Explore every episode of the podcast The Books We Loved

Today's quick episode is in response to a request from our listener, Eliza. Don't forget, if you would like us to give you recommendations, shoot us an email at: podcast@troypl.org

• If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving, by Chris Newell, illustrated by Winona Nelson
• Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story, written by indigenous authors: Danielle Greendeer (Mashpee Wampanoag), Anthony Perry (Chickasaw), Alexis Bunten (Unangan/Yup'ik), and illustrated by Garry Meeches Sr. (Anishinaabe)
• Thank You, Sarah: the woman who saved Thanksgiving, by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Matt Faulkner
• Balloons over Broadway: the inspiring true story of the puppeteer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, written and illustrated by Melissa Stewart
• Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist, by Jess Keating, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens
• Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions, by Chris Barton, illustrated by Don Tate
• Dancing Through Space: Dr. Mae Jemison soars to new heights, by Lydia Lukidis, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud
• Saving American Beach: the biography of African American environmentalist MaVynee Betsch, by Heidi Tyline King, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
• A Line Can Go Anywhere: The Brilliant, Resilient Life of Artist Ruth Asawa, by Caroline McAllister illustrated by Jamie Green
• Kahoʻolawe : the true story of an island and her people, by Kamalani Hurley, illustrated by Harinani Orme
• Fairytales/Folktales native to a culture!

Fellow TPL staffer, Kit, will be joining the girls today to discuss Alison Bechdel's, Fun Home: a family tragicomic, a graphic memoir. 

In honor of Halloween, the gals are joined by Director, Emily Dumas, to discuss 1999's The Mummy starring Brendan Frasier and Rachel Weiss. Enjoy this spoooooky episode!

Whether you're a Swiftie or not, Olivia and Manda will provide you with loads of great book recommendations inspired by each of Taylor Swift's albums. So get your Swiftie swag on, and hunker down for an episode that will give you all the good vibes. 

Be prerpared to learn about beauty standards, Adirondak chairs, and more, as the gals discuss John Green's newest nonfic title, Everything is Tuberculosis, with Keegan from Youth Services.

Join Olivia and Manda as they go through some of their fall favorites, titles that will get you ready for shorter days and longer nights! 

A cozy mystery, safe enough for your Gran;  WWII-era Alan Gratz; Kate Beaton for all ages--today's show has something for everybody! Buckle up Buttercups, because the gals are here to share loads of book recs! 

Today Olivia and Manda tackle Willa Cather's, My Antonia, a story set in the American Midwest during the late 19th/early 20th century. This book was the final installment of our summer 2025 book club; if you missed the other books covered, go back and listen to:

Summer Book Club: The Joy Luck Club

Summer Book Club: The Color Purple 

Cassie (from the Adult Dept.) joins Olivia and Manda today for a discussion of books that take place at boarding schools. Many of the books discussed appear on this list:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/boarding-school 

The ladies are joined by TPL Director, Emily Dumas, to share some great back-to-school picture books. As promised in the episode:

• Chrysanthemum, Kevin Henkes
• Wemberly Worried, Kevin Henkes
• The Invisible Boy, Ludwig
• Each Kindness, Woodson
• On the Day You Begin, Woodson
• The Pigeon Must Go to School, Mo Willems
• Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?, Vernick
• We Don't Eat our Classmates, Higgins
• If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School — DON'T!, Parsley
• Fish Don't Go to School, Pilutti
• Yeti is Not Ready for School, Carter
• Kitty vs. Kindergarten, Freeman

Today Olivia and Manda tackle Amy Tan's, The Joy Luck Club, a story focusing on themes of mothers and daughters, the immigrant experience, and hope. Don't forget to read Willa Cather's, My Antonia, in preparation for next month's final installment of TBWL's Summer Reading series! 

