Behind the Books

Bob and Anna catch up with Grace Mandato at the Robbinsville Branch before sitting down with bestselling young adult author Samantha Markum. The conversation includes a sneak peek at Markum's upcoming novel, The Roommate Arrangement, along with insights into how she connects with her young adult readers.

Audience Connection - Interview with Samantha Markum

Intro and Welcome

6:51 Catch Up with MCLS: Grace Mandato

14:17 Programs and Services @ MCLS

17:48 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

19:00 Interview with Samantha Markum

32:47 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Samantha Markum at https://samanthamarkum.com/

"60 Seconds with Shannon" highlights a selection of Shannon's "Books [still] to Read" list from 2025: Heart the Lover by Lily King, The Compound by Aisling Rawle, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, The Mad Wife by Meagan Church, and Conform by Ariel Sullivan, which are all 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 Page, located at https://events.mcl.org/.

Discover additional information about the upcoming 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.

Bob and Anna catch up with Jen Crabtree at the West Windsor Branch and meet up with author Margery Cuyler, who has written more than 60 children's books, including her latest, Stompie the Zombie. She shares her insights on the ever-changing landscape of children's literature and what continues to inspire her work.

Intro and Welcome

4:31 Catch Up with MCLS: Jen Crabtree

14:10 Programs and Services @ MCLS

18:30 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

19:42 Interview with Margery Cuyler

32:30 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Margery Cuyler at https://www.margerycuyler.net/

"60 Seconds with Shannon" highlights a selection of Shannon's current reads: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy, Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn, and The Winners by Fredrik Backman, which are all 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 Page, located at https://events.mcl.org/

Peruse the MCLS catalog of Museum Passes at https://mcl.org/catalog/museum-pass-info/

Discover Language Learning resources at MCLS at https://resources.mcl.org/language-learning

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

Bob and Anna catch up with Jamie Clay at the Robbinsville Branch. New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst chats with Anna and Bob about cozy fantasies, including her most recent release, The Enchanted Greenhouse.

Intro and Welcome

3:50 Catch Up with MCLS: Jamie Clay

14:11 Programs and Services @ MCLS

17:54 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

19:05 Interview with Sarah Beth Durst

30:58 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Sarah Beth Durst at http://www.sarahbethdurst.com/

"60 Seconds with Shannon" features The Burning Library, byGilly Macmillan, 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 Page, located at https://events.mcl.org/

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

Bob and Anna catch up with Caitlin Decker in the Acquisitions and Cataloging Department. Tim Brown discusses his journalism background and how it contributes to his book endeavors, including his most recent release, The Tao of the Backup Catcher: Playing Baseball for the Love of the Game.

Intro and Welcome

4:03 Catch Up with MCLS: Caitlin Decker

13:22 Programs and Services @ MCLS

16:27 Interview with Tim Brown

30:39 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Tim Brown at https://www.bytimbrown.com/

Additional Information about the 2025 Diaper Drive and Bundling Event at https://mcl.org/diaper-drive/

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

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

Bob and Anna debut a new segment, "Catch Up with MCLS" toperiodically revisit past guests from the MCLS staff. This episode they touch base with Youth Services Coordinator, Christine Crawford. Jayci Lee discusses her latest release, King Foretold, the second book, in the Realm of Four Kingdoms series, as well as her most recent contemporary romance, Give Me a Reason. Shannon Tuorto's "60 Seconds with Shannon" highlights the book, The Late-Night Witches, by Auralee Wallace.

Intro and Welcome

2:48 Catch Up with MCLS: Christine Crawford

11:17 Programs and Services @ MCLS

14:29 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

15:39 Interview with Jayci Lee

31:22 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Jayci Lee at https://www.jaycilee.com/

Additional information about library hours on Election andVeterans Days is available at https://mcl.org/about/hours/

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

"60 Seconds with Shannon" features the book, The Late-NightWitches, by Auralee Wallace, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl

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

Anna and Bob close out their fifth Behind the Books year with two author interviews! First, they chat with bestselling author, Carrie Turansky, a local creator of inspirational historical and contemporary novels and novellas. Then from across the pond, author, comic artist, and Illustrator, Lara Pickle, talks about her 2025 Alex Award graphic novel, I Feel Awful, Thanks! Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon", featuring How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold.

