The Books We Loved

Grab your low-rise jeans, your sliving gloves, and the nearest chihuahua-- today we're talking about Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton! Elizabeth, Manda, and Olivia talk about this fascinating (and often quite dark) autobiography, tackling topics such as the troubled teen industry, media coverage of female pop icons, and what it was like growing up in the early 2000s. 

** Content warning-- Paris: The Memoir deals with many troubling topics, including physical and sexual abuse. While our hosts do not delve into these topics in detail during the show, this episode may not be appropriate for all listeners.**

Dr. Dipesh Navsaria--a pediatrician, public health professional, and cohost of the Reach Out and Read podcast-- joins our hosts to revisit Paradise Lost by John Milton. Will Manda and Olivia overcome their prejudice against super old books English teachers made them read long enough to have an interesting discussion? Tune in to find out!

Click here to learn more about the work Dr. Navsaria does to help children and communities flourish! 

Welcome to the very first Hot Reads episode, where we dive into a book that reflects a timely issue in the culture. This week, we're discussing Two Degrees by Alan Gratz.

Middle Grade readers know that Gratz does not shy away from hot topics-- in this novel, he tackles climate change. 

Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 

This week, Manda and Olivia are responding to listener requests! Our hosts will be sharing their favorite reads with their favorite listeners, from ikigai to high fantasy. At the request of one of our readers, no bodices were ripped in the making of this episode. 

Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. Happy reading! 

Click here to submit your own listener request. You might hear it in a future episode! 

Grab your psychic log and a hot cup of diner coffee-- today we're revisiting Twin Peaks with Mariel from Youth Services! 

Further Reading

Olivia mentions an article she'd read on the show-- click here to read "The Oldest Story: Toward a Theory of a Dead Girl Show" by Alice Bolin. 

Jeff Marraccini, Chief Information Security Officer at Altair and member of the Friends of the Troy Public Library Board, joins our hosts to revisit Octavia E. Butler's classic sci-fi novel, The Parable of the Sower. Tune in to hear their conversation about climate fiction and Butler's lasting literary legacy. 

Click here for Jeff's expert list of science fiction recommendations. 

Click here to learn more about the Friends of the Troy Public Library. 

Grab your magic action figure and your coolest new hoodie-- today we're talking about the hit graphic novel/TV series, American Born Chinese! Spoiler alert: we liked it. 

Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 

Manda and Olivia are back to tell you what to read! We don't call it bossy, we call it "public librarianship," and it's going to blow your mind. 

Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 

Still not sure what to read? Click here to tell us a little about what you're in the mood for, and Manda and Olivia will pick a book just for you on the air. 

Now that Succession has wrapped up, we're getting nostalgic for some old-school high-stakes finance stories. So grab your Rolodex, your briefcase, and your bags of money and join us as we revisit the 1987 classic, Wall Street. 

Our absolutely fabulous guess this time around is Scott Wyckoff from Walsh College, who kindly helps two baffled public librarians understand new things about the world of sales and finance. 

Click here for a list of books discussed on the show, including some of Scott's favorite sales books. 

Set fire to your pointe shoes, my friends, we're talking about the 2000 dance movie, Center Stage! Library Director Emily Dumas returns, this time with her sister Mary in tow, to examine the cultural impact of this movie and so many other great dance movies. Tune in as we ask ourselves: does this movie hold up? 

Need something good to read? Click here to tell Manda and Olivia a little bit about your reading preferences, and they will recommend some great books to you in a future episode.