Cook Memorial Public Library Podcast

Mr. & Mrs. American Pie is "riotously funny with a surprising amount of heart" according to Erica who interviews McDaniel about her debut novel already in the works to be adapted for television.

Their conversation touches on a wide variety of topics including 80's beauty pageants, the challenges and tricks to writing good child characters, and why McDaniel likes to feature Libertyville in so many of her stories.

Check out Mr. & Mrs. American Pie from the library

Aspen Drive Library Manager Brooke Bahnsen talks about reading Jason Reynolds' award-winning youth fiction novel Ghost as part of PBS's The Great American Read.

We talk about why this contemporary book series written for junior high readers deserves to be recognized, the enjoyment of reading youth literature as an adult, and the benefits of reading diverse perspectives and hearing different voices.

Have you read Ghost? Let us know your thoughts!

What Great American Reads are you catching up with?

Check out Ghost or other titles from the Track Series at the library.

Watch the Jason Reynolds video interview

Popular Services Librarian Jo Hansen shares her thoughts on John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany, a novel she read for the first time as part of PBS's The Great American Read.

We talk about why she selected this novel out of the 100 finalists, her favorite Owen Meany quotes, and why it should be considered an American classic.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know your thoughts!

What Great American Reads are you catching up with?

Check out A Prayer for Owen Meany from the library.

Read Jo's original Shelf Life blog post and see the books other staff chose to read.

Mary Shelley aficionado Emily Stensloff joins us on the podcast to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frankenstein's publication.

We talk about Shelley's life, her feminist/anarchist upbringing, the differences between Frankenstein the novel and the idea of Frankenstein in popular culture, and why this 1818 book is Emily's all-time favorite.

Check out Frankenstein from the library

Discover more about Mary Shelley

In Locally Sourced we ask local business owners to talk about an influential or special book they've read. Chris Hamel is one of the owners of the new ice cream and Hawaiian shaved ice shop in Libertyville - My Flavor It! Place.

Chris stopped by the library to talk about a favorite book with a local Chicago connection, great for history buffs and true crime connoisseurs. We get into how author Erik Larson's nonfiction reads like a riveting novel and why a book about the Chicago World's Fair connects with him as a small business owner.

Check out The Devil in the White City from the library.

We're in the full swing of summer and for anybody looking for a good read, we've got you covered! Andrea joins us to talk about must-read titles from five different genres, each with its own appeal.

The titles Andrea recommends in this episode are:

• Gale Force by Owen Laukkaner
• Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce - You can also read Andrea's full review of Dear Mrs. Bird
• How Hard Can It Be by Allison Pearson
• The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
• The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

Award-winning journalist Catherine Price joins us on the podcast for a conversation on smartphone addiction. A growing number of smartphone users are starting to notice their phone usage has evolved into something problematic. Price’s new book is a practical guide to help acknowledge addictive smartphone behavior and develop healthier relationships with our devices. We discuss…

Award-winning journalist Catherine Price joins us on the podcast for a conversation on smartphone addiction. A growing number of smartphone users are starting to notice their phone usage has evolved into something problematic.

Price's new book is a practical guide to help you acknowledge addictive smartphone behavior and develop healthier relationships with our devices.

We discuss what makes smartphone addiction unique, why people are beginning to take notice, and how mindfulness can help.

MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

Find additional resources the book's website - phonebreakup.com

The Craving Mind by Judson Brewer

Check out How To Break Up With Your Phone

Chances are you’ve never heard of Samuel Insull, but his fingerprints are all over Libertyville. Stick around this town long enough and you will surely use a building or service with a history that can be drawn back to Mr. Insull. He was like a living Monopoly Man with his hands in utilities, railroads, schools,…

Chances are you've never heard of Samuel Insull, but his fingerprints are all over Libertyville. Stick around this town long enough and you will surely use a building or service with a history that can be drawn back to Mr. Insull. He was like a living Monopoly Man with his hands in utilities, railroads, schools, hospitals and more.

Local history librarian Jenny Barry uncovers this foundational Libertyville figure, his ties to Thomas Edison, and what ultimately happened to his local empire.

Read Jenny's original Samuel Insull blog post One-Man Town.