Book Nook: Signings, poetry readings, writers and book groups and more
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 28, 2026
The Daily World Book Nook is celebrating National Library Lovers Month throughout the month of February. Also, Feb. 1 kicks off Children’s Author and Illustrators Week, Feb. 4 is World Read Aloud Day and Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, is International Book Giving Day.
Also, Oakville-based author Elizabeth Goddard, a USA Today bestselling and Christy Award-winning novelist with over 1.5 million books sold, is set to release the thrilling conclusion to her Hidden Bay series with Deadly Currents on Feb. 17.
POETRY CONTEST
Shorebird Festival Poetry Contest
Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and Hoquiam Timberland Library are partnering on a poetry contest to celebrate the 2026 Shorebird Festival.
Children in grades 1-6 in Grays Harbor are invited to write a poem inspired by the shorebirds
Limit one submission per person
Submission forms are available for pick up at any Grays Harbor Timberland Library branch
Submission forms can be returned to any Grays Harbor Timberland Library branch. They can also mail their submissions to the Hoquiam Timberland Library at 420 7th Street Hoquiam, WA 98550 or they can email them to klutz@trl.org.
Deadline for submissions is March 20
Winning poems will appear on a story trail on view at the refuge starting April 16
UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS
Storms & Seafood Poetry Readings
Fisherpoet John Branshaw, Shirley Urquhart, Stephanie Edens, and more
LOGE Cafe Westport
Friday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Book Signing with Tom Crestodina
Tides & Anchors Boutique, 2411 Westhaven Dr., Westport
Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us for a special book signing event. We’re thrilled to welcome the renowned author and artist Tom Crestodina, who will be launching his new board book, Working Boats: Salmon Troller, this month. Don’t miss the chance to get your copy signed and meet Tom in person. Copies will be available.
Mike Cairns’ “Under The Ash: A Pilot’s Story” Book Tour
Yelm Timberland Library
Saturday, Jan. 31 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (registration required)
Westport Timberland Library
Saturday, March 14 from 11 a.m. to noon
Here’s your chance to chat with Mike in person about his new, highly-rated photo journal, “Under The Ash,” as well as view his remarkable slideshow presentation and take questions about his experiences at Mount St. Helens. Mike will also have copies of his book available to purchase and sign.
In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations
Browsers Bookshop – Olympia
Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2:00 p.m..
Browsers will host a special afternoon with authors Kurt Russo, Robin Lovelace and Fiorella De La O, who are all contributors of In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. The vision of In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations is to draw on ancestral knowledge to further empower and inspire Indigenous-led environmental campaigns with non-Indigenous allies and partners to the benefit of Mother Earth and all her relations down to the seventh generation.
Author Peter Johansson
Barnes & Noble – Olympia
Saturday, Jan. 31 at noon
Please join us in welcoming back Peter Johansson with Criterion Tuesdays, Vol. 2 — Continued Journeys Through World Cinema. If you are a movie fan, you’ll definitely want to check out his books. He will be signing both volumes in his series in store.
Megan Milks presents Mega Milk
Orca Books Cooperative – Olympia
Thursday, Feb. 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Author Megan Milks will talk about their new collection of essays, Mega Milk, in conversation with Evergreen professor Miranda Mellis and readings from other local author(s) including Sako Chapman.
Janine Gates
Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.
Browsers Bookshop – Olympia
Browsers will be hosting Olympia-based journalist, photographer and now author Janine Gates to discuss her book Saving the Nisqually Delta. We will gather upstairs for a fascinating presentation from the author. Copies of her book will be available for purchase and signing. Saving the Nisqually Delta chronicles the decades-long citizen activism that saved the Nisqually Delta from industrialization. Located eight miles northeast of Olympia, Washington, the Nisqually Delta is one of the country’s last unspoiled estuaries.
Asher Perlman: Hi, It’s Me Again
Browsers Bookshop – Olympia
Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.
You will enjoy an evening of laughter and fun if you come hear Asher Perlman talk about his new book Hi, It’s Me Again. The event will be upstairs at Browsers and books will be available for purchase and signing. Hi, It’s Me Again is the second cartoon collection from acclaimed New Yorker cartoonist and internet sensation Asher Perlman. A much anticipated release, this hilarious book is a follow-up to his hit debut, the bestselling Well, This Is Me.
Seabrook’s Beachside Author Series — Marissa Meyer
Saturday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Seabrook Town Hall
Marissa Meyer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, Renegades trilogy, Heartless, and Gilded, among other celebrated works. Beloved for her sharp wit, richly built worlds, and imaginative twists on classic tales, Marissa has become one of today’s most influential voices in young adult literature. Her books have captivated millions of readers around the world and continue to inspire fandoms, fan art, and packed signing events wherever she goes.
WRITERS GROUPS
(Nearly) Silent Writing Club 1st Edition
Browsers Bookshop – Olympia
Thursday, Feb. 5 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Join us on the first Thursday of the month for Browsers (Nearly) Silent Writing Club. Writing can be lonely business. We say hello, have a brief conversation, and then write together in silence for an hour. Any type of writing, from journaling to an epic novel, is welcome. At the end, we do a quick check in. There is no critique or feedback on your work. Just time and space to write together. Meetings take place upstairs at Browsers—bring your notebook/pens/computer. (Please note: we are brimming with community but lacking in electrical outlets.) Feel free to bring a snack and/or beverage for yourself. There is no cost to attend, but you’re always welcome to make a purchase from the bookstore.
