Back Stories

When you mention Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid many people think of Disney movies. But these tales are nearly as old as time. Amy and her guest Erin take a look at the origins of these stories and touch on their impact on society and how we view traditional relationships.

It’s an all Amy episode. Amy provides the backstory on author Amy Stewarts’ series of Kopp Sisters. For well over a decade, in the early 1900s, their exploits as crime-fighters and detectives made newspapers nationwide–but they’d been entirely forgotten. You can find more on the Kopp Sisters mentioned in this episode here . Amy’s guest, Amy H. takes a look at the 1980s set sitcom The Goldbergs . T...

Amy digs into the backstory of regency romances and Netflix’s Bridgerton series. Her guest Jody, the Library’s marketing and communications manager examines how real-life experiences shaped author Erle Stanley Gardner’s fiction writing, including the long-running series Perry Mason. This episode was first presented live via Zoom.

If the names Elwyn Brooks White, or EB White, and Margaret Wise Brown sound unfamiliar, then you may recognize them better by the titles of their works. White’s repertoire includes novels such as Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web , the first-place winner in a 2012 survey of the top one hundred children’s novels. In addition to his works of fiction, White contributed to The New Yorker magazine and...

In this episode of Back Stories Amy and her guest dig into books and authors who face challenges. Amy gives the backstory on Australian author Madeleine Ryan’s book “A Room Called Earth.” Amy’s guest, Katie, looks at the life and challenges of Carrie Fisher.  

In this episode, Amy and Elyssa look at you two female writers. If one of your accomplishments is being an award-winning science fiction writer that is impressive. What if you were raised by a widowed mom, Black and female? There is even more to Octavia Butler’s backstory. After university, Emily Elgar worked for a non-profit organization providing support services to sex workers in the UK, her fi...

William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” was not an instant hit. A lot of publishers turned it down and when first published, it did no sell well. Jane Austen is known for her six major novels and frequently examines women depending on marriage for social standing and economic security. However, the film industry has gained some economic security from film adaptations of Austen’s novels. Join librari...

In “Back Stories” we discuss the people behind the books, movies, and yes even video games, you can borrow from the library. In this episode, Amy and Keeley share the stories behind the “Legend of Zelda” first released in 1986 and Stephen King’s 1975 second horror novel “Salem’s Lot.”

Author Donna Tartt has won the WH Smith Literary Award for “The Little Friend” in 2003 and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for “The Goldfinch” in 2014. What inspired her? Sure, the musician Prince is famous, but it wasn’t always that way. You will also be surprised by the other music he is behind. Join us we look at the “Back Stories” behind Tartt & Prince. JCPL Librarian Amy Dalton is your hos...

Robert Louis Stevenson is a Scottish novelist, poet and travel writer, most noted for "Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped." What fueled his ideas for stories? Ian Fleming is best known for his James Bond stories. What other book turned into a movie did he write? You will be surprised by what you learn about each author in the first episode of "Back Stories."  Librarian Amy Dalton is your host an...