Check This Out

Welcome back to Check This Out 3.0! Join us for episode 1 as Danae, Jessica, and Andy look at some titles that are new to the library.Titles mentioned in this episode:Infected for ScienceThe Beheading GameHow to be a Rich Old LadyWell EndowedParent Like a Millionaire (without being one)This Land is Your LandTravels with CharleyThe Lincoln HighwayDog AffirmationsWakara's AmericaThe Unfinished Business of 1776London FallingCave MountainWestward WomenAtlas of BordersThe Library of Lost MapsGo GentleCleopatra*music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they discuss "The Littlest Library" by Poppy Alexander and also learn what is in store for the podcast!*music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they discuss which books they read to complete the Winter Reading Challenge. Full booklist can be found on our library catalog:Check This Out Season Six | Norfolk Public Library*music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they finish their discussion of "Beloved" by Toni Morrison as part of the Modern Classics category in the Classics Campaign. *music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they discuss the first half of "Beloved" by Toni Morrison as part of the Modern Classics category in the Classics Campaign at the Norfolk Public Library. *music provided by Pixabay

Join Allie, Emily, and Danae as they discuss the second half of "The Sentence" by Louise Erdrich, to fulfill the Winter Reading Challenge category: "A Book by a Native American Author". *music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they talk about part one of "The Sentence" by Louise Erdrich, which fulfills the category "A Book by a Native American Author (in Awareness of 250 Years of the U.S.) for the Winter Reading Challenge. *music provided by Pixabay

Join Allie, Danae, and Emily as they discuss the second half of "The September House" by Carissa Orlando, which fulfills the Winter Reading Challenge category: a book with a month in the title. *music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they fulfill the Winter Reading Challenge category "a book with a month in the title" and discuss chapters 1-15 of "The September House" by Carissa Orlando. *music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Emily, and Allie as they finish up their discussion of "Hemlock and Silver" by T. Kingfisher to fulfill the "Classic Retelling" category for the Winter Reading Challenge at the library. *music provided by Pixabay

Welcome to Season Six of the podcast! This season we will be reading four books: three from the Winter Reading Challenge, and one from our Classics Campaign. In today's episode we will discuss part one of "Hemlock and Silver" by T. Kingfisher. This is Emily H's pick from the "Retelling of a Classic" category in the Winter Reading Challenge. Titles mentioned in this episode:The September HouseThe SentenceBeloved*music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae as she talks with Jessica and Andy about their top five reads of the year! Titles mentioned in this episode:Everything is TuberculosisDungeon Crawler CarlTress of the Emerald SeaA Short Stay in HellThe HusbandsThe End is Always NearNuclear WarJamesBerlinThe Road to Tender HeartsThe House of LeavesA Marriage at Seamusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they discuss their top five reads of 2025 and talk about what is ahead for Season 6 in the new year.Titles mentioned in this episode:Zip It: The Keep It Shut 40-Day ChallengeAll You Have to Do Is CallTheo of GoldenOne Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns DuologyWhen the Sea Came AliveLife & Death & GiantsEight Perfect MurdersThe Rose CodeThe CorrespondentAll the Colors of the DarkLegendborn Black Woods Blue SkyThe God of the WoodsThe Feminine MystiqueWild Dark ShoreThe Dictionary of Lost Wordsmusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily for the last episode of Season 5 as they discuss Charlotte's Web by E.B. White and give their adult reading recommendations. Thank you for joining us this season and stay tuned for our best reads of the year episode!Titles mentioned in this episode:Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van PeltAnimal Farm by George OrwellThe Rain Heron by Robbie ArnottTimbuktu by Paul AusterThe Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie MackesyAll Creatures Great and Small by James HerriotPony Confidential by Christina Lynchmusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Andy as they discuss the first book in the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine and give their adult horror read alikes for this book. Enjoy this episode just in time for Halloween!Titles mentioned in this episode:Salem's Lot by Stephen KingHaunting of Hill House by Shirley JacksonHouse of Leaves by Mark Z. DanielewskiMiss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom RiggsScary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin SchwartzWe Live Here Now by Sarah PinboroughI Am Legend by Richard MathesonThe Passage by Justin Croninmusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they discuss the very first Nancy Drew mystery by Carolyn Keene and give their adult mystery recommendations. Titles mentioned in this episode:The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha ChristieThe Thousand-Dollar Tan Line by Rob ThomasThe No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall SmithChocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne FlukeThe Trespasser by Tana FrenchThe Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata MasseyA Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jacksonmusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they discuss the first book in A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket and try to find adult recommendations with dark humor and absurdist plotlines! Also, how serendipitous that we are publishing this on the 13th of the month!Titles mentioned:Nothing to See Here by Kevin WilsonSomething Wicked This Way Comes by Ray BradburyThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas AdamsThe Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna JohnstonFool Series by Christopher MooreNot Quite Dead Yet by Holly JacksonCatch-22 by Joseph Hellermusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they discuss the first book in the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and talk about adult pioneer stories that are engrossing reads!Titles mentioned:Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline FraserCaroline: Little House, revisited by Sarah MillerA Wilder Rose by Susan Wittig AlbertGiants in the Earth: a saga of the prairie by O.E. RolvaagProving Her Claim: on the Dakota Frontier by CK Van DamA Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter AldrichAnything by Willa CatherLittle Heathens by Mildred Armstrong KalishLone Women by Victor LaVallemusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily as they sit down and discuss "The Boxcar Children" by Gertrude Chandler Warner and recommend adult read alikes.Titles mentioned in this episode:The Dutch House Ann PatchettFun For the Whole Family Jennifer E. SmithThe Turner House Angela FlournoyThe Orphan Collector Ellen Marie WisemanA Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius Dave EggersWhen in Rome Series Sarah Adams:When in RomePractice Makes PerfectBeg, Borrow, or StealIn Your Dreamsmusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily H. as they sit down and discuss "Beezus and Ramona" by Beverly Cleary and talk about adult read alikes that feature sister relationships.Titles mentioned in this episode:Sense and Sensibility Jane AustenThe Princess of Thornwood Drive Khalia MoreauSisters First Jenna Bush HagerThe Bookbinder Pip WilliamsMy Sister's Keeper Jodi PicoultHome is Where the Bodies Are Jeneva RoseSummer Sisters Judy Blumemusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily H. as they re-read or read the first book in The Babysitters Club series by Ann M Martin. Emily and Danae recommend six novels for adult read-alikes if you loved The Babysitters Club. Titles Mentioned in this Episode:The Giver of Stars Jojo MoyesThe Guncle Steven RowleyThe Confession Club Elizabeth BergThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie BarrowsThe Island of Sea Women Lisa SeeThe Bookshop Sisterhood Michelle Lindo-Ricemusic provided by Pixabay

Welcome to Season Five of Check This Out where we will be reading nostalgic grade school classics and pairing them with grownup read alikes. Join Danae, Allie, Emily H., and Andy as they sit down to discuss one of the American Girl books: "Meet Molly" by Valerie Tripp.Titles mentioned in this episode:The Kitchen Front Jennifer RyanThe Call of the Wrens Jenni L WalshThe Last Year of the War Susan MeissnerThe Diamond Eye Kate QuinnDear Mrs. Bird AJ Pierce The Woman with No Name Audrey Blake (Danae was incorrect about the Dear Mrs. Bird series. That book is the third in the series and the fourth book, Dear Miss Lake, just came out)music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Emily H., and Allie as they sit down and discuss the books that they have loved reading this summer. This is the last episode for the summer and Check This Out will be back in September with a whole new season!Books mentioned in this episode:The Heartbeat LibraryThe Four LovesThe CorrespondentThe Nickel BoysIn the Likely EventWhat Kind of ParadiseJamesWickedBefore DorothyTheo of GoldenThe All-AmericanLost YouThe Road to Tender HeartsActs of VioletNone of This is TrueThe CompoundNineteen MinutesProblematic Summer RomanceWalking Across Egyptmusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae and Allie as they "unbox" Teagan Debban who works part-time in our circulation department.Books mentioned in this episode:A Tale of Two CitiesThe Wedding Planner's DaughterThe Housemaid seriesThe Chronicles of Narnia Do Not DisturbThe Soul of Shamemusic provided by Pixabay

Join Danae, Emily H., and Allie as they discuss "My Friends" by Fredrik Backman and discover why Allie says, "This book made me feel things."Other books mentioned in this episode:A Man Called OveAnxious PeopleBeartownmusic provided by Pixabay

Join us for a special bonus episode with Danae and Allie as they unbox Jennifer Olson, our library's administrative assistant. Titles mentioned in this episode:Watership DownThe Star ThrowerFinding MeGreen LightsThe Earth Sea seriesWe Used to Live HereDoppelgangerGwenhwyfarHome Before DarkBlack Woods, Blue SkyHeartwoodOrdinary TimeMusic provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae as she sits down with prolific author Dr. Lydia Kang who will be coming to the Norfolk Public Library on June 17th* at 6:30pm as part of our Norfolk Library Comicon.*edited to say that Dr. Kang will be coming on Monday June 16th at 6:30pm.Titles mentioned in this episode:Dick and Jane booksThe Secret KittenMr. Pine's Purple HouseCharlie and the Chocolate FactoryJames and the Giant PeachA Wrinkle in TimeLittle House seriesBlack Cauldron seriesSeverance TV seriesAndor TV seriesConclaveJane EyreVilletteThe ThornbirdsThe Lord of the Rings trilogyPersuasionK-JaneMusic provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Whitney, and Jessica as they sit down and talk about cosplay, how it will be utilized in our Norfolk Library Comicon, and how you can use our library resources to help you make a great costume!Books on cosplay from our library:A Guide to Film and TV CosplayLevel up! Creative Cosplay1000 Incredible Costume and Cosplay IdeasThe Art of Cosplay and Creative MakeupMusic provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae as she sits down with special guests Sierra Steinhauser and Charlie Henkel as we talk about two aspects of our Norfolk Library Comicon: RPGs and LARPing! Say what? Tune in for a great rundown of these two events!jchobby.comMusic provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Whitney, and Amy O. as they sit down to talk about graphic novels vs comic books and why graphic novels are such an important part of our library's collection. This is a continuation of our series on our Norfolk Library Comicon. Graphic novels mentioned in this episode:A Contract with God The RoadOne Piece seriesMax AxiomBabysitters ClubMagic TreehouseHello KittyPokemonSweet Valley TwinsPercy JacksonArtemis FowlGraphic Novel Suggestions:Adult:MacbethDune seriesJujutsu Kaisen manga seriesThe Three-Body Problem seriesYA:My Hero Academia manga seriesHakumei and Mikochi manga seriesOthello Heartstopper seriesJF:Yokai Cats seriesCupcake Diaries seriesNathan Hale History seriesSmileDog Man seriesThe Bad Guys seriesNarwhal seriesEl DeafoInvisibleMusic provided by Pixabay.

Welcome to Season Four of Check This Out! Join Danae, Whitney, and Amy O. as they discuss Norfolk Public Library's first ever Comicon!https://doartproductions.org/https://bobhall.com/https://lydiakang.com/Music provided by Pixabay.com

Join Danae and Allie in this special bonus episode where we unbox our new Patron Services supervisor, Andrew McClemens. Next week we will begin Season Four of our podcast all about our first ever Norfolk Library Comicon!Titles mentioned in this episode:Drummer HoffGoosebumps seriesAmerican Girl SeriesWickedElphieBerlin graphic novelStephen Biesty's Cross-Sections CastleThe Perfect CoupleHitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyDuneMusic provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Allie, and Emily H., as they discuss their opinions of the latest Hunger Games book, "Sunrise on the Reaping".Music provided by Pixabay.

We are ACTUALLY wrapping up Season 3 by talking about all of the categories of the Winter Reading Challenge and what we thought of this year's challenge.Books mentioned in this episode:The Darling Dahlias and the Poinsettia PuzzleAccidentally EngagedWhat to Cook When You Don't Feel Like CookingThe Track the Whales MakeWhale Day and other PoemsA Tale of Two CitiesThis is a Love StoryThe Thursday Murder ClubLeonard and Hungry PaulLillian Boxfish Takes a WalkThree Holidays and a WeddingSome Desperate GloryThe Extraordinary Life of Sam HellYou Know HerThe FriendDeaf UtopiaInterabled: true stories about love and disabilityThe Night CircusHeadshotDinosaurs Before DarkEnchantmentThe Human FactorMusic provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Emily H., and Jessica as we discuss parts 10-12 of "The Friend" by Sigrid Nunez. This completes our podcast book club discussions for the Winter Reading Challenge. Link to the article mentioned in this episode: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/05/13/an-a-list-animal-trainer-prepares-a-great-dane-for-his-film-debut Also, the Winter Reading Challenge ends on March 14th, NOT March 16th. Music provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Emily H, and Jessica as they discuss parts 7-9 of "The Friend" by Sigrid Nunez. Music provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Emily H., and Jessica as they discuss parts 4-6 of "The Friend" by Sigrid Nunez. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJh4qrynJH8 https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50465/thanatopsis Music provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Emily H, and Jessica as they sit down and discuss parts 1-3 of "The Friend" by Sigrid Nunez. Trigger warning: there are many sensitive topics that are in this book and that we will be discussing throughout the rest of this series.Music provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Emily H., and Allie as they discuss Part 5 and the wrap up of "My Antonia". Music provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Emily H., and Allie as they discuss Part Four of My Antonia. Music provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Emily H., and Allie as they discuss Part 3 of My Antonia. Music provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Emily H. and Allie as they discuss Part Two of My Antonia for the Norfolk Public Library Winter Reading Challenge. Rachel Olsen, the Director of Education and Engagement at the National Willa Cather Center, sent us this link where you can go and take a virtual tour of the Institute and see the native prairie as it was in Willa Cather's time: https://www.willacather.org/visit/willa-cather-memorial-prairie Music provided by Pixabay. *apologies for the intermittent crackling in the audio!

