Presented by Seattle Public Library and Charlie's Queer Books

Join us for an in-person event with Brooklyn-based writer Haley Jakobson in conversation with Zach Sailor @booksthatslay! In addition to discussing the paperback release of her debut novel Old Enough, we'll have queer friendship activities from scavenger hunts to friendship bracelet making. We'll have copies of Old Enough available on-site for purchase.

Please note: this event will be held at the Seattle Public Library Central Branch.

7 pm: Doors open

7:30-8:15: Reading and Q&A in Level 4, Room 1

8:15-9:30: Queer friendship extravaganza!

About the book:

Savannah Henry is almost the person she wants to be, or at least she's getting closer. It’s the second semester of her sophomore year. She’s finally come out as bisexual, is making friends with the other queers in her dorm, and has just about recovered from her disastrous first queer “situationship.” She is cautiously optimistic that her life is about to begin.

But when she learns that her best friend from childhood, Izzie, has gotten engaged, Savannah’s life is sent into a tailspin. Things with Izzie haven’t been the same since what happened between Savannah and Izzie’s older brother when they were sixteen. Now, with the wedding around the corner, Savannah is pulled back into a history she had just barely begun to heal from.

To make things more complicated? Savannah is definitely in love with her classmate Wes—sweet, long-eyelashed, funny Wes and their green backpack—something her college friends Candace and Vera take great pleasure in teasing her about.

With a singularly funny, heartfelt voice, Old Enough explores queer love, community, and what it means to be a survivor. Haley Jakobson has written a love letter to friendship, and an honest depiction of what finding your people can feel like—for better or worse.

Zach Sailor (he/him, @booksthatslay) is a queer writer and bookish content creator based in Seattle. He produces videos that highlight the importance of reading diversely and encourages others to seek out stories from different cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds. Zach is currently working on his first novel. When he isn’t reading or writing, you can find him somewhere in the mountains of the PNW.