Here’s a literary hot take: are you reading that book or just carrying it around from tote bag to tote bag? Right.

Seattle Readers, it’s time for a midyear reading round up, and we’re gonna find out what books this city of readers are actually devouring (so far). Elliott Bay Book Company’s Sofia Brekkan joins us for some literary hot takes, staff pick hacks, and a round of ‘would you rather’ that reveals Sofia’s controversial reading habits.

Check out some of the books mentioned in this episode:
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) by Suzanne Collins
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Big Kiss, Bye-Bye by Claire-Louise Bennett
Self Help by Lorrie Moore
The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels 
Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe 
Heaven by Emerson Whitney
Moderation by Elaine Castillo
Horror for Weenies by Emily C Hughes 

Check out all of staff picks from Elliott Bay Book Company here.

Other book-ish and artsy recommendations from this week’s episode: 
KUOW July Book Club: Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu in conversation with Katie Campbell- July 30th, 2025 
CID Reading Block Party - August 3rd, 2025
Teo's Durumi, Author Elaine U. Cho at Elliott Bay - August 5th, 2025
Extinction Capital of the World, Author Mariah Rigg at Elliott Bay on August 21st, 2025
Urban Craft Uprising at Magnuson Park Hangar 30 on Saturday & Sunday, July 26th & 27th, 2025
Jazz Night in Pioneer Square - Tuesday, July 29th, 2025

Did we miss a must read for 2025? Got a literary hot take Seattle readers MUST know? Hey, send us an email at meetmehere@kuow.org. 

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! 

Become a KUOW member today. 

Here&rsquo;s a literary hot take: are you reading that book or just carrying it around from tote bag to tote bag? Right.
Seattle Readers, it&rsquo;s time for a midyear reading round up, and we&rsquo;re gonna find out what books this city of readers are actually devouring (so far). Elliott Bay Book Company&rsquo;s Sofia Brekkan joins us for some literary hot takes, staff pick hacks, and a round of &lsquo;would you rather&rsquo; that reveals Sofia&rsquo;s controversial reading habits.
Check out some of the books mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/YhqD3VmM9ItVpR-J69C5bQ/lists/L8DuH62ci_b4/">I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/sHLPL3DeHtUANJwNyibbXA">Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) by Suzanne Collins</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/1sM1NJwkMQeYTsnKx-Fkiw">Katabasis by R.F. Kuang</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/Y10lLSQ5wzNMYwWsLBiFnQ">Big Kiss, Bye-Bye by Claire-Louise Bennett</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/BCF_nhsWIAUmkRsh1SCcjw">Self Help by Lorrie Moore</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/YU0xhUHTV0mNiZyJeU-v7w/lists/Lhb2tCQSvZ5c">The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="Feeding%20Ghosts%20by%20Tessa%20Hulls%20|%20Elliott%20Bay%20Book%20Company">Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/zroBIQl5na9XHtTZRFccrw/lists/LjQ5YiGAvXas/">Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe </a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/SDumxb94b1vlgkk8rmsRvg">Heaven by Emerson Whitney</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/ymASTSSKIbbtG7lnEKpC5Q">Moderation by Elaine Castillo</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/SbFnEzAaxwc9nrclUjxNgw">Horror for Weenies by Emily C Hughes&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
Check out all of staff picks from Elliott Bay Book Company <a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/staff-picks">here.</a>
Other book-ish and artsy recommendations from this week&rsquo;s episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="July%20Book%20Club%20Spotlight:%20Kim%20Fu%20Live%20with%20KUOW">KUOW July Book Club: Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu in conversation with Katie Campbell- July 30th, 2025&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="Queer%20Silent%20Book%20Club%20Seattle%20|%20Join%20us%20on%20Sunday,%20August%203%20at%2010%20am%20for%20a%20reading%20block%20party%20across%20several%20fantastic%20venues%20in%20Seattle&rsquo;s%20Chinatown-International...%20|%20Instagram">CID Reading Block Party - August 3rd, 2025</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/events/47332">Teo's Durumi, Author Elaine U. Cho at Elliott Bay - August 5th, 2025</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/events">Extinction Capital of the World, Author Mariah Rigg at Elliott Bay on August 21st, 2025</a></li>
<li><a href="https://urbancraftuprising.com/ucu/">Urban Craft Uprising at Magnuson Park Hangar 30 on Saturday &amp; Sunday, July 26th &amp; 27th, 2025</a></li>
<li><a href="Jazz%20Night%20In%20Pioneer%20Square%20-%20Visit%20Pioneer%20Square%20-%20Seattle,%20WA">Jazz Night in Pioneer Square - Tuesday, July 29th, 2025</a></li>
</ul>
Did we miss a must read for 2025? Got a literary hot take Seattle readers MUST know? Hey, send us an email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:meetmehere@kuow.org">meetmehere@kuow.org</a>.&nbsp;
Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate">Become a KUOW member today</a>.&nbsp;

Meet Me Here is your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle. In each episode, we’re fighting the freeze and meeting you around the region for art shows, concerts, author talks, geeky get-togethers, and more. There’s a lot to do in this region, so let’s make some plans and go experience it together.

HOSTS
Jeannie Yandel covers arts and culture events. Jeannie's goal is to get you out and about in the city's arts and culture scenes, especially stuff that's free or inexpensive or doesn't make your typical critic's list.
Katie Campbell covers Seattle’s literary scene, including visiting authors on tour, local writers, and maybe even cozy places to read in and around Seattle. Katie is your book club bestie, here to help you build community around reading.
Dyer Oxley covers pop culture and how it intersects with life in the Puget Sound region. We’re a geeky place, and Dyer will dig into the conversations and debates overheard at local comic-cons, movie theaters, and happy hours with your friends

Meet Me Here&nbsp;is your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle. In each episode, we&rsquo;re fighting the freeze and meeting you around the region for art shows, concerts, author talks, geeky get-togethers, and more. There&rsquo;s a lot to do in this region, so let&rsquo;s make some plans and go experience it together.
HOSTS
<ul>
<li>Jeannie Yandel covers arts and culture events. Jeannie's goal is to get you out and about in the city's arts and culture scenes, especially stuff that's free or inexpensive or doesn't make your typical critic's list.</li>
<li>Katie Campbell covers Seattle&rsquo;s literary scene, including visiting authors on tour, local writers, and maybe even cozy places to read in and around Seattle. Katie is your book club bestie, here to help you build community around reading.</li>
<li>Dyer Oxley covers pop culture and how it intersects with life in the Puget Sound region. We&rsquo;re a geeky place, and Dyer will dig into the conversations and debates overheard at local comic-cons, movie theaters, and happy hours with your friends</li>
</ul>

Meet Me Here is your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle. 

Meet Me Here

It’s time for a midyear reading round up, and we’re gonna find out what books Seattle readers are actually devouring. Elliott Bay Book Company’s Sofia Brekkan joins us for some literary hot takes, staff pick hacks, and controversial reading habits

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