Olivia and Manda are joined by Hannah (from Community Engagement), for a rousing conversation about nonfiction books that are so fascinating that they read like fiction. Books chatted about today include:

• Stiff: the Curious Life of Human Cadavers, Mary Roach
• Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist, Jasmin Graham
• Soul of an Octopus, Sy Montgomery
• Unbroken: a World War II story of survival, resilience, and redemption, Laura Hillenbrand
• Nobody Will Tell You This But Me, Bess Kalb
• Lab Girl, Hope Jahren
• Good Talk, Mira Jacob
• Fun Home, Alison Bechdel 
• Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi
• The Devil in the White City, Eric Larson
• The Poisoner's Handbook, Deborah Blum
• The Ghost Map, Steven Johnson
• Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot

Today Manda and Karen (from Adult Services) discuss Lois Duncan's 1970s teen thriller, and the 1997 movie adaptation, of I Know What You Did Last Summer. This episode might have you looking over your shoulder, or into the trunk of your car...

Join Olivia and Manda as they celebrate the beloved classic movie, Back to the Future, in honor of it's 40th anniversary this summer. 

Today Olivia and Manda share their favorite books featuring exotic (or not too far flung) locales. We'll spin the globe, and where it stops, nobody knows!

Olivia and Manda are joined by repeat guest, Angie, for a robust discussion of Alice Walker's The Color Purple, as part of the podcast's Summer Reading series. Be sure to read or listen to, The Joy Luck Club, in preparation for July's Summer Reading title! 

We sit down with author Kayla Ancrum to ask her about her writing, her life, and her writing life. 

Learn more about Kayla and her most recent book, The Corruption of Hollis Brown, by visiting her website. 

K. Ancrum, is an author of award winning contemporary YA notably THE WICKER KING, DARLING and the critically acclaimed ICARUS. K. is a Chicago native passionate about diversity and representation in young adult fiction. She currently writes most of her work in the lush gardens of the Chicago Art Institute.

Today the ladies talk about beloved author, and honorary Midwesterner, John Green! They'll discuss his books, especially Looking for Alaska (no spoilers!)--as it turns 20 y.o.--and his cultural impact. 

We ask author Katie Spina five questions about her writing life, the books that shaped her, and the library memories she holds dear. 

Ms. Katie is an award-winning kidlit author who writes stories for kids where finding your fit means trusting in who you are. She's an avid reader that loves to talk about all sorts of books to kids of different interests. Learn more at her website, katiespina.com. 

Be prepared to jot down all of the summer themed recommendations the girls are throwing your way today! Olivia and Manda will also reveal a timely secret you won't want to miss! 

Today Olivia and Manda do an author/illustrator spotlight on the much loved, Eric Carle!

Today Olivia and Manda celebrate three years of the podcast w stats, quizzes, book recs, and lots of laughs. 

Mariel and Olivia welcome author Daniel Lavery to the studio to talk about Daphne Dumaurier's Rebecca. 

Read more about Daniel and his recent novel, Women's Hotel (available at TPL and wherever you acquire books) here. 

Today Olivia and Manda will be having a tuff discussion about Greasers, Socs, and S.E. Hinton's timeless classic, The Outsiders.

Olivia and Manda are joined by Karen (Adult) for a second look at Bridget Jones. If you haven't already listened to our episode: "Bridget Jones's Diary," from April 2024, you might want to go back and give that a listen first! Today the ladies cover the latest movie released in the Bridget Jones-verse (as well as the book version of), Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy.

Cassie (from Adult) joins Olivia and Manda to share some recent reads. Looking for a book rec? We got you covered!

Today Olivia and Manda cover a slew of topics, and as always, share what they've been reading. Buckle up, Buttercup! 

Pin on your Elven cloak, pack your lembas bread, and join Olivia and Manda as they journey into Middle Earth. The ladies do an author spotlight of J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as share  facts about Tolkien's books and the LOTR movie trilogy! We hope you find this episode as "precious" as we do... 

From ugly-crying moments in Wicked to the Manhattan Project, today Olivia and Manda weave across mediums and decades, while they share their thoughts on their recent reads and recent movies. 

Get your overflowing pot of pasta, and hunker down while Olivia and Manda discuss the famous and beloved children author and illustrator, Tomie dePaola!

Join us to figure out what Biographia Literaria is, and what is included on Olivia's and Manda's lists. What's on your list? (This is a moldy-oldy episode from a year ago, that somehow missed posting). 

