Cozy Up With A Good Book Downtown
For this writer, February brings up fraught weather-driven feelings. When she was in middle school, gymnastics as an afterschool (indoor) activity was replaced with (outdoor) soccer. In February. Always one to try something new, especially if it involved hanging out with her friends, this writer ran on fields in the slush and got whacked in the thigh with a cold, wet soccer ball. The welt lasted for weeks. That season was her first and last Pacific Northwest soccer season. Nothing good happens on soccer fields in February. But it’s fine. She’s processed all the emotions.
You want to know what good does happen in February, though? Reading. So much cozy, blanket-laden, cats-on-laps, pups snoring, in-front-of-the-fireplace reading.
Find something soft to wrap around yourself and settle in—we’re going to talk about where you can grab a good book, trending reading topics, and a new club right Downtown you might not know about.
Trending Topics and Reading Trends
We did some light Googling and found that not only is the romance genre continuing to grow this year, but there are also a few niche and subgenres on the rise. “Climate fiction (cli-fi)” explores the consequences of climate change in the future, and “solarpunk” offers optimistic outlooks on the future with sustainable technology. Intriguing!
Another interesting trend? Fitness reading! Peloton recently introduced a Kindle integration that allows you to read your ebooks while peddling, and many people around town walk while listening to audiobooks (use the Libby app to check out audiobooks from the library or your 15 hours of included listening time per month if you have Spotify Premium!). For those of you who resolved to increase your step count this year, these are the reading trends for you.
East West Books & Gifts
Where To Source Books Downtown Edmonds
From page-turning novels to gorgeous coffee table tomes, our shops have something for you. Bench & Board is your place for entertaining books, gifts, and the ideas for the cooks in your life. Check out their ever-evolving collection, and make sure to pop into their gallery while you’re at the shop.
East West Books & Gifts has everything from astrology deep dives to biographies and thousands of books in between. Plus, they have a long list of upcoming in-store author events!
The team at Rick Steves has all your travel books covered, Teri’s Toybox has a surprisingly robust selection of kids’ books, and we all know the biggest player in the Edmonds books game is Edmonds Bookshop. Their wonderful team is full of recommendations for you, regardless of your age or interests! Check out their staff recommendations and top books of 2024 before you stop by and be sure to peruse their gently used shelves for hidden gems.
Right down the block and across the street, you’ll come upon the newly installed Grievers Library. Hosted by Sound Credit Union, this volunteer-supported “baby box” houses thirty books and meaningful resources for mourners to find healing. There are also quite a few Little Free Libraries in and close to Downtown. Use this map to search for them! And, of course, you can always walk up Main to our beautifully remodeled Sno Isle Library.
Connect With Other Readers Downtown
Did you know there’s a monthly silent book club that meets at Leftcraft? Check them out on Instagram to see if you want to join the meeting, enjoy a tasty beverage, make new friends, and hit those reading goals.
Oh, and don’t forget, Edmonds Bookshop hosts a book club, too. If you know of one we don’t, message us on Instagram or Facebook and we’ll shout it out!
Treasures & Teas
BONUS: Go Beyond Books
Okay, it’s also important to create the right reading environment (see above regarding blankets, critters, and fires). Put a record on with an instrumental soundtrack from Musicology Co. and stock up on teas and beautiful mugs from Treasures & Teas and HouseWares.
This is the year (and month especially) you blow your reading goals out of the water. Definitely no (outdoor) soccer for you, right? Same.
Show Us What You’re Reading!
We’re always adding to our “to be read” stack and want to know what you’re into! Show us your books by tagging @edmondsdowntown in your social media posts. And, if you grab a book from one of the shops we mentioned, call them out, too. This is the month for love, after all!
By Whitney Popa, photos by Matt Hulbert
