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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133 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes133

Newest first

What we're reading now
A cozy mystery, safe enough for your Gran; WWII-era Alan Gratz; Kate Beaton for all ages--today's show has something for everybody! Buckle up Buttercups, because the gals are here to share loads of book recs!
Sep 10, 2025 · 17 min
Summer Book Club: My Antonia
Today Olivia and Manda tackle Willa Cather's, My Antonia, a story set in the American Midwest during the late 19th/early 20th century. This book was the final installment of our summer 2025 book club; if you missed the other books covered, go back and listen to: Summer Book Club: The Joy Luck Club Summer Book Club: The Color Purple
Aug 31, 2025 · 45 min
Boarding School Books
Cassie (from the Adult Dept.) joins Olivia and Manda today for a discussion of books that take place at boarding schools. Many of the books discussed appear on this list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/boarding-school
Aug 27, 2025 · 28 min
Back-to-School Picture Books
The ladies are joined by TPL Director, Emily Dumas, to share some great back-to-school picture books. As promised in the episode: Chrysanthemum, Kevin Henkes Wemberly Worried, Kevin Henkes The Invisible Boy, Ludwig Each Kindness, Woodson On the Day You Begin, Woodson The Pigeon Must Go to School, Mo Willems Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?, Vernick We Don't Eat our Classmates, Higgins If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School — DON'T!, Parsley Fish Don't Go to School, Pilutti Yeti is Not Ready for School, Carter Kitty vs. Kindergarten, Freeman
Aug 13, 2025 · 19 min
Summer Book Club: The Joy Luck Club
Today Olivia and Manda tackle Amy Tan's, The Joy Luck Club, a story focusing on themes of mothers and daughters, the immigrant experience, and hope. Don't forget to read Willa Cather's, My Antonia, in preparation for next month's final installment of TBWL's Summer Reading series!
Aug 1, 2025 · 42 min
Nonfiction that reads like Fiction
Olivia and Manda are joined by Hannah (from Community Engagement), for a rousing conversation about nonfiction books that are so fascinating that they read like fiction. Books chatted about today include: Stiff: the Curious Life of Human Cadavers, Mary Roach Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist, Jasmin Graham Soul of an Octopus, Sy Montgomery Unbroken: a World War II story of survival, resilience, and redemption, Laura Hillenbrand Nobody Will Tell You This But Me, Bess Kalb Lab Girl, Hope Jahren Good Talk, Mira Jacob Fun Home, Alison Bechdel Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi The Devil in the White City, Eric Larson The Poisoner's Handbook, Deborah Blum The Ghost Map, Steven Johnson Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot
Jul 30, 2025 · 39 min
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Today Manda and Karen (from Adult Services) discuss Lois Duncan's 1970s teen thriller, and the 1997 movie adaptation, of I Know What You Did Last Summer. This episode might have you looking over your shoulder, or into the trunk of your car...
Jul 16, 2025 · 39 min
BONUS: GREAT SCOTT! Back to the Future turns 40!
Join Olivia and Manda as they celebrate the beloved classic movie, Back to the Future, in honor of it's 40th anniversary this summer.
Jul 9, 2025 · 38 min
The other globetrotters
Today Olivia and Manda share their favorite books featuring exotic (or not too far flung) locales. We'll spin the globe, and where it stops, nobody knows!
Jul 2, 2025 · 32 min
Summer Book Club: The Color Purple
Olivia and Manda are joined by repeat guest, Angie, for a robust discussion of Alice Walker's The Color Purple, as part of the podcast's Summer Reading series. Be sure to read or listen to, The Joy Luck Club, in preparation for July's Summer Reading title!
Jun 30, 2025 · 47 min
Five Questions With... Author Kayla Ancrum
We sit down with author Kayla Ancrum to ask her about her writing, her life, and her writing life. Learn more about Kayla and her most recent book, The Corruption of Hollis Brown, by visiting her website. K. Ancrum, is an author of award winning contemporary YA notably THE WICKER KING, DARLING and the critically acclaimed ICARUS. K. is a Chicago native passionate about diversity and representation in young adult fiction. She currently writes most of her work in the lush gardens of the Chicago Art Institute.
Jun 23, 2025 · 22 min
Don't forget to be Awesome!
Today the ladies talk about beloved author, and honorary Midwesterner, John Green! They'll discuss his books, especially Looking for Alaska (no spoilers!)--as it turns 20 y.o.--and his cultural impact.
Jun 18, 2025 · 39 min
Five Questions With... Katie Spina
We ask author Katie Spina five questions about her writing life, the books that shaped her, and the library memories she holds dear. Ms. Katie is an award-winning kidlit author who writes stories for kids where finding your fit means trusting in who you are. She's an avid reader that loves to talk about all sorts of books to kids of different interests. Learn more at her website, katiespina.com.
Jun 9, 2025 · 30 min
Summer recs and a surprise!
Be prepared to jot down all of the summer themed recommendations the girls are throwing your way today! Olivia and Manda will also reveal a timely secret you won't want to miss!
Jun 4, 2025 · 29 min
The caterpillar and his creator
Today Olivia and Manda do an author/illustrator spotlight on the much loved, Eric Carle!
May 21, 2025 · 29 min
BONUS!: 3 Year Anniversary Special
Today Olivia and Manda celebrate three years of the podcast w stats, quizzes, book recs, and lots of laughs.
May 17, 2025 · 47 min
Rebecca (w/author Daniel Lavery)
Mariel and Olivia welcome author Daniel Lavery to the studio to talk about Daphne Dumaurier's Rebecca. Read more about Daniel and his recent novel, Women's Hotel (available at TPL and wherever you acquire books) here.
May 7, 2025 · 42 min
Stay gold, Ponyboy
Today Olivia and Manda will be having a tuff discussion about Greasers, Socs, and S.E. Hinton's timeless classic, The Outsiders.
Apr 23, 2025 · 53 min
Mad about Bridget Jones
Olivia and Manda are joined by Karen (Adult) for a second look at Bridget Jones. If you haven't already listened to our episode: "Bridget Jones's Diary," from April 2024, you might want to go back and give that a listen first! Today the ladies cover the latest movie released in the Bridget Jones-verse (as well as the book version of), Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy.
Apr 9, 2025 · 1 hr
March Madness
Cassie (from Adult) joins Olivia and Manda to share some recent reads. Looking for a book rec? We got you covered!
Mar 26, 2025 · 33 min

The Books We Loved

What we're reading now

Summer Book Club: My Antonia

Boarding School Books

Back-to-School Picture Books

Summer Book Club: The Joy Luck Club

Nonfiction that reads like Fiction

I Know What You Did Last Summer

BONUS: GREAT SCOTT! Back to the Future turns 40!

The other globetrotters

Summer Book Club: The Color Purple

Five Questions With... Author Kayla Ancrum

Don't forget to be Awesome!

Five Questions With... Katie Spina

Summer recs and a surprise!

The caterpillar and his creator

BONUS!: 3 Year Anniversary Special

Rebecca (w/author Daniel Lavery)

Stay gold, Ponyboy

Mad about Bridget Jones

March Madness