Top Shelf with Russell Library

What price are you willing to pay for perfection? Who are you willing to sacrifice to create an enviable illusion? In the novel Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, "tradwife" influencer, Natalie Heller Mills, will stop at nothing to curate a flawless image for her millions of followers. But when Natalie mysteriously wakes up in the year 1855, she'll be forced to reckon with the life sh...

If you're looking for a read that makes you feel all the feelings, look no further. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans weaves a rich tapestry of one woman's life. Sybil Van Antwerp is a sharp-witted and sharp-tongued retired lawyer in her 70s who anchors her days through letter writing. Her correspondence reaches a wide array of recipients; including, family and friends, authors, and ev...

Are you first in line to pick up the latest "buzzy" book or do you steer clear of the hype? Buzzy books are the titles people simply can't stop talking about. These stories manage to spark widespread conversation, allowing readers to participate in a shared social experience. Some readers crave this social connection, while others prefer to keep their reading a solo experience. In t...

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and with it comes a plethora of fantastic reads! Celebrate the diverse voices and stories within the AANHPI community. Whether you're drawn to historical fiction, romance, horror, memoir, or fantasy, you'll find books written by AANHPI authors that you simply can't put down. In today's conversa...

It's no wonder that romantasy has become one of the fastest growing book genres among readers. These books beautifully blend intense romantic relationships with high stakes magical worlds. Unlike traditional fantasy novels, romantasy plotlines completely fall apart when you remove the romance. Many readers find the emotional experience involved in romantasy stories to be a welcome addition to...

Celebrities seem to exist in a world apart. Fame and fortune serve to separate them from the rest of society. Perhaps this is why celebrity memoirs captivate readers so fully; they give us a glimpse into the very human lives of these elusive individuals. Without the mask of money and glamour, we can see the real human vulnerability underneath. These stories allow the teller to control their own na...

Have the traditional romance tropes started to feel a little stale to you? Are you looking for an escape from societal beauty standards and traditional relationship pressures? If so, monster romance might be the new genre for you! In today's conversation, Shan will chat with Briana, Kim, and Stephanie about their favorite titles. This romance subgenre connects humans and non-humans; love inte...

For many of us, modern life continues to feel increasingly complicated. It seems nearly impossible to stay updated on the ever-changing world of current events, technology, science, and economics. The complications of contemporary existence leaves one with a longing for simpler, more comforting times. This may be the reason why cozy fantasy is currently hitting the spot for so many readers. In tod...

It's that time of year again! The holidays bring abundant joy and merriment, but they can also bring unnecessary stress when it comes to gift-giving. If you already find yourself dreading the shopping season, fear not, Russell Library has you covered. In today's chat, Briana talks with Kim, Christy, and Stephanie about their favorite books to gift. Not a reader? Not a problem! With a don...

November is National Native American Heritage Month. It's a time to celebrate the rich traditions and tales of Native American communities. While some stories have been lost to time, many continue to endure through current literature. In today's conversation, Christy will speak with Briana, Stephanie, and Shan to discuss the works of their favorite Indigenous authors. They'll share...

Spooky Season is officially here! For many readers, this is the perfect time to pick up a heart-pumping thriller. In today's episode, Cate sits down with Kim, Briana, and Stephanie to explore their favorite page-turners. Whether you're drawn to psychological suspense, horror, or paranormal thrills, this episode has something for you. To make things even more exciting, we've chosen t...

Diving into a novel usually involves a level of trust. We assume that the characters on the page are telling the truth, or at the very least, we trust that the narrator will inform us when someone is spinning a web of lies. But what happens when the narrator is the deceiver? Unreliable narrators may lead us astray due to a variety of reasons; deliberate deception, mental illness, flawed memory, bi...

The Russell Library is full of Halloween loving librarians, so we jumped on the chance to celebrate early! If you, too, enjoy the spooky season, you'll love our Summerween conversation. The term “Summerween” comes from the animated mystery TV series "Gravity Falls". The show has inspired fans of the macabre to celebrate this holiday anytime from June through August. Whether you&apos...

