SEATTLEST BOOK CLUB PICK: For March, we're reading Jonathan Raban's Surveillance, set in a not-so-distant future, when everyone's actions are highly monitored. Get a head start on the conversation by hearing from Raban himself. (We'll know if you went or not.) more ›

As noted here and elsewhere, author Octavia Butler died last weekend. more ›

Octavia Butler died at the age of 58 yesterday after a fall near her home in Lake Forest Park. She was the only science fiction writer ever to recieve a MacArthur Foundation genius award. more ›

When's the last time you attended a reading by a genuine, MacArthur-certified genius? Tonight's your chance -- local author and Science Fiction Museum board member Octavia Butler will read from Fledgling, her first novel in 7 years, at 7:30 at Elliott Bay Book Co. more ›

Of late, Seattlest has not been keeping up with local lit -- we've been on a Dashiell Hammett kick, actually. Highly recommended, but not remotely Seattlesque. more ›