel is one of the terracotta figures that adorn the front of the Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington. It is a stunning work of architecture.

Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington - guardian angel

The Reading Room inside the library is also worth a look. It’s one of my favorite places to take a quiet moment and goes by the nickname, the Harry Potter Room.

Banned Books Week

When thinking of banned and contested books, it’s easy to conjure up images of the repression that existed in America during the 1950s. Sure, we’ve all heard of the book burning parties, and we all know that Diary of Anne Frank and Of Mice and Men
were banned back in the day.

But the repression hasn’t ended.

The assault on knowledge and ideas and discussion and diversity marches on. In 21st Century America book burning parties continue, as do attempts at banning books in libraries.

Here is a partial list of the banned and contested books from just this past year.

    Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Indian kid goes to an all white school.

    Anonymous. Go Ask Alice. Don’t do drugs.

    Bowden, Mark. Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. War is violent.

    Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. All’s fair in love and war – one of my favorite books

    Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. I think everyone should read this book.

    Maguire, Gregory. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Tells the other side of the story of the Wizard of Oz.

    Meyer, Stephenie H. The Twilight Series. Vampires from a Mormon’s perspective.

    Picoult, Jodi. My Sister’s Keeper. Little sister doesn’t want to donate her kidney.

    Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass. Religion can have a dark side.

    Richardson, Justin, and Peter Parnell. And Tango Makes Three. The world is not suffering from too much love.

    Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. I am no fan of Holden, but I understand his frustration with hypocrisy.

    Seierstad, Åsne. The Bookseller of Kabul. This book was infuriating at times, but it made me think.

    Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. resilience.

The irony of book banning is that it’s one of the best ways to get someone to read a book they otherwise might not consider. Read a banned book this week. Check with your local library for more information.


What is your favorite banned book?

I think mine has to be The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. It’s more relevant today than it was when it was written.

The Reading Room

The Reading Room

For the past couple of months the Husband has been encouraging me to pack up my goodies and go spend a day studying in the reading room in the Suzzillo Library at the University of Washington. It’s just a couple blocks away, but I’ve been resisting.

For some reason I felt intimidated.

suzzallo reading room

I’m not sure why, in fact I think my IQ went up a few points just by my walking into the room.

This is such a beautiful room, and the people studying in the room treat it with respect. I love how there is a quiet in here that does not exist in other parts of the library. No jabbering on cell phones, no printers, no copiers, no high heels clacking.

harry potter room

Once I got over the gawkfest and took a few pictures, I was able to settle down and get some work done.

reading-room

It was so nice to have a quiet place to work with no interruptions. Every once in a while the Husband is right.

Where do you do your writing?

MORE: check out the bird nest with a guardian angel right out the library’s front door.