Quick Picks

I don't know what our fascination is with twins, but there sure are a lot of books out there featuring twins, and I have some to recommend if you're in the mood.Discussed: Grim Reaper's Guide to Cheating Death -- Maxie DaraA Rather Peculiar Poisoning -- Chrystal SchleyerThe Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland -- Rachel HerronHigh Season -- Katie BishopThe Forgotten Girls -- Sara BlaedelBlood on Her Tongue -- Joanna van VeenKeepers of Metsan Valo -- Wendy WebbDying to Meet You -- Sarina BowenThe New Neighbor -- Carter WilsonWhat Blooms From Dust -- J.H. MarkertMissing Sister -- Joshilyn JacksonOnce There Were Wolves -- Charlotte McConaghyThe Good Sister -- Sally HepworthAlso mentioned:The Secret History -- Donna TarttPoisonwood Bible -- Barbara KingsolverThe Prince of Tides -- Pat ConroyThe Thirteenth Tale -- Diane SetterfieldThe Dragonlance Chronicles -- Margaret Weis & Tracy HickmanI'll Give You the Sun -- Jandy NelsonI Know This Much Is True -- Wally LambIn the Woods -- Tana FrenchMemory Keeper's Daughter -- Kim EdwardsVanishing Half -- Britt BennettThe God of Small Things -- Arundhati RoyFlowers in the Attic -- V.C. AndrewsGame of Thrones -- George R.R. Martin

Tana and I address some great books that have mistakenly been dubbed "historical" but are set in the recent past and we have a beef with the "historical" description.Discussed:How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder, by Nina McConigley What Kind of Paradise, by Janelle BrownAtmosphere, by Taylor Jenkins ReidMary Jane, by Jessica Anya BlauThe Women on Platform Two, by Laura AnthonyThe Hired Man, by Sandra DallasBook of Forbidden Words, by Louise FeinTake My Hand, by Dolen Perkins-ValdezEverything I Never Told You, by Celeste NgReprieve, by James Han MattsonThe Great Alone, by Kristin HannahUpcoming recommendations:We Burned So Bright, by T.J. KluneLast One Out, by Jane HarperThe Keeper, by Tana FrenchWhistler, by Ann PatchettJapanese Gothic, by Kylie Lee BakerMad Mable, by Sally Hepworth

With my library being renovated, I don't have access to my equipment or my studio, so here's a solo episode of my favorite recent cozies.Discussed:Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil, Oliver DarkshireThe Enchanted Greenhouse, Sarah Beth DurstThe Lost, Sarah Beth DurstThe Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, Ally CarterA Rather Peculiar Poisoning, Chrystal SchleyerThe Emily Wilde series, Heather FawcettAgnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter, Heather FawcettThe Best Little Motel in Texas, Lyla LaneThe Monster Hunter Mysteries, Annalise RyanThe Murder at World's End, Ross MontgomeryThe Old Juniper Bookstore Mysteries, PJ NelsonThe Astral Library, Kate QuinnThe Cozy Cottage series, Liz DeltonA Field Guide to Murder, Michelle L. CullenThe Pub Across the Pond, Carlene O'ConnorMurder Most Haunted, Emma MasonThe Crinoline Academy series, Mimi Matthews

Nick and Tana join me this time to talk about shows and movies they've enjoyed.Discussed:Thursday Murder ClubReacherMonster: The Ed Gein StoryScarpettaBoschFalloutRighteous GemstonesInvincibleThe ResidenceOnly Murders in the BuildingThe DiplomatLincoln LawyerMoblandJames Bond MoviesBatmanTraitorsThe RehearsalChair CompanyThe PittBlack RabbitOzarkTaskHeated RivalryPrimalSeveranceShrinkingThe StudioSlow HorsesBugoniaPoor Things28 Years LaterNo Other ChoiceMarty SupremeGood TimeUncut GemsOne Battle After AnotherSinnersHamnetReceptionFrankensteinPinocchioTrain DreamsF1Wicked

Tana and I *love* to recap our year in books, and we're happy to share our favorites this year, with emphasis on books that aren't getting talked about enough.Discussed:Lion Women of Tehran, by Marjan KamaliBat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng, by Kylie Lee BakerThis Motherless Land, by Nikki MayThe Everlasting, by Alix E. HarrowThe Correspondent, by Virginia EvansSymphony of Monsters, by Marc LevyEmperor of Gladness, by Ocean VuongTransplants, by Daniel Tam-ClaiborneI See You've Called In Dead, by John KenneyThe Lamb, by Lucy RoseHeart the Lover, by Lily KingLong Bright River, by Liz MooreWild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghyPlay Nice, by Rachel HarrisonHow to Read a Book, by Monica WoodGraceview Patient, by Caitlin StarlingMy Friends, Fredrik BackmanSo Far Gone, by Jess WalterKing of Ashes, by S.A. CosbyBuffalo Hunter Hunter, by Stephen Graham JonesThe Last Thing He Told Me, by Laura DaveThe First Time I Saw Him, by Laura DavePossession of Alba Diaz, by Isabel CañasVampires of El Norte, by Isabel CañasThe Hacienda, by Isabel CañasSeptember House, by Carissa OrlandoThis Book Made Me Think of You, by Libby PageWitchcraft for Wayward Girls, by Grady HendrixAstral Library, by Kate QuinnBooks by Annelise RyanBury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, by V.E. Schwab

Tana and I spent November honoring Native American Heritage Month by reading lots of books by or about indigenous people, and we discussed the highlights.Mentioned briefly:Council of Dolls, by Mona Susan PowerBuffalo Hunter Hunter, by Stephen Graham JonesOnly Good Indians, by Stephen Graham JonesMongrels, by Stephen Graham JonesThe Night Watchman, by Louise ErdrichCalling For a Blanket Dance, by Oscar HokeahDiscussed:Crow Mary, by Kathleen GrissomWinter Count, by David Heska Wanbli WeidenBig Chief, by Jon HickeyWhere They Last Saw Her, Marcie RendonCash Blackbear series, by Marcie RendonSyd Walker series, by Vanessa LillieMask of the Deer Woman, by Laurie L. DoveTen Sleep, by Nicholas BelardesRyan Tapia series, by Thomas E. RicksVenCo, by Cherie DimalineEmpire of Wild, by Cherie DimalineMoon of the Crusted Snow, by Waubgeshig RiceThe Sentence, by Louise ErdrichRound House, by Louise Erdrich

With the holidays coming up, food is on everyone's mind and Michelle Habrych and I are here to talk about some of our favorite books that feature different foods.Secret, Book, and Scone Society, Ellery Adams (#1 of 7 Secret, Book, and Scone Society Series)Death By Dumpling, Vivien Chien (#1 of 12 Noodle Shop Mysteries)Spellshop, Sarah Beth Durst (#1 of 2 in Spellshop series)Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, Jesse Q. Sutanto (#1 of 2 Vera Wong series)Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Lisa SeeLady Tan's Circle of Women, Lisa SeeLegends and Lattes, Travis Baldree (#1 of 4 Legends and Lattes series)Coincidence of Coconut Cake, Amy E. ReichertKindred Spirits Supper Club, Amy E. ReichertWizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, T. KingfisherWinter in New York, Josie SilverSourdough, Robin SloanMagnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, Allison PatakiDelicious In Dungeon, Ryoko KuiFood: A Love Story, Jim GaffiganDad is Fat, Jim GaffiganMurder in an Irish Village, Carlene O'Connor (#1 in Irish Village Mysteries)Julie and Julia, Julie PowellTaste: My Life Through Food, Stanley TucciCheesemaker's Daughter, Kristin VukovicHomemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen, Molly WizenbergDelaney: A Man, a Woman, a Restaurant, a Marriage, Molly WizenbergDead Husband Cookbook, Danielle ValentineI Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet, Shauna NiequistBread and Wine, Shauna NiequistCookbooks: Well Fed (Volumes 1 and 2), Melissa JoulwanNew Creative Crockpot Cookbook, RivalClean Paleo One-Pot Meals, Christina ShoemakerSkinnytaste Cookbook, Gina HomolkaMichael Symon's 5 in 5, Michael SymonCookies, Martha StewartFood Lab, Kenji Lopez-AltAlton Brown booksA mysterious, unknown boo,k something like Mac'n'Cheese Cookbook, purchased long ago at Aldi.

