Cook Memorial Public Library Podcast

This week Hannah recommends Amal El-Mohtar's Seasons of Glass and Iron: Stories, a collection of fantastical short stories.

Check out Amal El-Mohtar's Seasons of Glass and Iron: Stories from the Library.

Additional titles mentioned in this episode:

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar

In this episode of the "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series, Dana, a local genealogist, shares about her genealogy journey, DNA, photographs, online connections, and more. She also shares about her favorite part of U.S. history in honor of America250, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence.

The "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series is an opportunity to hear from local genealogists as they share their experiences with and knowledge about family history research. Each episode contains tips and suggestions which may be helpful for your own research and/or stories that may inspire you to dig more deeply into your roots.

This week Jenny recommends Rainbow Rowell's upcoming book Cherry Baby, a witty, tender novel about a woman facing divorce and public scrutiny while reckoning with who she's been and who she wants to become.

Check out Rainbow Rowell's Cherry Baby from the Library.

This week Hannah and Jenny introduce five must-read titles releasing Spring 2026:

Go Gentle by Maria Semple

The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Homebound by Portia Elan

Sarafina by Philip Fracassi

Additional titles mentioned in this episode:

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

The Hunger by Alma Katsu

This week Marianne recommends The Ending Writes Itself, the debut collaboration between V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke under their new pen name, Evelyn Clarke. The book is a whodunit in which seven writers compete to pen the final pages of a recently deceased author's unfinished manuscript.

Check out Evelyn Clarke's The Ending Writes Itself from the Library.

Additional titles mentioned in this episode:

Bury our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

In this episode of the "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series, Phil, a local genealogist, shares about social history, his brick walls, genealogy books, and more. He also shares about his favorite part of U.S. history in honor of America250, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence.

The "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series is an opportunity to hear from local genealogists as they share their experiences with and knowledge about family history research. Each episode contains tips and suggestions which may be helpful for your own research and/or stories that may inspire you to dig more deeply into your roots.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine Bettinger

The Great Migration by Edwin C. Guillet

This week Hannah recommends Caro Claire Burke's debut novel Yesteryear, a darkly humorous story of a traditional lifestyle influencer who suddenly wakes up in an 1805 homestead.

Check out Caro Claire Burke's Yesteryear from the Library.

Additional titles mentioned in this episode:

Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash

Educated by Tara Westover

This week Erica recommends Jennie Godfrey's The List of Suspicious Things, a coming‑of‑age story set in late‑1970s Yorkshire, following a 12‑year‑old girl who hunts for the Yorkshire Ripper only to uncover the far more personal mysteries of growing up.

Check out Jennie Godfrey's The List of Suspicious Things from the Library.

This week Jenny recommends Catherine Walsh's How to Write a Love Story, a warm, witty romance about a grieving former writer and the devoted editor assigned to help her finish her late father's famed fantasy series.

Check out Catherine Walsh's How to Write a Love Story from the Library.

This week Marianne recommends Heather Fawcett's Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter, a cozy fantasy romance about Agnes, her cat shelter, and the witch king secretly living beneath it.

Check out Heather Fawcett's Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter from the Library.

Additional titles mentioned in this episode:

• Starter Villain by John Scalzi
• A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna