The Books We Loved

The Books We Loved is a podcast about revisiting old favorites with an open mind and a new perspective. Despite the title, we won’t be limiting ourselves to books-- movies, music, TV shows, and other aspects of pop culture will be up for discussion. Hosts and TPL Librarians, Manda and Olivia (alongside some special guests from the Troy community!), will be asking themselves: does this book hold up?

Tune in to revisit your old favorites while adding some new titles to your TBR list.

Episodes

Jul 26, 2023

23 min

This week, Manda and Olivia are responding to listener requests! Our hosts will be sharing their favorite reads with their favorite listeners, from ikigai to high fantasy. At the request of one of our readers, no bodices were ripped in the making of this episode. 
 
Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. Happy reading! 
Click here to submit your own listener request. You might hear it in a future episode! 

Jul 12, 2023

58 min

Grab your psychic log and a hot cup of diner coffee-- today we're revisiting Twin Peaks with Mariel from Youth Services! 
 
Further Reading
Olivia mentions an article she'd read on the show-- click here to read "The Oldest Story: Toward a Theory of a Dead Girl Show" by Alice Bolin. 
 

Jun 28, 2023

49 min

Jeff Marraccini, Chief Information Security Officer at Altair and member of the Friends of the Troy Public Library Board, joins our hosts to revisit Octavia E. Butler's classic sci-fi novel, The Parable of the Sower. Tune in to hear their conversation about climate fiction and Butler's lasting literary legacy. 
 
Click here for Jeff's expert list of science fiction recommendations. 
Click here to learn more about the Friends of the Troy Public Library. 

Jun 14, 2023

48 min

Grab your magic action figure and your coolest new hoodie-- today we're talking about the hit graphic novel/TV series, American Born Chinese! Spoiler alert: we liked it. 
Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 

Jun 7, 2023

16 min

Manda and Olivia are back to tell you what to read! We don't call it bossy, we call it "public librarianship," and it's going to blow your mind. 
Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 
Still not sure what to read? Click here to tell us a little about what you're in the mood for, and Manda and Olivia will pick a book just for you on the air. 

May 31, 2023

50 min

Now that Succession has wrapped up, we're getting nostalgic for some old-school high-stakes finance stories. So grab your Rolodex, your briefcase, and your bags of money and join us as we revisit the 1987 classic, Wall Street. 
Our absolutely fabulous guess this time around is Scott Wyckoff from Walsh College, who kindly helps two baffled public librarians understand new things about the world of sales and finance. 
Click here for a list of books discussed on the show, including some of Scott's favorite sales books. 

Center Stage

May 17, 2023

May 17, 2023

53 min

Set fire to your pointe shoes, my friends, we're talking about the 2000 dance movie, Center Stage! Library Director Emily Dumas returns, this time with her sister Mary in tow, to examine the cultural impact of this movie and so many other great dance movies. Tune in as we ask ourselves: does this movie hold up? 
Need something good to read? Click here to tell Manda and Olivia a little bit about your reading preferences, and they will recommend some great books to you in a future episode. 
 
 

Judy Blume

May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

43 min

Join us as we revisit the literary legacy of the one, the only, Judy Blume. Karen from Adult Services visits to dissect classics such as Freckle Juice, Wifey, Then Again, Maybe I Won't, and of course, Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. 
Whether you've been a Blume stan for years or are just now getting into her writing thanks to the recent documentary Judy Blume Forever or the movie version of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, we'd love for you to join us as we talk all things Blume. 
Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 
Not sure what to read? Click here to ask for a book recommendation from Manda and Olivia. 

May 8, 2023

27 min

Our very first requests-only episode is here! Listeners asked for book recommendations, and we came through. Tune in to add some new books to your TBR list. 
Need something good to read? Click here to tell Manda and Olivia a little bit about your reading preferences, and they will recommend some great books to you on a future episode of The Books We Loved. 
Click here for a list of the books discussed on the show. 

Star Wars

May 3, 2023

May 3, 2023

36 min

May the force be with you as you embark upon our Star Wars episode featuring library patron and Star Wars expert, Michael! Tune in to learn about everything from George Lucas's contentious relationship with his fans to the origin of the term "space opera." 
Need something good to read? Click here to tell Manda and Olivia a little bit about your reading preferences, and they will recommend some great books to you on a future episode of The Books We Loved. 

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