WAPL librarians Desirae and Sarah are joined by Jenn from Brown Deer Public Library for a discussion on why they love audiobooks. They talk about some of their favorites, including ones featuring terrific solo narrators as well as those with a full cast. Works mentioned: The Wedding People by Alison Espach; The Storyteller by Dave Grohl; From Cradle to Stage by Virginia Hanlon Grohl; Surrender by Bono; Me by Elton John; the movie Rocketman; The Teacher, Never Lie, The Inmate and Ward D by Freida McFadden; The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix; The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton; the Lily Adler mysteries by Katharine Schellman; And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie; The Guest List by Lucy Foley; King of Wrath and the Twisted series by Ana Huang; Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt; the Whatever After and Wings of Fire series; and the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny. Check out books, TV shows and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com, hoopladigital.com and kanopy.com/en/westallis. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Librarians Desirae and Sarah discuss Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie mysteries, including the most recent, Death at the Sign of the Rook. They also chat about other character-driven mysteries and TV series. Works mentioned: Death at the Sign of the Rook; Case Histories; One Good Turn; When Will There Be Good News?; Started Early, Took My Dog; Big Sky and Life After Life by Kate Atkinson; the movie Knives Out; the TV series Case Histories and Downton Abbey; The Hunter by Tana French; the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith; the TV series Vera and books by Ann Cleeves; the TV series The Chelsea Detective, Professor T and Death in Paradise; and the TV series Dark Winds and books by Tony Hillerman. Check out books, TV shows and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com, hoopladigital.com and kanopy.com/en/westallis. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Librarians Meagan and Sarah talk about the guilt and angst of their TBR lists as well as books they are looking forward to reading ... someday. They also talk about how author events can be fun—and add to the TBR pile. Books mentioned: Perfect World and The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson, True North and Raft of Stars by Andrew J. Graff, The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, No One Belongs Here More Than You and All Fours by Miranda July, One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware, and Little Labors by Rivka Galchen. Learn more about West Allis Reads at westallislibrary.org/weread. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Librarian Katie talks to four members of the library’s Teen Advisory Board, or TAB, about books they are reading this summer. TAB is made up of students in grades 7-12 who earn volunteer hours by helping plan library programs for teens and working on library projects. Titles discussed include: Someone Is Always Watching by Kelley Armstrong, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare and The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. Also mentioned: Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson; The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han; If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang; and the Grishaverse books by Leigh Bardugo.  Check out our teen Instagram page @wapl_teenspace to keep up with teen events. If you or a student you know is interested in TAB, check out our teen events page for more information: www.westallislibrary.org/TeenEvents Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Episode 41: Manga Librarian Desirae and library patron Bryan discuss the ever-widening world of manga, including manga basics, their favorite series, and tons of reading recommendations! Also mentioned: Manga/Anime – Bleach, Cat Massage Therapy, Death Note, Delicious in Dungeon, Fist of the North Star, Frieren, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Joshiraku, K-On!, A Man & His Cat, My Hero Acadamia, Naruto, Nichijou, One Piece, Spy x Family, and The Way of the House Husband. Movies – Dune and My Neighbor Totoro. TV Shows – League of Legends and Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Sarah talks with local author Hannah Morrissey about her thrillers Hello, Transcriber; The Widowmaker; and When I’m Dead. They comprise the first three books in the Black Harbor series set in a fictional Wisconsin city along Lake Michigan.

Librarians Desirae and Sarah discuss The Hunter, Tana French’s latest novel which follows characters introduced in The Searcher. In The Hunter, Trey’s long-absent father reappears, bringing along an English millionaire and a scheme to find gold in the town. Also mentioned: In the Woods, The Likeness, The Witch Elm and Faithful Place by Tana French; True Grit by Charles Portis; Shane by Jack Schaefer; the movies Kill Bill, Tombstone and Maverick; the TV shows Westworld and Dublin Murders; the Jackson Brodie mysteries, including Case Histories, by Kate Atkinson; and The Family Upstairs and The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Staffers Sarah, Meagan and Tiffany chat about Come and Get It, Kiley Reid’s follow-up to her bestseller Such a Fun Age. Come and Get It is a campus novel about money that follows a resident assistant in the dorms, a professor with questionable ethics, and a transfer student with a complicated history. Also mentioned: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, Paying for the Party: How College Maintains Inequality by Elizabeth A. Armstrong and Laura T. Hamilton, and Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Librarians Meagan and Sarah talk about what they’ve been reading, including nonfiction books about history, ambition, happiness and spies as well as a couple of novels. Titles discussed in this episode include: The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith, Four Shots in the Night by Henry Hemming, Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey, All the Gold Stars by Rainesford Stauffer, The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA by Liza Mundy, Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson, and The Palace by Gareth Russell. Also mentioned: Cultish by Amanda Montell, the TV series C.B. Strike, Tana French, Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie mysteries, Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe, Belfast Diary by John Conroy and A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Desirae and library assistant Kate discuss chilling horror stories, including author Jonathan Edward Durham's debut novel, Winterset Hollow. Also mentioned: Skin Thief by Suzan Palumbo; Breakable Things by Cassandra Khaw; Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff; Watership Down by Richard Adams; What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher; and Bunny by Mona Awad. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com, and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moore via Pixabay

Are you looking for inspiration to make the next year your best? Librarians Sarah and Meagan discuss “year of” books, or project books that involve making a change over the course of a year. Titles discussed in this episode include: Coop by Michael Perry, Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, The Year of Miracles by Ella Risbridger, The Moneyless Man by Mark Boyle and Year of Yoga by Kassandra Reinhardt. Also mentioned: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver; Population 485 and Truck by Michael Perry; the Lonely Planet guide to Peru; A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg; and Yoga with Adrienne. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Librarians Sarah and Desirae talk about Nita Prose's new novel The Mystery Guest, a sequel to The Maid. Also mentioned: Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Librarians Sarah and Meagan talk about the delightful novel Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. In it, a former actress recounts her summer with a famous actor, as she and her adult daughters pick cherries during the pandemic shutdown. Also mentioned: Our Town by Thornton Wilder; Bel Canto, The Dutch House, Truth and Beauty, and State of Wonder by Ann Patchett; Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy; The Sentence by Louise Erdrich; and Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

