The Books We Loved

Jeff Marraccini, Chief Information Security Officer at Altair and member of the Friends of the Troy Public Library Board, joins our hosts to revisit Octavia E. Butler's classic sci-fi novel, The Parable of the Sower. Tune in to hear their conversation about climate fiction and Butler's lasting literary legacy.    Click here for Jeff's expert list of science fiction recommendations.  Click here to...

Grab your magic action figure and your coolest new hoodie-- today we're talking about the hit graphic novel/TV series, American Born Chinese! Spoiler alert: we liked it.  Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 

Manda and Olivia are back to tell you what to read! We don't call it bossy, we call it "public librarianship," and it's going to blow your mind.  Click here for a list of books discussed on the show.  Still not sure what to read? Click here to tell us a little about what you're in the mood for, and Manda and Olivia will pick a book just for you on the air. 

Now that Succession has wrapped up, we're getting nostalgic for some old-school high-stakes finance stories. So grab your Rolodex, your briefcase, and your bags of money and join us as we revisit the 1987 classic, Wall Street.  Our absolutely fabulous guess this time around is Scott Wyckoff from Walsh College, who kindly helps two baffled public librarians understand new things about the world of...

Set fire to your pointe shoes, my friends, we're talking about the 2000 dance movie, Center Stage! Library Director Emily Dumas returns, this time with her sister Mary in tow, to examine the cultural impact of this movie and so many other great dance movies. Tune in as we ask ourselves: does this movie hold up?  Need something good to read? Click here to tell Manda and Olivia a little bit about yo...

Join us as we revisit the literary legacy of the one, the only, Judy Blume. Karen from Adult Services visits to dissect classics such as Freckle Juice, Wifey, Then Again, Maybe I Won't, and of course, Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.  Whether you've been a Blume stan for years or are just now getting into her writing thanks to the recent documentary Judy Blume Forever or the movie version of...

Our very first requests-only episode is here! Listeners asked for book recommendations, and we came through. Tune in to add some new books to your TBR list.  Need something good to read? Click here to tell Manda and Olivia a little bit about your reading preferences, and they will recommend some great books to you on a future episode of The Books We Loved.  Click here for a list of the books discu...

May the force be with you as you embark upon our Star Wars episode featuring library patron and Star Wars expert, Michael! Tune in to learn about everything from George Lucas's contentious relationship with his fans to the origin of the term "space opera."  Need something good to read? Click here to tell Manda and Olivia a little bit about your reading preferences, and they will recommend some gre...

Blair from Digital Services joins our hosts to revisit M*A*S*H! Tune in to hear them discuss the popular film, the even more popular TV show, and the book that started it all.   

Gather round with your favorite farm animals to listen to Vicki from Kiwanis in Troy revisit All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. Our hosts discuss animal stories, nostalgia, and the importance of gentle stories during difficult times.  Click here to learn more about all the great work Kiwanis Troy is doing in our community. 

Join us as we discuss Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid! Elizabeth joins our hosts to talk about the book, the TV show, and our favorite musical media. Stay solid and dream big, little bird.  Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 

Sweet sassy molassy, we're talking about the 2014 film Vampire Academy! Eric and Cassie from Adult Services join Manda and Olivia to dissect this critical and box office flop to ask themselves-- why is it so fun to watch "bad" movies?   

Grab your favorite digging shovel and get your lizard-repellant ready-- this week, we're talking about Holes by Louis Sachar! April, president of the Friends of the Troy Public Library, joins Manda and Olivia to talk about great and terrible movie adaptations, neo-Westerns and middle grade fiction, and the quizzical history of Shia LaBeouf. Don't miss it!    Click here to learn more about the Frie...

Listen up, lovers-- it's the Valentine's Special! In this bonus episode, Manda and Olivia share their favorite books in these four swoony categories:  Romantic Love Love Gone Wrong Self Love Family/Friendship Love Tune in to add a bunch of new titles to your TBR list!   Click here to find a list of books discussed on the show. 

Movie sequels are *not* always terrible, and we have your proof right here. Nicole and Elizabeth join our hosts to share their favorite movie sequels of all time while asking themselves: what makes a good sequel?  What is YOUR favorite movie sequel of all time? Write in to podcast@troypl.org to let us know!  

The age-old controversy rears its ugly head: do you pronounce the K in Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems? Assistant City Attorney Julie joins Manda and Olivia as they battle it out while asking themselves, does this beloved picture book series stand the test of time?  Click here to learn more about the Mailbox Mysteries program. 

Get in, loser, we're talking about Mean Girls! Liz Karg, owner of the BIBBGY Coffee franchise in Troy, will be joining us to discuss this, the most fetch of films. Thank you Drew from Digital Services from joining us as well.    Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 

Grab your poisoned goblet, your fencing sword, and the nearest farm boy-- today we're talking about Princess Bride! It's literally everyone's favorite movie! Becky and Cassie joined us to revisit this classic and ask ourselves--does it stand the test of time?  Click here for a list of books discussed on the show. 

Trade your blah Abnegation robes for a sweet leather jacket from Dauntless-- today we're talking about the Divergent series by Veronica Roth! Allyson Leach from Troy Recreation joins us to revisit the series and ask, does this book stand the test of time?  Click here to learn more about all the cool programs offered through Troy Recreation.  Click here for a list of books discussed on the show.   

It's the holiday season, and here at the library, we believe books make the best gifts of all. Manda and Olivia have challenged each other to come up with great recommendations for all types of readers you may have in your life, including:  1. Your 4th grader who reads at a high level but isn't ready for mature content 2. Your friend who loves scammer stories like Anna Delvy and Elizabeth Holmes 3...

You thought spooky season was over, but you were absolutely wrong! Karen from Adult Services joins us this week to revisit the W.I.T.C.H series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, alongside some other favorite 90s horror titles. Because we always like to keep you guessing, we're focusing on the third book in the series, The Witch Herself, a fringe favorite that may or may not have stood the test of time....

Run a comb through your titian hair and hop in your shiny blue convertible-- we have a mystery to solve! Manda and Olivia are joined by Margaret from TPL's Administration Office to investigate the puzzling question: Margaret loved the Nancy Drew series when she was young, but does that love hold up? Tune in to find out!  Click here to find a list of books discussed in the show. 

Lock your doors, get out your night light, and triple check the back seat of your car-- we're discussing Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz! Library Director Emily Dumas joins Manda and Olivia to revisit this creepy and controversial series and ask themselves: does it hold up?  Click here to find a list of books discussed in this episode.  Click here to read "Oh, Susannah," one of...

Throw on a pair of embarrassing jean shorts and fill your backpack with every classic in the collection-- this week we're talking about Gilmore Girls! Joining Manda & Olivia are Drew from the Digital Services Department and Erin, a Troy patron who attended a TPL Gilmore Girls Trivia Night years ago and has been our friend ever since! Our hosts loved Gilmore Girls in their youth, but what will they...

Step up with your hungry moose, your deserving porcupine, and your nine favorite baked goods-- we're revisiting Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon! Bob Bruner, Assistant City Manager of Troy, loved this book once, but what will we make of it now?    Click here to find a list of books discussed in the show.