Check It Out

In this episode, Kathleen Kirk previews a very special visiting poets event (11:31), and Mari McKeeth recommends a pile of novels based on the works of Shakespeare (14:57). Plus, we reveal the name of the new recurring cookbook segment (spoiler alert: it's a really geeky librarian in-joke).

Kathleen recommends:

http://www.vianegativa.us/

Night Willow and Ode to the Heart Smaller than a Pencil Eraser by Luisa A. Gloria

Jared recommends:

The River Cottage Meat Book by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Mari recommends:

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley

Fool by Christopher Moore

From the Hogarth Shakespeare Project:

The Gap of Time by Jeannette Winterson

Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler

Hag-seed by Margaret Atwood

New Boy by Tracy Chevalier

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In this episode, Silvia Schuh talks summer arts, crafts, and events (11:29); Laura Rocco recommends a cookbook in an as-yet-unnamed recurring segment (9:12); and Kristi Cates recommends some books she loves that are great for Teen Summer Reading (19:03).

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Check out the library's activity calendar!

Laura recommends:

Will It Waffle? by Daniel Shumski

Kristi recommends:

You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner

Exo by Fonda Lee

The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer

A Face Like Glass by Francis Harding

Have an idea for a great name for our recurring cookbook segment? Tell us via email ([email protected]) or Twitter (@NPLTweets). Thanks!

In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a classic narrative that blends fiction and nonfiction (9:52); Kristi Cates gives us the rundown of the library's summer programs for teens (15:06); and Mari McKeeth talks about some 2016 books that won Major Awards (15:30). 

Laura recommends:

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Some of Kristi's Summer Programs For Teens™:

Teen Summer Reading (and all the Summer Reading)

Teen Maker Wednesdays

Mari recommends:

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Evicted by Matthew Desmond

Lab Girl by Hope Jahron

A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny

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In this Check It Out podcast extra, Kristi Cates recommends a murder-and-mayhem themed nonfiction book about forensic science for teens.

Kristi recommends:

Blood, Bullets, and Bones by Bridget Heos

In this episode, Silvia Schuh talks May arts and crafts (7:41); Julia Cozad-Callighan explains the library's Lunchtime Yoga program (2:49); and Kristi Cates recommends some YA novels full of murder and mayhem (18:14).

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Kristi recommends: 

Fake ID by Lamar Giles

White Cat by Holly Black

The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni

Tell us what you think! Complete our short survey, email us at [email protected],

or tweet us @NPLTweets!

In this podcast extra, Rashod Taylor talks in more detail about the wet plate collodion technique. If you haven't already, be sure to listen to Episode 25, found in your podcast feed or available on our website at normalpl.org/podcast.

You can find Rashod's work here: rashodtaylor.com

Email us and tell us what you think!

In this special episode, Bloomington-Normal artist Rashod Taylor talks about his work as a photographer specializing in the wet plate collodion process. Taylor's work is on display at the Normal Public Library through July 2017. An artist reception will be held on April 7th, 2017 from 4:30 to 6:30 in the gallery.

Be sure to check out the bonus extended discussion of Taylor's technique, released as a podcast extra in your feed or available on our website at normalpl.org/podcast.

You can find Rashod's work here: rashodtaylor.com

Email us and tell us what you think!

Please take our survey! It'll take less than five minutes! Check It Out Listener Survey

In this episode, Julia Cozad-Callaghan gives us an update on her Read Harder 2017 reading challenge (12:26); Silvia Schuh updates us on March and April crafts, and puts out a call for some charitable knitting (9:07); and Mari McKeeth talks 2017 Oscar Nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay (22:05). Plus, we ask for your feedback!

Julia recommends:

The Surrender Tree by Margarita Engle

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

The Red Umbrella by Christina Gonzalez

Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O'Neill

Princeless: Raven the Pirate Princess by Jeremy Whitley

Mari recommends:

Arrival: screenplay by Eric Heisserer, based on “Story of Your Life” in Stories of Your Life by Ted Chiang

Fences: screenplay by August Wilson, based on his play Fences

Hidden Figures: screenplay by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi, based on Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Lion: screenplay by Luke Davies, based on A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierly

Moonlight: screenplay by Barry Jenkins, based on the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney

Tell us what you think! Complete our short survey, email us at [email protected],

or tweet us @NPLTweets!

In this very special episode, we present a two part interview with local author and educator Scott William Foley. First, Scott recommends a novel that blurs the line between fiction and nonfiction (11:41); and then he talks about the rewards and pitfalls of balancing the roles of working writer, high school English teacher, and family man (23:03).

Some books Scott talks about:

Moonglow by Michael Chabon

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

Andropia by Scott William Foley

Scott's website is scottwilliamfoley.com.

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Thanks for listening!

tIn this episode, Tori Lieggi recommends a memoir that comes to terms with family and mental illness with sharp wit and a lot of heart (8:02); Silvia Schuh gives us the lowdown on February (and some March) arts and crafts (6:43); and Kristi Cates recommends a handful of books for teens and adults that serve as funny diversions during the doldrums of February (14:55). Plus, we invite young writers to the Teen Writer's Workshop.

Tori recommends:

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Silvia recommends:

Brainfuse Help Now

Brainfuse Job Now

Kristi recommends:

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

Going Bovine by Libba Bray 

Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

As always, we'd love to hear from you!

Email us: [email protected]

Twit us: @NPLTweets