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The Books We Loved

Troy Public LIbrary

The Books We Loved is a podcast about revisiting old favorites with an open mind and a new perspective. Despite the title, we won’t be limiting ourselves to books-- movies, music, TV shows, and other aspects of pop culture will be up for discussion. Hosts and TPL Librarians, Manda and Olivia (alongside some special guests from the Troy community!), will be asking themselves: does this book hold up?

Tune in to revisit your old favorites while adding some new titles to your TBR list.

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27 episodes
weekly
Avg 29 min
English

Episodes 27

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#140
Wednesday · 22 min
Butt or Face?, Corfu, King Tut -- what we're reading!
Today the ladies share their recent reads, which cover a broad (and bizarre?) expanse of topics. Books discussed: Dinner with King Tut: how rogue archaeologists are recreating the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of lost civilizations, Kean Into the Blue, Brodie Let’s Make Bread: a comic book cookbook, Becan & Forkish Lucy Knisley graphic novels Sunlight Finds You, Moriarty The Briar Club, Quinn Butt or Face? (series), Lavalle My Family and Other Animals, Durell Podcast mentioned: The Good Hang with Amy Poehler (with Anne Lamott)
#142
September 11 · 38 min
What Do Librarians Really Think About Dolly Parton?
It's pretty much what you'd expect! In this bonus episode, four TPL librarians review the life and legacy of the Queen of Country, our Lady of Literacy, the Chieftess of Charitable Giving, our beloved Dolly Parton.
#139
September 9 · 33 min
100yrs of Winnie-the-Pooh
Today the gals celebrate 100 years of that silly, old bear, Winnie-the-Pooh! Learn about the real-life inspiration, a little about A.A. Milne, and hear some lovely quotes from this timeless classic! Materials @TPL: Finding Winnie: the true story of the world's most famous bear, Mattick, illus. by Blackall Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear, Brandreth Who Was A.A. Milne? Winnie-the-Pooh books/movies Articles/websites mentioned: "90 Weird and Wonderful Facts About Winnie-the-Pooh" (CBC article) "The True Story of the Real-Life Winnie-the-Pooh" (History.com article) Britannica's "Winnie-the-Pooh" "The Adventures of the REAL Winnie-the-Pooh" (NYPL website)
#136
September 2 · 12 min
Summer wrap-up reading
On today's quick episode, the girls share what books they're reading as summer wraps up! Titles covered include: The Midnight Train, Haig The Charity Shop Detective Agency, Boland The Take, Yang Famesick: a memoir, Dunham Democracy Awakening: notes on the state of America, Cox Richardson American Rambler: walking the trail of Johnny Appleseed, Fitzgerald
#138
August 26 · 26 min
Summer Book Club -- Matilda by Roald Dahl
Today the ladies discuss the wonderfully funny and cheeky children's classic, Matilda, by Roald Dahl. So, get your hair tonic, your hat, and your chocolate cake, and settle in for a silly conversation. Matilda at TPL: Book formats Blu-ray DVD
#135
August 19 · 15 min
Hidden gems -- books you've may have missed!
Today the girls field a request from Eliza, focusing specifically on "hidden gems." Titles discussed in today's episode include: KIDS: Orris and Timble, DiCamillo The Questioneers series, Beaty: Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote Ada Twist and the Disappearing Dogs Aaron Slater and the Sneaky Snake Lila Greer and the Shrieking Shadow Bunny & Clyde, McDonald The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class, various authors A Game of Noctis, Fagan How to Train Your Dad, Paulsen One Big Open Sky, Cline-Ransome Brown Girl Dreaming, Woodson ADULT: Wash Day Diaries, Rowser The Shame, Goodman Cape May, Cheek Sigh, Gone: a misfit's memoir of great books, punk rock, and the fight to fit in, Tran
#137
August 12 · 30 min
Prescreening review: The End of Oak Street
Today the gals review the upcoming movie, The End of Oak Street, starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor.
#134
August 5 · 38 min
Summer reading horoscopes -- books for every Zodiac sign!
Today the gals give recommendations for every reader, based on Zodiac signs! In the order discussed: AQUARIUS: Homebound, Elan Truly Devious, Johnson LEO: Half Drowned King, Hartsuyker Harriet Tubman: the road to freedom, Clinton PISCES: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: a therapist, HER therapist, and our lives revealed, Gottlieb Evening, Minot VIRGO: The Maid, Prose The Gifts of Imperfection, Brown ARIES: Best Offer Wins, Kashino All the Other Mothers Hate Me, Harmon LIBRA: The Fortune Men, Mohammad March (Trilogy -- link is to book 1), Lewis TAURUS: The Marlow Murder Club, Thorogood Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping, Mandanna SCORPIO: My Sister the Serial Killer, Braithwaite Family of Spies: a World War II story of Nazi espionage, betrayal, and the secret history behind Pearl Harbor, Kuehn GEMINI: My Education, Choi The Book Club for Troublesome Women, Bostwick SAGITARIUS: Gilead, Robinson Travels with Charley, Steinbeck CANCER: Strangers, Burden Heart the Lover, King CAPRICORN: The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde Titan: the life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., Chernow
#133
July 29 · 42 min
Summer Book Club: Emma by Jane Austen
Today the girls are joined by repeat-guest, Angie, to discuss Jane Austen's classic, Emma. Books Angie recommended during the episode include: Book of Doors, Gareth Brown Wild Reverence: a novel, Rebecca Ross The Midnight Library, Matt Haig
#130
July 22 · 48 min
