I was born a rambler, and I like to travel with books of poetry, philosophy, and sci-fi tucked inside my backpack. I also read a lot of classic literature and short stories. Regardless of genre, I seek out stories with strong elements of magical realism, narratives in which readers are encouraged to lose themselves in small moments of beauty and curiosity, and characters who live in the “in-between” spaces of language, culture and identity.
The best picture books tell stories quietly and with authenticity, and this book does exactly that. Its illustrations are sparse, but rich in color. It leaves readers feeling hopeful, despite subtly touching on familial loss. [Christina]
When my heart hurts, the only things that make me feel better are soft pillows, whiskey, and soul-crushing poetry. This book feels like all three at once. The narrative explores the falsehood of keeping people at arms-length while moving through the motions of "loving," something we've all done. Read this and hate yourself a little less. [Christina]
Lowriders in Space is a lovely celebration of Mexican-American culture, street art, and creativity. I fell in love with this YA graphic novel the moment I opened it. The story is light-hearted and fun, but it’s content also stirs up important questions about being bilingual, cultural heritage, and what constitutes “real” art and books. This is a great choice for educators looking to inspire deeper dialogue among youth, particularly surrounding culture and language. Bonus: Cathy Camper is a regional artist and librarian, based out of Oregon! [Christina]
I keep forcing my friends to read this AMAZING poetry book! The poems in this book are stripped of all pomp, frill, and unnecessary imagery, and focus, instead, on breaking down stereotypes of what it means to be Native American in modern, sociological landscapes. Pico delivers his message in down-to-earth, colloquial language, making his poetry incredibly accessible to younger generations. [Christina]
This little beauty is a wonderful traveling companion! In it, D’Ors advocates for more meditation and silence in our daily lives, especially in light of our increasingly busy-busy lives. Overall, this book is a delightful combination of Zen Buddhism and Christian principles, and the chapters are short and non-preachy. Pass the book on when you’re done! [Christina]
When I picked up this graphic novel, I didn’t expect to get pulled into the dystopian story so quickly or deeply! The narrative centers around humanity’s relationship to technology and how we’re flirting with giving up autonomy for the sake of connectivity and “progress.” The nihilist in you will delight at the unexpected plot turns, and the artist in you will be giddy with the overabundance of exceptional artwork. [Christina]
This book explains how ten pioneering women fought their way into the electrical trade in Seattle in the 1970s. The badass women who took part in the struggle for equality battled rampant sexism, racism and political prejudice for decades. They paved the way for younger generations to step into the electrical trade on their own, equal terms. [Christina]
An unapologetic call-out book aimed at prejudicial behavior, like sexism and racism, most-often exhibited by men. West kept me laughing throughout the book, which will probably lessen the sting for male readers (just read the book, gents, its not as scary as it sounds). [Christina]
When people ask me where to find good Mexican food in the PNW, I tell the truth: you can't. You have to make it. This spicy cookbook will show you exactly how, with all the spice, heat and rich flavors of the southwest. There are a surprising number of veggies in the recipes, too. [Christina]
This is a surprisingly hard-hitting book about allyship, survival, and taking political stances about issues affecting your communities. Thom tells their story through poetry and essays and destroys the idea of "expertise" while they are at it. This is a short, but important, read for community activists. [Christina]
218 St Helens Ave
Tacoma, WA 98402
253.272.8801
Store Hours King's Books is closed to the public, but open daily 11 am - 7 pm.
Orders can be placed online or via email. We offer curbside pickup and also shipping.
