Bob Weir (October 16, 1947 – January 10, 2026) “Such a long long time to be gone, and a short time to be here.”

Our social media team is back from holiday. It was chill. We predict that in 2026: 1. The library will add some great new items. 2. The library will offer great programming for all ages. 3. The library bluesky will get progressively strange. "Jeremiah was a bullfrog!"

We would like to thank all the kind patrons who brought us holiday treats. Sweets from the sweet. You didn’t have to do that (but we’re glad you did). Thanks again, that mint a lot to us.

James Patterson and Danielle Steel both released books on the same day. Do you know what that means? The day ends with the letter “y.”

This day in history…literary style: December 17, 1807 – Fireside poet John Greenleaf Whittier was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Wittier is best known for his anti-slavery poems and his collection of poems, Snow-Bound. “I'll lift you and you lift me, and we'll both ascend together.”

William Shakespeare came into the library today. He tried to place a book on hold. The computer wouldn’t let him because of outstanding fines. The error message said, “No holds, bard!” That’s humor, get it? Bard, barred? Nevermind.

Apart from funny names, what do Wilt the Stilt, Earl the Pearl, Pistol Pete, Magic, and King James have in common? They all appear in the poppin' new book, “Masters of the Game: A Controversial History of the NBA in 75 Legendary Players” by Sam Smith and Phil Jackson. We hoop you read this one.

Favorite line from a book: "Tell me things I won't mind forgetting," she said. "Make it useless stuff or skip it." --Amy Hempel, "In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried," from Reasons to Live

The new Lee Child book (number #30) had us up way past our bedtime last night. It's terrific. Every one of his Jack Reacher books is the same. Why does each one feel so new and alive? Jack may not have a change of clothes but he always has a toothbrush. The American Dental Association approves.

New coffee table book just arrived: “Webb’s Universe: The Space Telescope Images That Reveal Our Cosmic History” by Maggie Aderin-Pocock. Fresh photos from deep recesses of the cosmos. Awe-inspiring would be an understatement. Ya know…The Universe is a big place…some say the biggest.

If you are fascinated by the history of science, we highly recommend Michael Rossi’s “Capturing Kahanamoku.” It’s about the fateful collision of surfing and eugenics. Insane, right? This accounting must be read to be believed. Truth can be stranger than fiction. Ten toes on the nose!

FREE ADVICE: if someone tells you to smell something, don't do it! Unless, of course, it is the amazing gingerbread house located at our circulation desk. It smells every bit as good as it looks! Big ups to the staff member who made this art (you know who you are).

For mysterious reasons, our bluesky went down. It's back up and will be bigger and better than ever. Our postpausal focus will be on things that are good and right with the world. Stay tuned. Don't change that channel. Rad vibes on the immediate horizon.

New holiday-themed DVDs just arrived: Breakup Season Red One Hallmark Countdown to Christmas Peanuts Holiday Collection Best Christmas Pageant Ever

From the better late than never department… We recently discovered Jim Harrison. It started with the memoir, then came the fiction, after that some poetry, and then came essays…good gracious, such essays! Everything he put to page is pure, unadulterated enchantment. Jimbo's the real deal.

Did you wake up this morning with a roof over your head? Do you have access to clean water? Will you eat today? If you answered “yes” to the above, you have been blessed. One third of the humans on the planet are deprived these basic necessities.

Q: Why did the jeans take a nap? A: They were feeling a little worn out. That's humor LOL. Don’t toss those worn dungarees; upcycle, repurpose, and restyle instead Janelle Hanna’s new book, “Jean Genius,” will show you the hows, whys, and what have yous of the slow denim movement. Sew wild!

On this day back in 1956, The Nat King Cole Show premiered on television. The program hosted the biggest names in the recording industry but couldn’t secure sponsorships. To which, Cole quipped, “Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark.” He wasn’t wrong. The program was cancelled on Dec 17, 1957.

J'ai réglé ma montre à l'heure d'hiver. aha ... zee french!

Today is Henry Winkler’s 80th birthday. People of a certain age remember him as “Fonzie.” He’s still on the television, most notably the program BARRY. We have Season 1 on dvd. Check it out and see why people say Henry/Fonzie is the GOAT.

Ok, so we bought this book because it had a nifty cover. It turns out content is even better than the jacket. (Big ups for the graphic design, photography, and layout). Win!

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. The Anna Karenina Principle is alive and well in our pick of the week, “Next of Kin: a Memoir” by Gabrielle Hamilton. Sad story but deftly written. We will read ANYTHING by Hamilton, even her grocery list!

Hey folks, little old Seaside made Fox News! As fate would have it, the skin breathing sea cucumbers once again take the spotlight. Isn't that always the way? See below: www.foxnews.com/travel/thous...

passel noun pas·sel ˈ : a large number or amount As in, we have a passel of new novels arriving tomorrow. Authors include: Grisham, John Karon, Jan Connelly, Michael Penny, Louis Kellerman, Jonathan McGuane, Thomas Rankin, Zoe

45 years ago today: The Philadelphia Phillies became World Series Champions for the first time in franchise history! Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners are the only team to have never appeared in a World Series. Apparently, the "Etsy Witch” had limited powers.

Today is Marshall Mather’s 53rd birthday. You probably know him as Eminem or Slim Shady or the guy in 8 Mile. To celebrate, 50 cent gave him a sweater. Eminem said, “Gee, You knit?” That’s a joke. Today’s photo of Slim enjoying life and cake:

Headline: A Georgia Reading Bowl Bans Titles from Competition, Including a Book on Book Bans Article: bookriot.com/helen-ruffin...

