The Books We Loved
The Books We Loved is a podcast about revisiting old favorites with an open mind and a new perspective. Despite the title, we won’t be limiting ourselves to books-- movies, music, TV shows, and other aspects of pop culture will be up for discussion. Hosts and TPL Librarians Manda and Olivia (alongside some special guests from the Troy community!) will be asking themselves: does this book hold up? Tune in to revisit your old favorites while adding some new titles to your TBR list.
Episodes
Today the gals share some ideas about how to break your reading slump, and offer up some titles that helped them get back into reading.
Olivia and Manda discuss their recent reads during today's episode. Remember, if you're looking for personalized recs, send an email to: podcast@troypl.org
Today the gals host Danielle (from Digital Services) for a robust discussion about the inspiring and controversial photographer, Sally Mann, and her 2025 book, Art Work: on the creative life.
A girl and her pig, a spider, and so many more memorable characters are up for discussion today, as Olivia and Manda chat about the beloved children's classic, Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White. Did it hold up to the test of time for our discerning librarians? You'll just have to listen and see!
Today the gals and Keegan (from Youth Services), will tell you how ardently they admire and love Jane Austen's classic, Pride and Prejudice! Happy (belated) 250th, Jane!
Today Olivia and Manda chat with local author, Tina Battle, about her newest children's book, Adventures in Troy with Betty and Buddy Beaver. The book celebrates all things Troy, following protagonists Betty & Buddy as they waddle their way to many local attractions, including the LIBRARY!
Copies are available for purchase locally at 86 Plastic or on Amazon. For signed copies of the book, email Tina at: tinambattle@gmail.com
Olivia and Manda are joined by Community Engagement's, Hannah and Kit, today for a discussion of Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel (now a major motion picture), Hamnet. Buckle up, buttercups, because you're in for a chat featuring the plague, Willy Shakes, and more!
Today the gals share their thoughts on the new film adaptation of Emily Bronte's, Wuthering Heights, as well as dig into some of their literary dislikes. It's the confessional episode, and they hope they don't yuck anybody's yum.
Join the gals today as they do an author spotlight on kids author and illustrator, Grace Lin. Books mentioned in the show today include:
- Story Telling Math series including, The Last Marshmallow (board books)
- The Ugly Vegetables (picture book)
- Dim Sum for Everyone! (picture book)
- A Big Mooncake for Little Star (*Manda misspoke and said "little sister"; picture book)
- Once Upon a Book (picture book)
- Ling & Ting (early reader...
Today the gal pals share their recent and current reads (and a couple of streaming shows). Below are all titles discussed:
Books discussed:
- The God of the Woods, Moore
- Bog Queen, North (Manda mentioned, The Windeby Puzzle, Lowry, as a kids readalike to this title)
- Four Eyes (sequel is, Pizza Face), Ogle
- The Secret Astronomers, Walker
- We Fell Apart (We Were Liars series, #3), e. lockhart
- Fly On the Wall, e. lockhart (title fro...
Today the ladies discussed readalikes for the show (and book!) everyone is talking about: Heated Rivalry.
Titles discussed include:
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
- Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
- If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales & Cale Dietrich
- Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Prospects of KT Hoffman
- The Long Ru...
Due to the recent success of the film, K-Pop Demon Hunters, the gals thought it was high time to offer our listeners some K-Pop inspired reading recs! Buckle up, buttercups, and be prepared to impress your friends (and, dare we say, kids) with this K-Pop inspired reading list!
Titles discussed today:
- K-pop Confidential, Stephan Lee
- I’ll Be the One, Lyla Lee
- XOXO, Axie Oh
- Somewhere Only We Know, Mauren Goo
- I'll love yo...
The girls round out the year by sharing their personal favorite reads of 2025. See below for the booklist.
Olivia's recs:
- Atmosphere, Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Heart the Lover, Lily King
- The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, Kiran Desai
- All the Way to the River, Elizabeth Gilbert
- This American Woman, Zarna Garg
- Death of the Author, Nnedi Okorafor
- Back After This, Linda Holmes
- Swept Away, Beth O’Leary
Manda's recs...
Today Olivia and Manda reflect on the cinematic gifts left to the world by the genius, Rob Reiner. Along with each movie mentioned, the girls offer book recs for your reading delight (list below). Happy Holidays!
When Harry Met Sally:
- Heartburn, Nora Ephron
- The People We Meet on Vacation, Henry (really any Emily Henry book)
- Normal People, Rooney
- Rachel Incident, O’Donoghue
- Eleanor and Park, Rowell
- One Day, Nicholls
Mi...
Today the gals are joined by fellow TPL staffer, Hannah, for a discussion of every high school's favorite assigned book, The Great Gatsby. O
Looking for some great gift ideas? You've come to the right place! The girls share ideas for all ages, babies to adults. In case you were walking/driving/jogging and couldn't write down the titles, the gals discussed:
- When Pigs Fly: a song for dreamers, Sandra Boynton
- The Book of Candles: eight poems for Hanukkah Laurel Snyder, illus. by Leanne Hatch
- The 13th Day of Christmas, Adam Rex
- Once Upon a Kwanzaa, Nyasha Williams
- The...
Today the gals dig into Agatha Christie's novel, The Body in the Library--the second book to feature beloved sleuth extraordinaire, Ms. Marple!
Today's quick episode is in response to a request from our listener, Eliza. Don't forget, if you would like us to give you recommendations, shoot us an email at: podcast@troypl.org
- If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving, by Chris Newell, illustrated by Winona Nelson
- Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story, written by indigenous authors: Danielle Greendeer (Mashpee Wampanoag), Anthony Perry (Chickasaw), Alexis Bunte...
Fellow TPL staffer, Kit, will be joining the girls today to discuss Alison Bechdel's, Fun Home: a family tragicomic, a graphic memoir.
In honor of Halloween, the gals are joined by Director, Emily Dumas, to discuss 1999's The Mummy starring Brendan Frasier and Rachel Weiss. Enjoy this spoooooky episode!
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