Winter is a time that features holidays celebrated around the world -- Hannukah, Christmas, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Los Posadas, Eid-al-Adha, Diwali, and many, many more. There is celebrating of the light, friends, culture, feasting, and giving to others. Today Kristi, Laura, Rachel and Mari will be talking about some favorite gifts - books, music, or film - that they have received, or given.

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Our 49th episode may chill you to the bone. Please join our co-hosts Kristi Cates and Mari McKeeth as they talk with Laura Golaszewski about some of the most frightening titles available on our shelves. It's an episode of horrors to fill you with fear. This episode has a listener advisory at the top, so please be aware that some material discusses sensitive topics. Your discretion is advised. Pull the covers over your eyes, bite your lower lip, and check it out... if you dare.

• Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab the Body Farm by William Bass
• A False Report: A True Story of Rape in America by T. Christian Miller
• Where the Woods End by Charlotte Salter 
• A Taste for Monsters by Matthew J. Kirby
• Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Music in this episode...Deep Space by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Let us know what you think after you check it out! Email us!

It's our 47th episode! Co-host Kristi Cates and Jane Jankowski talk about all of their favorite podcasts and books about podcasts. It's an episode for the podcast lover and you don't want to miss it. So settle back and Check It Out! 

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June: a month of reading in the sun. It's time for Episode Forty-Five of Check It Out and your hosts Mari McKeeth and Kristi Cates joined by Children's Librarian Jennifer Williams as she reviews and recommends some new and interesting titles for teens and tweens. Summer reading means adventure, treasure, romance, and mystery. Click play and Check It Out!

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Congratulations! You have found Episode Forty-Three of the Normal Public Library podcast, Check It Out! Mari McKeeth welcomes children's librarian Lyndsey Carney to the show as Lyndsey interviews visiting author Lisa McMann. Lyndsey and Lisa talk books, art, acting, and British baking shows! 

Events with Lisa coming up at the library include: 

• Double Identity: A Night of Discovery featuring Lisa McMann
• Unwanteds
• Going Wild
• Lisa's books

Let us know what you think after you check it out! Email us! Tweet at us!

You found our forty-first episode! Co-hosts Kristi Cates and Mari McKeeth celebrate the return of Oscar season in this all-things-Oscars episode. And the winner is...!

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Check It Out host Mari McKeeth examines Normal Public Library's science fiction offerings with Kristi Cates, our Teen Librarian and resident SciFi reader and advisor. She also buys all of our SciFi, by the way! Pretty cool job, huh?

Titles that our host and guest discuss include:

• All Systems Red by Martha Wells
• Space Opera by Catherynne Valente
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
• Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
• Lock In and Head On by John Scalzi
• An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

Let us know what you think! Email us! Tweet at us!

Check It Out host Mari McKeeth examines all things tea with our resident barista and tea sommelier, Ben Mills. Ben's favorite tea is revealed, he talks tea, tea geography, tea books, and he advises on tea sipping be it local or afar. Melons and tea? Who knows? Give it a listen and give it a read:

• Tea: History, Terroirs, Varieties
• The Art and Craft of Tea by Joseph Uhl
• Tea Bliss by Theresa Fancis-Cheung
• The Book of Tea by Kakuzō Okakura

Let us know what you think! Email us! Tweet at us!

Check It Out welcomes guest host Ben Mills as he discusses all things Oscars with Mari McKeeth. This episode we discuss all films nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.

• Call Me By Your Name
• Disaster Artist
• Logan
• Molly's Game
• Mudbound

Let us know what you think! Email us! Tweet at us!

Ben Mills recommends a cookbook full of year-round farm-fresh recipes (11:12); Silvia Schuh talks October and November arts and crafts (7:57); and Mari McKeeth recommends some epistolary novels, with the help of the host (19:07). Ben recommends:

Dishing Up the Dirt by Andrea Bemis

Mari recommends:

• Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
• Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
• World War Z by Max Brooks
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
• Giliad by Marilynne Robinson

Jared recommends:

Possession by A.S. Byatt

Let us know what you think! Email us! Tweet at us! Download Episode 33

In this back-to-school-themed episode, Laura Rocco gives us one last school-themed recommendation before heading back to school herself (17:43); Silvia Schuh ushers in the fall semester with September arts and crafts (6:51); and Mari McKeeth takes us all to school with some quirky and educational nonfiction (15:10). Laura recommends:

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Mari recommends:

• Away With Words by Joe Berkowitz
• The Not-Quite States of America by Doug Mack
• The Physics of Everyday Things by James Kakalios
• How to Hygge by Signe Johansen
• The Photo Ark by Joel Sartore

Register for Mark Moran's What's It Worth? session by calling NPL on the old-fashioned (but classic!) telephone at (309) 452-1757 (registration opens on August 30th). Email Mark to schedule a private session at moranm1953@gmail.com. (A portion of his fee benefits NPL.) Email us! ask@normalpl.org Tweet at us on Twitter! @NPLTweets Download Episode 31

In this episode, Kathleen Kirk previews a very special visiting poets event (11:31), and Mari McKeeth recommends a pile of novels based on the works of Shakespeare (14:57). Plus, we reveal the name of the new recurring cookbook segment (spoiler alert: it's a really geeky librarian in-joke). Kathleen recommends:

• Via Negativa (Purveyors of fine poetry since 2003.)
• Night Willow and Ode to the Heart Smaller than a Pencil Eraser by Luisa A. Gloria

Jared recommends:

The River Cottage Meat Book by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Mari recommends:

• A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
• Fool by Christopher Moore

From the Hogarth Shakespeare Project:

• The Gap of Time by Jeannette Winterson
• Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler
• Hag-seed by Margaret Atwood
• New Boy by Tracy Chevalier

Email! ask@normalpl.org Twitter! @NPLTweets Download Episode 29

In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a classic narrative that blends fiction and nonfiction (9:52); Kristi Cates gives us the rundown of the library’s summer programs for teens (15:06); and Mari McKeeth talks about some 2016 books that won Major Awards (15:30).

