This week we are hitting the books with our book bestie Spencer Ruchti, the events manager at Third Place Books. We dig through the Seattle reads that skyrocketed to the top of so many TBR lists in 2025 and... why hardcover books are the Porsche of books. Plus, we give you some tips for setting book-ish goals for reading more in 2026. 

And… if you need some help filling that book shaped void after listening to the episode, here’s Spencer and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL):
On the Calculations of Volume by Solvej Balle
You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue
Third Place Book Events
Explore the Seattle Room at the Seattle Public Library 
KUOW Book Club https://www.kuow.org/series/books  
Crux by Gabriel Tallent


Event recommendations from this week’s episode:
Broadview Branch 50th Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, January 24, 2026

Got a book rec? Tell us about your favorite books of 2025 or the ones you can’t wait to read in 2026 meetmehere@kuow.org. 

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! 
Become a KUOW member today.

This week we are hitting the books with our book bestie Spencer Ruchti, the events manager at Third Place Books. We dig through the Seattle reads that skyrocketed to the top of so many TBR lists in 2025 and... why hardcover books are the Porsche of books. Plus, we give you some tips for setting book-ish goals for reading more in 2026.&nbsp;
And&hellip; if you need some help filling that book shaped void after listening to the episode, here&rsquo;s Spencer and Katie&rsquo;s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL):
<ul>
<li>On the Calculations of Volume by Solvej Balle</li>
<li>You Dreamed of Empires by &Aacute;lvaro Enrigue</li>
<li>Third Place Book Events</li>
<li>Explore the Seattle Room at the Seattle Public Library&nbsp;</li>
<li>KUOW Book Club&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/series/books">https://www.kuow.org/series/books</a> &nbsp;</li>
<li>Crux by Gabriel Tallent</li>
</ul>
 Event recommendations from this week&rsquo;s episode: Broadview Branch 50th Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, January 24, 2026
Got a book rec? Tell us about your favorite books of 2025 or the ones you can&rsquo;t wait to read in 2026 <a href="mailto:meetmehere@kuow.org">meetmehere@kuow.org</a>. 
Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!&nbsp; <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/meetnotes">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.

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.

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

Meet Me Here

This week we're hitting the books and finding out which books Seattle loved and slept on in 2025! 

Our Book Bestie’s Best Books of 2025

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:
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS vs San Francisco 49ers - Saturday 5pm
Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet - Sun 7pm
Seattle Kraken vs Pittsburgh Penguins - Mon 2pm
Seattle Retro Fest
Monster Jam | Tacoma Dome
Fat Con
Kidstock! 2026 | Edmonds Center for the Arts
Follow the Yellow Brick Road: An Oz Film Festival 
2026 Winterhop Brewfest

MLK Day Events:
Annual Community Celebration of MLK | Seattle Colleges - Fri 1/16
2026 MLK Day March & Celebration on January 17 - Parkways - Sat 1/17 
26th Annual Expansions MLK Unity Party and Live Broadcast - Sun 1/18
MLK Celebration 2026 - Bainbridge Island Museum of Art - Sunday 1/18
Events | SCBHC - Everett, WA Sun 1/18 - Celebration + Mon 1/19 - March & Rally
MLK Day — Seattle MLK Jr Organizing Coalition - Mon 1/19
NAAM | Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration 2026 - Mon 1/19

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:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seahawks.com/game-day/2025/playoffs-nfc-divisional/seahawks-vs-49ers/">SEATTLE SEAHAWKS vs San Francisco 49ers</a> - Saturday 5pm</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/game-center/259">Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet</a> - Sun 7pm</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-sea/2026/01/19/2025020772">Seattle Kraken vs Pittsburgh Penguins</a> - Mon 2pm</li>
<li><a href="https://harefest.com/seattle-retro-fest/">Seattle Retro Fest</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tacomadome.org/events/detail/monster-jam-2026">Monster Jam | Tacoma Dome</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.fatcon.org/">Fat Con</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edmondscenterforthearts.org/events/kidstock-2026/">Kidstock! 2026 | Edmonds Center for the Arts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mopop.org/events/follow-the-yellow-brick-road-an-oz-film-festival">Follow the Yellow Brick Road: An Oz Film Festival </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kittitascountychamber.com/winterhop-brewfest/">2026 Winterhop Brewfest</a></li>
</ul>
MLK Day Events:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlecolleges.edu/mlk">Annual Community Celebration of MLK | Seattle Colleges</a> - Fri 1/16</li>
<li><a href="https://parkways.seattle.gov/2025/12/11/2026-mlk-day-march-celebration-on-january-17/">2026 MLK Day March &amp; Celebration on January 17 - Parkways</a> -&nbsp;Sat 1/17&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.kexp.org/events/kexp-events/26th-annual-expansions-mlk-unity-party-and-live-broadcast/">26th Annual Expansions MLK Unity Party and Live Broadcast</a> - Sun 1/18</li>
<li><a href="https://www.biartmuseum.org/event/mlk-celebration-2026/">MLK Celebration 2026 - Bainbridge Island Museum of Art</a> - Sunday 1/18</li>
<li><a href="https://www.scbhcwa.org/events">Events | SCBHC - Everett, WA</a>&nbsp;Sun 1/18 - Celebration + Mon 1/19 - March &amp; Rally</li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattlemlkcoalition.org/mlk-day">MLK Day &mdash; Seattle MLK Jr Organizing Coalition</a> - Mon 1/19</li>
<li><a href="https://www.naamnw.org/king-day">NAAM | Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration 2026</a> - Mon 1/19</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 16-19

