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! 