Cook Memorial Public Library Podcast

In this episode of the "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series, Pam, a local genealogist, shares about her favorite ancestor who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Daughters of the American Revolution or DAR, and more. She also shares about her favorite part of U.S. history in honor of America250, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence.  The...

This week Marianne recommends Jenny Jackson's The Shampoo Effect , the story of a young writer's retreat in the beach town of Greenhead, Massachusetts. Check out Jenny Jackson's The Shampoo Effect from the Library.

In this episode of the "My American Journey" podcast series, we speak with Cinthia and Veria about their respective journeys to the United States, the challenges they faced along the way, and the lessons they learned in building a life in a new country.   In the "My American Journey" podcast series, we speak with members of our library community who were born outside the United States. As part of...

This week Hannha recommends Sophia Benoit's  The Very Definition of Love , a regency-era romance between a bookworm and a rake. Check out Sophia Benoit's The Very Definition of Love from the Library.

This week Jenny, Marianne, and Hannah introduce five new must-read titles for Summer 2026: A Perfect Hand by Ayelet Waldman The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson Country People by Daniel Mason The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh Additional titles mentioned in this episode: Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores

This week Jenny recommends Melissa Albert's The Children , a mysterious, genre-bending fantasy book. Check out Melissa Albert's The Children  from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episode: Starling House by Alix E. Harrow The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

In this episode of the "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series,  Kim , a local genealogist, shares about  her favorite ancestor, her favorite type of genealogy record, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and more .  She  also shares about  her  favorite part of U.S. history in honor of  America250 ,  a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence...

This week Jenny recommends Katherine Center's The Shippers , a perfect beach read for fans of romantic comedies. Check out Katherine Center's The Shippers  from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episode: It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan Just for the Summer  by  Abby Jimenez

This week Marianne recommends Rachel Hochhauser's Lady Tremaine , a retelling of the classic Cinderella tale from the point of view of her "wicked" stepmother. Check out Rachel Hochhauser's Lady Tremaine  from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episode: Wicked by Gregory Maguire Weyward   by Emilia Hart

This week Jenny recommends Alex Finlay's The Anniversary , a nostalgic thriller that follows two classmates across a decade of investigations into the mysterious May Day Killer. Check out Alex Finlay's The Anniversary  from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episode: The Night Shif t  by Alex Finlay God of the Woods by Liz Moore

In this episode of the "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series, Mac, a local genealogist, shares about genealogy software, DNA, brick walls, online connections, and more. He also shares about his favorite part of U.S. history in honor of America250, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence.  The "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series is an opportuni...

This week Hannah recommends Johanna Van Veen's Bone of My Bone , a grim wartime tale of two unlikely companions bound by fate, faith, and a dangerous holy relic. Check out  Johanna Van Veen's Bone of My Bone  from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episode: The Starving Saints   by  Caitlin Starling Once Was Willem by M.R. Carey Slewfoot  by Brom

This week Marianne recommends Maria Semple's Go Gentle , the story of a fifty-something divorcée who meets a handsome stranger and is drawn into spying on her pupils' billionaire parents. Check out Maria Semple's Go Gentle from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episode: Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash

This week Hannah recommends Amal El-Mohtar's Seasons of Glass and Iron: Stories, a collection of fantastical short stories. Check out  Amal El-Mohtar's Seasons of Glass and Iron: Stories  from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episode: The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar

In this episode of the "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series, Dana, a local genealogist, shares about her genealogy journey, DNA, photographs, online connections, and more. She also shares about her favorite part of U.S. history in honor of America250, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence. The "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series is an oppor...

This week Jenny recommends Rainbow Rowell's upcoming book Cherry Baby, a witty, tender novel about a woman facing divorce and public scrutiny while reckoning with who she's been and who she wants to become. Check out Rainbow Rowell's Cherry Baby from the Library.

This week Hannah and Jenny introduce five must-read titles releasing Spring 2026: Go Gentle by Maria Semple The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn The Anniversary by Alex Finlay Homebound by Portia Elan Sarafina by Philip Fracassi Additional titles mentioned in this episode: The Wedding People by Alison Espach Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel The Hunger  by Alma Katsu

This week Marianne recommends The Ending Writes Itself , the debut collaboration between V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke under their new pen name, Evelyn Clarke. The book is a whodunit in which seven writers compete to pen the final pages of a recently deceased author's unfinished manuscript. Check out Evelyn Clarke's  The Ending Writes Itself from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episo...

In this episode of the "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series, Phil, a local genealogist, shares about social history, his brick walls, genealogy books, and more. He also shares about his favorite part of U.S. history in honor of America250, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence. The "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series is an opportunity to he...

This week Hannah recommends Caro Claire Burke's debut novel Yesteryear , a darkly humorous story of a traditional lifestyle influencer who suddenly wakes up in an 1805 homestead. Check out Caro Claire Burke's Yesteryear from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episode: Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash Educated by Tara Westover

This week Erica recommends Jennie Godfrey's  The List of Suspicious Things , a coming‑of‑age story set in late‑1970s Yorkshire, following a 12‑year‑old girl who hunts for the Yorkshire Ripper only to uncover the far more personal mysteries of growing up. Check out  Jennie Godfrey's The List of Suspicious Things from the Library.

This week Jenny recommends Catherine Walsh's How to Write a Love Story , a warm, witty romance about a grieving former writer and the devoted editor assigned to help her finish her late father's famed fantasy series. Check out  Catherine Walsh's How to Write a Love Story from the Library.

This week Marianne recommends Heather Fawcett's Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter , a cozy fantasy romance about Agnes, her cat shelter, and the witch king secretly living beneath it. Check out Heather Fawcett's Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episode: Starter Villain by John Scalzi A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

In this episode of the "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series, Linda, a local genealogist, shares about her genealogy journey, ancestral travel, organizing her research, and more. She also shares about her favorite part of U.S. history in honor of America250, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence. The "Local Genealogists Speak" podcast series is an...

This week Hannah recommends George Saunders's  Vigil , a compact, emotionally explosive work of magical realism that follows Jill "Doll" Blaine, the spirit guide tasked with ushering a dying oil executive into the afterlife. Check out  George Saunders's Vigil  from the Library. Additional titles mentioned in this episode: The Apology by Jimin Han The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunati...