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

Apr 24, 2024 · 19 min
The Books We're Reading (April 2024)
Need some reading recommendations? Your friendly personal librarians have you covered. This is what we're reading in April 2024! . Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. Want your own personalized recommendations? Submit your request here, and Manda & Olivia will pick some books just for you in a future episode. Happy reading!
Apr 10, 2024 · 33 min
Bridget Jones's Diary
Friends, whether you're in the mood for a turkey curry buffet or a piping hot bowl of blue soup, we have you covered! Today we're talking all things Bridget Jones. Tune in to hear what our hosts made of the book, the movie, and the incomparable character who made us all want to start a diary.
Mar 27, 2024 · 23 min
Author Spotlight: Virginia Lee Burton
In this first installment of a brand-new series, we're looking at the life and art of Virginia Lee Burton! Burton was a popular picture book author and illustrator. Tune in to learn more about her and the Arts & Crafts movement that inspired her art.
Feb 28, 2024 · 44 min
The Books We're Reading (Feb 2024)
In this freewheelin' discussion, Manda and Olivia talk about the books they're reading and loving right now. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show.
Feb 14, 2024 · 39 min
Fraud Stories
Fraudsters, hucksters, thieves, and rogues! Today we're talking about all the anti-heroes who fascinate us, looking at books and documentaries such as The Big Short, My Friend Anna, Bad Blood, The Tinder Swindler, and more. Joining us is Scott Wyckoff from Walsh College and Claire Mahler from 86 Plastic. Stay sharp out there!
Jan 31, 2024 · 39 min
Retellings (That Aren't Retellings)
Homage, reimaginings, retellings that aren’t quite retellings. Whatever you call it, we’re talking about it today on the podcast with Mariel from Youth Services. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. Writing in the Shadow of a Masterpiece: On Homage by Margot Livesy
Jan 17, 2024 · 1 hr 7 min
The Count of Monte Cristo (w/Scott from Altair)
Daring escapes, complex revenge plots, swashbuckling adventurers, France! This week, we're discussing The Count of Monte Cristo. Special guests Keegan (Head of Youth Services) and Scott from Altair join us to revisit this thrilling classic. Scoop about an upcoming series.
Jan 3, 2024 · 46 min
The Books that Shaped Us
As we dive into the new year, Manda and Olivia look back on the three books that had the biggest impact on their lives. Which books would you choose? Send your titles in to podcast@troypl.org-- we'd love to hear from you.
Dec 20, 2023 · 24 min
Best Books of 2023
An objective and all-inclusive list of the best books of 2023, chosen by Manda and Olivia! Nothing is missing and every book is perfect. Here's to a bookish and beautiful 2024!
Dec 6, 2023 · 26 min
Best Books to Gift
Books make the best gifts, and librarians Manda and Olivia are here to recommend some winners for your loved ones this holiday season. Settle into your favorite armchair with a lovely cup of tea and tune in to hear about some fab reads.
Nov 22, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
Encore: Daisy Jones & the Six
As we take a break for the holidays, we thought this would be a good time to revisit one of our favorite episodes-- Daisy Jones & the Six. See you in a couple of weeks with new bookish holiday content. Dream big, little bird!
Nov 8, 2023 · 32 min
Hot Reads: Lessons in Chemistry
Grab your beaker, your spatula, and your talking dog-- today we're talking about the hit book and TV series, Lessons in Chemistry! Do our hosts think it's worth the hype? Tune in to find out.
Oct 30, 2023 · 51 min
Halloween Special: Neil Gaiman
Grab your black cat, adjust your witch hat, and make sure your button eyes are securely sewn into place-- in honor of Halloween, we're discussing all things Neil Gaiman. Join us as we reflect on three of Gaiman's greatest hits: Coraline, The Graveyard Book, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Oct 18, 2023 · 41 min
Hot Reads: Killers of the Flower Moon
In honor of the movie's release, Kate from Youth Services joins our hosts to look at David Grann's Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. What makes this book great, and do we expect greatness from the film? Tune in to find out.
Oct 4, 2023 · 42 min
Made in Michigan (w/Andrew Collard)
Grab your Faygo pop and your Better Made chips-- today we're talking about all of our favorite Michigan-made-media! Our guest today is local author Andrew Collard-- learn more about him and his award-winning collection, Sprawl, here.
Sep 20, 2023 · 52 min
Principals and Picture Books
Shari Pawlus, Principal of Hill Elementary, and Stephan Henning, Assistant Principal at Larson Middle School, join Manda and Olivia to talk about all things picture books. Tune in if you want to discover some beautiful books while learning about what it means to be a school principal.
Sep 13, 2023 · 41 min
Community Theater (w/The Ridgedale Players)
Grab your stage makeup, your character shoes, and your copy of the Scottish Play-- today we're talking about all things community theater with our friends from the Ridgedale Players, Sandra and Scott! Manda and Olivia ask the tough questions-- who picks the shows and how do they choose? Who should audition? What if someone is shy but wants to be involved? Is community theater really a community? Tune in to find out. This episode focuses on Escanaba in Da Moonlight by Jeff Daniels, which opens at the Ridgedale Players on September 15. Click here to grab your tickets. Happy reading and break a leg!
Sep 6, 2023 · 24 min
Dear Librarians: Don’t Bum Me Out
Manda and Olivia are back with some more recommendations for our listeners! Pull up a chair and take notes, darling listeners-- it's time to add some new titles to your TBR list. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. Click here to submit your own listener request. You might hear it in a future episode!
Aug 30, 2023 · 53 min
Hot Reads: Paris Hilton’s Memoir
Grab your low-rise jeans, your sliving gloves, and the nearest chihuahua-- today we're talking about Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton! Elizabeth, Manda, and Olivia talk about this fascinating (and often quite dark) autobiography, tackling topics such as the troubled teen industry, media coverage of female pop icons, and what it was like growing up in the early 2000s. ** Content warning-- Paris: The Memoir deals with many troubling topics, including physical and sexual abuse. While our hosts do not delve into these topics in detail during the show, this episode may not be appropriate for all listeners.**
Aug 23, 2023 · 50 min
Paradise Lost (w/Dr. Dipesh Navsaria)
Dr. Dipesh Navsaria--a pediatrician, public health professional, and cohost of the Reach Out and Read podcast-- joins our hosts to revisit Paradise Lost by John Milton. Will Manda and Olivia overcome their prejudice against super old books English teachers made them read long enough to have an interesting discussion? Tune in to find out! Click here to learn more about the work Dr. Navsaria does to help children and communities flourish!

The Books We Loved

The Books We're Reading (April 2024)

Bridget Jones's Diary

Author Spotlight: Virginia Lee Burton

The Books We're Reading (Feb 2024)

Fraud Stories

Retellings (That Aren't Retellings)

The Count of Monte Cristo (w/Scott from Altair)

The Books that Shaped Us

Best Books of 2023

Best Books to Gift

Encore: Daisy Jones & the Six

Hot Reads: Lessons in Chemistry

Halloween Special: Neil Gaiman

Hot Reads: Killers of the Flower Moon

Made in Michigan (w/Andrew Collard)

Principals and Picture Books

Community Theater (w/The Ridgedale Players)

Dear Librarians: Don’t Bum Me Out

Hot Reads: Paris Hilton’s Memoir

Paradise Lost (w/Dr. Dipesh Navsaria)