Books and the City

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INTERVIEW: Melissa from the New York Public Library Nov 05, 2020

Show notes

Today, Kayla and Libby are chatting with Melissa, who is a Managing Librarian at the Bronx Library Center! Stay tuned to hear all about what Melissa’s typical day at the library looks like, the advice she has for anyone wanting to work at the library, what she misses most about being in-person at her Bronx Library Center, and some of the odd things she’s found in the pages of returned library books over her 20 years working there. If you’ve missed browsing the library as much as the hosts of Books and the City have, this interview will fill that library-shaped hole in your heart while we all wait for this pandemic to end. You can find the links we discussed in this episode below, and feel free to drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com. Thank you so much for listening!------------------------>

Find out if your local NYPL branch is open for Grab & Go service (or as Kayla would say, takeout for books) here!: https://www.nypl.org/locations/directory.
Help the NYPL celebrate their 125th birthday!: https://www.nypl.org/125

Top 10 checkouts of all time: https://www.nypl.org/125/topcheckouts
Melissa has been reading (and watching): Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman

Melissa’s all-time favorite book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Explore the rest of the library’s many resources on their website: https://www.nypl.org!

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

"How Dare You Sneeze In This Economy!" Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

We hope you all had a spooky, safe Halloweekend, and that you're ready to get out and VOTE tomorrow if you haven't yet. We're jumping into today's episode with a fishbowl question about fictional villains that almost sent us off the rails. In case you haven't heard, Kayla loves a bad boy. Come share your favorite fictional villains with us after we chat about some excellent November reads. This episode was brought to you by Simpson & Vail Tea (how exciting!) Shop their delicious literary teas and more at https://www.svtea.com/. Don’t forget, you can shop the fall merch drop here: https://www.booksandthecitypod.com/merch. Join our fan club at https://www.patreon.com/booksandthecitypod! Shop all the books we’ve discussed on this episode and past episodes at bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity. Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter, and as always, drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com. We love you, thanks for tuning in!------------->

Kayla just read: The Book of Lost Names by Kritsin Harmel (23:00-34:59)
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Book-of-Lost-Names/Kristin-Harmel/9781982131890
Up next for Kayla: Z by Therese Anne Fowler

Becky just read: Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles (35:00-47:45)
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250204356
Up next for Becky: The Ladies of the Secret Circus by Constance Sayers

Libby just read: Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis (47:46-1:07:43)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/576271/cantoras-by-carolina-de-robertis/
Up next for Libby: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Emily just read: The Likeness by Tana French (1:07:44-1:22:22)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/300449/the-likeness-by-tana-french/
Up next for Emily: Memorial by Bryan Washington

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

"Do You Eat Candles?" Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

Books and the City is BACK, baby!!! Meaning we’re back together in the same room for the first time since March. It’s hard to believe it’s been so long, but we get right back into the groove of things with some Halloweek talk. And I’m sure you were all worried, but fear not: the fishbowl crossed state lines for this episode recording. After all that chatter, we’re getting into the books with a healthy mix of titles including a rom-com, a witchy classic, a YA classic retelling, and a straight-up classic. Don’t forget, you can now shop the fall merch drop here: https://www.booksandthecitypod.com/merch. Join our fan club here: https://www.patreon.com/booksandthecitypod! Shop all the books we’ve discussed on this episode and past episodes at bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity. Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter, and as always, drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com. Thanks for listening and stay safe this Halloween!------------->

Becky just read: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (17:40-32:07)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/287086/practical-magic-by-alice-hoffman-with-a-new-introduction-by-the-author/
Up next for Becky: The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict

Libby just read: Pride by Ibi Zoboi (32:08-44:37)
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/pride-ibi-zoboi?variant=32122140852258
Up next for Libby: Bunny by Mona Awad

Emily just read: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (44:38-1:01:20)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/595383/the-picture-of-dorian-gray-by-oscar-wilde/
Up next for Emily: Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin

Kayla just read: After Everything by Andrea Nourse (1:01:21-1:1:07:37)
https://www.amazon.com/After-Everything-Andrea-Nourse/dp/173533250X
Up next for Kayla: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

Do You Believe In Ghosts? Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

We're staying on the spooky train and getting to the bottom of co-host ghost beliefs. Kayla has a lie to rectify from early podcast days, and we're all sharing some ~spooky encounters~ so buckle up and get ready. Also, some super exciting merch announcements before we get into our book talk! Check the website to shop the super exciting, brand new (suuuper limited edition) fall merch drop: www.booksandthecitypod.com. You can join the fan club here: https://www.patreon.com/booksandthecitypod! Shop all the books we’ve discussed on this episode and past episodes at bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity. Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter, and as always, drop us a line (and send us your BATC TikTok ideas) at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com. Thank you forever and always for listening!------------->