West Allis residents and library book clubbers Jen and Jessi join Sarah for a discussion of what they’ve been reading. They also talk about why they enjoy book clubs, how they choose what to read next, odd jobs they’d like to pursue, and more. Titles discussed in this episode include: How Can I Help You by Laura Sims, Murder Is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns, the Fox and O’Hare series by Janet Evanovich, Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan, Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont, and Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah. Also mentioned: My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, Burnt by Clare Frank, Toni Morrison, the Dead-End Job mysteries by Elaine Viets, and the Chloe Ellefson mysteries by Kathleen Ernst. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Julia the intern hosts this episode and is joined by librarian Sarah as they discuss cozy mysteries. This is a shared favorite genre of the two. They discuss the basics of cozies, what readers can expect when they open up a cozy, and favorite titles of theirs! Titles discussed in this episode include: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, A Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan, Shady Hollow by Juneau Black, the Hannah Swensen Series by Joanne Fluke, Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney, Happiness Falls by Angie Kim and the Cat in the Stacks Series by Jackson Braun. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Katie and Sarah talk about books that will tickle your funny bone. Whether you enjoy essays, memoirs or novels, you’ll find a story guaranteed* to make you laugh. Titles discussed in this episode include: King of the Mild Frontier by Chris Crutcher, Big Swiss by Jen Beagin, Hey Ladies! by Michelle Markowitz and Caroline Moss, Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris, The Idiot Girls’ Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro, Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster, Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny, Survival of the Thickest by Michelle Buteau, Dear Girls by Ali Wong, Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith, Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, the TV show Somebody Somewhere, and Shrill by Lindy West (also adapted for TV). Also mentioned: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson; the TV show Killing Eve, based on the Villanelle series by Luke Jennings; the movie Bridesmaids; Early Morning Riser and Games and Rituals by Katherine Heiny; A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost; The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris; The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz; and Verity by Colleen Hoover. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. *Just kidding! There are no guarantees, but you can tell us what you think and share your favorite funny books with us at [email protected]. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Intern Julia joins Sarah and Katie to discuss Gabrielle Zevin’s must-read novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, which follows Sam and Sadie who design hit video games. It’s an unforgettable, moving tale about storytelling, friendship and the creative process. Also mentioned: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, Looking for Alaska and The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green, Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin, Anne Tyler, and The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. To play Emily Blaster, go to gabriellezevin.com/emilyblastergame Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Just in time for summer, we talk about what we think makes for a good beach read and offer a variety of recommendations, several of which are recent releases. We also chat about why we enjoy reimagined stories, whether inspired by Jane Austen novels, fairy tales or other source material. Titles discussed in this episode include: Book Lovers by Emily Henry; Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld; Hooked, Scarred, Wretched and Twisted by Emily McIntire; This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs; The Last Word by Taylor Adams; and Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto. Also mentioned: Beach Read and Happy Place by Emily Henry; Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev; Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin; Eligible, Prep and Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld; Crossed by Emily McIntire; The Queen of the South by Arturo Pérez-Reverte; the movie Notting Hill; Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto; and The Maid by Nita Prose. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Thirty years after it was published, The Secret History by Donna Tartt remains as influential as ever, mentioned on cover blurbs and social media. It even informs the Dark Academia subculture. Librarians Meagan and Sarah discuss the atmospheric campus novel and talk about the joys of rereading. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Were you excited about the return of Alex Stern? Four years after Ninth House, Hell Bent heads back to the Yale campus, where magic is practiced in secret societies. Librarians Sarah and Desirae discuss why they enjoy the mystery/fantasy series, plus they talk about what magic they’d like to practice. Titles discussed in this episode include: Ninth House and Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo. Also mentioned: Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo; The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson; The Secret History by Donna Tartt; The Cloisters by Katy Hays; The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin; A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (also a TV series on DVD); The Magicians by Lev Grossman; The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu; and The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

WAPL librarian Sarah talks with Liam Callanan about his latest novel, When in Rome. It’s about a woman who must choose between the chance to save a struggling convent and a life with her old flame. Plus, Sarah and Callanan talk about Paris, Milwaukee and Wisconsin State Fair cream puffs. Titles discussed in this episode include: When in Rome, Paris by the Book, The Cloud Atlas and All Saints by Liam Callanan. Also mentioned: The podcast The Bittersweet Life, Ninth House and Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo, What Happened to Sophie Wilder by Christopher Beha, The Symmetry of Fish by Su Cho and The Archive Is All in Present Tense by Elizabeth Hoover. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

WAPL librarians Desirae and Katie talk about their favorite love stories. They chat about sports themed romance, as well as other novels they recommend. Plus, they talk about fanfiction and romance tropes they love and hate. Titles and series discussed in this episode include: The Hellions Angles series by Lia Riley; the Playbook series by Alexa Martin; the Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips; the Spoiler Alert series by Olivia Dade; the Hundred Oaks series by Miranda Kenneally; If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy; One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London; And They Lived by Steven Salvatore; and the Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard. Also mentioned: The After Series by Anna Todd and Disney Twisted Tales Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Do you have reading resolutions for the new year? Whether you want to focus your efforts on reading outside your comfort zone or simply want to read more, check out these suggestions from librarians Katie, Meagan and Sarah. They also talk about book discovery resources and what they’re looking forward to reading next. Titles mentioned in this episode include: Empire of Pain and Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe; Rust Belt Femme by Raechel Anne Jolie; Olga Dies Dreaming by by Xochitl Gonzalez; The World Record Book of Racist Stories and You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin; The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas; My First Popsicle, edited by Zosia Mamet; The Song of the Cell and The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee; The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty; Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America by Cody Keenan; A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny; and Now Is Not the Time to Panic, The Family Fang and Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. Also mentioned: Archive of Our Own Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

