UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS
Lacey Timberland Regional Library
Author Talk with Casey Clapp
Monday, Dec. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Ever wonder what kind of tree is growing in your neighborhood or why it’s there in the first place? Join arborist, educator, and podcast host Casey Clapp for an engaging talk and Q&A about the trees that surround us every day. Based on his visually rich and witty new book The Trees Around You, this event will help you learn how to identify trees in the Pacific Northwest using bark, leaves, cones, and other key clues. Books will be available for purchase, courtesy of Plant from Underhill.
Browsers Bookshop – Olympia
David Guterson
Monday, Jan 26, 2026 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Browsers is thrilled to welcome back author David Guterson to discuss his latest book Evelyn in Transit. Please join us upstairs at Browsers on Monday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. to celebrate one of the Pacific Northwest’s own authors. We will have copies of the book available for purchase and signing. Written in a spare, precise style of extraordinary beauty, full of surprising humor and luminosity, Evelyn in Transit delivers much-needed insight and compassion about humanity’s strivings for transcendence, and what it might mean to “live the right way.”
Mike Cairns’ “Under The Ash: A Pilot’s Story” Book Tour
Aberdeen Timberland Regional Library
Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 11:30 to 1 p.m.
Hoquiam Timberland Regional Library
Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Montesano Regional Library
Lunch for Your Brain
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 from Noon to 1 p.m.
Yelm Timberland Regional Library
Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (registration required)
Westport Timberland Regional Library
Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 11 a.m. to Noon
At 12:30 p.m. on May 18, 1980, Washington Army National Guard helicopter pilot Captain Mike Cairns flew beneath the ash cloud of the Mount St. Helens volcano eruption – a feat never before attempted in history. In the challenging days that followed, as Mike, his crew, and fellow National Guard pilots flew numerous search, rescue, and recovery missions, he documented the devastation they encountered with photographs taken with his own 35mm camera. Those missions, over 600 in all, would lead to three pilots and five crew members receiving the Valley Forge Cross. Mike was one of those three pilots awarded the National Guard’s highest honor for heroism.
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. This one-of-a-kind book showcases some of the best of his never before seen images, the rescue of survivors, facts about the eruption, what the conditions were like for a helicopter pilot, and more.
WRITERS GROUPS
Browsers Bookshop – Olympia
(Nearly) Silent Writing Club – Holiday Salon Edition
Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Join us Upstairs at Browsers tonight for a special night. An opportunity for NSWC participants to read their work! Our writing club normally practices silence together, but let’s come together for some comradery and sharing — food and words. Anyone is welcome to attend as an audience member, and anyone who has attended a writing club session is welcome to share their work. Bring a snack or drink to share, and your words! We’ll allow for up to an hour of reading and then have some time to mix and mingle. A note for reading: each participant will be given up to three minutes for reading to allow for as many readings as possible. Please practice your timing! The word count/page length will vary for each speaker but estimate around 500 words/one single-spaced page. Please choose a reading selection that is appropriate for a group setting. Note: there will be no Writing Club in December — we are having this Holiday Salon instead.
Harbor Books – Hoquiam
Hoquiam Writers Group
Thursday 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 on the first Thursday of each month.
BOOK GROUPS AND CLUBS
Harbor Books – Hoquiam
Flights of Fancy Book Club
Monday, Dec. 8 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 from 6-7:30 at Harbor Books. December’s read will be When Among Crows by Veronica Roth. Copies available for purchase at Harbor Books (purchase not required for participation).
All-Genre Book Club
Sunday, Dec. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The All-Genre Book club meets the last Sunday of the month to discuss the book selected by group members the previous month. December’s read is The Rent Collector by Camron Wright.
Browsers Bookshop – Olympia
December Browsers Book Club
Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.
Join us for an in-person meeting of the Browsers Book Club. We will gather together and add tempting titles to our to-be-read lists: bring a treat to share and the top three books you’ve read this year (fiction or nonfiction).
Ocean Shores Public Library
Bring Your Own Book (3rd Wednesday of every month)
Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Share what great books you have been reading with other book lovers and get ideas for your ‘to be read’ pile.
Timberland Regional Library
Hoquiam
PageTurners Book Discussion
Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Join community members and library staff for a monthly book discussion. This month we will be discussing The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.
Books on 8th: Off Site Event at Hoquiam Brewing Company
Wednesday, Dec. 17 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 A Song Below Water by Bethany Morrow. 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, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. until 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.
Elma
PageTurners Book Group
Tuesday, Dec. 16 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 Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.
Aberdeen
PageTurners Book Group
Saturday, Dec. 20 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 Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.
Rainy Day Reading Reviews
Friday, Jan. 9 from 10:30 a.m.to noon
Jennifer Sturm reviews Ghosts of the British Museum
Come hear about the books that have captivated your friends and neighbors as they share them with you.
Westport
PageTurners Book Group
Saturday, Dec. 27 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Join community members and library staff for a monthly book discussion.
STORY TIME
Ocean Shores Public Library Story Time
Saturday from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Books, rhymes, interactive stories, songs and FUN! This week’s theme is emotions. Ages Birth – 5. Presented by Niko.
Timberland Regional Library Family Storytime
Aberdeen and Montesano
Thursdays from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Elma
Friday, Dec. 5
10 – 11 a.m.
Raymond
Saturday, Dec. 6
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Westport
Wednesday, Dec. 10
10: 30 to 11:30 a.m.
McCleary
Wednesday, Dec. 10
11 a.m. to Noon
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.
Hoquiam Timberland Regional Library Preschool Storytime
Friday, Dec. 5
10 – 11 a.m.
Stories and early learning activities for preschoolers that include music, movement, art, and early STEM play. 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.
Raymond Timberland Regional Library
Book Babies
Wednesday, Dec. 10 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.
Author David Guterson will be at Browsers Bookshop on Jan. 26.
