Bookish Banter

Bookish Banter

By Burnside LibraryArtsBooks
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Bookish Banter episodes

  • Ep 17 - The One Where It Ends
    In our final episode of Bookish Banter, Sarah and Madi open with their current reads before presenting The Biggest Bookishest Banterest Awards of 2025 — a light-hearted look back at the stand-out categories that defined our reading year, from “Most Forgettable Book I Definitely Read” to the “Just One More Chapter” medal.We also share the last instalment of Fons Fun Facts, followed by a reflective discussion on the reading habits and library tasks that shape our work: genres we wish more people explored, where we discover new books, our favourite behind-the-scenes duties, and the library spaces we love most.A warm and thoughtful send-off to the series. Tune in for the final chapter.
    30 min
  • Ep 16 - First Line Ranking Returns
    In episode 16 of Bookish Banter, Sarah and Madi kick things off with their current reads before diving into a round of thought-provoking bookish questions — from the characters that left a lasting impact to the decade they’d choose to read from forever. Then, they take on a fun challenge: reading the first lines of six booktok books to see which ones spark curiosity. Along the way, they chat about life behind the library desk, favourite genres, and even share a few beloved book quotes. Tune in for library insights, literary games, and plenty of bookish banter!
    27 min
  • Ep 15 - Library Events

    In episode 15 of Bookish Banter, Sarah and Madi are joined by Sarah Roberts, Burnside Library’s Event Coordinator, to chat about what it’s really like behind the scenes of library events. Sarah shares how she decides which events to put on, the highlights (and challenges) of coordinating them, and her favourite “pinch me” moments on the job. They also dive into dream author guests, comfort reads, and the excitement of planning what’s next. Tune in for a fun, insider look at library event life plus plenty of bookish recommendations along the way!

    17 min
  • Ep 14 - Book Discussion Groups
    In episode 14 of Bookish Banter, Sarah and Madi are joined by special guest Heather F to chat all things book groups at Burnside Library. They explore how different titles spark conversation, whether it’s the story itself or the group dynamic that brings the magic. Heather shares hidden gems discovered through club picks, reflects on the role of book groups in building community, and even imagines which author—living or dead—she’d invite to a meeting. From memorable moments to unexpected discussions, this episode dives deep into the joy of reading together. Tune in for book club secrets, recommendations, and plenty of banter!
    19 min
  • Ep 13 - Library Life Starter Pack
    In episode 13 of Bookish Banter, Sarah and Madi are back with a chaotic round of Would You Rather: Library Edition! Would you rather spill coffee on the rare book collection or delete the entire event calendar? Host toddler storytime with zero prep or tech support a massive Zoom talk? It’s a wild ride through library nightmares and magical daydreams.Then it’s time to build the ultimate Library Life Starter Packs! From new mums to retirees to teens on school holidays, they share all the must-know programs, collections, and hidden gems Burnside Library has to offer. Think toy libraries, tech help, book clubs, BookTok reads, and even a library dragon (kind of).Tune in for laughs, library chaos, and a whole lotta love for your local!
    22 min
  • Ep 12 - Genre Roulette

    In episode 13 of Bookish Banter, Sarah and Madi kickthings off by sharing what they’re currently reading before diving into a fun round of Genre Roulette. With six spins of the wheel and a mix of genres—from romance and fantasy to historical fiction and non-fiction—they each recommend a book that fits the category, explaining what makes it worth the read.

    The episode wraps up with an Annotation Breakdown, where they chat about how they engage more deeply with stories—think sticky tabs, margin notes, and the little things they pick up when reading between the lines.

    It’s a relaxed, recommendation-packed episode for anyone who loves getting more out of their reading.

    25 min
  • Ep 11 - Two Truths and a Lie

    In episode 11 of Bookish Banter, Sarah and Madi kickthings off by sharing what they’re currently reading before diving into a fun Two Truths and a Lie book edition. They each share three statements about a book they’ve read—two are true, and one is a lie—while the other guesses the false one. The episode wraps up with a Rapid Fire round, where theyanswer a series of bookish questions in just five minutes, from book boyfriends and favourite adaptations to the most underrated books and guilty pleasures. Tune in for quick laughs, book recommendations, and lots of bookish opinions!

    22 min
  • Ep 10 - Fancasting

    In episode 10 of Bookish Banter, Sarah and Madi are joined once again by Erin for a lively conversation about all things books and libraries. Erin shares her thoughts on underappreciated genres, the most powerful book she's ever read, and the process behind selecting books for library collections. Then, the trio takes on a fun fan-casting challenge, imagining dream movie adaptations for Fourth Wing, None of This is True, and the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Plus, Erin clears up some common misconceptions about working in a library and reveals the most rewarding parts of the job. Tune in for book recommendations, library insights, and lots of bookish fun!

    29 min
  • Ep 9 - Bookish Debate
    In episode 9 of Bookish Banter, Sarah and Madi wrap up their buddy reading challenge of The Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune, sharing their final thoughts on the book. Then, they dive into a fun Bookish Debate Challenge, tackling tough questions like paperbacks vs. hardcovers, whether audiobooks count as reading, and if it's okay to quit a book halfway through. Tune in for lively discussions, book recommendations, and plenty of bookish opinions!
    26 min
  • Ep 8 - Home Library Service
    In episode 8 of Bookish Banter, Sarah and Madi check in on their buddy reading challenge, discussing The Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune as they reach the halfway point. They explore its themes, characters, and the blend of humor and heart. Then, they’re joined by Melissa from Burnside Library’s Home Service Department, who shares how she selects books and builds connections with patrons who can’t visit the library. To wrap up, Madi gives an overview of the four doorways to reading, a fascinating way to understand what draws people into books. Tune in for heartwarming stories, book recommendations, and insights into this unique service!
    32 min

About Bookish Banter

From the publisher's feed

Join librarians, Sarah and Madi, for a fun and lively podcast all about the world of books! From book challenges to behind-the-scenes library stories, this is the perfect spot for book lovers, library…