February is blah season. The weather is cold and wet and the fun of the holiday season is long gone. But never fear! Meet Me Here hosts Katie Campbell, Jeannie Yandel, and Dyer Oxley are here with their top picks for February arts and culture events to get us through. Their recommendations include: 

A surrealist blues poet known for her breathtaking Tiny Desk Concert. An anime convention featuring some of the hottest voice actors of our time. And a modern opera about a gay love story set in the McCarthy era. 
Anime Washington - Washington State Fair and Events Center, Feb 6-8
KUOW Book Talks with Author Coll Thrush - Seattle Public Library - Central Library, Feb 26
Camille Trautman Exhibit - The Frye Museum, through April 12
Death Stranding: Strands of Harmony - Paramount Theatre, Feb 4 
Elden Ring: Symphonic Adventure w/Seattle Symphony - Benaroya Hall, Feb 25 & 26
Aja Monet w/Seattle Arts & Lectures - Town Hall Seattle, Feb 5
Fellow Travelers w/Seattle Opera - McCaw Hall, Feb 21- March 1 
Thomas Mallon w/Katie Campbell - The Wyncote NW Forum at Town Hall Seattle, Feb 20

Bonus links:

Voice over artist May Hong

Voice over artist Jen Taylor

Aja Monet’s Tiny Desk Concert

Have you gone to an event you heard about on Meet Me Here? Tell us how it went! Email us at meetmehere@kuow.org. 

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! 
Become a KUOW member today

February is blah season. The weather is cold and wet and the fun of the holiday season is long gone. But never fear! Meet Me Here hosts Katie Campbell, Jeannie Yandel, and Dyer Oxley are here with their top picks for February arts and culture events to get us through. Their recommendations include:&nbsp;
A surrealist blues poet known for her breathtaking Tiny Desk Concert. An anime convention featuring some of the hottest voice actors of our time. And a modern opera about a gay love story set in the McCarthy era.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.animewashington.com">Anime Washington</a> - Washington State Fair and Events Center, Feb 6-8</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kuow-book-talks-with-author-coll-thrush-tickets-1977313787767?aff=oddtdtcreator">KUOW Book Talks with Author Coll Thrush</a> - Seattle Public Library - Central Library, Feb 26</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://fryemuseum.org/exhibitions/boren-banner-series-camille-trautman">Camille Trautman Exhibit</a> - The Frye Museum, through April 12</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.stgpresents.org/events/death-stranding-strands-of-harmony/">Death Stranding: Strands of Harmony</a> - Paramount Theatre, Feb 4&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.seattlesymphony.org/en/concerttickets/calendar/2025-2026/26-elden-ring">Elden Ring: Symphonic Adventure w/Seattle Symphony</a> - Benaroya Hall, Feb 25 &amp; 26</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://lectures.org/event/aja-monet/">Aja Monet w/Seattle Arts &amp; Lectures</a> - Town Hall Seattle, Feb 5</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.seattleopera.org/performances-events/fellow-travelers/">Fellow Travelers w/Seattle Opera</a> - McCaw Hall, Feb 21- March 1&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://townhallseattle.org/event/thomas-mallon/">Thomas Mallon w/Katie Campbell</a> - <a href="https://townhallseattle.org/venue/the-wyncote-nw-forum/">The Wyncote NW Forum</a> at Town Hall Seattle, Feb 20</li>
</ul>
Bonus links:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mayonnaisehong/?hl=en">Voice over artist May Hong</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jentaylortown/?hl=en">Voice over artist Jen Taylor</a>
Aja Monet&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/12/01/1215359803/aja-monet-tiny-desk-concert">Tiny Desk Concert</a>
Have you gone to an event you heard about on Meet Me Here? Tell us how it went! Email us at <a href="mailto:meetmehere@kuow.org">meetmehere@kuow.org</a>.&nbsp;
Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate">Become a KUOW member today</a>

Find out about the 6 most exciting arts, culture, and lit events in February from the Meet Me Here hosts! 

The 6 best reasons to leave your house in February

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;

Our Book Bestie’s Best Books of 2025

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