Witches are an integral part of spooky season and related fall celebrations. Since witches as a subject are so wide-ranging in genres, I attempt to tag and separate them into sub-genres. Nonfiction:The Witches by Stacy Schiff (2015, Salem Witch Trials)The Witch by Ronald Hutton (2017, world history)Folklore and Myth Retelling:The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore (2022, folklore, Russian, Slavic, Baba Yaga)Winternight Trilogy, by Katherine Arden (2017, folklore, Russian, Slavic)Uprooted, by Naomi Novik (2015, folklore, Russian, Slavic)Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik (2018, folklore, Rumplestiltskin) The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec (2021, Norse myths)Circe, by Madeline Miller (2018, Greek myths)Stone Blind, by Natalie Haynes (2022, Greek myths)Witch of Colchis, by Rosie Hewlitt (2024, Greek myths)Historical Fiction:Thistlefoot, by GennaRose Nethercvott (2022, folklore, Baba Yaga, Judaism, holocaust, LGBTQIA+)The Crucible, by Arthur Miller (1953, Salem Witch Trials)I, Tituba, by Maryse Conde (1994, Salem Witch Trials, slavery, Barbados)The Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks (2002, Britain, bubonic plague, witch hunt)The Last Witch in Edinburgh, by Marielle Thompson (2024, LGBTQIA+)Voodoo Dreams, by Jewell Parker Rhodes (1995, voodoo, undead, Marie Laveau)How to Hang a Witch, by Adriana Mather (2016, YA, Salem, romance, ghosts)Modern Dark Fantasy:Women of Wild Hill, by Kristen Miller (2025, female rage, eco-fiction, generational)Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland, by Rachel Herron (2025, LGBTQIA+, Latinx)Children of Blood & Bone, by Tomi Adeyemi (2018, YA, West Africa, adventure)The Year of the Witching, by Alexis Henderson (2020, YA, misogyny/patriarchy, religious fanaticism)Cackle, by Rachel Harrison (2021, relationships, women's fiction, light horror)Bewitching, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2025, gothic, historical, mystery)Play Dead by Anne Frasier (2004, mystery, Gulluh, West African culture, voodoo, undead)Nettle & Bone, by T. Kingfisher (2022, light horror, adventure, light romance)Witch’s Orchard, by Archer Sullivan (2025, mystery, light horror)Horror:Hex, by Thomas Olde Heuvelt (2013, female rage, ghost)Changling, by Victor LaValle (2017, fairy tale retelling)Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, by Grady Hendrix (2025, historical, female rage, medical horror, misogyny)Romance, Romantasy, Cozy:Honey Witch, by Sydney Shields (2024, romance, cozy, LGBTQIA+, spicy)Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping, by Sangu Mandanna (2025, cozy, romance, spicy)Dark & Secret Magic, by Wallace Kinney (2024, romance, cozy, clean)Enchanted Greenhouse, by Sara Beth Durst (2025, romance, cozy, clean)Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, by Sarah Hawley (2023, romance, spicy)Sorcery & Small Magics, by Maiga Doocy (2024, romantasy, LGBTQIA+, clean)Bewitched, by Larua Thalassa (2023, romantasy, spicy)Coven, by Harper L. Woods (2023, romantasy, spicy, dark academia)Adventure:Howl’s Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones (1986, romance)

September is back-to-school time which is a perfect opportunity to read some books about dark academia, no matter your age or favorite genres.Discussed: Secret History, by Donna TarttSociety of Lies, by Lauren Ling BrownKatabasis, by RF KuangMy Dark Vanessa, by Kate Elizabeth RussellDiscovery of Witches (#1 in All Souls series), by Deborah HarknessI Have Some Questions for You, by Rebecca MakkaiPortrait of a Thief, by Grace D. LiHow to Get Away with Murder, TV show 2014-2020If We Were Villains, by M.L. RioThe Bewitching, by Silvia Moreno-GarciaThis Book Will Bury Me, by Ashley WinsteadArcana Academy (#1 Arcana Academy series), by Elise KovaVicious, by V.E. SchwabMiss Mabel's School for Girls (#1 Network series), by Katie CrossThe Maidens, by Alex MichaelidesNinth House (#1 Alex Stern series), by Leigh BardugoSong of Achilles, by Madeline MillerStone Blind, by Natalie HaynesCirce, by Madeline Miller

Michelle Habrych joins me again to talk about some of our favorite books (and a couple movies) that are either about vacations or have a setting where we'd like to go on vacation.

Fast, exciting reads for your summer consumption.Discussed:Dead of Summer, by Jessa MaxwellCape Fever, by Nadia DavisSaltwater, by Katy HaysKing of California, by Jordan HarperShe Rides Shotgun, by Jordan HarperKing of Ashes, by S.A. CosbyWhere They Last Saw Her, by Marcie RendonDying to Meet You, by Sarina BowenDon't Tell Me How to Die, Marshall KarpRage, by Linda CastilloSerial Killer's Guide to Marriage, by Asia MackayKill Your Darlings, by Peter SwansonDead of Night, by Lisa Gray

What better genre for fun summer reads is there than magic and magical realism? Tana and I thoroughly enjoyed our books and discussion on some of our recent favorites.Discussed:Forget Me Not Library, by Heather WebberAmalfi Curse, by Sarah PennerCat Who Saved the Library, by Sōsuke NatsukawaNot the Witch You Wed, by April AsherMurder Most Owl, by Sarah FoxThe In-Between Bookstore, by Edward UnderhillWitchcraft for Wayward Girls, by Grady HendrixWizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, by T. KingfisherMinistry of Time, by Kaliane Bradley

