We're halfway through the Summer Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge, and this episode, we discuss books set on islands.

Island settings are about more than sipping cocktails on the beach. Sometimes, as with Agatha Christie's classic mystery And Then There Were None, the primary goal is to get off the island while you still can.

Whether you're into thrillers, horror, historical fiction, or romance, you'll find the island of your dreams—or nightmares—with our picks.

Our Picks

• The Island by Natasha Preston paired with Funnel Cake with Blueberry Sauce
• The Troop by Nick Cutter paired with Dark 'n Stormy Rum Cocktail
• Whale Fall by Elizabeth O’Connor paired with Welsh Cakes
• The Name Game by Beth O’Leary paired with not-too-fancy farm shop coffee

This episode, we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States with books about American history, one of the prompts on the Summer Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. 

Carrie and Michael share nonfiction about people and events that are often left out of the historical record, while Jacqueline discusses a teen novel about the more recent past. Listen below!

Our Picks

• Wild Girls: How the Outdoors Shaped the Women Who Challenged a Nation by Tiya Miles. Paired with Hibiscus Mint Tea from The Blue Zones Kitchen One Pot Meals by Dan Buettner.
• Two Degrees by Alan Gratz. Paired with Chai Latte.
• Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President by Candice Miller. Paired with Squirrel Soup.

On this episode, Carrie, Michael, and guest-host Charlotte discuss So Far Gone by Jess Walter, one of the prompts on the Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge.

This witty, suspenseful, and timely novel follows a reclusive journalist who goes on a quest to rescue his kidnapped grandchildren. It not only features a road trip, the audiobook makes a great pick for a road trip thanks to Eduardo Ballerini's narration.

Pairings

• Transport yourself to the Pacific Northwest with Charlotte's recommendation, Salmon Jerky. Wash it down with a refreshing glass of Sun Tea. Visit the library resource AtoZ Food America for the recipes. If you're using the database from home, login with your library card number.
• Raccoons may have gotten Rhys Kinnick's Hostess Snoballs, but they better keep their paws off Michael's!
• In honor of the maple cookies Joanie serves the kids, Carrie suggests the more summery treat of homemade Vegan Maple Ice Cream.

May is abloom thanks to these books with flowers on the cover, our latest prompt from the Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge.

This prompt is more versatile than you might think, with plenty of options beyond gardening books. (Yes, there’s even horror, as Michael shows!)

Our Picks

• Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher paired with North Carolina Style Pulled Pork
• Inciting Joy by Ross Gay paired with Lemon Balm and Mint Tea
• Powerless by Lauren Roberts paired with Lemon Tarts

Give your reading a fresh start with the Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge.  

From now through June 30, 2026, keep track of books you read or listen to on the Spring Books & Bites Bingo Card. Complete all 9 squares for a chance to win a $50 Joseph-Beth gift card. 

On this episode, we visit fictional small-towns from Mississippi to Northern Ireland. 

Our picks include an emotional YA novel about close friendship; a tale of college football that will tackle you out the gate; and a dark comedy served with a side of curry chips.

Our picks and pairings:

• Radio Silence by Alice Oseman paired with Crispy Waffles from Creams Cafe
• Mississippi Blue 42 by Eli Cranor paired with Mississippi Mud Pie
• Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen paired with Chips and Curry Sauce

This month, we discuss books where the weather plays a major role, one of the prompts on the Winter Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge.

From hurricanes to snowstorms, this episode has all the major weather events covered!

If you’re participating in Winter Books & Bites Bingo, don’t forget to turn in your bingo card by the end of March. Turn your card in at the Customer Service Desk to receive your bookmark or use the online entry form.

Carrie's Pick

• Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
• Pairing: Mulatto rice, as it’s called in the book, now usually called red rice. 

Jacqueline's Pick

• Trapped by Michael Northrop
• Pairing: Peach Mocktail

Michael's Pick

• The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi
• Pairing: Horchata

This month, we discuss books set on trains or ships, a prompt on the Winter Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. 

Travel the high seas with our recommendations: a graphic novel horror story about a mermaid-like creature; a lyrical, suspenseful novel about a woman following what might be the Arctic Tern’s final migration; and a YA novel about a young artist who is slowly disconnecting from reality and living a second life aboard a ship in the Mariana Trench.

Prefer to stay on dry land? We also offer some brief suggestions for books set on trains.

Michael's Pick

• Sea of Sorrows by Rich Douek and Alex Cormack
• Pairing: Creamy Seafood Chowder

Carrie's Pick

• Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
• Pairing: Mashed Winter Vegetable Stew

Jacqueline's Pick

• Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
• Pairing: Rum Runner

We're kicking off the Winter Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge with audiobooks read by multiple narrators! These multi-voiced productions make audiobooks even more engaging. 

Tune into our action-packed choices: a YA dystopian novel, a horror/thriller hybrid, and a sweeping, historical Western.

Jacqueline's Pick

• The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
• Pairing: Homemade bread

Michael's Pick

• Spider to the Fly by J.H. Markert
• Pairing: S'mores Brownies

Carrie's Pick

• The Cold Millions by Jess Walter
• Pairing: Minestrone from An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler

We're saying goodbye to 2025 with this episode, and with it our Summer-Fall Books & Bites bingo card!

What better way to ring out the old year than with some of our favorite books published in 2025? Our picks include a darkly comic adventure story, a YA fantasy-mystery, and a novel that reinvents the werewolf story.

Carrie's Pick

• So Far Gone by Jess Walter
• Pairing: Turkey Pot Pie

Jacqueline's Pick

• Mystery Royale by Kaitlyn Cavalancia
• Pairing: Cranberry Salsa

Michael's Pick

• When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy
• Pairing: Harvest Moon cocktail

On this episode, we discuss books with dragons. It’s one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. 

Our picks include a slow-burn romantasy, a speculative fantasy that takes place during the 1950s and 1960s, and a YA sci-fi and fantasy mashup.

Michael’s Pick

• Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame by Neon Yang
• Pairing: Dragon’s Milk Ice Cream Float

Carrie's Pick

• When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
• Pairing: Ultimate Vegan Grilled Cheese

Jacqueline's Pick

• The Last Dragon on Mars by Scott Reintgen
• Pairing: Dragon Flame Meringue Cookies