Whether you devour 50 books a year or haven’t picked one up in months, we all get into reading ruts. So, let’s fix that. 

Seattle Readers, it’s time to get into that reading groove and we’ve got you covered with tips, tricks, and a whole bunch of empathy. Seattle Public Library’s Stesha Brandon joins us for some literary hot takes, tips for getting out of a reading rut, and she explains why walking your cat is a perfect time to listen to audiobooks.

And… if you need even more help filling that book-shaped void, here’s Stesha and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): getting into your reading groove
The River Has Roots Amal El-Mohtar
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Jane Austen (anything)
 In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Mapping the Interior Stephen Graham Jones
Hell Is A World Without You by Jason Kirk
Out There Screaming by Jordan Peele
Your Next Five via The Seattle Public Library
Welcome to Night Vale, a podcast

This episode originally ran in August 2025. 

 

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org. 

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org 

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

Become a KUOW member today.

Whether you devour 50 books a year or haven&rsquo;t picked one up in months, we all get into reading ruts. So, let&rsquo;s fix that.&nbsp;
Seattle Readers, it&rsquo;s time to get into that reading groove and we&rsquo;ve got you covered with tips, tricks, and a whole bunch of empathy. Seattle Public Library&rsquo;s Stesha Brandon joins us for some literary hot takes, tips for getting out of a reading rut, and she explains why walking your cat is a perfect time to listen to audiobooks.
And&hellip; if you need even more help filling that book-shaped void, here&rsquo;s Stesha and Katie&rsquo;s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): getting into your reading groove
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The River Has Roots Amal El-Mohtar</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Husbands by Holly Gramazio</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley</li>
<li aria-level="1">Jane Austen (anything)</li>
<li aria-level="1">&nbsp;In Cold Blood by Truman Capote</li>
<li aria-level="1">Mapping the Interior Stephen Graham Jones</li>
<li aria-level="1">Hell Is A World Without You by Jason Kirk</li>
<li aria-level="1">Out There Screaming by Jordan Peele</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/authors-and-books/your-next-5-books">Your Next Five via The Seattle Public Library</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Welcome to Night Vale, a podcast</li>
</ul>
This episode originally ran in August 2025.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Where&rsquo;s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.&nbsp;
Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org&nbsp;
Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!&nbsp;
<a href="kuow.org/meet">Become a KUOW member today</a>.

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

Refresh your relationship with reading for the new year with tips and recommendations for getting out of a reading rut. 

Ending your reading rut in the new year 

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend.

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows. 

LINKS: 
2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Northwest Film Forum
David Horsey | Elliott Bay Book Company
OrcaCon Tabletop Games Convention 
Seattle Travel and Adventure Show
Great Train Show 2026 - Ridgefield, WA
Seattle Bach Festival
Jules Maes Saloon - Prohibition Party
Seattle Torrent vs Minnesota Frost
Official Watch Party at Rough & Tumble Ballard

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet 

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend.
Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.&nbsp;
LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://nwfilmforum.org/films/2025-sundance-film-festival-short-film-tour/">2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Northwest Film Forum</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/events/49057">David Horsey | Elliott Bay Book Company</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.orcacon.org/">OrcaCon Tabletop Games Convention</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://travelshows.com/shows/seattle/">Seattle Travel and Adventure Show</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.greattrainshow.com/gts-show-landing-pages/ridgefield-01-26">Great Train Show 2026</a> - Ridgefield, WA</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://seattlebachfestival.org/">Seattle Bach Festival</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/jules-maes-prohibition-party-2026-01-10-jules-maes-seattle-68fe25">Jules Maes Saloon - Prohibition Party</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/game-center/252">Seattle Torrent vs Minnesota Frost</a>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Official Watch Party at <a href="https://www.roughandtumblepub.com/">Rough &amp; Tumble Ballard</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/meet">kuow.org/donate/meet&nbsp;</a>
Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.&nbsp;

Meet Me Here presents KUOW's Weekend Warmup! Find all the events worthy of YOUR time off with host Jason Megatron Burrows.

Weekend Warmup for Jan 8-11

Superhero movies are important reflections of our cultural moment. In 2026 we have some big hitters coming from Marvel and DC, and a potential power shift in super cinematic glory. Local film reviewer Tim Hall walks us through DC’s renewal, previews the big movie Marvel is saving for the holidays, and gives a sneak peek at the streaming show you won’t want to miss–even if you think you don’t like comic books.

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org. 

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org 

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

Become a KUOW member today.

Superhero movies are important reflections of our cultural moment. In 2026 we have some big hitters coming from Marvel and DC, and a potential power shift in super cinematic glory. Local film reviewer&nbsp;<a href="https://thepeoplescriticblog.com/author/timothylhall/" data-stringify-link="https://thepeoplescriticblog.com/author/timothylhall/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Tim Hall</a>&nbsp;walks us through DC&rsquo;s renewal, previews the big movie Marvel is saving for the holidays, and gives a sneak peek at the streaming show you won&rsquo;t want to miss&ndash;even if you think you don&rsquo;t like comic books.
Where&rsquo;s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.&nbsp;
Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org&nbsp;
Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!&nbsp;
<a href="kuow.org/meet">Become a KUOW member today</a>.

Host Dyer Oxley reviews superhero movies coming in 2026 with Seattle based film critic Tim Hall. 

The best superhero flicks in 2026! 

More and more Native Hawaiians are moving to the Pacific Northwest. In fact, Washington state has the third largest number of Kanaka Maoli, or Native Hawaiians, outside of Hawaii and California.

As they move here, people are bringing their beloved customs and traditions with them. Like the artform of making lei, which are garlands made using all kinds of materials including flowers, nuts, clay and feathers.

Seattle Times business reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton belongs to this community and was curious about how cultural traditions and customs have evolved in the Seattle area. Her article, Hawaiian lei makers blossom in Seattle area, but challenges grow, dives into this issue.

Boyanton spoke with Meet Me Here host Jeannie Yandel about what she learned from local lei-makers for this story, and about the history of lei in Hawaii. 

This interview originally ran on KUOW's daily news podcast, Seattle Now. 

 

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org. 

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org 

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

Become a KUOW member today.

More and more Native Hawaiians are moving to the Pacific Northwest. In fact, Washington state has the third largest number of Kanaka Maoli, or Native Hawaiians, outside of Hawaii and California.
As they move here, people are bringing their beloved customs and traditions with them. Like the artform of making lei, which are garlands made using all kinds of materials including flowers, nuts, clay and feathers.
Seattle Times business reporter <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/author/megan-ulu-lani-boyanton/">Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton</a> belongs to this community and was curious about how cultural traditions and customs have evolved in the Seattle area. Her article, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/hawaiian-lei-makers-blossom-in-seattle-area-but-challenges-grow/">Hawaiian lei makers blossom in Seattle area, but challenges grow</a>, dives into this issue.
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/author/megan-ulu-lani-boyanton/">Boyanton</a> spoke with Meet Me Here host Jeannie Yandel about what she learned from local lei-makers for this story, and about the history of lei in Hawaii.&nbsp;
This interview originally ran on KUOW's daily news podcast, <a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/seattlenow">Seattle Now</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Where&rsquo;s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.&nbsp;
Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org&nbsp;
Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.kuow.org//donate/meet">Become a KUOW member today</a>.

Meet the Native Hawaiians in Washington state who are continuing a beloved tradition: creating handmade lei out of everything from flesh flowers to nuts to feathers. 

Ending your reading rut in the new year

Meet Me Here

In 1 playlist(s)

Meet Me Here

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips