Behind the Books

Bob and Anna catch up with Kathleen Nash, Adult Services Librarian at the Hopewell Branch. They also speak with author Aimee Pokwatka about her recent novel, Accumulation, discussing the inspiration behind the book and its themes.

Word Games and Ghost Stories

Intro and Welcome

5:12 Catch up with MCLS: Kathleen Nash

14:19 Programs and Services @ MCLS

18:03 Interview with Aimee Pokwatka

31:55 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Aimee Pokwatka at http://www.aimeepokwatka.com/.

Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Discover resources at the Virtual Branch and Digital Entertainment available with your MCLS library card via https://resources.mcl.org/virtual.

Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

Behind the Books continues the celebration of National Library Week! Bob and Anna talk with patrons and staff about where they find joy at the library, catch up with local Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding, and in "60 Seconds with Shannon," Shannon Tuorto shares her pick: Don't Think About Dinner by Jenn Lueke.

Joy and Jeopardy!

Intro and Welcome

1:59 Find Your Joy!

7:42 Programs and Services @ MCLS

11:49 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

13:02 Interview with Jamie Ding

26:51 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

"60 Seconds with Shannon" features Don't Think About Dinner by Jenn Lueke, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl.

Learn more about the MCLS Teen Advisory Board at https://mcl.org/events/teen-advisory-board/.

Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Music for National Library Week segment created by minhquang123 via Pixabay.

Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

Bob and Anna sit down with Dana Benner, Marketing Librarian for the Mercer County Library System and Adult Services Librarian at the Hopewell Branch. Dana shares how she brings her own interests and enthusiasm into her work—from shaping engaging programs to helping make the library a welcoming, vibrant place for the community. Then, our co-hosts turn to author Victoria Dillon to discuss her debut novel, Ava. They explore the inspiration behind the story and the themes at the heart of this unique and thought-provoking book. Shannon Tuorto returns with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower.

The Work We Love, the Stories We Imagine

Intro and Welcome

4:10 Catch up with MCLS: Dana Benner

13:51 Programs and Services @ MCLS

18:04 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

19:16 Interview with Victoria Dillon

29:53 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Victoria Dillon at https://victoriadillonauthor.com/.

The documentary to which the author refers is Aftershock (2022). Additional information available at https://www.aftershockdocumentary.com/.

"60 Seconds with Shannon" features The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl.

Attend the 2026 TrashedArt Awards Reception. Registration and additional information available at https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/.

Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Celebrate National Library Week with MCLS, April 19 through April 25. More information at https://mcl.org/national-library-week/.

Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

Anna and Bob speak with Amanda DeCillis, part-time Youth Services staff member at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, about her work with young readers. They also talk with scriptwriter Shawn Hainsworth, founder of SHP Comics, who shares his creative process and previews his upcoming books, Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King and Woodstake. Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring Billy Collins' new collection of poems, Dog Show.

No Fooling: From Youth Services to Indie Comics

Intro and Welcome

3:20 Interview with Amanda DeCillis

13:00 Programs and Services @ MCLS

16:45 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

17:54 Interview with Shawn Hainsworth

31:19 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Shawn Hainsworth at https://www.shawnhainsworthproductions.com/ and SHP Comics at https://shpcomics.com/.

"60 Seconds with Shannon" features Billy Collins' newest collection of poetry, Dog Show, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl.

Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Submit a poem to read in the virtual poetry event, A Poetry Happening: Mercer Poets Read, at https://mcl.org/call-for-poems/.

Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

Bob and Anna catch up with Janine Hoekstra about her current role as Assistant Administrative Analyst in Library Administration. Author Kimberly Behre Kenna also joins us to discuss her Brave Girl collection, including the newest installment, Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances.

Bravery at All Ages

Intro and Welcome

4:25 Catch Up with MCLS: Janine Hoekstra

12:04 Programs and Services @ MCLS

16:08 Interview with Kimberly Behre Kenna

32:03 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Discover more about Kimberly Behre Kenna at https://www.kimberlybehrekenna.com/.

Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Explore NJ Makers Day programs at MCLS via https://mcl.org/nj-makers-day/.

Vote for your favorite 2026 TrashedArt entry at https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/.

Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

Anna and Bob talk with Emma Reyes of the Adult Services Department at the West Windsor Branch about her pathway to librarianship and how she's bringing the community together through tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). Then our co-hosts chat with illustrator and debut author Greer Stothers about their new novel, Apparently, Sir Cameron is Dead, including their creative journey leading them to writing fiction on their own terms.

Plot Twists IRL

Intro and Welcome

4:44 Emma Reyes

14:16 Programs and Services @ MCLS

18:09 Interview with Greer Stothers

29:33 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Discover more about Greer Stothers at https://www.greerstothers.com/.

Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Explore a selection of programs celebrating Women's History Month at MCLS via https://libraryaware.com/3B1WHM.

Download your Academy Awards ballot for the 2026 Oscar Predictions Contest at https://mcl.org/oscars-contest/.

Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

It's Library Lovers Month! Anna and Bob hit the floor to ask patrons what they love most about the library, then sit down with USA Today bestselling author Annelise Ryan to discuss Monster in the Moonlight, the latest installment in her Monster Hunter Mysteries series. Listeners may also know her by her real name, Beth Amos, or her other pseudonym, Allyson K. Abbott.

A-Hunting We Will Go

Intro and Welcome

4:07 Library Lovers Month Segment

12:00 Programs and Services @ MCLS

15:33 Interview with Beth Amos

29:06 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Discover more about Beth Amos at https://bethamos.com/; learn more about Annelise Ryan's Monster Hunter Mysteries at https://anneliseryan.com/

Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Find additional information about the 2026 TrashedArt Contest at https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/.

Apply to host an author table at the 2026 MCLS Book Festival via https://mcl.org/events/book-festival/.

Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

Bob and Anna catch up with Bekka Trapp from Adult Services at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch to talk about her work at the library and her plans to expand multi-generational programming. The episode also features an interview with husband-and-wife authors Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd about their latest collaboration, You & Me & You & Me & You & Me.

Fun Across the Generations… and the Dimensions

Intro and Welcome

1:50 Catch Up with MCLS: Bekka Trapp

12:41 Programs and Services @ MCLS

16:43 Interview with Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd

37:06 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Discover more about Emlyn Rees at https://www.emlynrees.com/ and Josie Lloyd at https://www.josielloyd.com/

Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Find additional information about the 2026 TrashedArt Contest at https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/.

Explore America 250 resources and events at https://resources.mcl.org/america-250 and https://mcl.org/events/america-250/

Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

Bob and Anna catch up with Shanna Caines from Adult Services at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, discussing her work at the library and the impact of Adult Services in the community. The episode then features an interview with middle-grade author Diana Harmon Asher, who talks about her latest book, Trouble Finds Evie Lefkowitz, and the themes that matter most to young readers. Shannon Tuorto's "60 Seconds with Shannon" features works by Noelle Ihli, specifically Ask for Andrea.

Front and Center

Intro and Welcome

3:05 Catch Up with MCLS: Shanna Caines

12:10 Programs and Services @ MCLS

16:26 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

17:06 Interview with Diana Harmon Asher

30:07 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Diana Harmon Asher at https://dianaharmonasher.com/

"60 Seconds with Shannon" features works by Noelle Ihli, specifically Ask for Andrea, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog at https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl.

Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Participate in the Winter Reading Program via https://mcl.org/events/winter-reading-program/.

Participate in the Dr. MLK Jr. Day(s) of Service 2026: Card & Letter Writing Drive. Additional information and card templates located at https://mcl.org/mlk-jr-day-of-service/.

Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

Bob and Anna catch up with MCLS staff member Pam Murphy from the Acquisitions and Cataloging Department, then sit down with author Tomika Reid to chat about her writing journey and her newest book, The Girl in the Cave.

Expansion of Experience

Intro and Welcome

5:25 Catch Up with MCLS: Pam Murphy

12:47 Programs and Services @ MCLS

16:26 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

17:36 Interview with Tomika Reid

25:28 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Tomika Reid at https://www.tomikareid.com/

"60 Seconds with Shannon" features Hostage, by Eli Sharabi, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog at https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl.

Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Explore the 2026 Reading Challenge via https://mcl.org/events/reading-challenge/.

Participate in the Dr. MLK Jr. Day(s) of Service 2026: Card & Letter Writing Drive. Additional information and card templates located at https://mcl.org/mlk-jr-day-of-service/.

Discover additional information about the MCLS Haiku Contest at https://mcl.org/events/haiku-contest/.

Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.