In this episode, we welcome WAPL librarian Gina to the podcast. She, Desirae and Sarah suggest gift ideas, both fiction and nonfiction, for the various book lovers in your life—and maybe for yourself. Titles discussed in this episode include: The Boys by Katie Hafner; Go to Sleep (I Miss You) by Lucy Knisley; Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff; How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis; Dinner in One by Melissa Clark; The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart; The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec; Marple: Twelve New  Stories by various writers; Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney; Slenderman by Kathleen Hale; and Strange Planet and Stranger Planet by Nathan W. Pyle. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

We welcome Meagan, an adult services librarian at WAPL, to the podcast. She joins Sarah to recommend books you might enjoy during Native American Heritage Month and beyond. Titles discussed in this episode include: The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer, Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine, Carry:  A Memoir of Survival on Stolen Land by Toni Jensen, The Sentence by Louise Erdrich, My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Read about the exhibit Border Cantos: bordercantos.com Learn about another photography project that transformed immigrants’ discarded items into art: https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/02/22/tom-kiefer-photos-el-sueno-americano Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Intern Beth P. chats with local author Anna Lardinois about haunted history in Wisconsin and the release of her new book, Madison Ghosts and Legends, a companion book to Milwaukee Ghosts and Legends. Lardinois reveals some of her top spots for paranormal activity and discloses how she researches Wisconsin history to find stories for her books. She also talks about being a tour guide for shipwreck tours in Milwaukee and shares what attracts her to storytelling. Titles discussed in this episode: Madison Ghosts and Legends, Milwaukee Ghosts and Legends, Storied & Scandalous Wisconsin, Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes, The Ghostly Tales of Milwaukee, and The Ghostly Tales of Flint. Check out books at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins Sept. 15, WAPL librarians Sarah, Desirae and Katie discuss Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez. The novel follows a wedding planner and her politician brother and involves family relationships, romantic relationships, Puerto Rican culture and politics, and much more. Plus, they offer readalikes that touch on aspects of the book. Also mentioned: Birds of Paradise by Diana Abu-Jaber, Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn, I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri, In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera and the podcast Mother Country Radicals. Check out books and DVDs at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Are you in the mood for a summer read, narrative nonfiction book, mystery or thriller? WAPL staffers Sarah, Desirae and Beth P. talk about their recent reads plus what they’re looking forward to reading next. Titles and authors discussed in this episode include: Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny, The Café by the Sea by Jenny Colgan, Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan, The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater, The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell, An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough, The Shadows of Men by Abir Mukherjee, and The Bangalore Detectives Club by Harini Nagendra. Also mentioned: Evicted by Matthew Desmond, The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier, Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, the Supernatural TV series and books, Concrete Rose and On the Come Up by Angie Thomas, The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki, Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia, and Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. Check out books and DVDs at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Molly Shannon, Viola Davis, Matthew McConaughey, Colin Jost—many stars are writing their stories. Librarians Katie and Sarah talk about celebrity memoirs they’ve enjoyed in this episode. These books vary in style, so you’re bound to find one you’ll enjoy. Titles and authors discussed in this episode include: Bossypants by Tina Fey; Open Book by Jessica Simpson; This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps; Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley; Yearbook by Seth Rogen; Dear Girls by Ali Wong; Hello, Molly by Molly Shannon; Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey; the TV series True Detective; A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost; Mindy Kaling; Finding Me by Viola Davis; the TV series How to Get Away With Murder; Becoming by Michelle Obama; and We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union. Check out books and DVDs at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

