Unreadable

This year's Forsyth Reads Together selection is The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. In this episode, Liz Moore joined Ross to talk about the genesis of the book, how her camp experience as a child informed some of the scenes and settings, and what it's like to showrun a tv show.  Liz Moore will visit the Forsyth Conference Center on March 10 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss The God of the Woods. Please see our website for more information on how to attend.  A full transcript of this podcast episode is available on our Bookmarked Blog. 

In this episode, Ross speaks with Programming Manager Sarah Brubaker about the upcoming our Winter Reading program. Listen for more information on this year's theme (HINT: Get ready to press the A button!), incremental prizes, and grand prizes.  Winter Reading runs from December 19, 2025 to January 19, 2026. To learn more about signing up for the challenge, please visit our website.  

In this episode, local author Dr. Ashley Baker speaks with Ross about her new book The Ashes of Us, which is a novel that navigates themes of trauma, paternal love, and the devastating price of retribution. Dr. Baker talks about her inspiration for the book and how she's utilized her experiences and knowledge to write a book that is ultimately a tribute to her own father, who was a forensic pathologist.  Dr. Baker is a clinical psychologist (PsyD), who practices and lives in Forsyth County, and is author of two psychological suspense novels, including The Furious Others.  Dr. Baker will be at the Sharon Forks Library on October 22, 2025 at 7:00PM for a reading and author talk for The Ashes of Us. We hope to see you there!

In this episode, Ross talks with William Kent Krueger about his Cork O'Connor series, including a sneak peak of the next book in the series, God's Country. Krueger discusses his use of a small town setting, spirituality, and a dynamic protagonist to keep his long-running series compelling to readers.    Krueger will be visiting the Sharon Forks Library on October 9 and October 10. Please check our Events Calendar for registration details.

It has been an exciting year for the Forsyth County Public Libraries. We opened a brand new library branch in March: Denmark Library! On May 10, 2025, the library's official dedication took place. Many local and state officials were on hand to share what this library has meant to them and what it will mean for the community.  If you missed the dedication, we have great news: you can listen to it here! The dedication includes United States Representative Rick McCormick, State Senator Greg Dolezal, State Representative Carter Barrett, Forsyth County Commissioners Alfred John and Todd Levent, and Chair of the Library Board of Trustees Christy Winters. 

Summer Reading is just around the corner, and Ross is joined by Sarah Brubaker, Programming Manager at FCPL, to discuss how to make the most of this year's Summer Reading Fun! Sarah shares how to get started using Beanstack, as well as some tips and tricks for logging your and your family's reading. Curious about our incremental and grand prizes, or want to know who is performing at our Summer Reading Kickoff Events? Sarah provides a sneak peak of what you can expect this year. Hint: It's going to be awesome!  Summer Reading Fun starts May 22 and ends August 4, 2025. You can learn more about registering with Beanstack, prizes, and upcoming events on our website. 

In this episode of Unreadable, Ross speaks with Shelby Van Pelt about her novel Remarkably Bright Creatures, this year's Forsyth Reads Together selection. Van Pelt's debut novel, published in 2022, remains a New York Times bestseller and features the unique perspective of Marcellus the octopus as a narrator. Van Pelt spoke with Ross about how she developed her characters, some based on true life and others based on people (and marine life) watching at the Georgia Aquarium, and she shared her excitement about the upcoming film adaptation. An Evening with Shelby Van Pelt is Mar 11, 2025 at the Forsyth Conference Center. The event is ticketed and currently full; however, there are a plethora of events related to the book taking place at all the Forsyth County Public Library branches. You can find out more in our event calendar.  A transcript of this episode is available on Bookmarked, the Forsyth County Public Library's blog for book recommendations and news .

It's that time again! Our Winter Reading Challenge is back. If you enjoyed the reading challenge last year, especially collecting those trading cards, we have good news for you: we have a whole new set of trading cards to collect this winter! The Winter Reading Challenge is for all ages. Listen to find out how to participate and what grand prizes can be won this year.  Links Beanstack 

Earlier this month, the Southeastern Institute of Paranormal Research conducted a paranormal investigation at the Hampton Park Library. In this episode, you'll hear an abridged version of investigation, including an equipment overview and sessions conducted in different parts of the library. Are there ghosts in the library? You'll have to listen to find out!

In this episode, Ross speaks with Sarah Brubaker about The Smokey Bear Reading Challenge, which celebrates Smokey Bear's 80th birthday. Listen to hear about prizes, deadlines, and an upcoming Smokey Bear Celebration taking place at the Cumming Library on October 26.  Also, in this episode, we include our first ever listener submitted book reviews. Thank you, Carolynn and Andrea! If you'd like to submit a book review or library-related question, you can email the podcast at unreadable@forsythpl.org.  