If you're a reader, you have a TBR list. And if you're like us, you have more books to read than books completed in your repertoire. Today, Tana and I are joined by Michelle Habrych to talk about books we've had on our TBR lists for a long time, and things we recommend you add to your own.Discussed: Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins ReidIf I Had Your Face, by Frances ChaHouse Across the Lake, by Riley SagerOnly One Left, by Riley SagerLock Every Door, by Riley SagerSoul Mate, by Sally HepworthHighway 59 series, by Attica LockeSunrise on the Reaping, by Suzanne Collins (and the entire Hunger Games series)Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia OwensDaisy Jones and the Six, by Taylor Jenkins ReidJust for the Summer, by Abby JimenezSay You'll Remember Me, by Abby Jimenez(Abby Jimenez's bakery in Minnesota nadiacakes.com)Songbirds, by Christi LefteriBeekeeper of Aleppo, by Christi LefteriCircus Train, by Amita ParikhWater for Elephants, by Sara GruenNight Circus, by Erin MorgensternPretty Girls, by Karin Slaughter(I couldn't remember the name of this book and promised to put it in the show notes-)What Happened to Nina, by Dervla McTiernanFifth Avenue Glamour Girl, by Renee RosenLet's Call Her Barbie, by Renee RosenCarnegie's Maid, by Marie BenedictPersonal Librarian, by Marie BenedictOnly Woman in the Room, by Marie BenedictLady Clementine, by Marie BenedictBrooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old, by Brooke ShieldsDown Came the Rain, by Brooke ShieldsBig Dumb Eyes, by Nate BargatzePoppy Fields, by Nikki ErlickThe Measure, by Nikki ErlickMy Friends, by Fredrik BackmanKing of Ashes, by S.A. Cosby10 Marchfield Place, by Nicola WhyteThe God of the Woods, by Liz MooreLong Bright River, by Liz MooreSaltwater, by Katy HaysPropaganda Girls, by Lisa RogakPage Turner, by Viola ShipmanTo Get to the Other Side, by Kelly OhlertEx-citing Proposition, by Kelly OhlertLet's Get Quizzical, by Kelly OhlertUncharted Ex-perience, by Kelly Ohlert

We all know them and for some of us maybe we are them, but grouchy old people who are actually quite great have a special place in our hearts and these are some of the books Tana and I discussed.Nosy Neighbors, by Freya SampsonHow to Age Disgracefully, by Clare PooleyIona Iverson's Rules for Commuting, by Clare PooleyA Man Called Ove, by Fredrik BackmanMy Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry. by Fredrik BackmanBritt-Marie Was Here, by Fredrik BackmanArmand Gamache series, by Louise PennyThursday Murder Club, by Richard OsmanWe Solve Murders, by Richard OsmanCurious Charms of Arthur Pepper, by Phaedra PatrickVera Stanhope series, by Ann CleevesThe New Neighbor, by Carter WilsonHow to Solve Your Own Murder, by Kristen PerrinThe Heiress, by Paula HawkinsVera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, by Jesse Q. SutantoDial "A" for Aunties, by Jesse Q. SutantoKillers of a Certain Age, by Deanna RaybournKills Well With Others, by Deanna RaybournMaud series, by Helen Tursten

Since March is Women's History Month, I've invited Michelle Habrych, friend and writer, to talk about some wide-ranging books, fiction and nonfiction, that tell stories of women in history.Michelle's list discussed:Lady Tan's Circle of Women, by Lisa SeeIsland of Sea Women, by Lisa SeeMagnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, by Allison PatakiThe Women, by Kristin HannahBecoming Madam Secretary, by Stephanie DrayWomen of Chateau Lafayette, by Stephanie DrayMy Dear Hamilton, by Stephanie DrayWell Behaved Women, by Therese Ann FowlerThe Social Graces, by Renee RosenReference to "The Gilded Age" on HBOVanderbilt, by Anderson Cooper & Katherine HoweAstor, by Anderson Cooper & Katherine HoweThe Rainbow Comes and Goes, by Anderson Cooper and & Gloria VanderbiltPersonal Librarian, by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher MurrayHaving Our Say, by Sarah & Elizabeth DelaneyRadium Girls, by Kate MooreFirst Women, by Kate Andersen BrowerFounding Mothers, by Cokie RobertsLadies of Liberty, by Cokie RobertsCapital Dames, by Cokie RobertsRise of the Rocket Girls, by Nathalia HoltHidden Figures, by Margo Lee ShetterlyThe Almost Astronauts (children's book), by Tanya Lee StoneThe Astronaut Wives' Club, by Lily KoppelFly Girls, by Keith O'BrienEighty Days, by Matthew GoodmanTen Days in a Mad House, by Nellie BlyThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacke, by Rebecca SklootThe Hiding Place, by Corrie ten BoomThe Swans of Harlem, by Karen ValbyNikki's List discussed:Lone Women, by Victor LaValleTake My Hand, by Dolen Perkins-ValdezWhite Chrysanthemum, by Mary Lynn BrachtThe Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, by Kim Michele RichardsonGiver of Stars, by Jojo MoyesThe Witches, by Stacy SchiffThe Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan"Rules of the Game" (short story), by Amy TanClan of the Cave Bear, by Jean AuelMemoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur GoldenLife After Life, by Kate AtkinsonBright Young Women, by Jessica KnollFrozen River, by Ariel LawhonGo as a River, by Shelly ReadLessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie GarmusFever, by Mary Beth KeaneClark and Division, by Naomi HiraharaTallgrass, by Sandra DallasNorthern Spy, by Flynn BerryLost Apothecaryt, by Sarah PennerMercy House, by Alena Dillon

Inspired by Groundhog Day and the move by the same name, Nick and I are here to discuss things we've liked that have to do with cycles and time loops. Discussed: The OA (TV series) Hades (videogame) 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, by Stuart Turton Until Dawn (videogame) Mickey 7, by Edward Ashton Steins;Gate (anime) Rick and Morty (animated series) Supernatural (TV series) Happy Death Day (film) Everything Everywhere All At Once (film) About Time (film) Before I Fall, by Lauren Oliver Life After Life, by Kate Atkinson First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, by Claire North Cassandra In Reverse, by Holly Smale The Prestige (film) Midnight Library, by Matt Haig The Humans, by Matt Haig Map of Tiny Perfect Things (film) In Five Years, by Rebecca Serle Sliding Doors (film)

Tana and I give a rundown of the books we read this year that were our favorites. What were yours? Discussed: What the Chicken Knows, Sy Montgomery Life Hacks for a Little Alien, Alice Franklin What Does It Feel Like?, Sophie Kinsella Migrations, Charlotte McConaghy Puzzle Master, Danielle Trussoni Puzzle Box, Danielle Trussoni Daughter of Ruins, Yvette Manessis Corporon Museum of Failures, Thrity Umrigar Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder, Gracie Ruth Mitchell First Lie Wins, Ashley Elston Bright Young Women, Jessica Knoll Somewhere Beyond the Sea, TJ Klune Cheesemaker's Daughter, Kristin Vukovic Let Us Descend, Jesmyn Ward Sing Unburied Sing, Jesmyn Ward Witch of Colchis, Rosie Hewett Our Hidden Conversations, Michelle Norris Husbands, Holly Gramazio James, Percival Everett Frozen River, Ariel Lawhon Daughter of Fair Verona, Christina Dodd

