The Community Library

What did you all think of February’s book club pick, Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson? I loved it – such a powerful story about music, fame and power. I also talk about some of the discussion topics you suggested on Instagram!

Our book club pick for March is Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (vol. 1 only). This is a YA graphic novel about the author’s experience growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. I’ll be discussing this on the 28th of March with my good friend (and graphic-novel-lover) Maija. I hope you read along with us!

Content warning: This episode discusses rape, sexual abuse, child abuse, domestic violence and kidnapping.

You can find more links and resources on my website, Angourie’s Library.

What’s a 400-year-old poem got to do with a 2012 breakup song? Well, more than you might think … This week I critically analyse and compare Shakespeare’s Sonnet 35 and Taylor Swift’s I Knew You Were Trouble. I discuss iambic pentameter, double standards, and the importance of analysing our pop culture. I hope you enjoy!

Our book club pick for February is Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson. This is a YA contemporary novel about fame and power, with a slice of murder mystery on the side. Make sure you check out the content warnings for this book here. I’ll be discussing this on the 28th of February, and I hope you read along with me!

As always, you can find more links, references and resources, plus a full transcription of the episode, on my website at Angourie’s Library.

This week I interviewed Australian authors (and sisters!) Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell about their latest book, Searching for Charlotte. Searching for Charlotte is a biblio-memoir that chronicles Kate and Belinda’s journey of writing about their ancestor, Charlotte Waring Atkinson, the author of Australia’s first children’s book. We chat about connecting to history, how exciting research can be, and the importance of storytelling. Hope you enjoy!

Our book club pick for February is Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson. This is a YA contemporary novel about fame and power, with a slice of murder mystery on the side. Make sure you check out the content warnings for this book here. I’ll be discussing this on the 28th of February, and I hope you read along with me!

For more links and resources, plus a full transcription of this episode, check out my website Angourie's Library.

Have you ever listened to an album and wished you could read it as a book? Have you ever read a book and wished you could experience the story as a song? Well, look no further, my friends! This week I’m recommending books based on some of your favourite albums. From Dua Lipa to Harry Styles to Arctic Monkeys, there’s a book (and an album) for everyone. I hope you enjoy!

Our book club pick for February is Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson. This is a YA contemporary novel about fame and power, with a slice of murder mystery on the side. Make sure you check out the content warnings for this book here. I’ll be discussing this on the 28th of February, and I hope you read along with me!

A list of all the books and albums I mentioned, plus a full transcription of the episode, is available on my website, Angourie’s Library.

Black Lives Matter resources

Aboriginal Lives Matter resources

To the new listeners, welcome! To the old friends who’ve listened before, welcome back! It’s a new year and a new season of the podcast. To kick things off, I’m talking about all the books I read while I was on holiday: the good, the not so good, and the Christmassy. If you liked this episode, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform, I put out new episodes every Sunday!

Our book club pick for February is Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson. This is a YA contemporary novel about fame and power, with a slice of murder mystery on the side. Make sure you check out the content warnings for this book here. I’ll be discussing this on the 28th of February, and I hope you read along with me!

A list of all the books I mentioned, plus a full transcription of the episode, is available on my website, Angourie’s Library.

It’s the season finale! And in this episode, this year’s winners of The Community Library Reading Awards are announced! From most surprising book, to favourite translated fiction, to best pandemic read, I highlight seventeen of my favourite books this year.

I will be taking a break over the holidays, but no fear! I will be back with season four in the new year! January 17th, mark your calendars, folks. In the meantime, you can follow what I’m reading on my summer holiday @the_community_library on Instagram.

The full list of all the books I mentioned can be viewed on my website, Angourie's Library.

Episodes mentioned

Turns out books, not diamonds, are a girl’s best friend. Marilyn Monroe: actress, singer, blonde bombshell, and … avid reader. In 1999, Marilyn Monroe’s personal library was auctioned, and in 2010 the list of books was published online. People were surprised at her big collection of American literature, French classics, modern plays, poetry, books on religion and spirituality … the list goes on. So last month, I chose three books from Marilyn’s shelf and decided to read them. What did I discover? Well, you’ll have to listen to find out. Hope you enjoy!

As always, a full transcription of the episode is available on my website, Angourie’s Library. PLUS EXTRA GOODIES FOR YOU TO CHECK OUT! Such as links to photos, articles, and books I referenced in the episode. 

DIE HARD IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIE. YOU CANNOT CHANGE OUR MINDS. In this episode, I sit down with my sister, Kalliope, to discuss why Die Hard (1988), starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman, is our all-time favourite Christmas movie. We chat about our favourite one liners, how Christmas music is used in the film score, and how The Twelve Days of Christmas song is really just about birds. Yippee-Ki-Yay, Other Buckets!

As always, a full transcription of the episode is available on my website, Angourie’s Library.

Extra links!

After a quick break from social media and making podcast episodes, I am back with an extra-special birthday-themed episode! I turn 20 in just over a month, and so this week I am sharing with you 20 books that have made an impact on me. From Jacqueline Wilson to Virginia Woolf, what have I learnt from 14 years’ worth of books and 20 years’ worth of life? Listen to find out!

Head over to my website here for a full transcription of the episode, and the complete list of 20 books!

Happy Halloween! This week I am discussing our book club pick for the month of October: The Trap by Melanie Raabe. What did I think of this literary thriller? Did the twist surprise me? Did I get spooked? Listen to find out!

Spoiler section: 16:00 to 23:06

As always, a full transcription of the episode is available to read on my website here

I will be taking a break from podcasting and Instagram for about 3 weeks, but don’t worry! I’ll be back! And during that time I’ll be reading heaps and planning lots of great episodes to share with you. Until November, I hope you’re all taking care of yourselves and reading good books. Chat soon, A x