This month librarians Desirae, Sarah and Katie discuss the romantic thriller Verity, which follows a struggling writer who accepts an offer to finish a series by an injured bestselling author. If you like plot twists, this one’s for you! Plus, we consider who should be cast in the main roles in a movie adaptation. Also mentioned: Flowers in the Attic and Petals on the Wind by V.C. Andrews, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Linda Howard, Harlan Coben, the TV series The Fall, the movie Barb & Star Go to Vista del Mar, Firestarter by Stephen King, Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon, Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell and the movie The Gift. Check out books and DVDs at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

This month librarians Elizabeth, Sarah and Desirae discuss the bestselling mystery The Maid by Nita Prose. It follows a hotel maid whose tidy life is turned upside down when she becomes a murder suspect. We fell in love with Molly the Maid, and we think you will, too! Also mentioned: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, the Shady Hollow mystery series by Juneau Black, and Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries by Agatha Christie. Check out books at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Mystery fans, take note! WAPL librarian Sarah chats with local writers Erica Ruth Neubauer, author of the Jane Wunderly mysteries, and Sharon Nagel, co-author of the Shady Hollow mysteries. They cover the influence of Agatha Christie and Nancy Drew as well as the process of writing and getting published. Titles and authors discussed in this episode include: Murder at the Mena House, Murder at Wedgefield Manor and Danger on the Atlantic by Erica Ruth Neubauer, and Shady Hollow, Cold Clay and Mirror Lake by Juneau Black. Also mentioned: Elizabeth Peters; Miracle Creek by Angie Kim; Murder at the Brightwell by Ashley Weaver; Sue Grafton; Elizabeth Cole; Louise Penny; Countess of Harleigh mysteries by Dianne Freeman; Jasmine Guillory; Tessa Dare; Sarah MacLean; Finlay Donovan Is Killing It and Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano; and Murder at the Mansions by Sara Rosett. Check out books at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Librarians Sarah and Katie chat about what they’re currently reading and new books on their to-read list. They riff on short stories, memoirs, mysteries, family reads, the ’90s and more. Plus, they talk about novels versus short stories and what BookTok offers readers. Titles and authors discussed in this episode include: These Ghosts Are Family by Maisy Card, The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey Wilson, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections by Eva Jurczyk, Starfish by Lisa Fipps, and Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston. Also mentioned: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi; A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan; Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips; The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman; Jackson Brodie mysteries by Kate Atkinson; Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan; The Shadows of Men by Abir Mukherjee; Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang; The Nineties, Killing Yourself to Live, and Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman; I Came All This Way to Meet You by Jami Attenberg; It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey; Best Wishes, Warmest Regards by Daniel Levy and Eugene Levy. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

WAPL librarians Sarah and Desirae discuss fabulous fiction by Black authors for Black History Month. They chat about Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half, as well as other novels they recommend. Plus, they talk about why some audiobooks delight them and others annoy them, as well as why they aren’t put off by unlikable characters. Titles and authors discussed in this episode include: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton, These Toxic Things and Land of Shadows by Rachel Howzell Hall, and Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. Also mentioned: Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid and the films Passing and Imitation of Life. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Join librarians Sarah and Katie for a conversation about Firekeeper’s Daughter, as well as other great YA books you’ll love—no matter what your age happens to be. Titles and authors discussed in this episode include: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak; Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley; Time Will Tell by Barry Lyga; In the Wild Light and The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner; The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater; Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein; Angie Thomas; Long Way Down, Ghost and Miles Morales: Spider-man by Jason Reynolds; and Tiffany D. Jackson. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Join us for the second half of our conversation about the best books we read this year! Librarians Sarah and Desirae, along with WAPL book club members Michele and Heather, chat about food, paranormal romance and reimagining Greek myths. Part 2 of 2. Titles discussed in this episode include: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, Eight Ways to Tequila (An Althea Rose Mystery) by Tricia O'Malley, If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio, and Neon Gods by Katee Robert. Also mentioned: The Siren Island series and the Mystic Cove series by Tricia O'Malley; The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich; the TV series Only Murders in the Building; The Song of Achilles and Circe by Madeline Miller; Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann; Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood; Lore Olympus, Volume 1 by Rachel Smythe; Millennial Nuns by Daughters of St. Paul; Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart; One Day in December by Josie Silver; Middlegame and the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire; State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny; and Louise Penny’s Three Pines mysteries. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Librarians Sarah and Desirae welcome WAPL book club members Michele and Heather for a conversation about the best books we read this year. We talk about inspiring characters who overcame obstacles, stories that delve into parent-child dynamics, and the impact of social media—and how the future might look. Part 1 of 2. Titles discussed in this episode include: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria Schwab, Educated by Tara Westover, The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker, Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage, Followers by Megan Angelo, and the “Nosedive” episode of Black Mirror from Season 3. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