Friend, patron, reader, and author, Michelle Habrych, is back to talk about holiday books of all kinds. Discussed: One Big Happy Family, Susan Mallery (4 candy canes) Merry Matchmaker, Sheila Roberts (5 candy canes) Baking It Merry, Samantha Chase (5 candy canes) Night Before Christmas, Nicola Knight (3 candy canes) Wishing Bridge, Viola Shipman (5 candy canes) Second Chance Year, Melissa Weisner (3 candy canes) This Time Next Year, Sophie Cousens (4 candy canes) Homecoming, Kate Morton (2.5 candy canes) Holiday Switch, Tif Marcelo (3.5 candy canes) Hercule Poirot's Christmas, Agatha Christie (2.5 candy canes) Matzah Ball, Jane Meltzer (4.5 candy canes) Skipping Christmas, John Grisham (5 candy canes) Twelver Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas, James Patterson (5 candy canes) 'Tis the Damn Season, Fiona Gibson (4.5 candy canes) Home For the Holidays, Taylor Hahn (1 candy cane) Holly Jolly Diwali, Sonya Lalli Later On We'll Conspire, Kourtney Kiesel Eight Very Bad Nights, Tod Goldberg Death at a Scottish Christmas, Lucy Connolly Author Alexandra Benedict Christmas Murder Game Murder on the Christmas Express Christmas Jigsaw Murders Santa Overboard, Carolyn McBride

It isn't just all over the news, it's all over the fiction: climate and ecology. Cli-Fi and eco-fiction are far more prevalent than Tana and I realized and went outside our boxes to read and discuss some dystopian and some more conventional fiction that deal with the environment. Discussed: The Light Pirate, by Lily Brooks-Dalton The Morningside, by Téa Obreht How High We Go In the Dark, by Sequoia Nagamatsu The Last Murder at the End of the World, by Stuart Turton Flight Behavior, by Barbara Kingsolver Migrations, by Charlotte McConaghy Devolution, by Max Brooks Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr The Road, by Cormack McCarthy The Beach House, by Mary Alice Monroe Worst Case Scenario, by TJ Newman Go As a River, by Shelley Read Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt What Blooms From Dust, by James Markert

My favorite! It's ghosty time again and Nick Rodriguez joins me to talk about ghosts across many types of media, for consumers of everything from cozy ghost stories to the stuff that will give you nightmares. Discussed: Thirteen Ghosts (movie) Scream (movie) Sleepy Hollow (movie) Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving (book) Grave Encounters (movie) Grave Encounters 2 (movie) Talk To Me (movie) Ghost Station, by S.A. Barnes (book) Haunt Sweet Home, by Sarah Pinsker (book) Murder Road, by Simone St. James (book) Wendy Webb (author) Darcy Coates (author) Left Right Game (podcast) Agatha All Along (TV series) Devil's Gate in Libertyville, IL (location) Ursula Bielski (author) Ressurection Mary (legend) Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois (location) Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (location) Jane Addams Hull-House in Chicago, Illinois (location) 1408 (movie) Phasmophobia (video game) on PC, soon on PS5 and Xbox X/S Silent Hill (video game) on most platforms Luigi's Mansion (video game) on Game Cube and Nintendo 3DS Rebecca (movie) Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier (book) Ghost Story (movie) Personal Shopper (movie) You Should Have Left (movie) You Should Have Left, by Daniel Kehlmann (book) How To Sell a Haunted House, by Grady Hendrix (book) Stephen Graham Jones (author) Gone To See the River Man, by Kristopher Triana (book) Along the River of Flesh, by Kristopher Triana (book) The Old Lady, by Kristopher Triana (book) September House, by Carissa Orlando Other authors to check out: Dan Simmons Joe Hill Stephen King Leigh Bardugo Diane Setterfield Riley Sager Barbara Erskine Silvia Moreno-Garcia Neil Gaiman T. Kingfisher Other staff recommendations: Expedition X (TV show) Haunted Road Atlas, by Christine Schiefer, Em Schulz (book) Ghost Bride, by Yangsze Choo (book) Hex, by Thomas Olde Heuvelt (book) Horror Hotel, by Victoria Fulton (book) Dead Silence, by S.A. Barnes (book) Nothing But Blackened Teeth, by Cassandra Khaw (book) Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson (book) You Like It Darker, by Stephen King (book) Rattlesnakes, by Stephen King (book) Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman (book) Under the Whispering Door, by TJ Klune (book) Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstein (book) Ghosts (TV show) British version Supernatural (TV show) Wellington Paranormal (TV show) Not Dead Yet (TV show) Ghostbusters (movie) Muppet Christmas Carol (movie) My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (movie) Welcome to Nightvale (podcast) The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home, by Joseph Fink, Jeffrey Cranor (book) Being Human (TV series) British version What Lies Beneath (movie)

With the start of another school year, Michelle Habrych joins me again to talk about literature near and dear to our hearts, Classics. Discussed: Lord of the Flies, by William Golding Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde A Separate Peace, by John Knowles Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston Cold Sassy Tree, by Olive Ann Burns The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton Stories I Only Tell Myt Friends, by Rob Lowe To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Go Set a Watchman, by Harper Lee Furious Hours, by Casey Cep In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley Hamlet, by William Shakespeare The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak The Once and Future King, by T.H. White Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Grimm's Fairy Tales, by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Beowulf Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott

Tana joins me again today to talk about novels we've read that have fine art or artists in their plots. Discussed: A Death in Cornwall, by Daniel Silva The Riviera House, by Natasha Lester The Last Mona Lisa, by Jonathan Santlofer The Lost Van Gogh, by Jonathan Santlofer Clara and Mr. Tiffany, by Susan Vreeland Horse, by Geraldine brooks Girl with a Pearl Earring, by Tracy Chevalier The Virgin Blue, by Tracy Chevalier The Lady and the Unicorn, by Tracy Chevalier The Glassmaker, by Tracy Chevalier Cooking for Picasso, by Camille Aubray The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder, by C.L. Miller Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng The Celebrants, by Stephen Rowley Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, by Gregory Maguire Still Life, by Louise Penny Picture of Dorian Grey, by Oscar Wilde The da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson Reflex, by Dick Francis The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt Ink Black Heart, by Robert Galbraith The Curse of Pietro Houdini, by Derek B. Miller

Tana and I share some of our favorite ARCs we've read and other books that will be published this summer (and beyond). Discussed: Midnight Feast, by Lucy Foley Night Guest, by Hildur Knutsdottir Daughter of Fair Verona, by Christina Dodd The Glassmaker, by Tracy Chevalier The Next Mrs. Parrish, by Liv Constantine Briar Club, by Kate Quinn Maria, by Michelle Moran Lion Women of Tehran, by Marjan Kamali Eddie Winston is Looking for Love, by Marianne Cronin The Big Empty, by Robert Crais Somewhere Beyond the Sea, by TJ Klune Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets, by Kate Khavari Tell Me Who You Are, by Louise Luna That Night in the Library, by Eva Jurczyk A Body by the Henhouse, by Kate Wells Last Hunt, by Audrey Cole Arsenic Eater's Wife, by Tonya Mitchell Pitch Dark, by Paul Doiron Elsewhere, by Sarah Tierney The Burning, by Linda Castillo A Hunger to Kill, by Kim Magers Guide Me Home, by Attica Locke Bear, by Julia Phillips Love Letters to a Serial Killer, by Tasha Coryell Trust Her, by Flynn Berry Breaking the Dark, by Lisa Jewell Summer Pact, by Emily Giffin Black Bird Oracle, by Deborah Harkness Burn, by Peter Heller Spirit Crossing, by William Kent Krueger By Any Other Name, by Jodi Picoult Dark Wives, by Ann Cleeves Death at the Sign of the Rock, by Kate Atkinson Where They Last Saw Her, by Marcie Rendon What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust, by Alan Bradley Here One Moment, by Liane Moriarty We Solve Murders, by Richard Osman Sleep Tight, by JH Markert Witches of Santo Stefano, by Wendy Webb The Mighty Red, by Louise Erdrich Second Smartest Dog That Ever Lived, by Will Pass What Does it Feel Like?, by Sophie Kinsella Absolution, by James VanderMeer The Grey Wolf, by Louise Penny Robert Parker books NetGalley Edelweiss Plus ARCs (Advanced Reader Copy) at your library

