Check It Out

In this first episode of 2017, Julia Cozad-Callaghan recommends a unique reading challenge to start off the new year (9:55); Randi Sutter talks up the Children's Department's new S.T.E.A.M. Club (6:14); and Mari McKeeth recommends a couple of 2016 books that stood out from the rest (14:55). Julia mentioned: The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi Swygert by Jeffrey Harold Utterback Find the details of the challenge here at BookRiot.com. Mari recommended: Becoming Wise by Krista Tippett The Trespasser by Tana French   Email us! ask@normalpl.org Tweet us! @NPLTweets     Julia 9:55 Randi 6:14 Mari 14:55

In this final episode of 2016, Laura Rocco recommends an unusual fantasy perfect for reading at night (12:18); Silvia Schuh explains why January is Scarf Month at NPL (4:53); and Kristi Cates recommends an assorted trio of adventure books and explains the library's local schools "book talk" programs (17:00).   Laura recommends: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Kristi recommends: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness Surrounded By Sharks by Michael Northrop Walk On Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson   Tell us what you think! Email: ask@normalpl.org Twitter: @NPLTweets

In this episode, we hear a selection of poems from the RHINO 40th Anniversary Poetry Reading at the library, organized by Kathleen Kirk; Silvia Schuh talks December arts and crafts; and Alec Gramm recommends some books that open up the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons. Our RHINO poets were: Stephen Frech Jannett Highfill Tim Hunt Matthew Murrey Valerie Wallace Find more great poetry in the library's collection of RHINO and at the RHINO website. Alec recommends: Of Dice and Men by David M. Ewalt Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual   We know you have opinions about the podcast, and we'd love to hear them! Email us: ask@normalpl.org Tweet us: @NPLTweets

In this bonus segment of Check It Out, Marketing Assistant Nakia Worrell talks about the library's past and present Giving Tuesday campaigns. Helpful links: More information about the 2016 Normal Public Library Giving Tuesday campaign Direct link to donate now! We're thankful to have so many enthusiastic community patrons to serve! Please contact us if you have questions or feedback of any kind. Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and you can reach us on Twitter at NPLTweets.  

In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a chilly gothic novel for long cold nights (8:30); Kathleen Kirk previews the RHINO Magazine 40th Anniversary poetry reading (10:53); and Mari McKeeth recommends a range of holiday-themed genre fiction (15:17). Laura recommends: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield Kathleen recommends: Where We Live Illinois RHINO Magazine Mari recommends: The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by David Rosenfelt Smoke and Mirrors by Elly Griffiths Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins and Carol Higgins Clark   Tell us what you think! Email: ask@normalpl.org Twitter: @NPLTweets

In this Halloween Pumpkin-spice-infused episode, Silvia Schuh previews upcoming arts and crafts programs (7:24); Julia Cozad-Callaghan and Kristi Cates introduce NPLay, a new recurring library event for cosplay enthusiasts (4:28); and Kristi recommends a few delightfully creepy novels for young (and old) adults (14:50).  Kristi recommends: The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake Tell the Story to Its End by Simon P. Clark   Tell us what you think! We read every email and every tweet. Email us at ask@normalpl.org, or talk to us on Twitter at @NPLTweets.       

In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a serial graphic novel with a childlike premise but an adult sensibility (9:30); Kristi Cates talks with Teen Advisory Council member Isabel about a couple of young adult novels (5:17); and Mari McKeeth and Jared recommend a classic dystopian novel in honor of Banned Books Week (15:56). As always, we'd love to hear from you! Email us at ask@normalpl.org, or find us on Twitter @NPLTweets. Laura recommends: Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez Isabel recommends: Ingo by Helen Dunmore Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George Mari and Jared recommend: Lord of the Flies by William Golding    

In each episode of this new spinoff podcast, Normal Public Library staff discuss a novel they've never read before, but should have. In this inaugural episode, Alec Gramm, Jared Johnson, Holli Kober, Ben Mills, Laura Rocco, and Pam Schuett discuss Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 1864 novel, Crime and Punishment. We'd love to hear from you! Email us at ask@normalpl.org, or find us on Twitter at @NPLTweets.

In this episode, Pam Schuett and I geek out over the films of Hiyao Miyazaki (14:04); Kristi Cates recommends some books for middle school kids who are starting to outgrow middle school books (15:32); and we preview the library's latest podcast, It's Novel (To Me). Pam recommends: Films written and/or directed by Hayao Miyazaki Kristi recommends: The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson I Kill the Mockingbird by Paul Acampora Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge Don't forget to check out our newest podcast, It's Novel (To Me), coming very soon in your podcast feed. Watch this space! Contact us about absolutely anything by emailing us at ask@normalpl.org, or find us on Twitter @NPLTweets.  

In this episode, Kristi Cates talks about the library's Anime Clubs for Teens and for Adults (7:12); Silvia Schuh is back to talk about August arts and crafts programs (3:41); and Mari McKeeth highlights a few of the many magazines the library carries, and explains how patrons can use Zinio to download magazines to read on a digital device (12:47). Plus, I invite listeners to join us for a rousing discussion of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, which will be featured in the first episode of our spinoff podcast, It's Novel (To Me). As always, we love to hear from you! Email us at ask@normalpl.org, or contact us on Twitter @NPLTweets. And thanks for listening!  

After a bit of a hiatus, Check It Out is back! In this episode, Mari McKeeth explains how the library chooses items to add to its adult print collection (10:59); Laura Rocco recommends a funny book about a Depressing topic (8:59); and Kristi C. talks up two YA sports novels with universal themes (12:05). Plus, we invite you to read along with us in preparation for our upcoming spinoff podcast. Laura recommends: Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell Kristi recommends: Losers Take All by David Klass Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill   The library's new podcast stars will discuss: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky   As always, we'd love to hear from you! Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and we can be found on Twitter @NPLTweets.    

