Back Stories

Can we tell the history of the world through its shipwrecks? In this episode of Back Stories, Elyssa from the Johnson County Public Library in Indiana is joined by David Pfeiffer from the Johnson County Museum of History to explore this concept through two books: The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson and A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks byDavid Gibbins. Gibbins shares his adventures diving on these shipwrecks and dives deep into their significance.

 If you want to dig into the local reaction to the firing on Fort Sumter, you can find a digitized version of the Franklin Democrat at a JCPL Branch with Newspapers.com. It's free with your library card. Learn about all of our research services at this link.

It's an episode no Millennial will want to miss. Elyssa and her guest Erin discuss their love for the Scholastic Books "Dear America" series, which defined their childhood. Plus, you can't mention Scholastic Books without reminiscing about school book fairs.

And, yes, you can find the "Dear America" television shows on YouTube at this link.

Back Stories guest and JCPL Franklin Branch Librarian Katie discusses the memoir of Kim Michele Richardson, a bestselling, multiple-award-winning author from Kentucky. She also tells the story of Book Woman, one of the Packhorse librarians who delivered books to remote areas of the Appalachian Mountains during the Great Depression.

Elyssa takes a look behind Hell’s Library trilogy. Join them as librarians look at books about libraries and librarians, talk about John Green and local events.

On this Bonus Episode of Back Stories, Elyssa talks with JCPL Director Lisa Lintner, who discusses her role with the Indiana Library Federation and their Indiana Freadom to Read initiative and their work to ensure all Hoosiers enjoy the unrestricted freedom to read and access books of all genres.

Lisa highlights John Green in conversation with IN FREADOM being held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Indiana Freadom to Read will discuss John Green's battle with censorship in Indiana and other states where he has filed suit.

In the first episode of the fourth season of Back Stories, host Elyssa Everling interviews Columbus, Indiana, author Paul Hoffman. Paul lays out his backstory on Murder In Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddie Schumacher and the book Wicked Columbus.

He also shares how he became a writer, publisher and actor after growing up in Wisconsin and moving to Indiana 30 years ago.

In the final episode of season three, Elyssa and her guest Jody, JCPL’s marketing manager and sometimes podcast producer, dig into great true stories. They discuss Erik Larson, Stephen Ambrose, Timothy Egan, Melissa and others, and the Back Stories are revealed.

Are you looking for your next great read, or want to learn

Here are the books and resources discussed in this episode.

Thriller Books

 Beach Reads

Inspirational Books

Dystopian Books

Nonfiction Books

 Resources Talked About

Podcasts Discussed

Jesse Biggerman, Johnson County Recycling District Executive Director, discusses presidents, historians and Dr. Seuss, while Elyssa examines science fiction books, movies and more.

JCPL’s Franklin Branch Manager, Tiffany Wilson, examines the stories behind Dame Agatha Christie and shares her experience acting in and directing several of Christie’s plays. Elyssa digs into Ruth Ware, an Authors at JCPL visitor in 2023 and a self-proclaimed Agatha Christie fan. Play it now and see if they both live to the end of the podcast!

Susan Crisafulli, president of the Imagination Library of Johnson County, joins Elyssa for a behind-the-scenes look at the mission and growth of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in our county. The Imagination Library of Johnson County has mailed more than 149,000 books.