**We apologize for the poor audio quality of this episode** So many of the books we've read all our lives were written in another language and translated into English. Tana and I talk about some of the ones we've read recently that we've enjoyed. Discussed: Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, (Japanese) by Toshikazu Kagawuchi Full Moon Coffee Shop series, (Japanese) by Mai Mochizuki Olga, (German) by Bernhard Schlink What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, (Japanese) by Michiko Aoyama Decagon House Murders, (Japanese) by Yukito Ayatsuji The Cat Who Saved Books, (Japanese) by Sōsuke Natsukawa Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, (German) by Patrick Süskind Enigma of Room 622, (French) by Joël Dicker The Door, (Hungarian) by Magda Szabó Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules, (Swedish) by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg Travelling Cat Chronicles, (Japanese) by Hiro Arikawa Old Woman with the Knife, (Korean) by Gu Byeong-mo Elderly Lady is Up To No Good, (Swedish) by Helene Tursten The Japanese Lover, (Spanish) by Isabel Allende In the Midst of Winter, (Spanish) by Isabel Allende Violeta, (Spanish) by Isabel Allende Maya's Notebook, (Spanish) by Isabel Allende Fresh Water for Flowers, (French) by Valérie Perrin Forgotten on Sunday, (French) by Valérie Perrin Books by Fredrik Backman (Swedish) Books by Jo Nesbø (Swedish) Books by Stieg Larsson (Swedish) Kurt Wallander series, (Swedish) by Henning Mankell We'll Prescribe You a Cat, (Japanese) by Syou Ishida

This episode I'm joined by my friend, Michelle Habrych, to talk about a wide variety of moms, as depicted in books. Discussed: Darling Girls, by Sally Hepworth The Mother-In-Law, by Sally Hepworth Becoming Madam Secretary, by Stephanie Dray The Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon Wishing Game, by Meg Shaffer Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?, by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett Class Mom, by Laurie Gelman Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, by Elle Cosimano House of Eve, by Sadequa Johnson Emily Gone, by Bette Lee Crosby Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott You Are Not Alone, by Michelle Habrych My Darling Girl, by Jennifer McMahon A Light in the Forest, by Melissa Payne The Heiress, by Rachel Hawkins Crossroads, by Rachel Hightower The Changeling, by Victor LaValle A House with Good Bones, by T. Kingfisher

Though there are so many sub-genres of fantasy and science fiction, and so many formats to enjoy, Nick joins me to talk about some of our favorite books, movies, and video games. Discussed: Song of Ice and Fire, by George RR Martin Roadside Picnic, by Arkady Strugatsky Pacific Drive (video game) Dead Silence, by SA Barnes Circe, by Madeline Miller Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller God of War (video game) Legends and Lattes, by Travis Baldree Stardew Valley (video game) Uprooted, by Naomi Novik Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik Temeraire series, by Naomi Novik The Scholomance trilogy, by Naomi Novik Alice Isn't Dead, by Joseph Fink Welcome to Night Vale (fiction podcast) Sworn Soldier series, by T. Kingfisher The Lighthouse Witches, by CJ Cooke The O.A. (Netflix) The Odyssey, by Homer The Princess Bride, by William Goldman Annihilation (Southern Reach trilogy), by Jeff VanderMeer Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley Poor Things (movie) Heartstopper (manga series), by Alice Oseman Cinder, by Marissa Meyer Other recommendations from our library: The Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater Six Crimson Canes by Elizabeth Lim Caraval series by Stephanie Garber Monsters of Verity by Victoria Schwab So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole Six of Crows series by Leigh Bardugo Ark of a Scythe by Neil Schusterman Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells Parable of the Sower (Earthseed series) by Octavia Butler Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight trilogy) by Katherine Arden Briar Rose by Jane Yolen Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott Anything by Neil Gaiman Anything by Douglas Adams Anything by Terry Pratchet Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Martian by Andy Weir Artemis by Andy Weir Rat Queens by Kurtis Weibe I Hate Fairyland by Skottie Young Poppy War by RF Juang Bone by Jeff Smith Arrival by Shaun Tan All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones Hell's Library series by AJ Hackwith After the Forest by Kell Woods Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

Tana saves the day with her vast knowledge of all the Oscar nominations for Best Motion Picture and shares her predictions and favorites. Discussed: American Fiction Anatomy of a Fall Barbie The Holdovers Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Oppenheimer Past Lives Poor Things Zone of Interest

The surest way to give books free publicity and promotion is to point fingers at them and attempt to ban them. Often those books are so valuable, enlightening, and great for forging connections, that depriving certain people of the ability to experience them is a hot topic. Nick Rodriguez, our Teen Librarian, is starting a Banned Book Club at our local high school and he joins me to talk about potential titles for this program and the importance of fighting censorship. Discussed: Maus, by Art Spiegelman Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank 1984, by George Orwell Lord of the Flies, by William Golding The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo Flamer, by Mike Curato Wild, by Cheryl Strayed And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee The Color Purple, by Alice Walker Alice Isn't Dead, by Joseph Fink Video game: Outer Wilds Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson Crank, by Ellen Hopkins

Every episode of Quick Picks is essentially a list of stuff we recommend, but the list of our favorite books at the end of the year is the episode Tana and I look forward to the most. Below are the books we discussed and a list of the books others at the library thought were the best. Discussed: Calling for a Blanket Dance, by Oscar Hokeah Horse, by Geraldine Brooks All the Sinners Bleed, by S.A. Cosby The Queen of Dirt Island, by Donal Ryan Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano Small Mercies, by Dennis Lehane The Running Grave, by Robert Galbraith Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver The Fox Wife, by Yangsze Choo The River We Remember, by William Kent Krueger House with Good Bones, by T. Kingfisher I Have Some Questions for You, by Rebecca Makkai Lone Women, by Victor Lavalle Delicious Monsters, by Liselle Sambury The Starling House, by Alix E. Harrow We Meant Well, by Erum Shazia Hasan The Celebrants, by Stephen Rowley The Last Devil to Die, by Richard Osman Vampires of El Norte, by Isabel Cañas September House, by Carissa Orlando Twyford Code, by Janice Hallett Highway of Tears, by Jessica McDiarmid Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, by Michiko Aoyama (Alison Watts (Translator) Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride Bea Wolf, by Zach Weinersmith Other recommendations: The Change, by Kristen Miller Blood and Ash series, by Jennifer Armentrout Red, White, and Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston Rhapsodic, by Laura Thalassa Children of Chicago, by Cynthia Pelayo Once Upon a Broken Heart series, by Stephanie Garber If He Had Been with Me, by Laura Nowlin Before We Were Strangers, by Renee Carlino Sword Catcher, by Cassandra Clare Small-Town Crafter series, by Tom Watts Battle Mage Farmer series, by Seth Ring

