The Books We Loved

The Witch Herself (and other 90s YA Horror)

You thought spooky season was over, but you were absolutely wrong! Karen from Adult Services joins us this week to revisit the W.I.T.C.H series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, alongside some other favorite 90s horror titles. Because we always like to keep you guessing, we're focusing on the third book in the series, The Witch Herself, a fringe favorite that may or may not have stood the test of time. Tune in to find out, if you dare... 
Click here to find a list of books discussed on the show. 
Can't find your favorite obscure YA horror series in the collection? Mel.org will be your new best friend! Click here to learn how you can order books from any library in Michigan to be sent directly to your library. 

Nancy Drew

Run a comb through your titian hair and hop in your shiny blue convertible-- we have a mystery to solve! Manda and Olivia are joined by Margaret from TPL's Administration Office to investigate the puzzling question: Margaret loved the Nancy Drew series when she was young, but does that love hold up? Tune in to find out! 
Click here to find a list of books discussed in the show. 

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Lock your doors, get out your night light, and triple check the back seat of your car-- we're discussing Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz! Library Director Emily Dumas joins Manda and Olivia to revisit this creepy and controversial series and ask themselves: does it hold up? 
Click here to find a list of books discussed in this episode. 
Click here to read "Oh, Susannah," one of the stories discussed in the show. 
Happy Halloween, friends! 

Gilmore Girls

Throw on a pair of embarrassing jean shorts and fill your backpack with every classic in the collection-- this week we're talking about Gilmore Girls! Joining Manda & Olivia are Drew from the Digital Services Department and Erin, a Troy patron who attended a TPL Gilmore Girls Trivia Night years ago and has been our friend ever since! Our hosts loved Gilmore Girls in their youth, but what will they think of it now? 
 
Click here to learn more about Bed and Barkfest, Erin's amazing business! 
Click here to learn more about checking out mobile hotspots. 

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Step up with your hungry moose, your deserving porcupine, and your nine favorite baked goods-- we're revisiting Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon! Bob Bruner, Assistant City Manager of Troy, loved this book once, but what will we make of it now? 
 
Click here to find a list of books discussed in the show. 

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Gather 'round with your cauldron, your spellbook, and your friendly familiar-- this week, we're discussing The Witch of Blackbird Pond with Cassie from the Adult Services Department! Cassie loved this book when she was young, but what will our hosts make of the book today? 
 
Click here to find a list of books mentioned in the show. 
Click here to learn more about the Experience Kit collection. 

Alias

Grab your bright red wig and your secret pen camera and join us as we revisit the TV show Alias. Sam, a member of our Digital Services Department, loved this show once-- what will our hosts make of it now? 
Click here for a full list of books discussed in this episode. 
Learn more about the TPL Memory Lab here. 

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Can you hear that? The waves crashing on the shore? The wild dogs howling? This week, we're discussing Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins with our Head of Digital Services, Lauren Arnsman! Lauren loved it once, but how do our hosts feel about it now? 
Click here to learn more about Hoopla and Libby, two of TPL's glorious e-libraries. 
Click here to learn more about the true story behind the book. 
Click here to find a list of books discussed in the show. 
 

Beauty and the Beast

In this episode, Manda and Olivia are joined by Nicole Armstrong, an artist, performer, and marketer extraordinaire, to discuss the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast. All three hosts loved the film in childhood, but does it hold up? 
Click here to find a list of books featured in this episode. 
Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie, and let's begin! 

Where the Wild Things Are

In this (the very first!) episode, Manda and Olivia chat about the classic picture book, Where the Wild Things Are, written by Maurice Sendak. Manda loved this book once, but does it hold up? Listen to find out! 
Click here to find a list of books Manda and Olivia talked about in the show. 
Let the wild rumpus begin!