In this episode, Kristen Bauder and host Jared Johnson talk about what a "library assistant" does, Silvia Schuh gives the rundown of May arts and crafts and previews the plans for summer, and Mari McKeeth recommends two very different books that both have a Muslim protagonist. Mari recommends: The Unquiet Dead, by Ausma Zehanat Khan The Badass Librarians of Timbuktu, by Joshua Hammer As always, please contact us with praise, criticism, or random musings. Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and you can tweet us on Twitter @NPLTweets.  

In this episode, Rachel Weishar talks about Poetry Is Normal, a new semi-regular poetry reading event held in the library's cafe (6:34); Amy Kubica explains the Staff Picks and Patron Picks programs (5:06); and Kristi Cates recommends three recent prize-winning young adult novels (12:05). Plus, we inaugurate a new segment in which we talk to a kid about the library. (This week, it's Montana's turn. Thanks, Montana!) Amy recommends: Before We Go (2015) Montana recommends: The Princess and the Pig, by Jonathan Emmett and Poly Bernatene Kristi recommends: Bone Gap, by Laura Ruby (Printz Award) Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, by Becky Albertalli (Morris Award) Challenger Deep, by Neal Shusterman (National Book Award for YA Lit) Please tell us what you think! Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and you can find us on Twitter @NPLTweets.

In this episode, Kristi Cates explains how the Teen Advisory Council contributes to the library's mission (4:33), Silvia Schuh talks up April's arts and crafts programs and fills us in on National Library Week activities (6:19), and Mari McKeeth makes some recommendations to fill the Downton-Abbey-shaped gap in patrons' lives (13:46). Plus, there's a new classic first line challenge! Take a look at the Teen Advisory Council schedule and sign up for April arts and crafts using our Activity Calendar. Check out Mari McKeeth's Downton-Abbey-style recommendations: Below Stairs, by Margaret Powell Gosford Park, directed by Robert Altman The Remains of the Day (novel), by Kazuo Ishiguro The Remains of the Day (film), directed by James Ivory As always, please contact us about anything and everything using our email, ask@normalpl.org, or check out our Twitter account, @NPLTweets!

In this episode, Rebecca Gopinath invites us to attend a screening of the hit Bollywood film Bajrangi Bhaijaan (5:38); Jennifer Williams gives the rundown of kids' spring break activities that we're calling Spy Training (6:01); and Kristi Cates recommends two great but often overlooked young adult novels (8:30). Check out our activity calendar to register for Spring Break programs. Check out Kristi's recommendations: The Year of Secret Assignments* (print) by Jaclyn Moriarty The Year of Secret Assignments* (audiobook) The President’s Daughter by Ellen Emerson White As always, please tell us what you think! Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and we're on Twitter @NPLTweets.

Jennifer Williams talks about Mo Willems' new chapter book, The Story of Diva and Flea (5:45); Silvia Schuh gives us the lowdown on March arts and crafts programs (3:50); and Mari McKeeth recommends Val McDermid's latest mystery, Splinter the Silence (12:33). Plus, Mari talks about two services for finding great books: Novelist and eSequels. Please tell us what you think by emailing us at ask@normalpl.org, or tweeting us @NPLTweets!

In this episode, Perry Kaufman explains the difference between "hard" and "soft" science fiction and makes a couple recommendations (13:21), and Kristi Cates talks about books that readers of The Martian might also like (13:39). Plus, there's a new prize challenge. Perry's recommendations: Blindsight by Peter WattsRevelation Space by Alastair Reynolds Kristi's recommendations: The Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson (Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars)Packing For Mars by Mary RoachAlone In Antarctica by Felicity AstonAdrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea by Steven Callahan   Please let us know what you think! You can email us at normalpl.org, or tweet us @NPLTweets.

In this episode, Meghan Rogers explains the Adult Winter Reading Program, and Mari McKeeth talks about all the great books that were turned into movie scripts and nominated for this year's Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar: Brooklyn, by Colm Tóibín (screenplay by Nick Hornby) The Martian, by Andy Weir (screenplay by Drew Goddard) The Price of Salt, by Patricia Highsmith (adapted as Carol, screenplay by Phyllis Nagy) The Big Short, by Michael Lewis (screenplay by Adam McKay and Charles Randolph) Room, by Emma Donoghue (screenplay by Emma Donoghue herself) And as always, you can register for library programs on our website. Please write us at ask@normalpl.org and tell us what you think!

In our first episode of 2016, Silvia Schuh recommends the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, starting with the first novel in the series, A Discovery of Witches. Holli Khober recommends Suicide Squad, a series of comics that patrons can access through Hoopla. Plus, we talk February arts and crafts (register here), and we bring our first literary interpretation challenge to a close. The translation of Dante's Inferno by Mark Musa referenced in this episode is excellent, by the way. Comments, questions, suggestions, and random thoughts are welcome at ask@normalpl.org!

In the final episode of 2015, Amy Kubica recommends the Black Jewels trilogy by Anne Bishop, Laura Rocco recommends The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Noble (which is based on a popular Youtube series), and I have some thoughts about libraries as we bring 2015 to a close. Plus, we check in on last episode's literary challenge. The book I refer to in my editorial is Among Others by Jo Walton. You can see pictures of the remarkable JT and EJ Crumbaugh Memorial Library here. To respond to the literary challenge or to give us feedback, please contact us at ask@normalpl.org.