Stacks and Stories

Miranda talks about MLC's Researching Black Ancestry series, a webinar series focused on tips and tricks for researching Black genealogy and Black ancestry. Youtube link to the Researching Black Ancestry playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8sB6QnbbTYWhUYl3K85okBkVYATCAq8F Researching Black Ancestry panel discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsSDfQYQw-g

Join Shellie and Tracy as they talk about their favorite sequels, series, and retellings in the world of literature. Books mentioned in today's episode: The Maisie Dobbs series, Jacqueline Winspear The Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Series, Sue Grafton The Nancy Drew series, Carolyn Keene & other authors The Sweet Valley High series, Francine Pascal & other authors The Kopp sisters series, Amy Stewart T...

MLC's Tracy talks about the Center for the Book, the state affiliate for the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress that is tasked with promoting books, reading, literacy, and libraries. Tracy also interviews Dee Hare, director of the Northeast Regional Library, about the library's Suggested Family Activities project which won the 2021 Jane Smith Literacy Award as well as the Library of Co...

When people talk about movies based on books, the often say the book is better than the movie. But what if it wasn’t. Is it okay to admit that the movie is better than the book? And what could cause this to happen? Listen as Lacy and Shellie discuss this topic while bringing up their favorite examples. Books and Films Mentioned The Children of Men by P. D. James (1992 book) Children of Men directe...

This episode is the 3rd and final part of our series on animals. The Summer Library Program theme this year is “Tails and Tales”, so we asked some of the employees here at MLC to talk about their favorite animals or pets and maybe share their favorite book which features an animal. While we might not have a Joe here, we are going to talk about some exotic (and interesting) animals! Have you ever w...

This episode is part 2 of 3 in our Tails & Tales series. The Summer Library Program theme this year is “Tails and Tales”, so we have asked some of the employees here at MLC to talk about their favorite animals or pets and maybe share their favorite book which features an animal.  Today is all about man’s best friend, the dog. Have you ever heard of a dog that can shift gears in a car? What about a...

This episode is part 1 of a 3-part series on animals. The Summer Library Program theme this year is “Tails and Tales”, so we have asked some of the employees here at MLC to talk about their favorite animals or pets and maybe share their favorite book which features an animal. Today is cats galore! Are black cats considered good luck anywhere? What are some fantasy books that have cats in them? Whe...

On this episode, join Alex and Kayla as they discuss the true crime genre. Listen as they discuss what they like most about true crime and recommend a few of their favorites. Murder, cults, jewel thieves, and goats all get a mention. Stacks and Stories regular Shellie will moderate the discussion. Books Mentioned Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow De...

On today’s episode, join Katie and Miranda as they discuss memoirs. Listen as they discuss what they like most about memoirs and recommend a few of their favorites. If you already love memoirs or are just curious about the genre, tune in. You may hear about a new book that could interest you. Books Discussed All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot Born a Crime by Trevor Noah Educated by Tar...

On this episode, the recommendations continue as Alex, Charlie, Mary Rodgers, and Miranda give recommendations for Parks and Rec characters who, as Jean-Ralphio would put it, are the wooooorst. Please note that the audio has been pulled from the video “Parks and Recommendations – Part Three” and has been edited to fit the podcast format.   Books Mentioned Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey Ch...

Join Charlie, Mary Rodgers, Alex, and Miranda as they recommend books for other Parks and Rec characters! This episode features book recs for besties: best friends Tom and Donna as well as Leslie's two besties, Ben and Ann! Books mentioned in this episode include: Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Field...

Join Charlie, Alex, Mary Rodgers, and Miranda as they give book recommendations for the characters of one of their favorite shows: Parks and Recreation. Parks & Rec fans will enjoy this episode, featuring book recommendations for April Ludgate, Chris Traeger, Ron Swanson, and Leslie Knope herself. Stick around for the bonus feature centered on everybody's favorite tiny horse, Lil Sebastian. This i...