What makes a perfect beach read? Is it the same for everyone or is there room for interpretation? Merriam Webster defines a beach read as, a usually light work of escapist fiction (such as a thriller or romance). While this may be true for many, on Top Shelf we've decided to dive a little deeper into the subject. In today's episode, Briana, Shannon, and Cate share their perspectives on w...

Welcome to Episode 1 of Top Shelf with Russell Library! This show is brought to you by the same team behind Middletown Strong: Looking up With Russell Library. After four wonderful community-focused seasons of Middletown Strong, the team has chosen to focus on one of our other great loves... books! Our librarians will share titles that connect to a unique theme each episode. In today's conver...

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are delighted to share this exciting conversation with you. Christy and Briana sit down with a very special woman in our community, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz! In this chat, you'll learn about the many roles fulfilled by the lieutenant governor; including, serving as Acting Governor when Governor Lamont is out of state, presiding over the State Senate,...

In today's episode, Christy and Briana sit down with Bill Foster, Russell Library Board of Trustee, retired professor of English from Naugatuck Valley Community College, and a historical collector of comic books. Bill has been a commentator for CNN News National Public Radio and a consultant for a variety of museums. Libraries around the state have benefited from Bill's enriching program...

It’s officially 2025! Many of us have already thought about eating better and exercising more, but have you considered your reading resolutions? In today’s episode, Stephanie, Briana, and Cate talk about the various ways they approach reading. Whether your reading style involves casually browsing the shelves or crafting carefully curated spreadsheets, this episode will offer tips and tools for sta...

Most people associate the Salvation Army with the wonderful bell ringers collecting funds in their red kettles around the holiday. However, this is just one of the many ways that the Salvation Army serves its communities  From embracing the homeless, uplifting the abused or abandoned, training and mentoring the disadvantaged, providing character building programs for youth, or assisting the displa...

We like BIG BOOKS and we cannot lie! In today's episode, Steph and Shan guide us through the world of big books. What are they? Should we read them? What strategies can we use to tackle them? They'll discuss things like choosing the right time to invest in a big book, determining if your lifestyle supports the effort they require, and balancing the completion of a big book with a lighter...

Are you a fan of the weird and wonderful? If so, you're in for a treat! In today's episode, Briana and Christy sit down with Patrick Scalisi and Valerie Ruby-Omen, author and illustrator of Connecticut Cryptids: A Field Guide to the Weird and Wonderful Creatures of the Nutmeg State. They'll help us define cryptids and cryptozoology and introduce us to cryptids in our local area, suc...

Join Cate Tsahalis and Shannon Barillari as they interview our very own Mary Dattilo about the new and improved Secrets of Russell Library! This season, actors will entertain the audience with historical stories told by an eclectic cast of library characters. Shannon returns with Kim Spachman for "Turn That Shhh Up!" where they discuss library card signup month and the goings on here at...

If you're a book lover and an Instagram user, you may already be familiar with the world of Bookstagram. If this is a new term for you, you definitely won't want to miss today's conversation. Librarians Christy, Briana, and Stephanie share their experiences as Bookstagram content creators and consumers. They'll discuss a variety of social media platforms and online book reviewi...

Join Briana & Christy as they interview Friends of the Russell Library, Sandy Becker and Mary Keating.  Learn all about the big upcoming Booksale on June 14-15. Sandy and Mary will discuss what it takes to become a Friend of the Library and why you should consider joining the team. If you're looking for a way to build community surrounded by thousands of books, this might be the volunteer...

Join Christy, Stephanie, Kate and Briana as they talk about upcoming summer reading and their reading recommendations to get you started. Summer Reading Kick-off is Saturday, June 15th for All AGES! Sign up in person or online at www.russelllibrary.org . Choose your tracker and complete library prompts to earn tickets for a drawing with fantastic prizes. Join us for the Summer of 2024 at Russell L...