Not all holiday movies need to be squeaky clean kids' stuff. There's a lot out there for adults as well and Nick Rodriguez joins me to discuss some of our favorite off-beat holiday favorites. Discussed: Elf Nightmare Before Christmas Christmas Story Bad Santa Krampus Black Christmas The Ref Home Alone Bad Moms Christmas A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas Christmas With the Kranks Love Actually Stepmom The Holiday Muppets Christmas Carol Spirited Klaus Jingle Jangle Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Frosty the Snowman How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1965) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Charlie Brown Christmas It's a SpongeBob Christmas Ed, Edd 'n Eddy's Jingle Jingle Jangle Wish For Wings That Work Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Star Wars Holiday Special

Despite the strikes in the entertainment industry, there are still a lot of great shows to watch on TV this fall, and Tana has joined me to talk about some of our favorites that might become yours as well. Discussed: After Party Shrinking Lincoln Lawyer The Diplomat Loki Successor Righteous Gemstones Discovery of Witches Only Murders in the Building Three Pines Jack Ryan Reacher Good Omens All the Light We Cannot See Black Cake Lessons in Chemistry Joe Pickett 1923 My Pack Life Underground Railroad 24 Hours in A&E Ozark Daisy Jones & the Six Strike And these are the earrings I was wearing that Tana talked about: Chevron Lane

Tana and I have some spooky, creepy, gory, and frightening books for this spooky season for you, almost all of them new releases. The Vampires of El Norte, by Isabel Cañas The Hacienda, by Isabel Cañas Murder Road, by Simone St. James Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, by Grady Hendrix How to Sell a Haunted House, by Grady Hendrix Spite House, by Johnny Compton My Heart is a Chainsaw, by Stephen Graham Jones Don't Fear the Reaper, by Stephen Graham Jones Crossroads, by Laurel Hightower Arnold's Letter, by Michael Van Der Voort All Hallows, by Christopher Golden Downpour, by Christopher Hawkins Delicious Monsters, by Nichelle Samburg Nightmare Man, by J. H. Markert Nestlings, by Nat Cassidy Let Him In, by William Friend Winter People, by Jennifer McMahon Ghost 19, Simone St. James

Loss and dealing with it is a life lesson we learn early on, and it can come up in so many different ways, with us all dealing with it in different ways. Michelle joins me today to talk about some books that were meaningful to us and imparted empathy for characters going through losing someone they love. These are not just books that address grief. There are so many stories and so many characters, they just each have a burden of loss they carry with them. Discussed (Tissue rating, out of 5): Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt (3 tissues) Dead Romantics, by Ashley Poston (3 tissues) The Guncle, by Stephen Rowley (5 tissues) The Celebrants, by Stephen Rowley Before I Let Go, by Kennedy Ryan (4 tissues) Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman (5 tissues) My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, by Fredrik Backman Beartown, by Fredrik Backman Killers of a Certain Age, by Deanne Raybourn (2 tissues) The Half Moon, by Mary Beth Keane (2 tissues) Amazing Grace Adams, by Fran Littlewood Go As a River, by Shelley Read Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Small Great Things, by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan Other recommendations from Michelle: The Supremes at Early's All-You-Can-Eat, by Edward Kelsey Moore The Secret to Hummingbird Cake, by Celeste Fletcher McHale The Accidental Text, by Becky Monson The Ways We Hide, by Kristina McMorris Surviving Savannah, by Patti Callahan The Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot, by Marianne Cronin P.S. I Love You, by Cecilia Ahern Truly Madly Guilty, by Liane Moriarty The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, by Lisa See The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters, by Balli Kaur Jaswal The Unsinkable Greta James, by Jennifer E. Smith A Year on Ladybug Farm, by Donna Ball Under the Southern Sky, by Kristy Woodson Harvey Smells Like Tween Spirit, by Laurie Gelman One True Loves, by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, by Phaedra Patrick Thank You For Listening, by Julia Whalen Truths I Never Told You, by Kelly Rimmer House of Eve, by Sadeua Johnson Under the Magnolias, by T.I. Lowe A Wish for Winter, by Viola Shipman The Secret of Snow, by Viola Shipman

Tana is back and we share our favorites from this summer Books: Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano The Bookbinder, by Pip Williams The Celebrants, by Steven Rowley Queen Hereafter, by Isobel Schuler Monstrilio, by Gerardo Sámano Córdova The Anomaly, by Hervé Le Tellier TV: The Lincoln Lawyer Movies: Oppenheimer Mission Impossible

Summer reads are a favorite theme of mine and I am always looking for fun books that fall into this category, so I'm sharing my recommendations with you with the hopes that you might also find some good ones. Literary Fiction: Keeper of Lost Things, by Ruth Hogan Return to Valleto, by Dominic Smith The Librarianist, by Patrick deWitt The Guncle, by Steven Rowley Cozies: The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules, Catherine Ingelman-Sundberg Carlene O'Connor books: Irish Village Mysteries, County Kerry Mysteries, and Home to Ireland Mysteries Richard Osman books: Thursday Murder Club series Alan Bradley books: Flavia de Luce series Rom-Coms: Beth O'Leary books: The Flatshare, The No-Show, The Road Trip, and The Switch Sophie Kinsella books: Shopaholic series, Remember Me, and I've Got Your Number Lily Bennett's Bucket List, by Katherine Dyson Steamy Romance: Kiss Quotient, by Helen Hoang Darynda Jones books: Charley Davidson series, Betwixt & Between series, and Sunshine Vicram series. Chick Lit: Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club, by J. Ryan Stradal Mary Alice Monroe books: Beach House series Sandra Dallas books Liane Moriarty books: What Alice Forgot, Truly Madly Guilty, Apples Never Fall and Big Little Lies Dude Lit: Reed Farrel Coleman books: Gus Murphy series Last Flight of Poxl West, by Daniel Torday IQ series, by Joe Ide Harry Dresden series, by Jim Butcher Alex McKnight series, by Steve Hamilton SF/Fantasy: Ink Blood Sister Scribe, by Emma Törzs The Binding, by Bridget Collins Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman The Measure, by Nikki Erlick House In the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries, by Heather Fawcett Books about Greek myths: Circe, by Madeline Miller; Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller; Clytemnestra, by Costanza Casati; Psyche & Eros, by Luna McNamara; Atalanta, by Jennifer Saint; House of Names, by Colm Toibin Mystery/Thrillers: The Hawthorne and Horowitz Investigate series, by Anthony Horowitz All the Sinners Bleed, by SA Cosby Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, by Benjamin Stevenson On a Quiet Street, by Seraphina Nova Glass Harlan Coben books Sally Hepworth books Peter Swanson books Jane Harper books Nonfiction: Soul of an Octopus, by Sy Montgomery Things My Son Needs to Know About the World, by Fredrik Backman Memoirs: As You Wish, by Cary Elwis; Bossypants, by Tina Fey, Hyperbole and a Half, by Allie Brosh; Solutions and Other Problems, by Allie Brosh; anything by David Sedaris A Walk In the Woods, by Bill Bryson Mary Roach books: Stiff, Gulp, and Grunt

Nick joins us again this time to talk about the three most recent books he's discussed with his book club from March to May, and a sneak preview of upcoming books to be read and discussed over the summer. Discussed: You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty, by Akwaeke Emez The Lost Apothecary, by Sarah Penner Once There Were Wolves, by Charlotte McConaghy Upcoming: Pineapple Street, by Jenny Jackson The Half Moon, by Mary Beth Keane Pieces of Blue, by Holly Goldbert Sloan