In this grab bag episode, librarians Elizabeth and Sarah talk about recent reads—mainly mysteries and memoirs—as well as giving themselves permission to give up on a book and grab another from the to-read pile. They also share how they discover books and why you should try listening to audiobooks on the Hoopla app, which is free to access with your library card. Titles discussed in this episode include: Committed by Adam Stern, the TV series In Treatment, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb, Cultish and Wordslut by Amanda Montell, The Guest List and The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, One by One and The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware, Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy, and Miracle Creek by Angie Kim. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Librarians Elizabeth, Sarah and Desirae chat about Zakiya Dalila Harris’ popular novel that offers a behind-the-scenes look at book publishing and blends horror elements, humor and social commentary. Our conversation touches on hair and how it relates to identity, femininity and professionalism. Titles discussed in this episode include: The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris, False Witness by Karin Slaughter, Pet Sematary by Stephen King, Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, and Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Librarian and host Sarah chats with Lauren Fox, local author of Send for Me, which follows four generations of women from 1930s Germany to contemporary Milwaukee. Fox talks about writing her first historical novel, her great-grandmother’s letters that inspired the story, and what it was like to have Send for Me picked as a Read With Jenna book and answer readers’ questions on the TODAY show. Titles discussed in this episode include: Send for Me, Still Life With Husband, Friends Like Us, and Days of Awe, all by Lauren Fox. Also mentioned: Stones From the River by Ursula Hegi, The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris, Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny, and The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel. Read Lauren Fox’s Lit Hub essay, about sharing family history with the next generation, here: https://lithub.com/our-family-stories-are-the-bridge-between-nature-and-nurture/ Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Enjoy reading cookbooks for leisure? Why not try a cookbook memoir? Listen in as host Elizabeth and guest Mary discuss their new and old favorites in this genre. Books discussed in this episode are Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl, People Who Love to Eat Are Always the Best People and Other Wisdom by Julia Child, Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love, and Food by Ann Hood, Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley, Midnight Chicken: & Other Recipes Worth Living For by Ella Risbridger, Jew-ish: A Cookbook: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch by Jake Cohen, Savage Feast: Three Generations, Two Continents, and a Dinner Table by Boris Fishman, Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father, and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking by Bill Buford, Eat a Peach: A Memoir by David Chang and Crying in H Mart: A Memoir, by Michele Zauner.  Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

In this episode, hosts Elizabeth and Sarah talk about their new favorite historical mystery series, Abir Mukherjee’s Wyndham & Banerjee Mysteries, set in 1920s India. It speaks to themes relevant to today’s readers, such as addiction and PTSD, even as its setting offers a delightful escape. Titles discussed in this episode include: A Rising Man, A Necessary Evil, Smoke and Ashes, and Death in the East, all by Abir Mukherjee. Also mentioned: Sujata Massey’s Perveen Mistry series; The Ibis Trilogy by Amitav Ghosh; The Red Hot Chilli Writers podcast; and the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series and the Malabar House series, both by Vaseem Khan. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Host Sarah and guest Adam chat about terrific books by LGBTQ+ authors, just in time for Pride Month. Plus, we share the prizes you can win for reading with the library when participating in WAPL’s Adult Summer Reading Program. Titles discussed in this episode include: Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett; Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin; Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski; Memorial by Bryan Washington; Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan; Ziggy, Stardust & Me by James Brandon; and The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay