The Book Isn't Necessarily Better: A Library Podcast

Wrap up in your coziest blanket with a mug o' hot chocolate as Roxanne, Mikayla, and special guest Kristi talk about that classic cottagecore novel, L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. In this episode: Which Anne quote made it onto Kristi's fantastically decorated office wall? How did a Canadian children's book gain wild popularity in post-WWII Japan? Where do different adaptations of Anne fall on the precocious/charming scale, and can any of them melt Mikayla's whomp-whomp heart? And what exactly is a whomp-whomp, anyway?! Read Anne Watch Anne More By & About L.M. Montgomery Become a Member InterLibrary Loan

Join Roxanne, Mikayla, and special guest John Fischer as they trace the evolution of Superman from his brainchild beginnings of two Cincinnati high school students during the Great Depression to his modern day marvels on the silver screen.  Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Find Superman in Print Find Superman Movies InterLibrary Loan Become a Member

Join Roxanne and Mikayla as they discuss Sherman Alexie and his 1993 book The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. These short stories were adapted into the 1998 movie Smoke Signals, the first wide-release film written, directed, produced by, and starring Native Americans. Learn how Alexie's experiences growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation shaped his often-autobiographical writing and filmmaking focusing on the American Indian experience. Bonus: find out which actor is now Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority in Canada! Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Find Sherman Alexie Books and Films InterLibrary Loan Become a Member

Happy spooky season! The librarians bring you a monster Halloween episode about Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's Frankenstein. This episode is ALIVE with strange facts about the mother of science fiction and her bookish cohorts Lord Byron and Percy Shelley; galvanizing stories from the 1931 film starring Boris Karloff as the Creature with no lines; and a discussion of this gothic book's unique structure and place in literary history. Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Frankenstein books Frankenstein movies About Mary Shelley InterLibrary Loan Become a Member

Join your spooky librarians Roxanne and Mikayla as they discuss the 1897 classic The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells. Find out what "Wells' Law" is in sci-fi and why Wells is considered the Godfather of the genre. Learn about the genius of director James Whale and the astonishing practical effects of the 1933 movie starring Claude Rains. Is the movie actually scary? Not really. Is is chilling, thrilling, and a whole lotta fun? Absolutely. Come and find out why on this Halloween edition of The Book Isn't Necessarily Better. Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Borrow The Invisible Man book and movie InterLibrary Loan Become a Member

Trick or treat? The librarians and guest Kyla choose treat (depending on whom you ask): Stephen King's The Shining. What are the major differences between King's classic novel and Stanley Kubrick's cult classic film? Do the book and the movie still hold interest for someone who's not a fan of the horror genre? And will some of us suffer nightmares because of Jack Nicholson's creepy vibes?! Find out in this special Halloween episode! Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net

The librarians and special guest Lindsey take on the popular Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire universe from George R.R. Martin. In this episode, we explore: high vs. low fantasy; architect vs. gardener writers (and whether they're obliged to finish the stories they start); how turtles and the Wars of the Roses played into Martin's creations; and whether our favorite characters ended up where we wanted them to in the HBO series. Spoilers! Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Borrow George R.R. Martin items InterLibrary Loan Become a Member

The librarians tackle their first adaptation from an original graphic novel (or is it a comic book?), Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. In this episode: What makes a graphic novel or comic book, and why should we read them? Why is it so hard to illustrate in black and white? What do Up, Legally Blonde, and Stepbrothers have in common? Does that discussion pertain at all to Marjane Satrapi?* And what other illustrated memoirs should you pick up if you love Persepolis? *Hint: tangentially, yes. Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Borrow works by Marjane Satrapi InterLibrary Loan Become a Member

Join Roxanne and Mikayla as they discuss The Color Purple by Alice Walker. In this episode, the librarians explore this modern classic and its star-studded adaptations - the 1985 movie directed by Steven Spielberg and the 2005 Tony winning musical. Learn about Alice Walker's life and influences, what a "womanist" is, and why the 2015 revival of the musical is perfectly cast. Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Borrow The Color Purple Find Alice Walker Materials InterLibrary Loan Get a Library Card

The librarians revisit a childhood favorite, Louis Sachar's Holes. In this episode: Have you forgotten how sophisticated Kissin' Kate Barlow's backstory is? (We did!) How would you describe Holes: as a YA or a juvenile novel, a modern fairy tale, a mystery, or a quest? And will the librarians ever remember what digging machines are called?! Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Request Holes Request Louis Sachar books InterLibrary Loan Become a library member

Calling all gunters! The librarians and special guest Nathan explore Ernest Cline's scifi smash hit Ready Player One. In this episode: Should Wil Wheaton's contract stipulate that he narrate all scifi and fantasy audiobooks for always and eternity? How much 80s nostalgia is too much 80s nostalgia? And is RPO, for all its intense virtual worldbuilding, out of step with gamer culture? Special Youth Correspondent Kyla has the answer! Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Request Ready Player One and Ready Player Two InterLibrary Loan Become a library member

Mikayla and Roxanne (but mostly Mikayla) nerd out over amateur detective extraordinaire Nancy Drew, penned by the pseudonymous Carolyn Keene. In this episode: learn how brilliant entrepreneur Edward Stratemeyer created a book packaging empire and enduring characters he never lived to see flourish; discover the ghost writers, lawsuits, and influences behind one of the most influential role models of the 20th century; and examine Nancy's impressive résumé and changing character across the decades throughout numerous book series, movies and TV shows, and games. Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Request Nancy Drew books Request Nancy Drew movies or Nancy Drew, Reporter Request Nancy Drew games Request Girl Sleuth InterLibrary Loan Get a Library Card

Join Roxanne and Mikayla as they discuss the 1958 book and 1961 movie adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote. In this episode, your podcast hosts will discuss the wit and famous barbs of Mr. Capote, one of the most famous authors of the 20th century. Discover how his tumultuous childhood (where he became best friends with Harper Lee!) shaped his legendary personality and how he would burn bridges with almost everyone in his life in the pursuit of a good story. Also, which actress did Capote actually want as his Holly Golightly? And just how different is the book versus the movie? Answer: very. Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Borrow Breakfast at Tiffany's Find Truman Capote Materials InterLibrary Loan Get a Library Card

Join Roxanne, Mikayla, and special guest Amanda Brown as they discuss S.E. Hinton's book The Outsiders and the movie adaptation(s) of it. In this episode, find out how a librarian inspired Francis Ford Coppola to direct the film, whether or not Matt Dillon is actually a good actor, and if YA Fiction is a genre or a category. Stay Gold, Listeners. Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net

Join Roxanne and Mikayla as they go down the Tudor rabbit hole to discuss the book and movie adaptations of The Other Boleyn Girl. Listen as the gals also do a deep dive into the live and times of Henry VIII and his six wives, including the infamous Anne Boleyn. In this episode, discover how Anne's legacy has evolved over the past 500 years depending on the views of the contemporary culture's historians. Write to us at podcast@communitylibrary.net Check out The Other Boleyn Girl from the library Find more material about Anne Boleyn InterLibrary Loan Get a library card