Join Olivia and Manda as they say hello to 2025 by sharing their favorite books from 2024. We ended the old year grateful for all of our listeners, and wish you all a very safe and happy new year full of books! 

Happy Holidays! We're gifting you this bonus episode! So, get your wand, broom, and owl ready for today's discussion of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Olivia and Manda are joined by OG listener, Angie, for a discussion of both the first book and film in the Harry Potter franchise. 

Mary from Circ joins us for a discussion about Jennifer Egan's 2012 serialized Sci-Fi story, "Black Box." We put on our college-y English lit thinking caps, and try to determine what makes something literary fiction, and if the story is a metaphor about something other than spies! 

Looking for unique gifts for your best guys, gals, and pals? Olivia and Manda are here with a list of great books to gift your friends and loved ones this holiday season. Happy Holidays! 

Join hosts, Olivia and Manda, as they talk all things audiobooks. 

Manda, Emily, and Olivia gather 'round the cauldron to stir up some spooky conversation about Stephen King and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. 

Today Olivia and Manda welcome TPL patron, Lisa, for a discussion of David Sedaris' book, Me Talk Pretty One Day. Join us and decide for yourself, if Sedaris really is the most Gen X writer out there. 

Looking for book recommendations? Go to troypl.org/podcast and scroll down to submit your request. We will feature suggestions on an upcoming episode. 

"It begins with a character, all I can do is trot along behind him trying to put down what he says and does.” -William Faulkner

Today it's just Olivia and Manda as they delve into favorite characters they've met in books.

Today we're rewarding you with a BONUS EPISODE! We're here to deliver lots of book recs for our listener Eliza. If you'd like personalized recommendations for yourself or someone you love be sure to visit troypl.org/podcast to submit a request. And as always, happy reading. 

Avoid the Trunchbull; commune with insects; step into a famous chocolate factory, and more! Today we're joined by TPL patron and member of TPL's Books & Brews Book Club, Cassie, for a discussion of all things Roald Dahl. 

TPL catalog -- Roald Dahl materials for checkout/hold

This episode we're feeling all the feels as we delve into this kids' classic with our buddy (and repeat guest!), Cassie. 

Your doting hosts Manda and Olivia (and every other librarian on the planet) are very busy during the summer, so the podcasts are coming sporadically at best! Thanks for your patience with us, dear readers, as we take a break to attend to our other librarianly duties. In the meantime, here's a little check-in from us where we discuss some of the books we're reading and enjoying this season. xo! 

Join us as we explore the life and works of the awesome author, illustrator, and advocate, Gyo Fujikawa. If you've never heard of her, you've come to the right place. 

The biography we mention on the show is It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way, written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Julie Morstad. 

Get ready for some tween drama, listeners-- this episode, we're revisiting the Baby-Sitters Club franchise! Emily, Library Director, and Lauren, Head of Digital Services, join Manda and Olivia to determine whether or not the series holds up. 

Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 

Want your own personalized book recommendations? Submit your request here, and Manda & Olivia will pick some great reads just for you in a future episode. 

Jump in your pickle-shaped car and drive down to the busy, busy podcast platform of your choice to hear us talk about the life and books of Richard Scarry! 

Need some reading recommendations? Your friendly personal librarians have you covered. This is what we're reading in April 2024! .

Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 

Want your own personalized recommendations? Submit your request here, and Manda & Olivia will pick some books just for you in a future episode. 

Happy reading! 

Friends, whether you're in the mood for a turkey curry buffet or a piping hot bowl of blue soup, we have you covered! Today we're talking all things Bridget Jones. Tune in to hear what our hosts made of the book, the movie, and the incomparable character who made us all want to start a diary. 

In this first installment of a brand-new series, we're looking at the life and art of Virginia Lee Burton! Burton was a popular picture book author and illustrator. Tune in to learn more about her and the Arts & Crafts movement that inspired her art. 

In this freewheelin' discussion, Manda and Olivia talk about the books they're reading and loving right now. 

Click here for a list of books discussed on the show.