Check It Out

In this first episode of 2017, Julia Cozad-Callaghan recommends a unique reading challenge to start off the new year (9:55); Randi Sutter talks up the Children's Department's new S.T.E.A.M. Club (6:14); and Mari McKeeth recommends a couple of 2016 books that stood out from the rest (14:55).

Julia mentioned:

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

Swygert by Jeffrey Harold Utterback

Find the details of the challenge here at BookRiot.com.

Mari recommended:

Becoming Wise by Krista Tippett

The Trespasser by Tana French

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Julia 9:55

Randi 6:14

Mari 14:55

In this final episode of 2016, Laura Rocco recommends an unusual fantasy perfect for reading at night (12:18); Silvia Schuh explains why January is Scarf Month at NPL (4:53); and Kristi Cates recommends an assorted trio of adventure books and explains the library's local schools "book talk" programs (17:00).

Laura recommends:

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Kristi recommends:

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Surrounded By Sharks by Michael Northrop

Walk On Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson

Tell us what you think!

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @NPLTweets

In this episode, we hear a selection of poems from the RHINO 40th Anniversary Poetry Reading at the library, organized by Kathleen Kirk; Silvia Schuh talks December arts and crafts; and Alec Gramm recommends some books that open up the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons.

Our RHINO poets were:

Stephen Frech

Jannett Highfill

Tim Hunt

Matthew Murrey

Valerie Wallace

Find more great poetry in the library's collection of RHINO and at the RHINO website.

Alec recommends:

Of Dice and Men by David M. Ewalt

Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook

Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide

Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual

We know you have opinions about the podcast, and we'd love to hear them!

Email us: [email protected]

Tweet us: @NPLTweets

In this bonus segment of Check It Out, Marketing Assistant Nakia Worrell talks about the library's past and present Giving Tuesday campaigns.

Helpful links:

More information about the 2016 Normal Public Library Giving Tuesday campaign

Direct link to donate now!

We're thankful to have so many enthusiastic community patrons to serve! Please contact us if you have questions or feedback of any kind. Our email is [email protected], and you can reach us on Twitter at NPLTweets.

In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a chilly gothic novel for long cold nights (8:30); Kathleen Kirk previews the RHINO Magazine 40th Anniversary poetry reading (10:53); and Mari McKeeth recommends a range of holiday-themed genre fiction (15:17).

Laura recommends:

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Kathleen recommends:

Where We Live Illinois

RHINO Magazine

Mari recommends:

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by David Rosenfelt

Smoke and Mirrors by Elly Griffiths

Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins and Carol Higgins Clark

Tell us what you think!

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @NPLTweets

In this Halloween Pumpkin-spice-infused episode, Silvia Schuh previews upcoming arts and crafts programs (7:24); Julia Cozad-Callaghan and Kristi Cates introduce NPLay, a new recurring library event for cosplay enthusiasts (4:28); and Kristi recommends a few delightfully creepy novels for young (and old) adults (14:50). 

Kristi recommends:

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

Tell the Story to Its End by Simon P. Clark

Tell us what you think! We read every email and every tweet. Email us at [email protected], or talk to us on Twitter at @NPLTweets. 

In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a serial graphic novel with a childlike premise but an adult sensibility (9:30); Kristi Cates talks with Teen Advisory Council member Isabel about a couple of young adult novels (5:17); and Mari McKeeth and Jared recommend a classic dystopian novel in honor of Banned Books Week (15:56).

As always, we'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], or find us on Twitter @NPLTweets.

Laura recommends:

Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Isabel recommends:

Ingo by Helen Dunmore

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

Mari and Jared recommend:

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

In each episode of this new spinoff podcast, Normal Public Library staff discuss a novel they've never read before, but should have. In this inaugural episode, Alec Gramm, Jared Johnson, Holli Kober, Ben Mills, Laura Rocco, and Pam Schuett discuss Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 1864 novel, Crime and Punishment.

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], or find us on Twitter at @NPLTweets.

In this episode, Pam Schuett and I geek out over the films of Hiyao Miyazaki (14:04); Kristi Cates recommends some books for middle school kids who are starting to outgrow middle school books (15:32); and we preview the library's latest podcast, It's Novel (To Me).

Pam recommends:

Films written and/or directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Kristi recommends:

The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson

I Kill the Mockingbird by Paul Acampora

Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge

Don't forget to check out our newest podcast, It's Novel (To Me), coming very soon in your podcast feed. Watch this space!

Contact us about absolutely anything by emailing us at [email protected], or find us on Twitter @NPLTweets.

In this episode, Kristi Cates talks about the library's Anime Clubs for Teens and for Adults (7:12); Silvia Schuh is back to talk about August arts and crafts programs (3:41); and Mari McKeeth highlights a few of the many magazines the library carries, and explains how patrons can use Zinio to download magazines to read on a digital device (12:47). Plus, I invite listeners to join us for a rousing discussion of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, which will be featured in the first episode of our spinoff podcast, It's Novel (To Me).

As always, we love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], or contact us on Twitter @NPLTweets. And thanks for listening!