Aleenah Ansari

1 month ago | magazine.washington.edu | Aleenah Ansari

Witherspoon tackles topics like Korean American identity, social media fame and the titular fluffy shaved ice dessert in “Bingsu for Two,” which was named one of Forbes’ 40 most anticipated novels of 2025. We sat down with Witherspoon to talk about what storytelling means to her, how she found a place for both humor and romance in her writing and the way her time at the UW and love of Seattle informed her debut novel.

2 months ago | joysauce.com | Aleenah Ansari

With how important technology and social media have become, you may be wondering about the role they might play in democracy, and if it can be a positive one. Thankfully, folks like Audrey Tang—the first Digital Minister of Taiwan, current Cyber Ambassador and innovator in digital democracy—are actively working to combat polarization, inequity and loneliness and ensure that democracy is evolving with the help of community participation.

2 months ago | magazine.washington.edu | Aleenah Ansari

We sat down with Amanda to learn more about the process of finding her signature style, how she comes up with new designs and her advice for getting more comfortable with experimentation. Bioengineering taught me how to problem solve using new methods and materials. It helped me realize that an experiment or idea might not work the first time, but the process can inform my next decision. With Modern Science Project, I’m using problem solving skills to create beautiful and functional products.

Jan 21, 2025 | seattletimes.com | Aleenah Ansari

There’s nothing like a road trip to create some forced proximity for characters, which is exactly what happens in Seattle author Heather McBreen’s debut novel, “Wedding Dashers” (out Jan. 28 from Berkley). In it, two stranded wedding guests, Ada and Jack, travel to a destination wedding in Ireland, with a few twists and turns along the way. Through their journey, they find out that much like love, life might not happen the way you expect, but you can still find your way forward.

Jan 7, 2025 | joysauce.com | Aleenah Ansari

Whether you’re at home or visiting a new city, independent bookstores are a way to discover local authors, artists, and makers. You can even find shops that focus on stories by and about specific communities—including the API diaspora. Here are a handful of API-owned bookstores from across the United States you can check out that not only highlight the community, but also build community through workshops and events.