Turning The Page

Acclaimed author Hannah Pittard joins us for a riveting conversation about her writing process, her memoir We Are Too Many and her autobiographical fiction novel, If You Love it, Let it Kill You. Hannah’s works are available for checkout from the library and for purchase from your favorite bookstore. Later, Mariam and Erin talk about Mariam’s TBR list for June, including Whistler by Ann Patchett,...

Mariam sits down with Cynthia Ellingsen, bestselling author of The Cut of the Moon, The Lost Letters of Aisling and The Starlight Cove series. They discuss Cynthia’s use of dual timelines in her works, her inspiration for her works, how she approaches writing, and what’s upcoming next. Cynthia’s works are available for checkout from the library and for purchase from your favorite bookstore. Later,...

Mariam sits down with local author and attorney Anthony B. Gray to discuss his debut novel Torrent . They talk about his inspiration for his main character, how grief plays an important role in the novel, and the novel is about survival outside of the strategic world of the courtroom. They also talk about Anthony’s lifelong love of stories and storytelling, and his future projects. Torrent is avai...

This episode is an archive recording of a live event held February 12, 2026.  Mariam sits down with acclaimed poet, author, and educator Frank X Walker, a pioneer of the Affrilachian literary movement and former Kentucky Poet Laureate. Professor Walker shares insights from his groundbreaking work, discusses the power of storytelling in shaping cultural identity, and reflects on his journey as a wr...

Mariam sits down with Wes Browne, author of Hillbilly Hustle and They All Fall the Same , to discuss both of his books, his writing journey and how his work is influenced by Appalachian Kentucky and his background as an attorney. Wes talks about how becoming a part owner in a pizza shop in Richmond influenced the story of his first book, and how a fan-favorite character from Hillbilly Hustle becam...

Mariam sits down with our own Bill Widener to chat about his graphic novel review publication for the library, 741.5 and his work selecting graphic novels for the library’s collection. He also DJ’s at WRFL, the University of Kentucky’s student-run radio station. They discuss trends in graphic novel publishing, and highlights some of Bill’s favorite titles and recommendations. The full archive of B...

Mariam sits down with local author Fiona Young-Brown about her newest book Secret Lexington: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure. They talk about what brought Fiona to Kentucky from the UK and her writing process while discussing a few of the places highlighted in the book. Secret Lexington is available for checkout and for purchase from your favorite bookstore or from the publisher . Late...

On this episode of Turning the Page, Courtney Block, academic librarian and author joins us by phone to talk about her upcoming work, Inside the World's Haunted Libraries . She and Mariam discuss the inspiration for her work, and how her academic background and work as a university reference librarian informs her view into the paranormal. In the second half of the episode, Mariam tells us about th...

Mariam sits down with Teen Howl host Jessica Taylor and Teen Howler Grace Tomazic about the Teen Howl Poetry Series for Lexington’s under-21 poets. Jessica tells us about her experience in the Teen Howl program, then taking it over in recent years. Grace tells us about her recent Teen Howl experience, and reads one of her poems called “Hungover”. This poem deals with adult themes and has adult lan...

In this live event recording, Mariam talks with Jennifer Longworth of Bourbon Barrel Podcasting about her career in podcasting and her new book Build a Strong Podcast: From Creation to Captivated audience. Later, Jennifer takes questions from our live audience. Build a Strong Podcast is available for checkout from the library, and for purchase at your favorite bookstore. As this is an archive of a...

Join Mariam in conversation with Babita Shrestha, author and chef behind Plant Based Himalaya, a vegan cookbook centered on Nepali food. They talk about Babita’s upbringing in Nepal, cooking with her mother, and how her cooking style has adapted over the years and with the different places she’s lived. Plant Based Himalaya is available for checkout from the library and for purchase from your favor...

Renowned poet and professor Nikky Finney has spent her career illuminating the Southern cultural and political heritage of Black people in ways that resonate throughout the country and world. Her ongoing legacy of poignant expression, indomitable truth, and devotion to social justice has enriched the country and world. Join us for this rare opportunity as part of the 250 LEX events to hear about h...