Are you ready for an adventure? FCPL's Summer Reading Fun begins May 23. In this episode, Kim Ottesen, Programming Manager at FCPL, previews what you can expect during our Summer Reading program, including prizes and performers. From lanyards to camping gear to magicians, listen to get a little taste of all the exciting adventures we have planned for you this summer! Links Summer Reading Guide Episode Transcript

In this episode, Ross speaks with Benjamin Herold about his book Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America's Suburbs, which follows five families in different areas of the United States, including Gwinnett County, and examines their experiences living in suburbia and their experiences with suburban school systems.  Benjamin Herold is a education journalist, who has reported for Education Week, PBS NewsHour, NPR, the Hechinger Report, Huffington Post, and the Public School Notebook. He has a master's degree in urban education from Temple University in Philadelphia. Join us for an author talk with Benjamin Herold at the Sharon Forks Library on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM.

This year's Forsyth Reads Together book pick is Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. In this episode, Ross speaks with Lisa about her inspiration for the book and its characters, as well as the book's impact on the victims of the Tenneessee Children's Home Society.  Lisa also previews her new book, out this summer, called Shelterwood, which is about the women who fought to protect Choctaw children, who owned oil rich land in Oklahoma, from the land barons seeking power and wealth.  Lisa Wingate will be speaking on March 26, 2024 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Forsyth Conference Center. Please follow this link to researve your seat.  Read a transcript of this episode on our blog, Bookmarked.

In this episode, we revisit The Science of Love (2019) in which Ross interviews Dr. Larry J. Young, professor at Emory University, about his research on prairie voles and what their relationships can teach us about ourselves.  This episode was originally run in February 2019.  Read the transcript on our blog, Bookmarked.   

Is your New Year's resolution to learn something new? This January, we are offering a series of programs for adults dedicated to learning a new hobby. In this episode, Ross speaks with Sarah Brubaker, Information Services Supervisor at the Cumming Library, about the Pastime Pursuits program series. From photography to cosplay, there is something for everyone. Let us help you achieve your New Year's goal and learn something new! Events:Take a Hike! Prepare for Your Adventure Sunday, January 7 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Sharon Forks Library Is Film Photography for You? Saturday, January 13 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Cumming Library The Beginner's Guide to Cosplay Saturday, January 20 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Cumming Library Craft Supply Swap Fair Saturday, January 27 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Hampton Park Library Beautiful Bobbin Lace * Sunday, January 28 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Post Road Library *Registration Recommended Additional Links:  FCPL Programming Calendar Craft & Hobby Episode Transcript  

In this episode, Ross talks to Kim Ottesen, Programming Manager at FCPL, for the inside scoop on our winter reading challenge and this year's unique, cool prizes. Winter Reading Fun starts on December 19, 2023 and runs through January 21, 2024. You can learn more about Winter Reading Fun on our website.

In this episode of Unreadable, Ross talks with Anu Murari, Youth Specialist at the Sharon Forks Library. Anu explains the significance and history of Diwali and previews upcoming Diwali events at both the Cumming Library and the Sharon Forks Library.    Diwali Crafts and Demonstrations Saturday, November 4, 2023 1:30 PM -3:00 PM Cumming Library 585 Dahlonega Street Cumming, GA 30040   Diwali Celebration  Sunday, November 5, 2023 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Sharon Forks Library 2820 Old Atlanta Road Cumming, GA 30041  

Join us this month as Ross speaks with Brianna Schantz, Information Specialist at the Cumming Library, about the month-long celebration of Bram Stoker and all things spooky known as Stokerfest. The programs mentioned in this episode can be found on our website in the events section.  All Stokerfest programs will take place at the Cumming Library.

Join us this month as Ross speaks with Larry and Laurie Alvord, Georgia Master Naturalists, who will be hosting bat walks at the Post Road Library and Hampton Park Library this fall. Learn about the importance of bats to the Georgia ecosystem and what kind of bats are found in Forsyth County, as Larry and Laurie preview what you expect at their bat walks.   Post Road Library Bat Walk - September 12, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Hampton Park Library Bat Walk - October 25, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM   You can learn more about the Forsyth County Georgia Master Naturalists via their website.

In this mini episode, Erin of the Post Road Library recommends the Young Adult novel Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean. After learning she is a literal princess, Izumi travels to Japan to meet her father, the Crown Prince of Japan. Once there, she must learn to navigate the imperial court, familial relations, the press, and a forbidden romance.