Tana is back to discuss some of our favorite memoirs by folks who are not celebrities, who have, arguably better stories to tell. Discussed: The Girl Who Smiled Beads, by Clemantine Wamariya I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet, by Shauna Niequist Almost American Girl, by Robin Ha We Ate Wonder Bread, by Nicole Hollander I'm Still Alive, by Roberto Saviano Poppies of Iraq, by Bridgitte Findakly Ducks, by Kate Beaton Educated, by Tara Westover Hillbilly Elegy, by JD Vance Brain on Fire, by Suzannah Cahalan Wild, by Cheryl Strayed All That You Leave Behind, by Erin Lee Carr The Liar's Club, by Mary Carr In a Dream House, by Carmen Maria Machado The Dirty Life, by Kristen Kimball Stitches, by David Small Maus, by Art Spiegelman

Discussed: Movies One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Rainman What's Eating Gilbert Grape? Forrest Gump Girl, Interrupted The Other Sister Snow Cake Silver Linings Playbook Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Still Alice Please Stand By The Accountant Perks of Being a Wallflower TV Shows Big Bang Theory The Good Doctor As We See It Nanette Books 10 Steps to Nanette, by Hannah Gadsby The Reason I Jump, Naoki Higashida The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion The Maid, by Nita Prose Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus Kiss Quotient, by Helen Hoang Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, by Mark Haddon Miracle Creek, by Angie Kim Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer The Good Sister, by Sally Hepworth The Hilarious World of Depression, by John Moe Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman Fan Girl, by Rainbow Rowell

Unlike me, Tana is a big movie-watcher and she's joining me this episode to discuss all the movies nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, and we'll also discuss a few others in other categories or nominees for other major awards. Oscar: Best Picture All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water The Banshees of Inisherin Elvis Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Top Gun: Maverick Triangle of Sadness Women Talking Tár Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Nominated for Supporting Actress, Costume Design, Original Song, Visual Effects, Makeup and Hairstyling) Menu (Nominated for Golden Globe Actor in Musical or Comedy) Woman King (Nominated for Golden Globe Best Actress, BAFTA and others, snubbed by Academy) RRR (Nominated for Original Song) Tell It Like a Woman (Nominated for Original Song) Argentina, 1985 (Nominated for International Film)

For Valentine's Day, Tana and I are happily talking about some of our favorite books with our favorite dogs, because the love of a dog is the purest love there is. We focus on modern books but pull from fiction, nonfiction, romance, memoirs, and children's books, and we will let you know if the dog dies. If ever in question and you need to know before committing to something, you can check www.doesthedogdie.com to find out if you'll need privacy, tissue and pet hugs or if it's safe to read while in public. Discussed: The Friend, by Sigrid Nunez (Dog: Apollo, may or may not die, ending ambiguous) London's Number One Dog Walking Agency, by Kate MacDougall (Many dogs, one dies) Love Story of Missy Carmichael, by Beth Morrey (Dog: Bob, dies) Ten Thousand Doors of January, by Alix E. Harrow (Dog: 'Bad, does not die) Lessons In Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus (Dog: 6:30, does not die) My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, Fredrik Backman (Dog: The Wurse, dies) Once There Were Wolves, Charlotte McConaghy (Dog: wolf pack, some die) Under the Whispering Door, by TJ Klune (Dog: Apollo, is a ghost) Daily Coyote, by Sherve Stockton (Dog: Charlie the coyote, does not die) Mongrel, by Steven Graham Jones (Dog: family of werewolves, do not die) Stay, by Allie Larkin (Dog: Joe, does not die) Fairy Tale, by Stephen King (Dog: Radar, doesn't die in the story, but does in the epilog) Mountaintop School For Dogs, by Ellen Cooney (Dog: many, none die) Ryder Creed series, by Alex Kava (Dog: many, none die in book 1) Bernie and Chet series, by Spencer Quinn (Dog: Chet, does not die) Andy Carpenter series, by David Rosenfelt (Dog: Tara, does not die) Mrs. Murphy series, by Rita Mae Brown (Dog: many) No Ordinary Dog, by Will Chesney (Dog: Cairo, dies) War Dogs, by Rebecca Frankel (Dog: many, some die) Love That Dog, by Sharon Creech (Dog: Sky, dies) Before You Were Mine, Maribeth Boelts (Dog: two of them, one dies, one does not die)

With the end of the year, in every area of entertainment, you can find lists of the best, and between reading everyone else's lists, Tana and I compiled our own book lists and we're happy to share with the hopes you might also find something to love. Tana's List: The Winners, Fredrik Backman Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van Pelt Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus Cover Story, Susan Rigetti Book of Goose, Yiyun Li Signal Fires, Dani Shapiro Mad Honey, Jodi Picoult The Lioness, Chris Bohjalian Swimmers, Julie Otsuka Fresh Water for Flowers, Valérie Perrin Honorable mention: Black Cake, Charmaine Wilkerson Last House on the Street, Diane Chamberlain Nikki's List The Winners, Fredrik Backman Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van Pelt Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus The Golden Enclaves: #3 in Scholomance Series, Naomi Novik Take My Hand, Dolen Perkins-Valdez Nine Lives, Peter Swanson Ink Black Heart, Robert Galbraith Fever, Mary Beth Keane Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmer Honorable mention: Killers of a Certain Age, Deanna Raybourn Woman in the Library, Sulari Gentill The Hacienda, Isabel Cañas The Book of Cold Cases, Simone St. James Once There Were Wolves, Charlotte McConaghey On a Quiet Street, Serafina Nova Glass Thistlefoot, JennaRose Nethercott

At my library, Nick has an Adult Popular Fiction book discussion group and he joins me today to discuss the more recent books they've read. I'd like to apologize for some of the audio glitches that occurred while Nick spoke -- we had hours of technical difficulties and at the end, I accepted whatever I could get. Discussed: Joan is Okay, by Weike Wang Last Night at the Lobster, by Stewart O'Nan Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid Jacqueline in Paris, by Ann Mah One Italian Summer, by Rebecca Serle Briefly mentioned: This Time Tomorrow, by Emma Straub Malibu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

A lot of popular series have a new book that either just came out or is coming soon and Tana joins me to discuss our recent favorites. Discussed: The Mason Series: The Confession Club, by Elizabeth Berg The Jaipur Trilogy: The Perfumist of Paris, by Alka Joshi Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series: Before Your Memory Fades, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi Finlay Donovan Series: Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, by Elle Cosimano Beartown Series: The Winners, by Fredrik Backman Scholomance Series: The Golden Enclaves, by Naomi Novik Thursday Murder Club Series: The Bullet That Missed, by Richard Osman

When I was thinking of an episode that I could do about scary material, I didn't want to repeat last year so I thought, what scares me most? And to that, it's always been human monsters, the ones who kill other humans. So for October, I have a list of shows, podcasts, and books for all of you interested in... MURDER! Discussed: Streaming Mindhunter (Netflix) Unbelievable (Netflix) Under the Benner of Heaven (on Hulu, not Prime as mentioned in the podcast) Only Murders in the Building (on Hulu, not Prime as mentioned in the podcast) Reacher (Prime) True Detective (HBO) The Killing (Hulu) Top of the Lake (Hulu) Luther (Hulu) Broadchurch (PBS) Very Scary People (Discovery+) Podcasts Casefile Crime Junkie Serial  Sword and Scale Man in the Window Over My Dead Body: Fox Lake Books I'll Be Gone In the Dark, by Michelle McNamara Furious Hours, by Casey Cep Midnight Assassin, by Skip Hollandsworth