Hoquiam Writers Group
Harbor Books
Thursday, Feb 5. from 6 to 8 p.m.
This group is open to all writers who want to attend: writers, poets, journalists, wordsmiths, and storytellers. The group meets monthly on the first Thursday of each month.
BOOK GROUPS AND CLUBS
Orca Books Cooperative – Olympia
I.W.W. Book Club
Saturday, Feb. 7 at 5 p.m.
A monthly book club, alternating between edifying and entertaining books. The Olympia I.W.W. is hosting, but anyone is welcome to participate. For February, the book is The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin. For March, the book will be How Europe Underdeveloped Africa By Walter Rodney.
Queer Open Book Club
Sunday, Feb. 22 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Join us for an open discussion of what we’re reading. Each person will share their last month’s reads, with time for Q&A and maybe some games. Come with a hot take and leave with additions to your TBR list. All queers and their allies welcome. Masks encouraged.
Ocean Shores Public Library
Monday Feb. 9 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Ocean Shores Friends of the Library sponsor this program and purchase 10 copies of each title to be checked out for 2
weeks. This month’s book is Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Anker.
BYOB [Bring Your Own Book]
Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Share what great books you have been reading with other book lovers. Get ideas for your ‘to be read’ pile.
Reading Rangers
Saturday, Feb. 28 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Young readers ages 5-12 are invited to the library for a new adventure in a book series! Join us for a Pokémon themed program with FUN games, crafts, trivia and more!
Harbor Books – Hoquiam
Flights of Fantasy Book Club
Monday, Feb. 9 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Flights of Fantasy is a monthly book club for lovers of Fantasy and Magical Realism. We meet the second Monday of each month at Harbor Books. February’s read will be Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill. Copies available for purchase at Harbor Books (purchase not required for participation).
Browsers Bookshop – Olympia
February Browsers Book Club
Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m.
Join us for a meeting of the Browsers Book Club upstairs. Please purchase the book at Browsers to reserve your spot. This month’s selection is On the Calculation of Volume (Book I) by Solvej Balle, translated by Barbara J. Haveland. Solvej Balle’s seven-volume novel wrings enthralling and magical new dimensions from time and its hapless, mortal subjects. As one Danish reviewer beautifully put it, Balle’s fiction consists of writing that listens. “Reading her is like being caressed by language itself.”
Timberland Regional Library
Aberdeen
Rainy Day Reading Reviews – Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Friday, Jan. 30
Harold Warren reviews Source Code by Bill Gates
Friday, Feb. 6
Dr. Vicki Mitchell reviews Staking Her Claim by Melanie J. Mayer and Robert N. DeArmond
Come hear about the books that have captivated your friends and neighbors as they share them with you.
PageTurners Book Discussion
Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Join community members and library staff for a monthly book discussion. This month we will be discussing James by Percival Everett.
Elma
PageTurners Book Group
Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Join community members and library staff for a monthly book discussion. This month we will be discussing The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.
Hoquiam
PageTurners Book Discussion
Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Join community members and library staff for a monthly book discussion. This month we will be discussing Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.
Books on 8th: Off Site Event at Hoquiam Brewing Company
Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 6 to 7 p.m.
This library-sponsored event is occurring off-site at Hoquiam Brewing Company 526 8th St. in Hoquiam. If you’re an adult who is 21+ and likes to read Young Adult books, then this book club is for you! This month we will be discussing Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer. New members are always welcome! Email Sarah at slivingston@trl.org if you would like more information.
McCleary
McCleary Book Club: Off Site Event at McCleary Museum and Event Center
Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. to Noon
This library-sponsored event is occurring off-site at 426 S 3rd St, McCleary. Join community members and library staff for a monthly book discussion. Copies of each month’s selection are available at the McCleary Library service desk.
Montesano
PageTurners Book Discussion
Thursday, Feb. 26 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Join community members and library staff for a monthly book discussion. This month we will be discussing The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams.
Westport
PageTurners Book Group
Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Join community members and library staff for a monthly book discussion. This month we will be reading A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.
STORY TIME
Ocean Shores Public Library Story Time
Saturdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Timberland Regional Library Family Storytime
Aberdeen and Montesano
Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Elma
Fridays 10 to 11 a.m.
Westport
Wednesdays 10: 30 to 11:30 a.m.
McCleary
Wednesdays 11 a.m. to Noon
Hoquiam
Fridays 10 to 11 a.m.
Stories and early learning activities that include music, movement, art, and early STEM play for children birth to 8 years old. This is an early learning program.
Raymond Timberland Regional Library
Book Babies
Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Books, bounces, music and play time for babies and their participating caregivers. This is an early learning program.
Barnes & Noble – Olympia
Barnes & Noble in Olympia hosts Storytime every Saturday at 11 a.m. featuring a different picture book each week.
Browsers Bookshop – Olympia
Bookseller Skye hosts Story Time on the first Saturday of each month from 11 to 11:30 a.m. upstairs at Browsers.
