The Books We Loved

Today's epsiodes is full of shenanigans, silly quizzes, weird questions, and a little backstory on your hosts. Thank you for helping us make it to 4yrs! 

A short and sweet ep -- the ladies each share three recent reads worth checking out: Best Offer Wins, Kashino The Merge, Walker  The Road to Tender Hearts, Hartnett  The Small and the Mighty: twelve unsung Americans who changed the course of history, from the founding to the civil rights movement, McMahon  The Names, Knapp Heart the Lover, King   

Today the gals take a break from chatting books, and share funny stories from their years being librarians. Sit back and enjoy as the gals spill the tea! 

Today the gals count down the top 12 most requested titles (here at TPL) for the first quarter of 2026. Hopefully you'll get as many good recs as they did! List of titles below: 12. My Husband’s Wife, Alice Feeney 11. James: a novel, Percival Everett 10. The Women, Kristin Hannah 9. The Secret of Secrets, Dan Brown 8. Fourth Wing, Yarros 7. The First Time I Saw Him, Dave 6. Twice, Mitch Albom 5. M...

Today the gals take on Garth Williams. Williams was an American author and illustrator, known for his gorgeous illustrations in such classics as: Charlotte's Web; the Little House on the Prairie series; The Cricket in Times Square, and many more beloved books. 

Today the gals celebrate National Poetry Month by sharing bits and bobs from some of their favs.  Poetry titles shared today: “Wild Geese” – Mary Oliver “Mountain Dew Commercial Disguised as a Love Poem” – Matthew Olzmann “A Primer” – Bob Hicock “Dirtbag” – Leigh Lucas “How to Like It” – Stephen Dobyns “What I Didn’t Know Before” – Ada Limon “Unchopping a Tree” – W.S. Merwin “Digging” – Seamus Hea...

Today the gals share some ideas about how to break your reading slump, and offer up some titles that helped them get back into reading.

Olivia and Manda discuss their recent reads during today's episode. Remember, if you're looking for personalized recs, send an email to: podcast@troypl.org  

Today the gals host Danielle (from Digital Services) for a robust discussion about the inspiring and controversial photographer, Sally Mann, and her 2025 book, Art Work: on the creative life .    

A girl and her pig, a spider, and so many more memorable characters are up for discussion today, as Olivia and Manda chat about the beloved children's classic, Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White. Did it hold up to the test of time for our discerning librarians? You'll just have to listen and see! 

Today the gals and Keegan (from Youth Services), will tell you how ardently they admire and love Jane Austen's classic, Pride and Prejudice! Happy (belated) 250th, Jane! 

Today Olivia and Manda chat with local author, Tina Battle, about her newest children's book, Adventures in Troy with Betty and Buddy Beaver. The book celebrates all things Troy, following protagonists Betty & Buddy as they waddle their way to many local attractions, including the LIBRARY! Copies are available for purchase locally at 86 Plastic  or on Amazon . For signed copies of the book, em...

Olivia and Manda are joined by Community Engagement's, Hannah and Kit, today for a discussion of Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel (now a major motion picture), Hamnet. Buckle up, buttercups, because you're in for a chat featuring the plague, Willy Shakes, and more!

Today the gals share their thoughts on the new film adaptation of Emily Bronte's, Wuthering Heights, as well as dig into some of their literary dislikes. It's the confessional episode, and they hope they don't yuck anybody's yum. 

Join the gals today as they do an author spotlight on kids author and illustrator, Grace Lin. Books mentioned in the show today include: Story Telling Math series including, The Last Marshmallow (board books) The Ugly Vegetables  (picture book) Dim Sum for Everyone! (picture book) A Big Mooncake for Little Star  (*Manda misspoke and said "little sister"; picture book) Once Upon a Book  (picture bo...

Today the gal pals share their recent and current reads (and a couple of streaming shows). Below are all titles discussed: Books discussed: The God of the Woods, Moore Bog Queen, North (Manda mentioned, The Windeby Puzzle, Lowry, as a kids readalike to this title) Four Eyes (sequel is, Pizza Face), Ogle The Secret Astronomers, Walker We Fell Apart (We Were Liars series, #3), e. lockhart Fly On the...

Today the ladies discussed readalikes for the show (and book!) everyone is talking about: Heated Rivalry. Titles discussed include: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales & Cale Dietrich Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Prosp...

Due to the recent success of the film, K-Pop Demon Hunters, the gals thought it was high time to offer our listeners some K-Pop inspired reading recs! Buckle up, buttercups, and be prepared to impress your friends (and, dare we say, kids) with this K-Pop inspired reading list!  Titles discussed today: K-pop Confidential, Stephan Lee I’ll Be the One, Lyla Lee XOXO, Axie Oh  Somewhere Only We Know,...

The girls round out the year by sharing their personal favorite reads of 2025. See below for the booklist.  Olivia's recs: Atmosphere, Taylor Jenkins Reid Heart the Lover, Lily King  The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, Kiran Desai All the Way to the River, Elizabeth Gilbert This American Woman, Zarna Garg Death of the Author, Nnedi Okorafor  Back After This, Linda Holmes Swept Away, Beth O’Leary Ma...

Today Olivia and Manda reflect on the cinematic gifts left to the world by the genius, Rob Reiner. Along with each movie mentioned, the girls offer book recs for your reading delight (list below). Happy Holidays!  When Harry Met Sally: Heartburn, Nora Ephron The People We Meet on Vacation, Henry (really any Emily Henry book) Normal People, Rooney Rachel Incident, O’Donoghue Eleanor and Park, Rowel...

Today the gals are joined by fellow TPL staffer, Hannah, for a discussion of every high school's favorite assigned book, The Great Gatsby. O

Looking for some great gift ideas? You've come to the right place! The girls share ideas for all ages, babies to adults. In case you were walking/driving/jogging and couldn't write down the titles, the gals discussed:  When Pigs Fly: a song for dreamers, Sandra Boynton The Book of Candles: eight poems for Hanukkah Laurel Snyder, illus. by Leanne Hatch The 13th Day of Christmas, Adam Rex Once Upon...

Today the gals dig into Agatha Christie's novel, The Body in the Library--the second book to feature beloved sleuth extraordinaire, Ms. Marple! 

Today's quick episode is in response to a request from our listener, Eliza. Don't forget, if you would like us to give you recommendations, shoot us an email at: podcast@troypl.org If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving, by Chris Newell, illustrated by Winona Nelson Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story, written by indigenous authors: Danielle Greendeer (Mashpee Wampanoag), Anthony Per...

Fellow TPL staffer, Kit, will be joining the girls today to discuss Alison Bechdel's, Fun Home: a family tragicomic, a graphic memoir.