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

Aug 9, 2023 · 38 min
Hot Reads: Two Degrees by Alan Gratz
Welcome to the very first Hot Reads episode, where we dive into a book that reflects a timely issue in the culture. This week, we're discussing Two Degrees by Alan Gratz. Middle Grade readers know that Gratz does not shy away from hot topics-- in this novel, he tackles climate change. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show.
Jul 26, 2023 · 23 min
Dear Librarians: No Bodice-Rippers, Please
This week, Manda and Olivia are responding to listener requests! Our hosts will be sharing their favorite reads with their favorite listeners, from ikigai to high fantasy. At the request of one of our readers, no bodices were ripped in the making of this episode. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. Happy reading! Click here to submit your own listener request. You might hear it in a future episode!
Jul 12, 2023 · 58 min
Twin Peaks (w/Mariel from Youth Services)
Grab your psychic log and a hot cup of diner coffee-- today we're revisiting Twin Peaks with Mariel from Youth Services! Further Reading Olivia mentions an article she'd read on the show-- click here to read "The Oldest Story: Toward a Theory of a Dead Girl Show" by Alice Bolin.
Jun 28, 2023 · 49 min
Parable of the Sower (w/Jeff from Friends of TPL)
Jeff Marraccini, Chief Information Security Officer at Altair and member of the Friends of the Troy Public Library Board, joins our hosts to revisit Octavia E. Butler's classic sci-fi novel, The Parable of the Sower. Tune in to hear their conversation about climate fiction and Butler's lasting literary legacy. Click here for Jeff's expert list of science fiction recommendations. Click here to learn more about the Friends of the Troy Public Library.
Jun 14, 2023 · 48 min
American Born Chinese (w/Tenny from Youth Services)
Grab your magic action figure and your coolest new hoodie-- today we're talking about the hit graphic novel/TV series, American Born Chinese! Spoiler alert: we liked it. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show.
Jun 7, 2023 · 16 min
Bonus Ep: What to Read Next? (w/Manda and Olivia)
Manda and Olivia are back to tell you what to read! We don't call it bossy, we call it "public librarianship," and it's going to blow your mind. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. Still not sure what to read? Click here to tell us a little about what you're in the mood for, and Manda and Olivia will pick a book just for you on the air.
May 31, 2023 · 50 min
Wall Street (w/Scott from Walsh College)
Now that Succession has wrapped up, we're getting nostalgic for some old-school high-stakes finance stories. So grab your Rolodex, your briefcase, and your bags of money and join us as we revisit the 1987 classic, Wall Street. Our absolutely fabulous guess this time around is Scott Wyckoff from Walsh College, who kindly helps two baffled public librarians understand new things about the world of sales and finance. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show, including some of Scott's favorite sales books.
May 17, 2023 · 53 min
Center Stage
Set fire to your pointe shoes, my friends, we're talking about the 2000 dance movie, Center Stage! Library Director Emily Dumas returns, this time with her sister Mary in tow, to examine the cultural impact of this movie and so many other great dance movies. Tune in as we ask ourselves: does this movie hold up? Need something good to read? Click here to tell Manda and Olivia a little bit about your reading preferences, and they will recommend some great books to you in a future episode.
May 10, 2023 · 43 min
Judy Blume
Join us as we revisit the literary legacy of the one, the only, Judy Blume. Karen from Adult Services visits to dissect classics such as Freckle Juice, Wifey, Then Again, Maybe I Won't, and of course, Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. Whether you've been a Blume stan for years or are just now getting into her writing thanks to the recent documentary Judy Blume Forever or the movie version of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, we'd love for you to join us as we talk all things Blume. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. Not sure what to read? Click here to ask for a book recommendation from Manda and Olivia.
May 8, 2023 · 27 min
Listener Requests!
Our very first requests-only episode is here! Listeners asked for book recommendations, and we came through. Tune in to add some new books to your TBR list. Need something good to read? Click here to tell Manda and Olivia a little bit about your reading preferences, and they will recommend some great books to you on a future episode of The Books We Loved. Click here for a list of the books discussed on the show.
May 3, 2023 · 36 min
Star Wars
May the force be with you as you embark upon our Star Wars episode featuring library patron and Star Wars expert, Michael! Tune in to learn about everything from George Lucas's contentious relationship with his fans to the origin of the term "space opera." Need something good to read? Click here to tell Manda and Olivia a little bit about your reading preferences, and they will recommend some great books to you on a future episode of The Books We Loved.
Apr 19, 2023 · 39 min
M*A*S*H
Blair from Digital Services joins our hosts to revisit M*A*S*H! Tune in to hear them discuss the popular film, the even more popular TV show, and the book that started it all.
Apr 5, 2023 · 42 min
All Creatures Great and Small
Gather round with your favorite farm animals to listen to Vicki from Kiwanis in Troy revisit All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. Our hosts discuss animal stories, nostalgia, and the importance of gentle stories during difficult times. Click here to learn more about all the great work Kiwanis Troy is doing in our community.
Mar 22, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
Daisy Jones and the Six
Join us as we discuss Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid! Elizabeth joins our hosts to talk about the book, the TV show, and our favorite musical media. Stay solid and dream big, little bird. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show.
Mar 8, 2023 · 44 min
Vampire Academy (& All the Movies We Love to Hate)
Sweet sassy molassy, we're talking about the 2014 film Vampire Academy! Eric and Cassie from Adult Services join Manda and Olivia to dissect this critical and box office flop to ask themselves-- why is it so fun to watch "bad" movies?
Feb 22, 2023 · 50 min
Holes
Grab your favorite digging shovel and get your lizard-repellant ready-- this week, we're talking about Holes by Louis Sachar! April, president of the Friends of the Troy Public Library, joins Manda and Olivia to talk about great and terrible movie adaptations, neo-Westerns and middle grade fiction, and the quizzical history of Shia LaBeouf. Don't miss it! Click here to learn more about the Friends of the Troy Public Library.
Feb 14, 2023 · 39 min
Valentine’s Day BONUS Episode!
Listen up, lovers-- it's the Valentine's Special! In this bonus episode, Manda and Olivia share their favorite books in these four swoony categories: Romantic Love Love Gone Wrong Self Love Family/Friendship Love Tune in to add a bunch of new titles to your TBR list! Click here to find a list of books discussed on the show.
Feb 8, 2023 · 51 min
Movie Sequels
Movie sequels are *not* always terrible, and we have your proof right here. Nicole and Elizabeth join our hosts to share their favorite movie sequels of all time while asking themselves: what makes a good sequel? What is YOUR favorite movie sequel of all time? Write in to podcast@troypl.org to let us know!
Jan 25, 2023 · 47 min
Knuffle Bunny
The age-old controversy rears its ugly head: do you pronounce the K in Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems? Assistant City Attorney Julie joins Manda and Olivia as they battle it out while asking themselves, does this beloved picture book series stand the test of time? Click here to learn more about the Mailbox Mysteries program.
Jan 11, 2023 · 51 min
Mean Girls
Get in, loser, we're talking about Mean Girls! Liz Karg, owner of the BIBBGY Coffee franchise in Troy, will be joining us to discuss this, the most fetch of films. Thank you Drew from Digital Services from joining us as well. Click here for a list of books discussed on the show.

The Books We Loved

Hot Reads: Two Degrees by Alan Gratz

Dear Librarians: No Bodice-Rippers, Please

Twin Peaks (w/Mariel from Youth Services)

Parable of the Sower (w/Jeff from Friends of TPL)

American Born Chinese (w/Tenny from Youth Services)

Bonus Ep: What to Read Next? (w/Manda and Olivia)

Wall Street (w/Scott from Walsh College)

Center Stage

Judy Blume

Listener Requests!

Star Wars

M*A*S*H

All Creatures Great and Small

Daisy Jones and the Six

Vampire Academy (& All the Movies We Love to Hate)

Holes

Valentine’s Day BONUS Episode!

Movie Sequels

Knuffle Bunny

Mean Girls

MAS*H