Library Nerds with Words

In this episode, Amanda from the Teen Zone and Ben from Tech Services dish on Miss Piggy, 2026 Oscars, and vampires.Amanda's and Marty's Book Recommendations:Girl Dinner by Olivia BlakeThe Correspondent by Virginia Evans

In this episode, Addyson from the Circulation Department talks about mashed potato sculptures, art exhibitions at PWPL, and computer gaming fiction.Addyson's book recommendation:Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

In this episode, Ben from Tech Services, Amanda from the Teen Zone, and Marty discuss rom coms for Valentine's Day. BONUS POINTS: Count how many times Ben says the name Billy Joel instead of Billy Crystal.Amanda, Ben, and Marty's Book Recommendations:Game Changers by Rachel Reid--AmandaProject Hail Mary by Andy Weir--BenFlashlight by Susan Choi--Marty

In this episode, Amanda from the Teen Zone talks about Miss Piggy versus Cher, PWPL's Prom Dress Swap, and Cults.Amanda's Book Recommendation:Death in the Jungle by Candace Fleming

In the summer movie episode, Ben & Amanda talk summer blockbusters, from sharks to raptors to ghosts, with some Muppets thrown in for fun.Ben, Amanda, and Marty's Book Recommendations:Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (Ben)Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley (Amanda)Raising Hare by Chole Dalton (Marty)

In this episode, Amanda from the Teen Zone, Ben from Tech Services, and Marty debate Daniel Day Lewis versus Robert De Niro, classic comedies, and a Jaws intervention. Amanda, Ben, Andrea, and Marty's book recommendations:The Singular Life of Aria Patel by Samira Ahmed (Amanda)The Magic of the Air by Mike Sielski (Ben)Super Gay Poems edited by Stephanie Burt (Marty)

In this episode, Amy Salminen, Head of Adult Services, dishes up some last meals, Adult Summer Reading, and the Civil War.Amy's Book Recommendation:The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson

In this episode, Communications Coordinator Andrea Marsh dishes on her Spice Girls obsession, Ramble Tamble, and Summer Reads.Andrea's Book Recommendations:Water Moon by Samantha Sotto YambaoShark Heart by Emily HabeckShady Hollow by Juneau Black

In this episode, Amanda from the Teen Zone, Ben from Tech Services, and Marty eat Tiramasu, talk courtroom dramas, and, of course, engage in Muppet debates. Amanda, Ben, Andrea, and Marty's book recommendations:Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven (Amanda)The Basketball 100 by David Aldridge & John Hollinger (Ben)

In this episode, PWPL Communications Coordinator Andrea Marsh talks all things NEA Big Read, expensive dinners, and being an adrenaline junkie!Andrea's Book Recommendations:Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz ChastThe Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes of Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell

In this special episode, Amanda Pierce from the Teen Zone, Ben Sargent from Tech Services, and Marty discuss their Oscar predictions.

In this episode, Sarah Rehborg, Head of Youth Services, talks about PWPL's upcoming Cyber Clinic programming series, taking place in partnership with NMU's Cyber Security Institute.Sarah's Book Recommendation:The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

In this episode, Communications Coordinator Andrea Marsh talks about changing clothes, changing the podcast (a little), and changing books. Andrea's book recommendations: Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Clarity & Connection by Yung Pueblo

In this first episode of Season 5, Amanda Pierce from the Teen Zone talks about Pepe the Shrimp, teen programs, and new teen books. Amanda's book recommendations: After Life by Gayle Forman Ruin Road by Lamar Giles

In this episode, Amanda from the Teen Zone, Ben from Tech Services, and Marty discuss some holiday movies to watch or avoid, with a little Muppet discussion on the side. Amanda, Ben, Andrea, and Marty's book recommendations: Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski (Amanda) A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Ben) Skipping Christmas by John Grisham (Andrea) Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris (Marty)

In this episode, Head of Tech Services Stephanie Garn talks yak penis, lobster potato chips, and the end of the world. Steph's Book Recommendation: Wool by Hugh Howey

In this episode, Assistant Head of Adult Services Lynette Suckow discusses Frankenstein, book re-imaginings, and ski jumping. Lynette's Book Recommendations: The Ski Jumpers by Peter Geye Tooth and Claw: A Longmire Story by Craig Johnson

In this episode, PWPL Administrative Assistant Ann Richmond Garrett talks Robert Frost, Poetry Idols, and Louise Erdrich. Ann's Book Recommendation: The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich

In this episode, Amanda from the Teen Zone, Ben from Tech Services, and Marty talk about film performances for which they are grateful, and Muppets, of course! Amanda, Ben, & Marty's Book Recommendations: What's Nest: A Backstage Pass to the "West Wing," Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service by Melissa Fitzgerald, Mary McCormack, et al. I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones Modern Poetry by Diane Seuss

In this episode, Head of Circulation Melissa gets down and nerdy about Food for Fines, dinner menus, and ducks. Melissa's Book Recommendation: If You Can't Take the Heat by Geraldine DeRuiter

In this episode, Amanda from the Teen Zone joins Marty to talk about Muppets and Merry Movie Mayhem. Amanda's book recommendation: Inkflower by Suzy Zail

Communications Coordinator Andrea Marsh talks with Marty about his upcoming reading at PWPL of his new poetry collection A Bigfoot Bestiary and Other Wonders. Andrea's Viewing Recommendation: Summer 2024 Paris Olympics streaming on Peacock.

In this episode, Andrea Ingmire, Director of Peter White Public Library, discusses elections, coronations, and fluffy reads. Andrea and Marty's Book Recommendations: The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich--Andrea Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange--Marty

In this episode, Amanda from the Teen Zone, Ben from Tech Services, and Marty tackle some great, and not-so-great, films for Halloween. Amanda, Ben, and Marty's book recommendations: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James--Ben Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder--Amanda Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix--Marty

In this episode, Ben from Tech Services, Amanda from the Teen Zone, and Muggles (Ben's sister and LNWW #1 Fan) join Marty at the nerd multiplex to talk movies released in 1999. Amanda, Muggles, Ben, and Marty Book Recommendation: Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay--Amanda The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman--Ben More Than a Glitch by Meredith Broussard--Muggles The Vegetarian by Han Kang--Marty

Newly hired Local History Coordinator Bella Markham stops by the Nerd Penthouse to talk about history, grad school, and books the bring her hope. Bella's Book Recommendation: They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib

In this voting episode, Assistant Head of Adult Services Lynette Suckow discusses voting, Abraham Lincoln, and gerrymandering. Lynette's Book Recommendations: The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski Long Island by Colm Toibin

In this episode, Communications Coordinator Andrea talks about being an alien baby, a Bigfoot book release event, and Kristin Hannah. Andrea's Book Recommendations: Circe by Madeline Miller The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

In this episode, Jody Trost from Felt Magic fame talks about her new role as librarian at Snowberry Heights, her love of Flanner O'Connor, and her fear for clowns. Jody's Book Recommendation: The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

In this episode, Melissa Alan, the Head of Circulation, talks about Boomer birthday cards, library cards, and Reno divorcees. Melissa's book recommendation: The Divorcees by Rowan Beaird

In this episode, Development Director Heather Steltenpohl talks about Gutenberg Bibles, the Friends of PWPL's Used Book and Media Sale, and a podcast whodunnit. Heather's Book Recommendations: Any book by J. L. Hyde Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

In this episode, Adyson Guidebeck, the newest addition to PWPL's Circulation Department, talks about her dislike of pumpkin spice, her love of creative writing, and her time working in a bookstore. Adyson's Book Recommendation: On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

In this episode, Communications Coordinator Andrea Marsh talks about octopi, changes to All Booked Up, and graphic political books. Andrea's book recommendations: Drawing the Vote: An Illustrated Guide to Voting in America by Tommy Jenkins A Firehouse of Falsehood by Teri Kanefield, art by Pat Dorian Putin's Russia: The Rise of a Dictator by Darryl Cunningham

In this episode, Assistant Head of Adult Services Lynette Suckow talks about defusing time bombs, Dan Brown (among others), and the Heritage Room Book Club. Lynette's book recommendations: Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski Daughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye Penelope I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

In this episode, Jody Trost, library nerd leader of Felt Magic at PWPL, talks Olympic felting, being in prison in Georgia, and her love for Neil Gaiman. Jody's Book Recommendations: Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King

In this episode, Amanda Pierce, Head of the Teen Zone, provides updates on teen summer programs and plans for the coming Fall. Amanda's book recommendations: This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag

Poet/musician/editor/publisher Ronnie Ferguson discusses Emily Dickinson, PWPL's 3-Day International Chapbook Competition, and Knuckleheads. Ronnie's book recommendations: Inland Sea by Lynn Domina Knuckleheads by Jeff Kass What We Talk About When We Talk About God by Rob Bell

Emily Couts from the Circulation Department talks haunted houses, the Trench Coat Man, and ghost hunting. Emily and Andrea's Recommendations: Ghosts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula by Jennifer Billock (Emily) Spooked podcast by Glynn Washington

In this episode, outgoing Local History Coordinator Cat Shattuck and Ben from Tech Services dish on all things Star Trek--captains and Klingons and Janeway and all things in between! Book Recommendations: Star Trek: New Frontier series by Peter David (Ben) Star Trek Cord of Engineers series by Dean Wesley Smith, Christie Golden, Keith R. A. DeCandido, Dayton Ward, Kevin Dilmore (Ben) Any books by T. Kingfisher (Cat) The Waters by Bonnie Jo Campbell

In this episode, PWPL Communications Coordinator Andrea Marsh talks LARPing, NEA Big Read, and British sexy. Andrea's book recommendations: The Women by Kristin Hannah Happy Place by Emily Henry

PWPL Library Director Andrea Ingmire talks wine marathons, Puzzle Mania, and mysteries. Andrea's Book Recommendations: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

In this special Pride Month episode, Local History Coordinator Cat Shattuck and Lilith Muraro from the Reference Desk talk queer books and movies and TV shows. Cat & Lilith's recommendations: The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes (Cat) The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall (Cat) The Diviners series by Libba Bray (Cat) Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (Lilith) The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir (Lilith)

In this episode, Sarah Rehborg, head of PWPL Youth Services, talks summer reading, Willy Wonka irresponsibility, and Bubble Bubble Splash. Sarah's book recommendation: The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

In this episode, Peter White Public Library Development Director Heather Steltenpohl talks close encounters with authors, including Bonnie Jo Campbell this summer at PWPL. Heather's Book Recommendation: Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham

In this episode, Thayer Yates from the Reference Desk talks King versus Gaiman, noir fiction, and his new novel Glasspier. Thayer's book recommendation: House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

In this episode, Adult Services Assistant Department Head talks of her love for Leonardo (da Vinci no DiCaprio) and Vinnie van Gogh. Lynette's Book Recommendation: James by Percival Everett

In this episode, Communications Coordinator Andrea Marsh talks about the PWPL summer Concert of the Steps series, her love of the Backstreet Boys, and Gold Medals. Andrea's book recommendation: Gold from Iron by Nick Baumgartner

In this episode, Anne Donohue, Outgoing President of PWPL's Board of Trustees, talks about her time at the library and her hopes for the future. Anne's book recommendation: Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

In this episode, Amanda from the Teen Zone and Ben from Tech Services go the distance, talking about some of the greatest sports movies of all time. If you record it, they will listen. Amanda, Ben, and Marty's Book Recommendations: Iron War: Dave Scott, Mark Allen, and the Greatest Race Ever Run by Matt Fitzgerald (Ben's recommendation) Godly Heathens by H. E. Edgmon (Amanda's recommendation) Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (Marty's recommendation)

In this episode, Teen Zone Berkeley Thompson talks Toni Morrison, Write On, and being a The New York Times author. Berkeley's Book Recommendations Chlorine by Jade Song