Join Danae, Emily Hilkemann, and Allie Zuberbier as they discuss Part One of My Antonia for the Winter Reading Challenge. (We had some trouble with crackling in the audio towards the beginning and end of the podcast, just FYI.) Let us know if you have any comments or questions about Part One. Music provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae, Jessica, Emily H., Whitney, and Allie as we talk about our favorite reads of 2024! *edited to add that Huck Finn is NOT by Tom Sawyer. (Insert eye roll!) Music provided by Pixabay. Books mentioned: Verity Black River Orchard The Boys Lanny The Road The Midnight Feast The Book of Ichigo Ichie The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society The Comfort Crisis Cloistered: My Years as a Nun The Third Wife of Faraday House Down with the System: a memoir (of sorts) The Age of Magical Overthinking Less James We Used to Live Here The Sentence The Guncle Abroad How to be Perfect Time of the Child Sharp Objects The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell Etta and Otto and Russell and James Sandwich Loved and Missed The Three-Body Problem Barbara Isn't Dying All the Colors of the Dark I Cheerfully Refuse Author Chloe Liese Well Met series by Jen DeLuca Heartstopper graphic novel series Miss Benson's Beetle Invisible

Get a preview of what is coming to Season Three beginning on January 6th, 2025. If you love reading and discussing books, you won't want to miss out on what is next!

Join Danae and Anneka as they talk about how their recommendations were received and also make an announcement about the podcast going forward. Titles mentioned in this episode: Ordinary Monsters Once There Were Wolves Want Migrations The Girl Who Drank the Moon An Immense World Immune Music provided by Pixabay

Join us for the last regular episode of the season as Danae and Anneka do Custom Reads picks for each other with the help of Emily Hilkemann. Titles mentioned in this episode: Song of Achilles The Disenchantment The Heart of Winter The Night Boat to Tangier Mirrored Heavens *The Family Fang *The Survivalists *Faebound *The Priory of the Orange Tree *The Final Revival of Opal and Nev *The Water Dancer *The Girl who Drank the Moon Piranesi *Migrations *Malas *The Master Butcher Singing Club The Round House *The Morningside *The Jetsetters *Want *Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead Blue Sisters *denotes Custom Reads recommendations Music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae and Anneka as they sit down with Sue Burns, a member of our Library Foundation, to talk about books and give her some new title suggestions. Titles mentioned in this episode: The House of Doors *The Lion Women of Tehran The Stationery Shop *The Children's Crusade *The Paris Wife A Moveable Feast *The Great Believers *Braiding Sweetgrass A Man Called Ove *Barbara Isn't Dying Commonwealth The God of the Woods *denotes Custom Reads recommendations Music provided by Pixabay.

Join Danae and Anneka as they sit down with Don Polodna, member of the Library Foundation, and his wife Nancy. Titles mentioned in this episode: *How to Read a Book *The Frozen River *The Nature of Fragile Things *Summer Romance *Cape Refuge *The Maid The Housemaid Remarkably Bright Creatures *denotes Custom Reads recommendations Music provided by Pixabay

Join Danae and Anneka as they sit down with Brian Porn, member of the Library Board, to give him some new book recommendations. Titles mentioned in this episode: The River We Remember This Tender Land Bird Box *Gabriel's Story No Country for Old Men The Road *The End of the World Running Club *Sleepwalk *The River *The Passage The Girl with All the Gifts The Ferryman *Plum Rains The Murder Bot Diaries *The Last Cuentista *denotes Custom Reads selections Music provided by Pixabay