The phrase "of a certain age" is so emblematic of the vague way we describe women in midlife and beyond because they seem to become more and more invisible as they age, and as I'm venturing through this precarious stage in life, I'm looking for more female characters I can relate to, who are not tied to hearth and home as their identity. I've had a few in my head for this episode for a while, but I found a few more with some research, and I'd like to share those with everyone so you also can enjoy spunky, sharp women who are not just someone's mom or someone's grandmom. Enjoy! Discussed: Britt-Marie Was Here, by Fredrik Backman State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett Unsheltered, by Barbara Kingsolver Celine, by Peter Heller Emily Maxwell series, by Stewart O'Nan The Beach House series, by Mary Alice Monroe Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osmon The Woman with the Knife, by Gu Byeong-mo The Marlow Murder Club, by Robert Thorogood Brigid Quinn series, by Becky Masterman The Mother-in-Law, by Sally Hepworth The Elderly Lady series, by Helene Turston Apples Never Fall, by Liane Moriarty Also recommended: Jody Picoult, Fannie Flagg, Anne Tyler, Terry McMillan, and Kristen Hannah. Women in Translation

I don't know what it is about summer that makes me want to read only fun books but I know I'm not alone. Whether it's a good thriller, a visit to a French graveyard, a safari, or a humorous letter to a man's son about life, we have a bunch of books that you can devour in a warm afternoon by the pool or on a road trip while there's still time. Buckle up, we've got some doozies. Discussed:  The Lioness, by Chris Bohjalian Fresh Water for Flowers, by Valérie Perrin Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt Music of Bees, by Eileen Garvin The Winners, by Fredrik Backman The Stranger, by Harlan Coben Things My Son Needs to Know About the World, Fredrik Backman The Old Woman With the Knife, by Gu Byeong-mo The Woman in the Library, by Sulari Gentill

What better time to talk about patriotism and what it's like to be an American than Independence Day? And no matter how you feel about events going on in the country right now, you know deep down you have love and a pride in the idea of America, what it is, and what it could be with some work. Here are books that epitomize American life throughout history, the good and the bad. Discussed: Killers of the Flower Moon - David Grann There, There - Tommy Orange Round House and The Sentence - Louise Erdrich Flight - Sherman Alexie Under the Banner of Heaven - Jon Krakauer The Witches - Stacy Schiff Five Days at Memorial - Sheri Fink 1776 - David McCullough Band of Brothers - Stephen E. Ambrose The Good Soldiers and Thank You For Your Service - David Finkel War Dogs - Rebecca Frankel Midnight Assassin - Skip Hollandsworth The Stranger Beside Me - Ann Rule Black Dahlia - James Ellroy Devil in the White City - Erik Larson I'll Be Gone In the Dark - Michelle McNamara Missoula - Jon Krakauer Beloved - Toni Morrison Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys and Harlem Shuffle - Coleson Whitehead I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou Between the World and Me - Ta-Nehisi Coates The Hate You Give - Angie Thomas Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston Twelve Years a Slave - Solomon Northup I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter - Erika L. Sanchez Ask a Mexican - Gustavo Arellano The Devil's Highway - Luis Alberto Urrea Operation Pedro Pan - Yvonne Conde Hillbilly Elegy - JD Vance Educated - Tara Westover Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer Malcom X, autobiography Lost Continent and I'm a Stranger Here Myself and A Walk In the Woods - Bill Bryson Book Woman of Troublesome Creek - Kim Michele Richardson The Great Alone - Kristin Hannah Small Great Things - Jodi Picoult This Is Where It Ends - Marieke Nijkamp Alex & Eliza - Melissa de la Cruz The Help - Kathryn Stockett Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chobsky Little Women - Louisa May Alcott The Crucible - Arthur Miller To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

Happy Pride Month! We have a number of Pride-related programs going on at our library this month and in addition, Tana and I have lots of books to recommend from authors who identify as LGBTQ+ or have main characters who do. We hope there is something for everyone on our list.  Discussed: Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, by Mariko Tamaki Check, Please! (series), by Ngozi Ukazu The Prince and the Dressmaker, by Jen Wang Vence (series), by C.S Pacat The Times I Knew I Was Gay, by Eleanor Crewes One Last Stop, by Casey McQuiston Upright Women Wanted, by Sarah Gailey The Great Believers, by Rebecca Makkai Outlawed, by Anna North And the Band Played On, by Randy Shilts The Color Purple, by Alice Walker Guncle, by Steven Rowley Aristotle & Dante (series), by Benjamin Alire Sáenz Burn It All Down, by Nicholas DiDomizio In the Dream House, by Carmen Maria Machado Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernadine Evaristo Author T.J. Klune Peaces, by Helen Oyeyemi This Is How It Always Is, by Laurie Frankel Author Sarah Waters The Cabin at the End of the World, by Paul Tremblay Mrs. Everything, by Jennifer Weiner The Portrait of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde The Danish Girl, by David Ebershoff Beartown (series), by Fredrik Backman Naked Nutrition, by Daniel O'Shaughnessy

Nick, our commercial announcer, has a new book club at our library called Adult Popular Fiction, which meets the third Saturday of every month, and he has just finished the third book, so we thought we'd share the books he's had for the book discussion and what he thought of them. Discussed: Peaces, by Helen Oyeyemi The Tiger Mom's Tale, by Lyn Liao Butler Women of Salt, by Gabriela Garcia

May is Asian Heritage Month and to celebrate we are highlighting Asian authors who have written books we've loved that we wanted to share. There are a lot of countries in Asia and we don't have representation for all of them today, but stay tuned and we will surely have more to come. Discussed: Before the Coffee Gets Cold, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi Housekeeper and the Professor, by Yōko Ogawa Pachinko, by Lee Min-jin Last Story of Mina Lee, by Nancy Jooyoun Kim Author Julie Otsuka: When the Emperor Was Divine; Buddha in the Attic; Swimmers On Earth We're  Briefly Gorgeous, by Ocean Vuong Time Is a Mother, by Ocean Vuong Night Tiger, by Yangsze Choo Dial "A" for Aunties, by Jesse A. Sutanto Clark & Division, by Naomi Hirahara Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng Traveling Cat Chronicles, by Hiro Arikawa Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore, by Kim Fu Buried Giant, by Kazuo Ishiguro Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan Searching for Sylvie Lee, by Jean Kwok They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei The Mountains Sing, by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai Library of Legends, by Janie Chang White Chrysanthemum, by Mary Lunn Bracht Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan Other staff recommendations: A Taste for Love, by Jennifer Yen Cursed Bunny, by Bora Chung Lonely Castle in the Mirror, by Mizuki Tsujimura Author: Gen Luen Yang Persepolis, by Maryjane Satrapi She Who Became the Sun, by Shelley Parker-Chan The Chosen and the Beautiful, by Nghi Vo The Cat Who Saved Books, by Sōsuke Natsukawa Farewell My Concubine, by Lilian Lee Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden