Cedar Mill & Bethany Libraries Podcasts

"Chowder Chat Forever" - immortal words from Dylan as we say goodbye to our two seniors in this episode of Chowder Chat recorded on May 18th, 2026. Books and movies discussed: Borat Scythe I could give you the moon Train Dreams Persepolis Crown of Midnight Twilight In the After

How well does the teen council know the library? They have shared a lot of information about the library throughout the year, but who remembers the details? Some of the questions they get asked are: How many books can you check out with a WCCLS library card? What service do we use for reading challenges like Summer Reading? What's the app that you can use to check out ebooks? These questions and m...

The teen council debates and votes on their own March Madness bracket this year to decide which teen book is the best. The usual suspects are in the mix, but there are a couple surprises. Listen in to see which book bests all the rest. Discussion was recorded on March 9th, 2026. Books and movies discussed are: Ten things I hate about you Taming of the Shrew New Books coming soon! They Want Us Dead...

Our teen council spoke with members of the Sunset High Youth HPV Awareness club for this podcast.  They also report on their favorite recent reads and music they enjoyed after the recent Grammy Awards. The Youth HPV Awareness Club seeks to help teens understand how reduce their cancer risk. To learn more about the group and their work, check their Instagram page or the larger organization that sup...

Our teen council talked about how their reading stacked up in 2025 and what some of their favorite reads were.  They look at some new books coming out in February and what their reading goals are this year. Recorded in January 2026. Books Mentioned: Dead Fake by Vincent Ralph New books: Hearts Gambit by JD Myall Fall of Iris Henley by Jennifer Graham They Call Her Regret by Channelle Desamours Old...

Can sports be as exciting as comics? That's the question that Gene Luen Yang set out to answer with this graphic nonfiction work, Dragon Hoops .  Our teen council discusses the book for our December Chowder Chat episode. The teen council also discusses their recent reads along with some advanced reader copies that the library received lately.  They are all listed below. Favorite Recent Reads: Cold...

Is fantasy better than dystopian fiction?  Historical fiction vs. realistic? Our teen council debates which genres are better. They also share book news, local sports and what new books are coming to the library soon. Recorded on November 10th, 2025 Books discussed are: Coldwire by Chloe Gong A Fate So Cold by Amanda Foody My Roommate from Hell by Cale Dietrich Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang

The teen council interviewed Peter Leonard, the Executive Director of the Cedar Mill & Bethany Libraries, on October 13th, 2025.  He is retiring soon after 29 years here at the library. Learn about what has changed in our libraries, why he thinks libraries are still important, and why he wanted to work in libraries in the first place. Read the book he recommended, the Goldfinch .

Meet our new teen council, much like the old teen council with some new members! Our members tell us a bit about themselves, what books, movies, and music they like, their favorite apps, and what things annoy them. Our Favorite Books: Project Hail Mary Scythe Twilight Foul Lady Fortune Hunger Games Eragon Sunrise on the Reaping Favorite Movies: Zootopia Ratatouille Harry Potter Friends TV show Up...

Our teen council talks about what makes a good book to movie adaptation.  In the age of streaming, is it better to adapt a book into a tv show?  Which teen books  need to get adapted next? Books and movies that get talked about are: Percy Jackson Harry Potter Hunger Games Throne of Glass Project Hail Mary This discussion was recorded on May 19, 2025

Deep into the school year, our teen council is immersed in school competitions for Model UN and their a capella group among other things. There is loads of homework as well. Listen to our crew discuss what they've been working on and how they do their best studying.  Do they listen to music?  Does it matter where they sit? And what to do about the distraction that is the phone.  Listen to the disc...

The teen council discusses the new Hunger Games book, Sunrise on the Reaping. Learn what they are looking forward to in the new book, which book is their favorite in the series and how far each of them think they would go in the Hunger Games.  Hint, most of them think hiding is a good idea.  Recorded on March 10, 2025.

The teen council kicks off their book club by reading and discussion Cinder by Marissa Meyer.  Is it a dystopian novel or a unique mix of scifi and fantasy? Does the familiarity of the Cinderella story make it more engaging or take away from the story? Should you read the sequals? Listen to this discussion to see what we thought. Other titles discussed are: Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini No No Boy...

The Teen Library Council chatted with members of the Youthline organization about their work with teens in crisis on January 13th, 2025. Genevieve and Monica explain what a peer to peer crisis line for teens is like, what their goals are, and how teens can volunteer with them if interested. You can find more info about Youthline at https://www.theyouthline.org/   Some of the other resources mentio...

The Teen Council discusses their top reads of the year, what they are reading currently and what they are thankful for. Books discussed are: Cinder Daughter of the Deep 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Throne of Glass Court of Thorns and Roses (for older teens and adults) Amulet graphic novel Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz (for older teens and adults) Slaughterhouse 5 (for older teens and adults) One House...

Our new season of Chowder Chat kicks off with a discussion of our teen council's favorite creepy books, movies and TV shows.  They also talk about library events, favorite Halloween memories and what they are currently reading. Some books mentioned are for older teens or adults. Books discussed are: Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson It by Stephen King Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark b...

Three recent college graduates talked about their college experiences on June 6th, 2024.  They answered questions and shared their thoughts on how to handle homework, managing your own schedule, how to make friends, what to bring and what to leave at home among other things.

The Teen Council discusses what they have planned for the summer along with books they think are good summer reads and books that they are looking forward to reading. Don't forget to participate in our summer reading challenge too! https://librarycedarmill.beanstack.com/   Books mentioned in this episode. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson Squire by Sara Alfageeh And...

The teen council discusses the book, We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez, which is one of the books in our  Mark Oshiro reading challenge this month. Hear their reactions to this intense story about young Guatamalan immigrants in this recording. Other books discussed were: Lessons in Chemistry Lord of the Flies The Cost of Knowing Macbeth

The teen council met on March 11th to talk about what they've been reading and watching lately. Find out what they recommend this month and get ready for the Mark Oshiro reading challenge next month. News: Teen Art Contest ends on March 30th The Mark Oshiro Reading Challenge starts on April 1st Recommended reads: House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal Shift by H...

The teen council met in February 2024 to discuss their favorite recent reads by Black authors.  Books discussed are: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood (publishes in May 2024) Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms by Jamar Perry Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston I Know Why the Caged Bird...

On January 8, 2024, the Teen Library Council interviewed the student writing group, Ad Meliora. They talk about what writing contests they have and the workshops they teach.  They also share some of their favorite reads. Ad Meliora website Books discussed: Babel Minor Feelings Pachinko Homegoing Anne of Green Gables Lie Tree Eragon and Murtaugh One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Grace of Kings Poppy...

The Cedar Mill & Bethany Teen Council discusses some of their favorite winter reads and holiday movies as they prepare for Winter Break 2023.  Join our Winter Reading Challenge Books discussed are: Monster Orphan Spy by Matt Killeen Night Circus by Erin Morgensten (book for adults) Love in Winter Wonderland by A Bello Wool by Hugh Howey (book for adults) A Dance with Dragons by George RR Martin (b...

Teen council dives into all things Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes as we eagerly await the movie to come out.  We also discuss books with many narrators and how these can be somewhat confusing unless handled well.  There are many things we are thankful for this year, which we discuss as well. Don't miss our tips for students studying for AP and IB tests (Advanced Placement and Internati...

Find out more about your child's literacy development and their progress towards becoming an independent reader. Learn how the Science of Reading can help you support your child's literacy development in Kindergarten through 3 rd grade. Presented by Rachell Keys. Rachell Keys is a School Psychologist currently working for the Northwest Regional Education Service District. Over the past twenty year...