Intro and Welcome
3:59 Interview with Carrie Turansky
12:39 Programs and Services @ MCLS
15:44 Sixty Seconds with Shannon
16:53 Interview with Lara Pickle
32:39 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Carrie Turansky at https://carrieturansky.com/

Learn more about Lara Pickle at https://www.larapickleart.com/

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

The winning photos and entire gallery of submissions for the 2025 Amateur Photo Contest is located at https://mcl.org/events/amateur-photo-contest/

"60 Seconds with Shannon" features, How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog at https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl

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

Joe Jenkins, Head of Circulation at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, shares with us all the magic that happens at the Circulation Desk. Auralee Wallace discusses her latest book, The Late-Night Witches. Shannon Tuorto's "60 Seconds with Shannon" provides a teaser to the recently released edition of the children's book, Hansel and Gretel, authored by Stephen King with illustrations by Maurice Sendek.

Intro and Welcome
4:02 Interview with Joe Jenkins
15:37 Programs and Services @ MCLS
18:52 Sixty Seconds with Shannon 20:03
29:39 Interview with Auralee Wallace
Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Auralee Wallace at https://auraleewallace.com/

Additional information about Socktober is available at https://mcl.org/socktober/

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

"60 Seconds with Shannon" features the children's book, Hansel and Gretel by Stephen King, illustrated by Maurice Sendek, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl

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

Soumya Balaji from the Circulation Department at West Windsor joins Anna and Bob to talk about the small joys of library cards and impromptu book chats. Jane Willan discusses her latest book, Widow's Walk. Shannon Tuorto provides an overview of The Rom-Com Cookbook by Tara Theoharis during "60 Seconds with Shannon."

Intro and Welcome

4:45 Interview with Soumya Balaji

13:11 Programs and Services @ MCLS

17:03 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

18:15 Interview with Jane Willan

30:03 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Jane Willan at https://www.janewillan.com

Additional information about the 2025 MCLS Book Festival is available at https://mcl.org/events/book-festival

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

"60 Seconds with Shannon" features The Rom-Com Cookbook by Tara Theoharis, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl

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

Anna and Bob have a talk with Laiba Khurshid about her role in Circulation at the Hopewell Branch. Andrea Zuill, author and illustrator of children's books, discusses her most recent release, Bob the Vampire Snail, as well as the challenges and joys of creating books for a younger audience. Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring the book, Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Intro and Welcome

3:46 Interview with Laiba Khurshid

14:40Programs and Services @ MCLS

18:19 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

19:30 Interview with Andrea Zuill

32:05 Summary and Closing

Show Notes:

Learn more about Andrea Zuill at https://www.andreazuill.org/

Additional information about the 2025 MCLS Book Festival is available at https://mcl.org/events/book-festival/

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

60 Seconds with Shannon features Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl

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

Anna and Bob have talk with Laiba Khurshid about her role in Circulation at the Hopewell Branch.  Andrea Zuill, author and illustrator of children's books, discusses her most recent release, Bob the Vampire Snail, as well as the challenges and joys of creating books for a younger audience. Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring the book, Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

*********************************************************

Speaking to Children

Intro and Welcome

3;46 Interview with Laiba Khurshid

14:40 Programs and Services @ MCLS

18:19 Sixty Seconds with Shannon

19:30 Interview with Andrea Zuill

32:05 Summary and Closing 

Show Notes:

Learn more about Andrea Zuill at https://www.andreazuill.org/

Additional information about the 2025 MCLS Book Festival is available at https://mcl.org/events/book-festival/

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

60 Seconds with Shannon features Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl

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