In “Furor Scribendi,” one of Octavia Butler’s essays on writing, she instructs writers to first forget inspiration, because it is fickle, fleeting, and unsustainable. Habit, she writes, is what drives and sustains one’s work, regardless of inspiration. Butler’s advice is useful for more than just writing. Her focus on building habits to realize our goals, [...]

Continue Reading →

Living in Washington, you learn to roll with the rain and appreciate every sunny day. And when it’s sunny we really appreciate it. With truly spectacular weather ahead we’re excited to welcome local experts—and their books—to the U District. Get inspired to make the most of the beautiful days with advice from our favorite local [...]

Continue Reading →

This month, as we wrap up Dare to Improve and switch gears to Dare to Fuel, we finish strong with three books on how to improve, prioritize, and draw more satisfaction from life. Whether you’re looking to optimize your routine to fit more of what you enjoy into life or to enhance your everyday environment, [...]

Continue Reading →

In honor of The Whole U’s “Dare to Move” month, we’re kicking off this year’s Dare to Do challenge with seven enjoyable, informative, and inspiring books that will motivate you to get up and get moving—whichever way suits you. My Fight / Your Fight  by Ronda Rousey Jump into the mindset of a champion with [...]

Continue Reading →

Cold winter nights and the holidays are the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book. In fact, in Iceland, unwrapping and reading a new book on Christmas Eve is an annual tradition. Bring this cozy holiday ritual to your home with four books that are lovely to read—and give—at this time of year. [...]

Continue Reading →

The Thanksgiving season is a time for welcoming guests and, over the next several days, the University Book Store will host several in the U District. From Wednesday through Sunday, astronauts, actresses, animal behaviorists, and intrepid food bloggers will crack the spines of new books as part of the ongoing Reading Allowed series. We’ve read [...]

Continue Reading →

Do you feel that chill in the air? Is that just autumn creeping in or something a little spookier? Find a cozy blanket, make a fresh cup of tea, and curl up with a wickedly delightful title that will get you in the Halloween spirit. Once you close the back cover, continue to channel the [...]

Continue Reading →

September ushers in the start of a new academic year and, with it, the chance to rebalance and find our center as we return to the rhythms of campus life. That’s what National Yoga Month is all about and perhaps it’s no coincidence that it coincides with this time of new beginnings. If, as you [...]

Continue Reading →

Blockbuster movies are a staple of summer, but at University Book Store, we prefer to catch the books before they get spun into stories for the silver screen. Fast-paced, exciting, and immersive, these seven titles are like their own mini-vacations: an escape from the everyday into worlds of explosive plots, imaginative settings, and intriguing characters. [...]

Continue Reading →

School may be out, but that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. Help prevent summer slide and encourage a love of books with our fun summer literacy program for children from pre-K to grade 8, Mission: Summer Reading. To get started, just visit our U District, Mill Creek, or Tacoma store and sign up. [...]

Continue Reading →

As the days get longer and warmer, we find ourselves wanting to shed layers of clothing, get outside, and get moving. Options for being active abound, but many may be wondering where to start or what methods work best. At the University Book Store, we believe that often the best way to begin is to open a [...]

Continue Reading →

Whatever the groundhog may have to say, we know spring isn’t far away. This month we’re turning our thoughts to freshly tilled earth, new buds, and warmer days ahead. Here are a few inspiring reads that are sure to get you in the gardening state of mind—whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just getting [...]

Continue Reading →