Episódios
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Join Kari, Laura, and Kristi as we discuss books about and by women in celebration of Women's History Month! Fiction and non-fiction titles are both discussed in this month's episode.
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Join Kathleen, Laura, and Sheri as we celebrate National Poetry Month by discussing our favorite poets, poetry collections, and how to get started reading poetry if your'e unsure of where to start.
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Join Laura, Kari, and Kevin as we discuss books about nature and the environment! We'll cover fiction and non-fiction in this episode, including books by Jesmyn Ward, Douglas Adams, John Krakauer, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and more. For show notes, including an interview with an NPL staff member about her work on climate fiction, visit our website at www.normalpl.org!
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Join us as we celebrate Black History Month by discussing some of our favorite works by Black contemporary authors. Any of the titles mentioned in this episode would be great choices for February's prompt for the Adult Year-Round Reading Challenge!
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Join NPL staff Laura, Kari, and Kristi on our 75th episode of Check It Out as they discuss reading goals, how to develop a habit of reading, and how to challenge yourself in your reading life (and why that's important!). We'll also discuss the reading challenges and book clubs happening this year at NPL and how you can participate, as well as some exciting new reads for 2022!
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It's our 74th episode and we can't believe it! Laura, Kristi, and Kari celebrate the year of reading by highlighting staff favorites from 2021. Some of our library staff have provided an eclectic list of books—and all are available for checkout or download from Normal Public Library.
Some of the items discussed in this podcast:
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
The Silence of Bones by June Hur
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Meaning of Mariah Carey
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston
True Grit by Charles PortisLet us know what you think! Email us! at ask at normalpl dot org
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In this episode of Check It Out, Laura discusses noir fiction and its varied dark corners with Megan, Kathleen, and Kari. Titles mentioned include:
Lindsey Davis' The Silver Pigs, historical series featuring Marcus Didius Falco, private informer The Darren Mathews, Texas Ranger, series by Attica Locke beginning with Bluebird Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden The Dublin Murder Squad series (begins with In the Woods), written by Tana French Twin Cities Noir, edited by Julie Schaper and Steven Horwitz -
In this episode, Laura talks with Kristi and Kari about their favorite horror novels and detail the many different sub-genres of horror that are out there. Settle back and prepare to feel that chill to the bone.
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Join Kari, Kristi, and Laura as they step out on a limb and discuss the great American adventure as discovered through the book. This month Check It Out is celebrating American Adventures Month, which encourages doing something daring and adventurous, traveling to appreciate our human bonds with nature, and promoting a holistic lifestyle.
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice August Snow novels by Stephen Mack Jones New Yorkers: A City and Its People in Our Time by Craig Taylor Epic Journeys: 245 Life-Changing Adventures by National Geographic Epic Bike Ride’s of the America’s by Lonely Planet Best Rail Trails Illinois by Ted Villaire Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall -
Join us this month as Laura speaks with Kristi and Kari about where and how we find the books we like to read, the books you like to read, and everything in between. We'll discuss Novelist, Goodreads, Book Riot, Kirkus, Tik Tok, Nancy Pearl, and more. Don't forget to ask your librarian what they recommend, settle back, and check it out.
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June is Pride Month! On this month's episode, Kristi, Kari, and Morgan recommend titles in the library's collection that celebrate and elevate LGBTQIA+ voices.
Interested in learning more about our local LGBTQIA+ community? We recommend starting with the Prairie Pride Coalition. You can find their website here: https://ppc-il.org/main/
A Study In Honor by Claire O’DellBlack Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Pulp by Robin Talley
Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig
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May is Mental Health Awareness month and in this our sixty-eighth episode Laura speaks with Normal Police Department Community Services Officer Brad Park and library staff Kristi, Shelby, Lyndsey, and Erin about Mental Health and mental health reads both fiction and nonfiction. Join us as we explore this important issue, settle back, and check it out. Tell us what you think! ask at normalpl dot org
https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month
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This sixty-seventh episode of Check It Out is Mari's last. Mari has been our host for over thirty thrilling episodes. Mari passes the torch and talks all things library and all things books. Settle back and check it out.
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Today we join Mari as she interviews several library staff about their favorite childhood books. A childhood favorite is a memory that can last a lifetime. We tend to share these most since the stories have stayed with us for so long. We read, and read again, these beloved stories, discovering new meaning and encountering new joys as we do. So sit back, settle in, and check it out.
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Mari speaks with Kathleen, Kristi, and Laura about fiction by African American writers, focusing on fiction that explores the lives of Black people in this February 2021 podcast episode.
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All of us read and books tell a variety of stories. The best among them will sometimes earn recognition by award. There are awards for all types of books and this month, Mari will speak with Kristi, Kathleen, Morgan, and Britni about some of the best titles that book awards have named over the recent past. Sit back and check it out as we look at award books in this sixty-fourth episode of Check It Out.
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Baking food, making gifts, being creative! Jane, Laura, Kristi, and Mari discuss all things creative for December. Sharpen those pencils, get out the knitting needles, sit back, and check it out!
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Mari discusses odd titles (and the more odd book covers) of No Reality November with Jane, Kristi, and Laura. Sit back and check it out!
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In our sixty first episode, Mari speaks with Kristi and Laura about books to read in this season of change. Falling leaves, crisp mornings, and warm beverages all pair well with a good story. Sit back, settle in, and Check It Out.
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Graphic novels are booming in popularity for readers of all ages. Topics range from a young girl navigating the worlds of roller derby and middle school; teenagers disappearing into a fantasy role-playing game; and the life of civil rights icon John Lewis in the 1960s. Plus so much more! Our 60th episode features Mari, Jane, and Kristi exploring the world of graphic novels — check it out! Titles in the podcast include:
Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson Primates by Jim Ottaviani Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis The Mars Challenge by Alison Wilgus and Wyeth Yates The Way of the House Husband, vol. 1 by Kousuke Oono
The Phantom Twin by Lisa Brown Die vol. 1 by Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans March, books 1, 2, 3 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell - Mostrar mais