Mariam sits down with Mariama J. Lockington , local Stonewall Honor and Schneider Family Book Award winning middle-grade and YA poet and novelist. They discuss Mariama’s experiences as a transracial adoptee, and how her lived experiences influenced her debut novel For Black Girls like Me . Mariama gives us a sneak peak of her highly anticipated fourth novel, out in October 2025, I’ve Got My Love t...

Mariam has a chat with Beth Pride, local author of the nationally celebrated Common Wealth of Kentucky project, about her newly released debut novel, Back to Blue Holly. They talk about Beth’s inspirations for the setting and the community in Blue Holly, a fictional small town in Kentucky, and the warmth of the Kentucky writing community. Back to Blue Holly is available for checkout from the libra...

Mariam sits down with Wes Blake to discuss his debut book, Pineville Trace , a novella collection of flash fiction about Frank, a prison escapee and former revival preacher, and his cat companion Buffalo. They discuss the novella as a form, how so often Kentucky’s landscape becomes a character in works by Kentucky authors, and Wes reads an excerpt of his book. Pineville Trace is available for chec...

Mariam joins Erin to host this new edition of Turning the Page. Mariam interviews local author Laurel McKinley about her writing process, the inspiration from her own life for her Echoes trilogy, and her upcoming projects. Her books are available for checkout at the library and for purchase from your local bookstore. Afterward, Erin and Mariam talk about upcoming book releases for January and Febr...

Jennifer and Erin discuss upcoming and current book releases perfect for reading over the summer. They also talk about big program highlights for June and July 2023.

Jennifer and Erin talk about poetry well after National Poetry Month. They discuss their different exposures to poetry growing up, memorizing and reciting Annabel Lee in grade school, and give some recommendations for their favorite poems.   Savannah Sipple-McGraw joins us again to read from her work WWJD and Other Poems , which explores what it is to be a queer woman in Appalachia and is rooted i...

Jennifer interviews Hannah Allen, local Lexington artist specializing in quilts, and Erin and Jennifer host a special segment for Women's History Month. Hannah recently completed an artist in residency for the Department of Finance of Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. She and Jennifer discuss her artistic background and her work with Lexington Public Library in the Makerspace at Eastside...

Jennifer interviews local indie author Tyeshia Sturgis, also known as T.L Sturgis, about her decade-long career in writing, her approaches to writing in different genres, and her passion for mentoring new writers. Tyeshia also discusses how to become an indie author, and what a typical writing day looks like for her. Tyeshia’s works can be found on her website, www.tyeshiasturgis.com .

Jennifer talks with local poet Danni Quintos about her work and latest book release Two Brown Dots . They discuss her writing style for her poetry and her knitting. In Behind the Scenes, Erin hears from librarians Jennie and Mary about LPL After School. Danni closes the podcast with a reading from Two Brown Dots . Two Brown Dots  is available for checkout from the library. Learn More about LPL Aft...

Jennifer welcomes back Lynn Hightower to discuss more about her book, The Enlightenment Project and her own experiences with the supernatural. Lynn closes the podcast with a reading from The Enlightenment Project. The Enlightenment Project is available for check out , and is now out in paperback. The song "Something Scary is Behind Us" by Paweł Feszczuk is used under the Creative Commons Attributi...

Jennifer talks with local author Kaitlyn Hill about her debut YA novel “Love from Scratch” and her journey in publishing. Kaitlyn’s book is available for checkout from the library and for purchase wherever books and audiobooks are sold. On Behind the Scenes, Erin talks with Amanda Wheeler and Bryan Klausing about the library’s experiential learning spaces (the Digital Studio, the Kloiber Foundatio...

Jennifer sits down with local poet, essayist and educator Savannah Sipple about her writing and career. They discuss Savannah’s inspirations, her favorite courses to teach in higher education, what she’s reading and what releases she’s looking forward to this year. Savannah’s poetry collection is available for checkout from the library and for purchase on her website . In Behind the Scenes, Erin t...

Jennifer and Erin have combed through the summer’s most anticipated releases lists, and discuss the ones they’re looking forward to the most. Erin interviews Doug Tattershall about the library’s gallery spaces.