KUOW Book Club's October read: Timothy Egan's PNW classic 'The Good Rain'

KUOW's book club will read "The Good Rain: Across Time & Terrain in the Pacific Northwest" by Timothy Egan this month.

Longtime Seattleites and Pacific Northwesters will be familiar with this regional classic. And newcomers to the area, like myself (I moved here in 2021), have likely had it recommended a dozen times. I did, too, but held out for reasons I can't really explain. I'm glad I did, though, because that means I get to enjoy "The Good Rain" for the first time with y'all.

We will journey with the author across the rich PNW landscape and benefit from Egan's "searching, insightful, sometimes rueful look at a place that embodies both the promise and the problems of the American continent." And just when you think you "get it" at last, we'll have the chance to upend our understanding with Egan during a live conversation at the KUOW studios.

"The Good Rain" was published in 1990. Much has changed since then. Join me in conversation with Egan to discuss the book and everything he might have added to it today. Space is limited, so get your free tickets here before they run out.

Here's the reading schedule:

• Read the first six chapters by October 21.
• Join us for a live author interview on October 24. (Get tickets here.)
• Finish the book by October 28.

As per usual, I’ll send out a newsletter at the halfway point and when we finish the book. For those of you who can't make it to the event on the 24th, don't worry — I'll share audio of the interview as always on the 28th.

Subscribe to the book club newsletter here, and join the conversation by emailing me directly at kcampbell@kuow.org.

Spoiler alert: For those of you who like to plan ahead, our November novel will be Sonora Jha's "The Laughter." Jha's academic satire came in a close second to Octavia Butler's "Fledgling" in our summer survey. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jha about the Jaipur Literature Festival's debut in Seattle, and I cannot wait to talk to her about her work.