HOT READ: Ann Patchett's Whistler
Today the gals chat about a podcast favorite, Ann Patchett, and her newest novel: Whistler. A couple readalikes Olivia shared: Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng Anything by Liane Moriarty The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett
#132
July 15 · 19 min
Reader requests x2
Today the ladies make recommendations based on two patron requests. Titles discussed are below: Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro This Is How You Lose the Time War, Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin Circe, Madeline Miller Babel, R.F. Kuang Mistborn: The Final Empire, Brandon Sanderson A Rover’s Story, Jasmine Warga Anything by Gordon Korman The Second Life of Snap, Erin Entrada Kelly When You Reach Me, Rebecca Stead Pax, Sara Pennypacker Stranded, Probst Mob Squad, Dawson City of Ember series, DuPrau Hatchet, Paulsen The Last Kids on Earth series, Brallier Anything by Margaret Peterson Haddix
#131
July 8 · 35 min
Summer Book Club: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Today the ladies take on C.S. Lewis' beloved 1950 classic, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, as part of their Summer Book Club series. Shoot the girls a message if you'd like tailored book recommendations.
#129
July 1 · 17 min
June reads
Today the ladies share a few titles of books they've recently read, or are currently enjoying. Titles included: James, Everett A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping, Mandanna Here Lies the Librarian, Peck Villa Coco, Greer Adult Braces: driving myself sane, West Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About: a memoir, Klee Go Gentle, Semple
#128
June 24 · 39 min
Little House on the Prairie
Today Olivia and Manda are joined by Cassie, for a trip to the past, as the ladies discuss Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved, Little House on the Prairie series. SOURCES: Various PBS articles The Pioneer Girl Art Project, South Dakota Historical Society Press The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum website A Kids Britannica biography "The Little House Books: a historical slap upside the head," article from the blog, "A Bestiary of Books: Odds and Interesting Children’s Novels, 1900 – 1975” Several Minnesota Public Radio articles https://pioneergirlproject.org/2023/08/30/helen-sewell-the-first-little-house-illustrator/ https://lauraingallswilderhome.com/ "Where the Wilder Things are: the Laura Ingalls Wilder roadtrip
#127
June 17 · 31 min
Summer picture books you'll love
Today the ladies are joined by local picture book connoisseur, Ben, for a chat about summer-themed picture books your family will love! To check out Ben's picture book recommendations, he can be found on Substack or Instagram . Titles discussed include: Big Mama's, Donald Crews Blueberries for Sal, Robert McCloskey It Began with Lemonade, Gideon Sterer Summer is for Cousins, Rajani LaRocca I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean, Kevin Sherry Jabari Jumps (and it's sequel, Jabari Tries), Gaia Cornwall Walking Trees, Marie-Louise Gay Fireworks, Matthew Burgess Flotsam, David Wiesner
#126
June 10 · 43 min
Author Spotlight: Margaret Wise Brown
Today the gals discuss author, Margaret Wise Brown, creator of the beloved classic, Goodnight Moon, and many other books. Recommended reads: Kids: The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown, Mac Barnett Adults: Margaret Wise Brown: awakened by the moon, Leonard Marcus In the Great Green Room: the brilliant and bold life of Margaret Wise Brown, Gary Sources: The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art The Traditional and Fine Arts Organization Online exhibits on several of the illustrators discussed, taken from the University of Minnesota Libraries MOMA’s website https://www.esphyrslobodkina.org/ Encyclopedia Britannica online An article titled: “Margaret Wise Brown’s Celebration of the Seasons,” by Danielle Ridolfi which was featured on Washington University’s library website 2026 article titled, “The Tao of Margaret Wise Brown,” which was featured in the Brooklyn Downtown Star
#125
June 3 · 29 min
HOT READ: The Correspondent
Today Olivia and Manda share their thoughts on The Correspondent by Virginia Evans; a 2025 release that continues to appear in the New York Times Best Sellers list (Hardcover Fiction). Also, in case you couldn't jot it down, Olivia announced this year's Summer Reading list, aka the Brit Lit edition, and titles are as follows: June: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis July: Emma, Jane Austen August: Matilda, Roald Dahl
#124
May 27 · 12 min
MORE book recommendations for May!
A speedy episode where each of the ladies share two titles apiece. Books recommended: Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March, Lynda Blackmon Lowery How to Read a Book, Monica Wood A Woman of No Importance: the untold story of the American spy who helped win World War II, Sonia Purnell This Story Might Save Your Life, Tiffany Crum
#123
May 20 · 16 min
Book Club recommendations
Today the gals racked their brains and came up with recommendations of books they think would be a great choice for your Book Club! Books discussed: Death of the Author, Nnedi Okorafor Survive the Night, Riley Sager The Rachel Incident, Caroline O'Donoghue Belonging, Nora Krug Hello Beautiful, Ann Napolitano Daughter of Fortune, Isabel Allende
#122
May 17 · 42 min
our 4th anniversary!
Today's epsiodes is full of shenanigans, silly quizzes, weird questions, and a little backstory on your hosts. Thank you for helping us make it to 4yrs!

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