Becky just read: These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling (20:23-32:12)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/575302/these-witches-dont-burn-by-isabel-sterling/
Up next for Becky: This Coven Won’t Break by Isabel Sterling

Libby just read: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (32:13-40:01) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/27844/the-house-on-mango-street-by-sandra-cisneros/
Up next for Libby: The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

Emily just read: In the Woods by Tana French (40:02-52:10)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/300448/in-the-woods-by-tana-french/
Up next for Emily: The Likeness by Tana French

Kayla just read: The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis (52:11-1:04:43)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566481/the-masterpiece-by-fiona-davis/
Up next for Kayla: The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jennie Fields Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

Today’s interview is a very exciting one with the author of Atomic Love, Jennie Fields! Atomic Love is Jennie Fields’s fifth novel, and it tells the beautiful love story of a scientist in 1950’s Chicago, working on the Manhattan Project while carrying on a passionate affair with her colleague. As with all author interviews that involve Emily and an author from the Chicagoland area, we kick things off with some deep dish pizza talk. That’s followed by a fascinating discussion about all things science, the atomic bomb, book research, and the current state of the world through the eyes of Atomic Love’s main character, Rosalind. Plus, a fun sneak peek at what’s next from this author! Thank you so much for listening, we hope you enjoy this interview as much as we enjoyed speaking with the amazing Jennie Fields. You can find the buy links below, and please feel free to drop us a line about this interview or whatever’s on your mind at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com. ------------------------>

Atomic Love by Jennie Fields: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/617237/atomic-love-by-jennie-fields/

Jennie recently finished reading: Restless by William Boyd

Up next for Jennie: The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

(Psst! Listen to our interview with Fiona Davis about this very book right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/author-interview-fiona-davis/id1500784660?i=1000487283736)

Find Jennie online! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniefieldsauthor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennie.fields.author/ Website: https://www.jenniefields.com/

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

All The Spooky Things Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

We are SO EXCITED to bring you an incredible horror-centric episode in the thick of spooky season with Abby Brenker! Abby is the host of the podcast, Lunatics Radio Hour, and recently released her first book of short stories, called Horror Stories. Stay tuned to hear us discuss all things spooky, including how she got into the horror world, her favorite horror movies, all of her many side projects related to the Lunatics, and the self-publishing process. The link to Abby's book and podcast is included below, along with buy links for the books we are talking about. Join the fan club here: https://www.patreon.com/booksandthecitypod! Shop all the books we’ve discussed on this episode and past episodes at bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity. Visit our website at www.booksandthecitypod.com to make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter, and as always, please drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com to share any and all of your other bookish thoughts. Thank you thank you THANK YOU for listening!------------->

Buy Abby Brenker's book, Horror Stories, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HT566V4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_-LNBFbWP7Q3JG

Tune into the Lunatics Radio Hour Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts & follow all Lunatics-related projects here: https://instagram.com/thelunaticsproject

Libby just read: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (32:10-56:24)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/326525/frankenstein-by-mary-shelley/
Up next for Libby: a What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell

Emily just read: Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine (56:25-1:05:15)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/576721/sabrina-and-corina-by-kali-fajardo-anstine/
Up next for Emily: Lot by Bryan Washington

Kayla just read: When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole (1:05:16-1:16:10)
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/when-no-one-is-watching-alyssa-cole
Up next for Kayla: Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffmann

Becky just read: The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow (1:16:11-1:29:14)
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/alix-e-harrow/the-once-and-future-witches/9780316422048/
P.S. here's that podcast, Unobscured, that Emily mentioned during Becky's book talk: https://historyunobscured.com/season1/
Up next for Becky: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffmann

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

Father Becky: It's A Dad Thing Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

Happy October!!! We're kicking off this episode with a very exciting announcement about our A Witch in Time buddy read, so listen up for more details on that and make sure you enter the giveaway! We also have a new fall merch drop coming soon, so get ready to usher in spooky season in true Books and the City style. And before we talk books, we're sharing our favorite past Halloween costumes! Emily tends toward the clever route, and Becky goes for niche movie references. Buy links are included below, and feel free to join the fan club here: https://www.patreon.com/booksandthecitypod. Shop all the books we’ve discussed on this episode and past episodes at bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity. Visit our website at www.booksandthecitypod.com to make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter, and as always, please drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com to share any and all of your other bookish thoughts. Endless thanks to you for listening! ❤️------------->

Becky just read: Don’t Look for Me by Wendy Walker (16:01-28:41)
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250198709
Up next for Becky: The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Kayla just read: Know My Name by Chanel Miller (28:42-44:00)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/553663/know-my-name-by-chanel-miller/
Up next for Kayla: The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

Libby just read: The Binding by Bridget Collins (44:01-58:24)
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-binding-bridget-collins
Up next for Libby: Cantoras by Carolina de Robertis

Emily just read: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (58:25-1:10:19)
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/rebecca-daphne-du-maurier
Up next for Emily: Fledgling by Octavia Butler

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Helena Dea Bala Oct 01, 2020

Show notes

In today’s exceptional author interview episode, Kayla and Emily are sitting down for a great conversation with Helena Dea Bala, author of the fascinating, touching, and vulnerable book, Craigslist Confessional. This book features anonymous stories submitted in response to a Craigslist ad that Helena was inspired to post after a lunchtime conversation with a panhandler near her office. Keep listening to hear about Helena’s journey quitting her job to listen to these anonymous confessions full time, what this project has taught her about empathy and the human condition, and what’s up next with the Craigslist Confessional project. Plus, some really great insight into helping others and processing issues in your own life. And of course, stick around to hear Helena’s go-to beverage and her dirty little secret about her children’s book buying habits. Thanks so much for listening! You can find the buy links below, and please feel free to drop us a line about this interview or whatever’s on your mind at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com. ------------------------>

Craigslist Confidential: A Collection of Secrets from Anonymous Strangers by Helena Dea Bala: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Craigslist-Confessional/Helena-Dea-Bala/9781982114961

Helena recently finished reading: Stray by Stephanie Danler

Find Helena online! Twitter: https://twitter.com/helenadeabala Website: https://craigslistconfessional.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenadeabala/

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

"Is It About Books Anymore, Or Is It Just About Sanity?" Sep 28, 2020

Show notes

Happy Monday, friends! Welcome back to another episode, where we start by rehashing some recent fun Patreon bonus content. Then, we're getting into a fun fishbowl question (submitted by Kerry the fish - thanks, Kerry!) all about our very first memories. Find out who buried their trauma and who remembers it vividly. Read on for buy links, and remember you can always join the fan club here: https://www.patreon.com/booksandthecitypod. Shop all the books we’ve discussed on this episode and past episodes at bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity. Visit our website at www.booksandthecitypod.com to make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter, and as always, please drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com to share any and all of your other bookish thoughts. Thank you very much for listening!------------->

Becky just read: Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (16:33-27:44)
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/leave-the-world-behind-rumaan-alam?variant=32123411365922
Up next for Becky: The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

Emily just read: Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (27:45-38:14)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/586483/pet-by-akwaeke-emezi/
Up next for Emily: The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

Kayla just read: Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa (38:15-49:58)
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Against-the-Loveless-World/Susan-Abulhawa/9781982137038
Up next for Kayla: The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

Libby just read: Who Put This Song On? by Morgan Parker (49:59-1:07:23)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/592224/who-put-this-song-on-by-morgan-parker/
Up next for Libby: We Love You, Charlie Freeman by Kaitlyn Greenidge

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

"Sorry...did you say ubie?" Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

First thing's first: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our very own science nerd, the co-host who is ALWAYS ready with a jingle or four: Emily!!! 🎉 Go send her some birthday love today. And then buckle up for a very fun, very giggly episode that we recorded at the tail-end of our marathon 9-hour recording session. Bear with us through the loopiness as we talk about the books that always get us into the ~fall~ mood! After that, stick around to hear some incredible book talk as everyone discusses some promising titles, from cult favorites to highly anticipated new releases. Read on for buy links, and join the fan club here: https://www.patreon.com/booksandthecitypod. Shop all the books we’ve discussed on this episode and past episodes at bookshop.org/shop/booksandthecity. Visit our website at www.booksandthecitypod.com to make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter, and as always, please drop us a line at booksandthecitypod@gmail.com to share any and all of your other bookish thoughts. WE LOVE YOU, thank you so much for listening!------------->

Libby just read: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (11:54-34:45)
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765387585
Up next for Libby: The Binding by Bridget Collins

Kayla just read: They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman (34:46-46:27)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/610616/they-wish-they-were-us-by-jessica-goodman/
Up next for Kayla: A Most English Princess by Claire McHugh

Becky just read: Watch Over Me by Nina Lacour (46:28-54:37)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622607/watch-over-me-by-nina-lacour/
Up next for Becky: Don’t Look for Me by Wendy Walker

Emily just read: The Secret History by Donna Tartt (54:38-1:12:20)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/176619/the-secret-history-by-donna-tartt/
Up next for Emily: The Killings At Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah

Music by EpidemicSound, logo art by @niczollos, all opinions our own.

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