Book Nook: Poetry contest and readings, author meet and greets and so much more
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The Daily World Book Nook is celebrating National Library Lovers Month throughout the month of February.
READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK
Next week, March 2-6, is Read Across America Week. and March 2 is Dr. Seuss’s Birthday and National Read Across America Day. Dr. Seuss’s Birthday is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books, and you can too.
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
Story Snowflakes with Brooke Pederson
Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Timberland Hoquiam Library
Bring the whole family to design and cut snowflakes. Join local artist and librarian Brooke Pederson for a wonderful look at her papercut story snowflakes. Listen and engage with classic fairy tales, then learn some tips and tricks for how to fold and cut snowflakes yourself. All ages welcome.
Emily Winfield Martin in Conversation
Browsers Bookshop – Olympia
Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.
Browsers is thrilled to welcome author Emily Winfield Martin as she discusses her latest book, The Wildest Thing, with Olympia’s own Nikki McClure. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of The Wonderful Things You Will Be comes an enchanting picture book about a child finding their “wild” self.
Author Talk with Janine Gates
Friday, March 6 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Lacey Timberland Library
Olympia-based journalist, photographer and author Janine Gates will discuss her book Saving the Nisqually Delta. 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.
Mike Cairns’ Under The Ash: A Pilot’s Story Book Tour
Saturday, March 7 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Westport Timberland Library
Saturday, March 14 from 11 a.m. to noon McCleary Timberland Library
Two more chances 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.
PNW Wilds
Saturday, March 7 — All day
The Loft in Chehalis, 547 NW Pacific Ave.
Special guests include award-winning guidebook author, outdoors writer and photographer, ardent conservationist, and Northwest trails and hiking expert Craig Romano; and author of Beautiful Rocks & How To Find Them and A Rockhound’s Guide to Oregon & Washington Alison Jean Cole.
Clare Follmann Book Launch
Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
Orca Books Cooperative — Olympia
Join us to celebrate former Orca Books Co-op worker Clare Follmann’s book launch. We will be hosting an in house discussion on Follmann’s forthcoming book: Scapegoat: What the Invasive Species Story Gets Wrong. Follmann is a writer, activist, and gardener with a master’s in environmental science whose work engages with themes of landscape, ecology, climate crisis, language, and philosophy.
Meet the Authors!
Wednesday, March 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Ocean Shores Public Library
Join Ocean Shores authors Brian Anderson, D.S. Ayars, and yours truly Jerry Knaak for an afternoon of readings designed to intrigue and entertain.
Brian Anderson — The author of The Lyle Dahms Mysteries, a series that readers call “funny and well-crafted” and also say that “Anderson does a terrific job of channeling a combo of Hammett and Chandler with a sassy sense of humor of his own.”
D.S. Ayars — Get ready. Take your high-powered supplements and put on a dependable helmet. This vivid series is a wide-eyed revelation, a latent reflection. Are you poised and prepared to be utterly enraptured? The Comfort for the Afflicted Series by D.S. Ayars.
Jerry Knaak — Jerry Knaak has been writing professionally in one form or another for more than 30 years. A native of Rochester, N.Y., He has written and published four novels in what’s known as The Dark Passage Series. [He’s also your humble newspaper reporter]
Poetry Night Fundraiser
Lemon Hill Cafe and Bookstore in Montesano
Saturday, March 21 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Lemon Hill is partnering with Birdie’s Blessings to help raise money for local foster kids. Mauri of Birdie’s Blessings is trying to start a free teen center for our community. More details will be released as the date approaches, but mark your calendars now. If you are a poet, please let them know. Lemon Hill is looking for people, including teens, to read original work for this event.
Seabrook’s Beachside Author Series — Sarah Hawley
Saturday, March 21 at 10 a.m.
Seabrook Town Hall
Sarah Hawley is the author of the viral rom-com hit A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon and the follow-up A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch. Her stories blend laugh-out-loud humor, swoony romance, and a magical world full of charming chaos. A passionate advocate for joy-filled storytelling, Sarah’s writing celebrates whimsy, empowerment, and the unapologetically weird. When she’s not writing, she hosts the Romancing the Story podcast, diving deep into the craft and heart of romance.
WRITERS GROUPS
Hoquiam Writers Group
Harbor Books
Thursday, March 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.
(Nearly) Silent Writing Club — 1st and Sunday Editions
Browswers Bookshop — Olympia
Thursday, March 5 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 15 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
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.
Star Wuerdemann is your host. She is a long-time student of Natalie Goldberg, a graduate of The Loft Literary Center’s 2020 Year-Long-Novel Writing Project, and a 2023 Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference alum. Star embraces writing as a practice, values writing in community, and looks forward to writing with you.
BOOK GROUPS AND CLUBS
Ocean Shores Public Library
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, March 9 from 6 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. March’s read is The Deathless One by Emma Hamm. Copies available for purchase at Harbor Books (purchase not required for participation).
Ocean Shores Public Library
Book Group
Monday, March 16 from 3 to 4 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. March’s book is The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters.
BYOB [Bring Your Own Book]
Wednesday, March 18 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Share what great books you have been reading with other book lovers and get ideas for your TBR pile.
March Browsers Book Club — Olympia
Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m.
Join us for a meeting of the Browsers Book Club. Please purchase the book at Browsers to reserve your spot.
This month, we will read Tilt by Emma Pattee. Annie is nine months pregnant and shopping for a crib at IKEA when a massive earthquake hits Portland, Oregon. With no way to reach her husband, no phone or money, and a city left in chaos, there’s nothing to do but walk.
Orca Books Cooperative — Olympia
Queer Open Book Club
Sunday, March 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.
Harbor Books — Hoquiam
All-Genre Book Club
Sunday. March 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All-Genre Book club meets the last Sunday of the month from 11-1 to discuss the book selected by group members the previous month. March’s read is Assumption by Percival Everett. This book is available for purchase in store (no purchase necessary to participate.)
Timberland Regional Library
Aberdeen
Rainy Day Reading Reviews — Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Come hear about the books that have captivated your friends and neighbors as they share them with you.
Friday, Feb. 27 — Bob Neisinger reviews Nothing Like it in the World by Stephen Ambrose
PageTurners Book Group
Saturday, March 21, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Join community members and library staff for a monthly book discussion. This month we will be discussing Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
Montesano
PageTurners Book Discussion
Thursday, Feb. 26 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 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 Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. March’s read is The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez.
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.
Hoquiam
PageTurners Book Discussion
Tuesday, March 10 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Join community members and library staff for a monthly book discussion. This month we will be discussing The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb.
Books on 8th: Off Site Event at Hoquiam Brewing Company
Wednesday, March 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 All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir. 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, March 10 from 11 a.m. to noon
This library-sponsored event is occurring off-site at 426 S 3rd St. in 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 during regularly staffed hours while supplies last.
Elma
PageTurners Book Group
Tuesday, March 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 Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.
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.
