This week we're talking about books that release in 2023 that we're super excited about! There's a whole lot of gushing and a whole lot of excitement - you can be sure your libraries will have these stocked as soon as we can, and we're going t
It's been a hot minute since we've been here chatting about books with you, but we're so excited to bring this joint venture between the Anamosa Library and Learning Center, where Erin is now director, and the Columbus Junction Public Library,
We love a good pet story - the furry friends in our lives keep us entertained to no end! In this episode, we talk about a variety of picture books and juvenile fiction with pets as the central theme but tons of variations around it - dragons, s
We're taking a quick detour this episode from books and onto programs available within the Louisa County community. On this episode, MaKayla Glenn from the RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) shares about the various programs the Iowa Dep
We're putting this year's favorite books up against each other in a single elimination style March Madness bracket! Each day during the month of March, visit our Facebook page (@ColumbusJctPublicLibrary) for a poll for that day's match up - the
We're back with PART II (*FINALLY*) with our interview with LeAnn Kunz, answering the burning question of which main character from a book would you like to be snowed into a cabin with? We also discuss side characters and authors. As you can im
We’re SUPER EXCITED to get part 1 of our interview with Washington Public Library’s Assistant Director, LeAnn, out today! After some wild audio issues and technology that decided to have a case of the Mondays for weeks on end, we’re super excit
In this episode, Erin and Mandy chat about Iowa-adjacent books - books with Iowa as a setting, Iowa authors, crowd-sourced by Iowans, or some other connection to the state! Also in this episode - a slight digression about words that sound made
We’ve come to the end of another year, so it’s another wrap-up list! Top books checked out in the library and online, top videos and TikToks, and podcast year in review. Have you read any of these top titles?! There’s some surprises along the w
We're throwing DOWN for DONUTS! Over winter break, the Library has challenged our local elementary school to a reading contest! We're sending home logs to record every 20 minutes read over break, and the winning classroom will be surprised with
In this episode, Erin and Mandy share their favorite book descriptions of food, just in time for Thanksgiving. It started off as three books, but morphed into four, and then some honorable mentions at the end, always coming back to potatoes (ag
On this episode, Erin and Mandy chat about different reading platforms, including those available with your library card and those available for everyone via the worldwide interwebs. From classics to animated children's books to a new-ish story
Ever wonder what the inspiration was behind some of your favorite books and authors? Well, do we have some doozies for you - gruesome, weird tales from author's real lives and how they've inspired their writing. From the birth of science fictio
In this episode, Erin and Mandy kick off spooky season with 12 new books (and some others that randomly pop up) that are perfect for your spooky season reading! Some non-fiction, some fiction, some weaving together elements from different genre
In this episode, Erin and Mandy discuss tropes - plot devices that follow a traditional pattern or trajectory that will seem familiar or allow the reader (or viewer of movies) to know what is happening without the author needing to explain (thi
The wild, bananas case of Chuck, in prison for first-degree murder, and Sara, world famous author. Buckle up, buttercup - this one is a rollercoaster! Sara Gruen, of "Water for Elephants" fame, befriends a convicted murderer following a fan let
On this episode of Beyond the Bookshelf, Erin and Mandy chat about favorite mysteries and crime-related books. Some may be classified as other genres, but we'll make the case as to why these books made the cut for this episode. Alternative titl
A quick update and check-in on Erin and Mandy's reading challenges - what they've read, what they're supposed to be reading, and a whole bunch more! If you're joining us for the reading challenge we developed, or you're looking for inspirati
This episode is a wild ride full of spooky places, scary movies, true crime, books, and more with Iowa gothic horror author S. Feaker! She shares a bit about her own "are you kidding me?!" stories and writing process. If you're looking for a gr
On this episode, Erin and Mandy chat about books they're glad they didn't finish for a variety of reasons...terror...content...just plain boring. Who knows?! No beef with any of these books - sometimes it's just not the right time in your life
Take a trip around the world with Erin and Mandy today! Reading Colors Your World is the summer reading theme for Iowa libraries, and we're issuing a special challenge! Read one book from each continent (except Antarctica) by the end of summer
Alternative Titles"rated R for romance""The one where Mandy outs her Mom""The one where we say spicy a lot""The one with a Sue recommendation" The episode you all have been waiting for...Love Books!
Pandemics? Concern over books transmitting diseases? Quarantine? Sanitizing processes? If this all sounds familiar, you're right - we ARE indeed talking about the great book scare of 1880-1920!! Alternate titles to this episode include "I said
This episode, Erin and Mandy share their favorite read alouds for all ages! Some nonfiction, picture books, and juvenile fiction can be found in here! Check out our website for the complete list of all the books discussed in this episode: https
We're trying something a little different this time and bringing our love of true crime to you, but with a library connection. The story of the Transy book heist - it's a doozy of movie references, hilarity, and theft. At this point, we couldn'