Using our Library Voices

Yangsze Choo’s The Fox Wife blends the supernatural, history, mystery, and a touch of romance. Her earlier novel, The Ghost Bride, was described by Anita Harris Satkunananthan in Southeast Asian Review of English as “Malaysian Chinese Domestic Gothic Fiction”—a description that captures the flavor of Choo’s storytelling. Join Beth as she shares what she enjoyed about The Fox Wife.

Title: The Fox Wife

Title: The Ghost Bride

Title: The Night Tiger

Author: Yangsze Choo

Reviewed by: Beth K.

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Krippel, Alinda Mac, Mary Mink, John Schaffer,  Sadina Shawver, Dylan Smith, and Nancy Hu. 


In memory of Darcy Casavant. 

Celebrate Halloween by picking up a horror novel in a new subgenre! Esteban, Aleca, Nikki, and Laura offer some of the best in their favorites just for you! 

Check out the full list of reads here: Reading Room Radio: Haunted Hardcovers

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Krippel, Alinda Mac, Mary Mink, John Schaffer,  Sadina Shawver, Dylan Smith, and Nancy Hu. 


In memory of Darcy Casavant. 

Welcome to Civic Curiosity, the podcast that takes an in-depth look at the people and agencies that keep county government running. In this episode we sit down with Rhonda Spinks, the criminal exhibit archive manager, to explore the work that happens behind the courtroom doors. Rhonda takes us through what it means to preserve the physical records of the justice system: how exhibits are cared for and why keeping them safe is essential to transparency, accountability, and public trust.

If you've ever been curious about what government does and what departments it includes, this series is for you! Join us as we explore the important work happening inside one of the county's most vital offices.

Learn more about the District Clerk's office: https://www.hcdistrictclerk.com/

Learn more about the Harris County Public Library: www.hcpl.net

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Krippel, Alinda Mac, Mary Mink, John Schaffer,  Sadina Shawver, Dylan Smith, and Nancy Hu. 


In memory of Darcy Casavant. 

It is still a spooky season takeover of Reading Room Radio, and if you need a book to fill the void left by watching “Obsession” and wanting more, Esteban and Crystal have the horror manga (plus one short story) recs for you.  

Title: Killing Stalking 
Mangaka: Koogi 
Reviewer: Crystal M. 

Title: Blood on the Tracks 
Mangaka: Shuzo Oshimi 
Reviewer: Esteban S.  

Short Story: “All the parts of you that won't easily burn”
from Collection: This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances 
Author: Eric LaRocca 
Reviewer: Esteban S.

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Krippel, Alinda Mac, Mary Mink, John Schaffer,  Sadina Shawver, Dylan Smith, and Nancy Hu. 


In memory of Darcy Casavant. 

Got a kid that’s ready to graduate from Goosebumps? Horror in middle grade fiction is having a moment. Nikki is here with the recs:  

Grin by D.W. Gillespie 

I.R.L. by Jenny Goebel 

It Came From the Trees by Ally Russell 

Lost on Doll Island by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez 

The Better to Eat You With by Tehlor Kay Mejia 

A Coven of Witches by Various Authors 

Don’t Turn Out the Lights by Various Authors 

Tales From Cabin 23 (series) by Various Authors  

Check out Nikki's list on hcpl.net here: Graduated from Goosebumps?

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Krippel, Alinda Mac, Mary Mink, John Schaffer,  Sadina Shawver, Dylan Smith, and Nancy Hu. 


In memory of Darcy Casavant. 

What happens to the evidence after the verdict is read? Who keeps it, and why does it matter decades later?

Welcome to Civic Curiosity, the podcast that takes an in-depth look at the people and agencies that keep county government running. In this episode we sit down with Rhonda Spinks, the criminal exhibit archive manager, to explore the work that happens behind the courtroom doors. Rhonda takes us through what it means to preserve the physical records of the justice system: how exhibits are cared for and why keeping them safe is essential to transparency, accountability, and public trust.

If you've ever been curious about what government does and what departments it includes, this series is for you! Join us as we explore the important work happening inside one of the county's most vital offices.

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Krippel, Alinda Mac, Mary Mink, John Schaffer,  Sadina Shawver, Dylan Smith, and Nancy Hu. 


In memory of Darcy Casavant. 

Rival archaeologists, a secret expedition, and enough enemies-to-lovers tension to combust. Persis, Daisy, and Andrew share their review of this book's body count of white lies. 

Title: Raiders of the Lost Heart

Author: Jo Segura

Reviewers: Daisy O., Persis H, Andrew P. A. 

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Krippel, Alinda Mac, Mary Mink, John Schaffer,  Sadina Shawver, Dylan Smith, and Nancy Hu. 


In memory of Darcy Casavant. 

It's Gulf Coast Reads season! Every October since 2011, readers across the upper Texas Gulf Coast have read or listened to the same book together. Katelyn, Rachel, and Kaitlyn talk about the anticipation of this year's book and their favorite characters.

Learn more about our Gulf Coast Reads events.

Visit our Eventbrite page to join the author talk at West University Community Center: Gulf Coast Reads 2026: An Evening with Sherry Thomas

Title: The Librarians

Author: Sherry Thomas

Reviewers: Kaitlyn R., Rachel W., Katelyn H.

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Krippel, Alinda Mac, Mary Mink, John Schaffer,  Sadina Shawver, Dylan Smith, and Nancy Hu. 


In memory of Darcy Casavant. 

Welcome to Civic Curiosity, the podcast where we take an in-depth look at the people and agencies that keep county government running. This week, we spoke with Aman Ahluwalia, Director of Government Affairs for the District Clerk's Office, an agency responsible for everything from safeguarding sensitive court records to coordinating juries for trials. 

If you've ever been curious about what government does and what departments it includes, this series is for you! Join us as we explore the important work happening inside one of the county's most vital offices.

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Krippel, Alinda Mac, Mary Mink, John Schaffer,  Sadina Shawver, Dylan Smith, and Nancy Hu. 


In memory of Darcy Casavant. 

What happens when your inheritance a supervillain business?

Title: Starter Villain

Author: John Scalzi

Reviewer: Mary M.

Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library.
www.hcpl.net

Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Krippel, Alinda Mac, Mary Mink, John Schaffer,  Sadina Shawver, Dylan Smith, and Nancy Hu. 


In memory of Darcy Casavant.