The Librarian Is In

Wherein we discuss reading (and acting!) Anton Chekhov, the influence of Agatha Christie, and the controversial merits of Go, Dog. Go!

Join us as we embark on our Summer Reading Challenge!

We're swinging from heavy, major, important nonfiction to the frothiest and most delightful YA romance this week.

Our annual spelling bee, words we can't pronounce, a trio of music recommendations, and of course what we're reading now.

Sweet-sad poems, ghosts of the Village Past, and melancholy post-Victorian tales of ruined childhoods in creeepy cults... But we manage to have a little fun, too.

Libraries and activism with Cory Eckert, one of the joint chiefs of Storytime Underground! We go in-depth on libraries as non-neutral spaces and how children's librarians stand up for social justice. Plus: recommendations for romance novels and two brand-new picture books.

The triumph and tragedy of Jim Thorpe, the difficulty of Henry James, and the ferocity of Emily Dickinson and Camille Paglia. Bonus: Barbra Streisand's underground wonderland!

The founders of Black Girls Create join us to talk about what it's like to be a black girl nerd, defaulting to whiteness in books and pop culture, nerds vs. geeks vs. dweebs, feminism and visibility and representation -- and, of course, sooooo much Harry Potter.

We're going weekly! One week, Gwen and Frank will talk books, culture, and what to read next. On alternate weeks they'll welcome a very special guest. Let us know what you think! This week: mesmerizing short stories, our Margaret Atwood obsession, and creepy/awesome young adult fiction.

Reena Glazer of the Pro Bono Institute joins Frank and Gwen to talk about lawyers in the library and recommendations for great nonfiction about pro bono legal work. Plus: Purple diaries, yellow cable cars, and colorful characters.