Welcome to this episode of Stacks and Stories, the podcast of the Mississippi Library Commission. On today’s episode, join Shellie and Tracy as they discuss the best books they read, but were not necessarily published, during 2020. How well did their reading routines hold up during the pandemic? Did they find anything that they truly enjoyed? Please note that the following audio has been pulled fr...

Join Tracy and Shellie as they discuss comfort reads: the books that bring them comfort, relax them, and that they can always turn to when they're in need of a good time.

Join Mississippi author, journalist, and professor Ellen Meacham in a discussion of Robert F. Kennedy's 1967 visit to the Mississippi Delta and the lasting effect it had on his career. This lecture was cohosted by the First Regional Library and the presentation was made possible by a grant through the Mississippi Humanities Council. Please note that the following audio has been pulled from MLC's L...

In this episode of Shelf Absorbed, Pod Squad members Tracy and Shellie talk about their favorite nonfiction books! Please note, the audio is taken from the video "Our Favorite Nonfiction - Shelf Absorbed", released on Sept. 10, 2020, and better edited to fit the podcast format.

Welcome to this episode of Stacks and Stories, the podcast of the Mississippi Library Commission. On today’s episode, University of Southern Mississippi Associate Professor of History Max Grivno talks about Mississippi's African Americans during and directly after the Civil War, including their service in the federal army and their attendance in schools for formerly enslaved people. Please note th...

Welcome to this episode of Stacks and Stories, the podcast of the Mississippi Library Commission. On today’s episode, Pod Squad members Tracy Carr and Shellie Zeigler explore what it means to DNF, why you should give up on a book, and specific books they've given the axe. Please note that the following audio has been pulled from the “DNF-Did Not Finish – Shelf Absorbed” video that is posted to the...

On this episode, Mississippi author Mary Carol Miller discusses impressive Mississippi buildings such as hotels, dormitories, and churches that were destroyed or outright abandoned. This lecture was co-hosted by the Ricks Memorial Library (Yazoo Library Association) and the presentation was made possible by a grant through the Mississippi Humanities Council. Please note that the audio has been pul...

Join Pod Squad members Tracy Carr and Shellie Zeigler as they discuss their current reads in MLC's new Zoom chat, "Shelf Absorbed." Tune in and listen as they talk about what fiction and nonfiction they've recently enjoyed. Please note that the following audio has been pulled from the “Current Reads || Shelf Absorbed” video that is posted to the MS Library Commission YouTube and has been edited to...

On today's episode of Stacks and Stories, Jackson State University Associate Professor of History and Margaret Walker Alexander National Research Center Director Robert Luckett talks about Margaret Walker's life experiences as both a Black intellectual and Black artist. This presentation is made possible by a grant through the Mississippi Humanities Council. Watch the original presentation, record...

University of Mississippi Associate Professor of History and African American Studies Shennette Garrett-Scott discusses Black women's role in the fight for suffrage in Mississippi from 1863-1965, including everything from boycotts to armed resistance, and much more. A brief Q&A session follows her lecture. This presentation is made possible by a grant through the Mississippi Humanities Council.  ...

Join Mississippi State University Professor of History James C. Giesen as he talks about the powerful cultural place of the American farmer and touches on topics as far-reaching as Thomas Jefferson and Jason Aldean. This presentation was made possible by a grant through the Mississippi Humanities Council.    Watch the original presentation, recorded on June 10th, 2020, as part of the Lunch Lecture...

Join Pod Squad members Tracy Carr and Shellie Zeigler as they discuss what they read during Mississippi’s Shelter at Home Order. Listen as they discuss memories, history, fiction, gossip, and more! Please note that the following audio has been pulled from the “Zoom Book Chat – Quarantine Edition” video that is posted to the MS Library Commission YouTube and has been edited to better fit the podcas...

Join MLC's Tracy and Alex as they discuss some of their favorite things in MLC's collections. We take a look at Elvis, a murder scandal, medicine to cure you of worms, and a few more fun things hiding out in MLC's building!