Popular librarian event returns to WICA

Published 1:30 am Friday, October 31, 2025

It’s that time of year again.

Beloved librarian Nancy Pearl is preparing to take her annual voyage to South Whidbey to share her list of favorite books from 2025.

The free and popular event hosted by the Friends of the Langley Library at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts is coming up on Thursday, Nov. 6. Doors open at 10 a.m., the auditorium opens for general admission seating at 10:30 a.m. and Pearl speaks at 11 a.m.

As usual, overflow seating will be available in Zech Hall, where attendees can watch a livestream. There is a suggested donation of $5 or $10 to cover event costs. People can opt to purchase raffle tickets to win a basket of books from Pearl’s list, provided by Moonraker Books in Langley. Must be present to win.

Friends of the Langley Library first welcomed Pearl to Whidbey in 1998, thanks to an invitation from one of its members, Diane Kendy, who saw her speak at Sno-Isle Libraries’ regional headquarters in Marysville.

Kris Blaser, board treasurer for the Friends of the Langley Library, said the year she first attended Pearl’s event on Whidbey, she was surprised to discover that showing up five minutes early meant the place was already packed and she had to sit out in the lobby. Last year’s event drew 211 attendees.

“She’s such a real treasure,” Blaser said of Pearl. “She’s just an incredibly personable connector. She’s not just somebody who likes to hear herself talk.”

Pearl’s list this year includes a total of 18 titles, which she will talk about individually before taking questions from the audience.

“She likes to pick the ones that are not the New York Times bestsellers,” Blaser said. “She picks ones that are a little bit more under the radar.”

To learn more or to find Pearl’s book lists from previous years, visit langleylibraryfriends.org/nancy-pearl.