On this day in 1977, Debby Boone's single "You Light Up My Life" goes #1 and stays #1 for ten weeks. We much prefer Patti Smith’s interpretation over the original: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ofd...

Our pick of the week is "There is Happiness" by National Book Award nominee, Brad Watson. He opens each story with a line that won't let you go, like the opening bars of a beautiful melody, words becoming music. Faulkner and Flannery would have appreciated the cut of his jib.

“It was just the prelude… Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people too.” Heinrich Heine (1797-1856)

Q: What literary genre does the book “Second Chance Convenience Store” fall under? A: Healing fiction. The New York Times calls healing fiction “cozy, feel-good novels that have long been popular in Japan and Korea and are now catching on in translation around the world.”

Our pick of the week is “The El” by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.. Get a feel for one day in the life of Chicago’s gangland circa 1979. The story is relayed from multiple points of view. The dialogue snaps, crackles, and pops. It's an absolutely explosive novel. We can't praise it enough.

“Good Fortune,” the new flick with Keanu Reeves, is a remake of “Wings of Desire.” “City of Angels,” with Nick Cage, is also a remake of “Wings of Desire.” Why not just watch “Wings of Desire” instead? We own it and the sequel “Faraway, So Close.” Good watching. www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iAz...

You may know Cheryl Strayed as the Author of “Wild.” We know Cheryl Strayed as the advice columnist, Sugar. Her collection of essays, “Tiny Beautiful Things,” is kind, compassionate, wise, and thoughtful. This book could change your life’s trajectory. Recommended x 2!

What’s a squirrel’s favorite tv channel? Nutflix, LOL. Believe it or not, October is Squirrel Awareness and Appreciation Month. Oh, we appreciate the squirrel…with a nice Chianti.

One of our favorite books ends with the line: “and that, dear reader, is how I came to work at the library.” It’s from “The Night Bookmobile” by Audrey Niffenegger. Stories can be magic and this is no exception—weird, cool, funny--such a wild ride. Recommended for book nerds everywhere.

Today is “National Pancake Day.” We celebrate the writer, not the breakfast food. Breece Dexter John Pancake gave us 12 short stories. At 19 years of age, he wrote “If I have to be an American (and I do) I don’t want to be sold short on my own country.” Dang. themillions.com/2017/06/amer...

Today is Michael Madsen’s birth anniversary. He was an actor's actor. He was a writer's writer, too (poetry, prose, and fiction). He co-authored cartography and geography textbooks! His photographs have appeared in galleries throughout the world. MM was truly a renaissance man.

“It is from his grandmother that Henry learns that punctuation can be a weapon. With a comma you can hurt someone.” ― Howard Jacobson, The Making of Henry Happy #nationalpunctuationday!

Our pick of the week is a musical compact disc. Players include Lady Day, Prez, and various orchestras. Their version of “A Sailboat in Moonlight” is smoother than silk. 10/10.

Most birds migrate at night using the stars to guide them. Please extinguish your outdoor lights this evening. Oregon's lights out campaign helps reduce the light pollution that drowns out the stars. Do your part and help keep birds aloft on their journey. Safe travels, little birdies.

Ain't but two things in Texas. That would be Hap & Leonard. H & L are the hilarious, endearing, trouble-finding, butt-kicking buddies created by Joe Lansdale in 1990. The latest book, “Hatchet Girls,” opens with the boys fighting a 400 lb. pig that is high on drugs. What could possibly go wrong?

Last weekend, we were in NYC and saw “Waiting for Godot” with Bill and Ted at the Hudson Theater. . Yes, the most excellent adventurous Bill and Ted. And, in case you’re wondering, they said Go-Dot! It's a wild time to be alive. www.npr.org/2025/09/17/n...

World Chocolate Milkshake Day is celebrated annually on September 12th. This is how we observe: Tall glass. Vanilla ice cream. Chocolate sauce. Malted milk. Blend and serve with an stainless steel cup thingie. (May be topped with whip cream). Stay frosty, peeps!

Excerpt from Seaside Fire & Rescue Facebook: Today, we pause to remember those we lost 24 years ago. September 11, 2001 is a day that lives forever in our nation’s memory. We remember the 343 firefighters, the 2,977 people who lost their lives, and the survivors battling 9/11-related illnesses.

On this day in 1921, silent film actor, Fatty Arbuckle, was arrested for a variety of heinous crimes. This is as good a time as any to read Jerry Stahl’s accounting of the deed in “I, Fatty.” (spoiler: Arbuckle was railroaded on the murder charge). We think this is Stahl's best book!

We recently acquired all three volumes of Joachim Trier’s “Oslo Trilogy” on dvd. Reprise (2006) Oslo, August 31st (2011) The Worst Person in the World (2021) Anders Danielsen Lie appears in all three and reminds us of a young, talented Bobby DeNiro. www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Y6...

Our pick of the week is “The Great American Retro Road Trip: A Celebration of Roadside Americana” by Rolando Pujol. We can never get enough of old signs, vernacular architecture, and roadside attractions. As the youngs say…this book is too cool for school!

Jimi Hendrix lighting his guitar on fire at Monterey was seen by many as a bridge too far. He wasted a perfectly good Stratocaster (with a whammy-bar). Even Ravi Shankar said, “That was too much for me. In our culture we have such respect for musical instruments, they are like part of God.”

Chuck Tingle’s “Lucky Day” just landed on the shelves. We don’t know which is weirder…the content or the dust jacket photo. Tingle is an oddball in the best sense of the word.