Behind the Books

Bob and Anna debut a new segment, "Catch Up with MCLS" toperiodically revisit past guests from the MCLS staff. This episode they touch base with Youth Services Coordinator, Christine Crawford. Jayci Lee discusses her latest release, King Foretold , the second book, in the Realm of Four Kingdoms series, as well as her most recent contemporary romance, Give Me a Reason . Shannon Tuorto&#39...

Anna and Bob close out their fifth Behind the Books year with two author interviews! First, they chat with bestselling author, Carrie Turansky, a local creator of inspirational historical and contemporary novels and novellas. Then from across the pond, author, comic artist, and Illustrator, Lara Pickle, talks about her 2025 Alex Award graphic novel, I Feel Awful, Thanks! Shannon Tuorto is back wit...

Joe Jenkins, Head of Circulation at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, shares with us all the magic that happens at the Circulation Desk. Auralee Wallace discusses her latest book, The Late-Night Witches . Shannon Tuorto's "60 Seconds with Shannon" provides a teaser to the recently released edition of the children's book, Hansel and Gretel , authored by Stephen King with illustrat...

Soumya Balaji from the Circulation Department at West Windsor joins Anna and Bob to talk about the small joys of library cards and impromptu book chats. Jane Willan discusses her latest book, Widow's Walk . Shannon Tuorto provides an overview of The Rom-Com Cookbook by Tara Theoharis during "60 Seconds with Shannon." Intro and Welcome 4:45 Interview with Soumya Balaji 13:11 Programs...

Anna and Bob have a talk with Laiba Khurshid about her role in Circulation at the Hopewell Branch. Andrea Zuill, author and illustrator of children's books, discusses her most recent release, Bob the Vampire Snail , as well as the challenges and joys of creating books for a younger audience. Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring the book, Capture the Mome...

Debby Scherholz, Friends of the Hickory Corner Library President, shares the magic that happens behind the scenes of one of our invaluable Friends groups. Jonathan Gould discusses his latest book, Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock . Shannon Tuorto provides an overview of A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna during "60 Sec...

Tyler Restucci discusses with Anna and Bob her role at the Twin Rivers Branch. Contemporary fiction author XiXi Tian delves into her upcoming novel, All the Way Around the Sun , available September 30. Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon" to share her thoughts on Matchmaking for Psychopaths by Tasha Coryell. Intro and Welcome 3:12 Interview with Tyler Restucci 13:34 Pr...

Rebekkah Siegelheim provides the inside scoop of a student assistant's work amidst the carts of books at the Hopewell Branch. Angela M. Sanders discusses the last installment of her Witch Way Librarian Mysteries series, Witch and Tell , as well as a A Whiff of Murder -- a debut spin-off from Witch Way Librarian Mysteries -- due out February 2026. Intro and Welcome 3:05 Rebekkah Siegelheim 10:3...

Jennifer French discusses her role at the Ewing Branch with Anna and Bob. Mia Sosa, an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, discusses her most recent book, When Javi Dumped Mari . Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring a selection of "beach reads" for our listeners. Intro and Welcome 3:52 Interview with Jennifer Fre...

Angela Fee-Maimon from the West Windsor branch, shares her library experience with Anna and Bob.  Novelist and poet Laurie Sheck discusses her most recent novel, Cyborg Fever .  Shannon Tuorto provides an overview of Our Infinite Fates , by New York Times bestselling Young Adult author Laura Steven, during "60 Seconds with Shannon." No Cyborgs Here Intro and Welcome 5:14 Interview with A...

Darya Tahvildar Zadeh discusses her role at the Hightstown Memorial Library Branch with Anna and Bob. Ezra Jack Keats Award-winning author, Anne Wynter discusses her recent picture book, So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story , illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey. Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring an overview of #1 New York Times bestselling author, Fredrik Backman...

Kartika Shree shares her experience at the West Windsor Branch with Anna and Bob.  Award-winning poet and novelist Diane Wald discusses her most recent novel, The Bayrose Files , as well as transitioning back and forth between poetry and fiction.  Shannon Tuorto is back with "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring an overview of the newest release, The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds , by U...

Anna and Bob talk with Susan Cox about her role in the Circulation Department at the Hopewell Branch. Juana Martinez-Neal discusses her experience as a picture book illustrator/writer, sharing details about illustrating the recently released, Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa (written by Sara Andrea Fajardo), as well as the upcoming release, A Gift of Dust (written by Martha Brockenbrough)...

Marwa Khurshid discusses her role at the Hightstown Memorial Library Branch with Anna and Bob.  Emmeline Duncan talks cozy mysteries with a twist -- specifically her recent release, Fatal Brouhaha from the Ground Rules series, as well as the next installment of the Halloween Bookshop series, Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding (forthcoming July 29, 2025).  Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds...

Anna and Bob talk with Lauren Fredrick about her position in the Youth Services Department at the West Windsor Branch.  Alka Joshi shares her pathway to being a writer, as well as insight to her newly released novel, Six Days in Bombay . Shanon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring an overview of the newest release, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls , by horror/thriller a...

Anna and Bob talk with Anthony Mazakas-Dong about taking the Information Technology Library Associate position in the MCLS IT Department. Emily Everett shares the ins and outs of her debut novel, All That Life Can Afford. This episode debuts "Take Two," a segment featuring a past author guest. Kelly Bennett gives a sneak peak to her newest book, Out of the Mouth of Babe: Babe Ruth on Life: Pitchin...

Anna and Bob sit down and talk libraries with Elizabeth Hess, the Youth Services Librarian at the Twin Rivers Branch.  Sarah Harman discusses the unique circumstances leading to her highly anticipated debut novel, All the Other Mothers Hate Me . "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring Hopewell Branch staff member Shannon Tuorto, provides a quick overview of the Jeneva Rose's mystery thr...

Anna and Bob chat with Chloe Peterson from the Circulation Team at the Ewing Branch. Mark Mustian discusses his newest book, The Boy with Wings , as well as the ins and outs of Word of South, a festival of literature and music, founded by Mustian in 2015. "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring Hopewell Branch staff member Shannon Tuorto, provides a quick overview of the recently published...

Charley Christensen from Circulation at the Hickory Corner Branch shares her journey to the library with Anna and Bob. Carly Anne West joins this episode to discuss her craft of bringing the eerie to readers of all ages, as well as to share what's in store with her upcoming installment in the The Ghosts of Nameless Island series, The Boy Who Could Fly . A new segment, "60 Seconds with Sha...

Anna and Bob talk with Soniya Kim from Youth Services at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch. Jennifer Nielsen, New York Times bestselling author, joins our co-hosts to discuss her upcoming historical fiction book, One Wrong Step , as well as her experience moving her focus between fantasy novels and historical fiction... Intro and Welcome 3:30 Interview with Soniya Kim 13:09 Programs and Services @...

Anna and Bob talk with Asha Chukumba from the Reference Team at the Ewing Branch. Award-winning writer and illustrator. Bruce Hale, joins our co-hosts to discuss his new series, Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club, as well as strategies to encourage the reluctant reader. Intro and Welcome 5:25 Interview with Asha Chukumba 17:00 Programs and Services @ MCLS 19:24 Interview with Bruce Hale 33:19 Summary...

Anna and Bob talk with staff members from across the Mercer County Library System about books and movies they are looking forward to in 2025!  Intro and Welcome 2:09 Amelia's 2025 Picks 8:46 Corina's 2025 Picks 15:33 Em's 2025 Picks 21:50: Programs and Services @ MCLS 25:58 Shannon's 2025 Picks 36:13 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Amelia's List of 2025 Titles The Seven Rings b...

Anna and Bob discuss some highlights from 2024, as well as meet up for a chat with editor and author, Lauren Ling Brown about her debut novel, Society of Lies . Intro and Welcome 15:54 Programs and Services @ MCLS 20:10 Interview with Lauren Ling Brown 32:24 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Additional information about Lauren Ling Brown is available at https://laurenlingbrown.com/ A recording of "...

Anna and Bob talk with Lydia Weltmann, author of the Wingomia Guide Trilogy (and who happens to work in the library's Administration Office). Elizabeth Bass, author of over forty novels of women's fiction, romance, and mystery under her own name and the pseudonyms Liz Ireland and Liz Freeland, shares the latest from her Mrs. Claus series, Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year’s. Intro and W...

Anna and Bob talk with Christina Zipp from the Circulation Team at the Robbinsville Branch. Best-selling author, Catherine Bruns joins our co-hosts to discuss her latest book in the Maple Syrup Series,  In the Blink of a Pie , and all things cozy! Intro and Welcome 3:41 Interview with Christina Zipp 14:16 Programs and Services @ MCLS 17:29 Interview with Catherine Bruns 29:49 Summary and Closing S...