Using our Library Voices

Yangsze Choo’s The Fox Wife blends the supernatural, history, mystery, and a touch of romance. Her earlier novel, The Ghost Bride , was described by Anita Harris Satkunananthan in Southeast Asian Review of English as “Malaysian Chinese Domestic Gothic Fiction”—a description that captures the flavor of Choo’s storytelling. Join Beth as she shares what she enjoyed about The Fox Wife . Title: The Fox...

Celebrate Halloween by picking up a horror novel in a new subgenre! Esteban, Aleca, Nikki, and Laura offer some of the best in their favorites just for you!  Check out the full list of reads here:  Reading Room Radio: Haunted Hardcovers Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Jennifer Finch, John Harbaugh, Katelyn Helberg, Beth Kr...

Welcome to Civic Curiosity , the podcast that takes an in-depth look at the people and agencies that keep county government running. In this episode we sit down with Rhonda Spinks, the criminal exhibit archive manager, to explore the work that happens behind the courtroom doors. Rhonda takes us through what it means to preserve the physical records of the justice system: how exhibits are cared for...

It is still a spooky season takeover of Reading Room Radio, and if you need a book to fill the void left by watching “Obsession” and wanting more, Esteban and Crystal have the horror manga (plus one short story) recs for you.   Title: Killing Stalking   Mangaka: Koogi  Reviewer: Crystal M.  Title: Blood on the Tracks   Mangaka: Shuzo Oshimi  Reviewer: Esteban S.   Short Story: “All the parts of yo...

Got a kid that’s ready to graduate from Goosebumps? Horror in middle grade fiction is having a moment. Nikki is here with the recs:     Grin by D.W. Gillespie  I.R.L. by Jenny Goebel  It Came From the Trees by Ally Russell  Lost on Doll Island by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez  The Better to Eat You With by Tehlor Kay Mejia  A Coven of Witches by Various Authors  Don’t Turn Out the Lights by Various Author...

What happens to the evidence after the verdict is read? Who keeps it, and why does it matter decades later? Welcome to Civic Curiosity , the podcast that takes an in-depth look at the people and agencies that keep county government running. In this episode we sit down with Rhonda Spinks, the criminal exhibit archive manager, to explore the work that happens behind the courtroom doors. Rhonda takes...

Rival archaeologists, a secret expedition, and enough enemies-to-lovers tension to combust. Persis, Daisy, and Andrew share their review of this book's body count of white lies.  Title: Raiders of the Lost Heart Author: Jo Segura Reviewers: Daisy O., Persis H, Andrew P. A.  Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel...

It's Gulf Coast Reads season! Every October since 2011, readers across the upper Texas Gulf Coast have read or listened to the same book together. Katelyn, Rachel, and Kaitlyn talk about the anticipation of this year's book and their favorite characters. Learn more about our Gulf Coast Reads events . Visit our Eventbrite page to join the author talk at West University Community Center: G...

Welcome to Civic Curiosity , the podcast where we take an in-depth look at the people and agencies that keep county government running. This week, we spoke with Aman Ahluwalia, Director of Government Affairs for the District Clerk's Office, an agency responsible for everything from safeguarding sensitive court records to coordinating juries for trials.  If you've ever been curious about...

What happens when your inheritance a supervillain business? Title: Starter Villain Author: John Scalzi Reviewer: Mary M. Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu 

Can you handle the truth, or something close to it?   Title: The Fort Bragg Cartel - Drug Trafficking and Murder in the Special Forces Author: Seth Harp Title: The Affair Author: Lee Child Reviewed by: Rachel W. Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Alinda Mac,...

The Good Spice, Bad Writing team give their "hot or not" take on Bride by Ali Hazelwood. Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu 

 Welcome to Civic Curiosity , the podcast where we take an in-depth look at the people, and agencies that keep county government running. We begin this series with a conversation with Devonte Hill, Director of Communications and Engagement for the District Clerk's Office, an agency responsible for everything from safeguarding sensitive court records to coordinating juries for trials.  If you&...

You may be experiencing AI-fatigue like us, but whether you use it or not it might be time to start reading up if you haven’t already. Here are some books that look at the relationship between technology and society, the historical developments of Artificial Intelligence, and the ethical implications of what advancements in AI mean for us all.   Books mentioned in this episode:   Title: Superintel...

From sports to SciFi, romance travels across the genres, and August is Read a Romance month! Check out the list of subgenre reads recommended in this episode here: Reading Room Radio Recs Romance!   Recommendations from Nikki S., Esteban S., Crystal M., Anna W., and Mary M. Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, Joh...

Percy, Daisy, and Aris are over the moon about this series.  Find out why. Titles: The Wolf King and The Night Prince Author: Lauren Palphreyman Reviewed by: Percy, Daisy, Aris  Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Ka...

HCPL is a branded library card partner with the Laufey Book Club this year! Our limited edition library card design is being announced today, Friday, August 14th,  and online sign ups begin (and end) Sunday, August 23rd. Check hcpl.net for latest on this event! Books mentioned in this episode:   Title: My Antonia Author: Willa Cather Paired with “From the Start” Reviewed by: Esteban S. Title: Gogo...

Unicorns two ways: choose your spicy adventure! Katelyn reviews two historical fantasies that share a folkloric thread.   Title: The Unicorn Hunters   Author: Katherine Arden  Title: Greenteeth   Author: Molly O'Neill  Reviewed by: Katelyn H.  Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dyl...

Welcome to the Fifth episode of Survival By The Book , the podcast series where local librarians learn about how to prepare for emergencies because being prepared shouldn't be complicated.  When emergencies strike, preparation can make all the difference — and your local librarians are here to help you turn information into action. In this episode of Survival by the Book,  your local libraria...

Aleca shares her discoveries from non fiction and historical fiction reads centering on women in medieval times.  Title: Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It   Author: Janina Ramirez Title: Eleanore of Avignon Author: Elizabeth DeLozier Reviewer: Aleca J. Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members incl...

Nikki's review says "I do" to books of the wedding season, from guest list POV to the antics of the uninvited. The Wedding People by Alison Espach Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Q. Sutanto Last First Kiss by Julian Winters A Harlem Wedding by Tiffany L. Warren The Shippers by Katherine Center More Like Enemigas by Stephanie Hope The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa Our Perfect Storm...

Classic fairytales get a cosmic twist. Title: Lunar Chronicles Author: Marissa Meyer Reviewed by: Mary M   Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darcy Casavant, Darla Pruitt and Nancy Hu 

The verdict is in!  Check out if this was good spice or bad writing.  Both?  Neither?  Title: For Whom the Belle Tolls Author: Jaysea Lynn Reviewed by: Percy, Daisy, Aris  Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn...

So has the book delivered the spice?  Find out in this next installment.  Title: For Whom the Belle Tolls Author: Jaysea Lynn Reviewed by: Percy, Daisy, Aris  Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Katelyn Helberg, Darc...

Reading Room Radio hosts the team of Good Spice, Bad Writing starting this mini series. Title: For Whom the Belle Tolls Author: Jaysea Lynn Reviewed by: Percy, Daisy, Aris   Created by the Podcast Team at the Harris County Public Library. www.hcpl.net Podcast Team Members include: Beth Krippel, John Harbaugh, Mary Mink, Dylan Smith, Sadina Shawver, Alinda Mac, John Schaffer, Jennifer Finch, Kately...