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.

Listen in PodNod RSS feed Show website

133 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes133

Newest first

Full-cast audiobooks, Mel Robbins, and more!
Today Olivia and Manda cover a slew of topics, and as always, share what they've been reading. Buckle up, Buttercup!
Mar 12, 2025 · 30 min
The episode to rule them all!
Pin on your Elven cloak, pack your lembas bread, and join Olivia and Manda as they journey into Middle Earth. The ladies do an author spotlight of J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as share facts about Tolkien's books and the LOTR movie trilogy! We hope you find this episode as "precious" as we do...
Feb 26, 2025 · 45 min
What we're reading
From ugly-crying moments in Wicked to the Manhattan Project, today Olivia and Manda weave across mediums and decades, while they share their thoughts on their recent reads and recent movies.
Feb 12, 2025 · 30 min
Talking 'bout Tomie
Get your overflowing pot of pasta, and hunker down while Olivia and Manda discuss the famous and beloved children author and illustrator, Tomie dePaola!
Jan 29, 2025 · 30 min
Biographia Literaria
Join us to figure out what Biographia Literaria is, and what is included on Olivia's and Manda's lists. What's on your list? (This is a moldy-oldy episode from a year ago, that somehow missed posting).
Jan 15, 2025 · 46 min
Goodbye 2024
Join Olivia and Manda as they say hello to 2025 by sharing their favorite books from 2024. We ended the old year grateful for all of our listeners, and wish you all a very safe and happy new year full of books!
Jan 1, 2025 · 44 min
"Harry--yer a wizard."
Happy Holidays! We're gifting you this bonus episode! So, get your wand, broom, and owl ready for today's discussion of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Olivia and Manda are joined by OG listener, Angie, for a discussion of both the first book and film in the Harry Potter franchise.
Dec 25, 2024 · 51 min
Serialized Sci-Fi story "Black Box"
Mary from Circ joins us for a discussion about Jennifer Egan's 2012 serialized Sci-Fi story, "Black Box." We put on our college-y English lit thinking caps, and try to determine what makes something literary fiction, and if the story is a metaphor about something other than spies!
Dec 18, 2024 · 40 min
Holiday Gift Giving Recs 2024
Looking for unique gifts for your best guys, gals, and pals? Olivia and Manda are here with a list of great books to gift your friends and loved ones this holiday season. Happy Holidays!
Dec 6, 2024 · 42 min
Take a listen -- audiobooks ftw
Join hosts, Olivia and Manda, as they talk all things audiobooks.
Nov 22, 2024 · 34 min
Halloween Special: Stephen King
Manda, Emily, and Olivia gather 'round the cauldron to stir up some spooky conversation about Stephen King and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.
Oct 31, 2024 · 46 min
The most Gen X writer?
Today Olivia and Manda welcome TPL patron, Lisa, for a discussion of David Sedaris' book, Me Talk Pretty One Day. Join us and decide for yourself, if Sedaris really is the most Gen X writer out there. Looking for book recommendations? Go to troypl.org/podcast and scroll down to submit your request. We will feature suggestions on an upcoming episode.
Oct 9, 2024 · 40 min
A character study
"It begins with a character, all I can do is trot along behind him trying to put down what he says and does.” -William Faulkner Today it's just Olivia and Manda as they delve into favorite characters they've met in books.
Sep 25, 2024 · 30 min
BONUS Reader Requests -- all the fantasy
Today we're rewarding you with a BONUS EPISODE! We're here to deliver lots of book recs for our listener Eliza. If you'd like personalized recommendations for yourself or someone you love be sure to visit troypl.org/podcast to submit a request. And as always, happy reading.
Sep 18, 2024 · 20 min
Rolling with Roald
Avoid the Trunchbull; commune with insects; step into a famous chocolate factory, and more! Today we're joined by TPL patron and member of TPL's Books & Brews Book Club, Cassie, for a discussion of all things Roald Dahl. TPL catalog -- Roald Dahl materials for checkout/hold "Yes, Roald Dahl was a bigot. But that’s no excuse to re-write his books" by Francine Prose "Roald Dahl’s Books Are Rewritten to Cut Potentially Offensive Language" by Derrick Bryson Taylor "A Rosier View of Roald Dahl" by Alexandra Jacobs
Sep 11, 2024 · 1 hr 24 min
Bridge to Terabithia
This episode we're feeling all the feels as we delve into this kids' classic with our buddy (and repeat guest!), Cassie.
Aug 28, 2024 · 49 min
Summer Reads 2024
Your doting hosts Manda and Olivia (and every other librarian on the planet) are very busy during the summer, so the podcasts are coming sporadically at best! Thanks for your patience with us, dear readers, as we take a break to attend to our other librarianly duties. In the meantime, here's a little check-in from us where we discuss some of the books we're reading and enjoying this season. xo!
Jul 31, 2024 · 29 min
Author Spotlight: Gyo Fujikawa
Join us as we explore the life and works of the awesome author, illustrator, and advocate, Gyo Fujikawa. If you've never heard of her, you've come to the right place. The biography we mention on the show is It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way, written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Julie Morstad.
Jun 5, 2024 · 22 min
Baby-Sitters Club
Get ready for some tween drama, listeners-- this episode, we're revisiting the Baby-Sitters Club franchise! Emily, Library Director, and Lauren, Head of Digital Services, join Manda and Olivia to determine whether or not the series holds up. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. Want your own personalized book recommendations? Submit your request here, and Manda & Olivia will pick some great reads just for you in a future episode.
May 22, 2024 · 42 min
Author Spotlight: Richard Scarry
Jump in your pickle-shaped car and drive down to the busy, busy podcast platform of your choice to hear us talk about the life and books of Richard Scarry!
May 8, 2024 · 20 min

The Books We Loved

Full-cast audiobooks, Mel Robbins, and more!

The episode to rule them all!

What we're reading

Talking 'bout Tomie

Biographia Literaria

Goodbye 2024

"Harry--yer a wizard."

Serialized Sci-Fi story "Black Box"

Holiday Gift Giving Recs 2024

Take a listen -- audiobooks ftw

Halloween Special: Stephen King

The most Gen X writer?

A character study

BONUS Reader Requests -- all the fantasy

Rolling with Roald

Bridge to Terabithia

Summer Reads 2024

Author Spotlight: Gyo Fujikawa

Baby-Sitters Club

Author Spotlight: Richard Scarry