Listen to "A Tribute to Octavia Butler with Nalo Hopkinson and Friends" that took place on Thursday, March 1 at the Central Library. This event featured readings from Butler's works by her admirers and friends: author Nalo Hopkinson, actor and director Timeca Briggs, columnist Jerry Large, author Vonda McIntyre, and author Nisi Shawl.

The Seattle Public Library celebrated the release of "Poetry on the Buses: An Anthology of Poetry on Wheels 1995-2005" with readings from the anthology on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006. Local poets read their work included in the anthology.

Bestselling author Sarah Dunant read from "In the Company of the Courtesan" on Friday, Feb. 23, at the Central Library. Dunant's historical novel, set in Renaissance Italy, recounts the escapades of the wily dwarf Bucino Teodoldo and his mistress, celebrated courtesan Fiammetta Bianchini.

The Seattle Public Library, jazz vocalist Mercedes Nicole and her band, and Seattle jazz guitarist Michael Powers for two performances of "Strange Fruit: A Nina Simone Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Central Library. The "Strange Fruit" program chronicles the journey of African-Americans from slavery to freedom through live music, song, images and dance.

The Seattle Public Library, jazz vocalist Mercedes Nicole and her band, and Seattle jazz guitarist Michael Powers for two performances of "Strange Fruit: A Nina Simone Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Central Library. The "Strange Fruit" program chronicles the journey of African-Americans from slavery to freedom through live music, song, images and dance.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Taylor Branch presented the Library's 2007 A. Scott Bullitt Lecture in American History, a talk titled "Myth and Miracles from the King Years," Tuesday, Jan. 23 at the Central Library.

The Seattle Public Library, Mayor Greg Nickels, and City Council President Nick Licata paid tribute to Seattle author Tim Egan on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006. Egan's "The Worst Hard Time" was named the winner of the 2006 National Book Award in Nonfiction.

Internationally celebrated author Isabel Allende read fom "Inés of My Soul," her latest work of historical fiction, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006 at Town Hall. This Seattle Public Library program was part of a series honoring Hispanic heritage.

Award-winning Seattle poet Madeline DeFrees read from "Spectral Waves: New & Uncollected Poems," her recently published eighth book of poetry, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006 at The Seattle Public Library. Joining DeFrees were poets Thomas Aslin and Gary Thompson.

The authors of six outstanding books published by Washington authors published in 2005 read from their works at The Central Library on Oct. 18, 2006.