It's our 200th episode! Which...., we don't mention that during the actual episode because we only realized it after we'd finished recording. But please enjoy this literary discussion of effective allegories, particularly on our screens, be it movies or tv shows. 

This week, we're chatting with author Alma Katsu about Red London, the second installment in her new spy/thriller series following protagonist Lindsey Duncan. Katsu has firsthand experience working in the intelligence industry, so we talk about her transition from atmospheric horror novels like The Hunger, into the suspenseful terrain of John Le Carre. For more info on Red London and its predecessor, Red Widow, click here: https://almakatsubooks.com/books/ 

Above all else, we're here to encourage anyone and everyone who have NOT (ever) read either of the three titles discussed today (Romeo & Juliet, Odyssey, Moby Dick), to consider checking them out from the library post haste! Today, we litigate classic lit! Enjoy :)

We chatted with author/poet Linda Nemec Foster about her new collection of prose poetry, Bone Country.  All of the pieces are inspired by other parts of the world—Istanbul, Rome, Krakow, Prague, Vienna, Seville—not the familiar landscape of the United States. But, the narrator is definitely not a native of these countries; they are “the other,” “the foreigner,” the American with a distinct Midwest sensibility who is trying to make sense of a world on the brink of an unforeseen catastrophe. The world as we used to know it.

Find information about Linda's book launch event on March 29 at Literati in Ann Arbor: https://www.lindanemecfoster.com/events/ 

And, as referenced in the episode, you can listen back to previous episodes featuring Linda Nemec Foster and Diane DeCillis.

Metro Detroit-based brother-duo Pancho Villa's Skull performs at the Ferndale Library on Friday, March 10 at 7:30 pm

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Pancho Villa’s Skull was started by Tino Ybarra in 2011. While growing up in Pontiac, Michigan, Tino developed a love from Mariachi music through his grandfather on his mother's side who played trumpet in mariachi bands. He also, spent time in south Texas with his paternal grandfather who took him across the border to Mexico from time to time so, he could know where he came from. As, he got older he started playing in punk and ska bands around Detroit yet, he wanted to feel more connected to his roots.

He decided to create what he calls Mariachi punk and blended the acoustic instrumentation and other elements of the mariachi sound with the energy and political commentary of the classic punk music. Named after Mexican Revolutionary general Pancho Villa, whose skull was stolen from his grave in 1926, Pancho Villa’s Skull was originally a solo act featuring Ybarra on vocals and acoustic guitar. At the beginning of 2016 his brother Rolando Ybarra joined the band to play percussion and added to the sound heavily. Making the sound bigger but, maintaining a stripped down feel.

We look back at 20 years' worth of Best Picture winners and nominees with film enthusiast/lecturer Greg Black. Greg will be HERE on March 7 for his annual Oscars Preview, looking at all of this year's Best Picture nominees. 

https://www.fadl.org/oscars 

C.J. Box is an award-winning N.Y. Times Bestselling author, famous for his long-running Joe Pickett series about a Wyoming Game Warden. His latest is 'Storm Watch,' (out on 2/28) 

Today on the podcast, Rodi, Mary Grahame, Simon and Kricket discuss their favorite musicals, as well as some of their least favorites... This is all an early prelude to our eventual MUSICALS TRIVIA NIGHT, happening on April 10! 

Titles discussed include:

Ahead of our upcoming Rom-Com Movie Trivia Night, here in Ferndale, we're having a panel discussion all about our favorite Rom-Coms! (www.fadl.org/triva) 

Our annual BAKE SALE is coming up on February 13! If you live in Ferndale and you want to sign up to bake, click here: www.fadl.org/bakesale | Today on the podcast, we have some baking enthusiasts from our staff discussing their approach toward & philosophy on BAKING, as well as their personal baking success stories (and baking fails!)