Laura recommends:

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

Some of Kristi’s Summer Programs For Teens™:

Teen Summer Reading (and all the Summer Reading)

Teen Maker Wednesdays

Mari recommends:

• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
• Evicted by Matthew Desmond
• Lab Girl by Hope Jahron
• A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny

Email us, please! ask@normapl.org Tweet at us, pretty please! @NPLTweets

Download Episode 27

In this special episode, Bloomington-Normal artist Rashod Taylor talks about his work as a photographer specializing in the wet plate collodion process. Taylor’s work is on display at the Normal Public Library through July 2017. An artist reception will be held on April 7th, 2017 from 4:30 to 6:30 in the gallery.

You can find Rashod’s work here: rashodtaylor.com

Email us and tell us what you think!

In this very special episode, we present a two part interview with local author and educator Scott William Foley. First, Scott recommends a novel that blurs the line between fiction and nonfiction (11:41); and then he talks about the rewards and pitfalls of balancing the roles of working writer, high school English teacher, and family man (23.03).

Some books Scott talks about:

• Moonglow by Michael Chabon
• The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
• Andropia by Scott William Foley
• Scott’s website is scottwilliamfoley.com.

Email us! ask@normalpl.org
Tweet us! @NPLTweets

Thanks for listening!

In this first episode of 2017, Julia Cozad-Callaghan recommends a unique reading challenge to start off the new year (9:55); Randi Sutter talks up the Children’s Department’s new S.T.E.A.M. Club (6:14); and Mari McKeeth recommends a couple of 2016 books that stood out from the rest (14:55).

Julia mentioned:

• The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
• Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
• Swygert by Jeffrey Harold Utterback

Find the details of the challenge here at BookRiot.com.

Mari recommended:

• Becoming Wise by Krista Tippett
• The Trespasser by Tana French

Email us! ask@normalpl.org
Tweet us! @NPLTweets

In this episode, we hear a selection of poems from the RHINO 40th Anniversary Poetry Reading at the library, organized by Kathleen Kirk; Silvia Schuh talks December arts and crafts; and Alec Gramm recommends some books that open up the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons.

Our RHINO poets were:

• Stephen Frech
• Jannett Highfill
• Tim Hunt
• Matthew Murrey
• Valerie Wallace

Find more great poetry in the library’s collection of RHINO and at the RHINO website.

Alec recommends:

• Of Dice and Men by David M. Ewalt
• Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook
• Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master’s Guide
• Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual

We know you have opinions about the podcast, and we’d love to hear them!

Email us: ask@normalpl.org
Tweet us: @NPLTweets

In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a chilly gothic novel for long cold nights (8:30); Kathleen Kirk previews the RHINO Magazine 40th Anniversary poetry reading (10:53); and Mari McKeeth recommends a range of holiday-themed genre fiction (15:17).

Laura recommends:

• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Kathleen recommends:

• Where We Live Illinois
• RHINO Magazine

Mari recommends:

• The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by David Rosenfelt
• Smoke and Mirrors by Elly Griffiths
• Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins and Carol Higgins Clark

Tell us what you think!

Email: ask@normalpl.org
Twitter: @NPLTweets

In this episode, Laura Rocco recommends a serial graphic novel with a childlike premise but an adult sensibility (9:30); Kristi Cates talks with Teen Advisory Council member Isabel about a couple of young adult novels (5:17); and Mari McKeeth and Jared recommend a classic dystopian novel in honor of Banned Books Week (15:56).

As always, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at ask@normalpl.org, or find us on Twitter @NPLTweets.

Laura recommends:

• Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Isabel recommends:

• Ingo by Helen Dunmore
• Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

Mari and Jared recommend:

• Lord of the Flies by William Golding

In this episode, Pam Schuett and I geek out over the films of Hiyao Miyazaki (14:04); Kristi Cates recommends some books for middle school kids who are starting to outgrow middle school books (15:32); and we preview the library’s latest podcast, It’s Novel (To Me).

Pam recommends:

• Films written and/or directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Kristi recommends:

• The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson
• I Kill the Mockingbird by Paul Acampora
• Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge

Contact us about absolutely anything by emailing us at ask@normalpl.org, or find us on Twitter @NPLTweets.

After a bit of a hiatus, Check It Out is back! In this episode, Mari McKeeth explains how the library chooses items to add to its adult print collection (10:59); Laura Rocco recommends a funny book about a Depressing topic (8:59); and Kristi C. talks up two YA sports novels with universal themes (12:05). Plus, we invite you to read along with us in preparation for our upcoming spinoff podcast.

Laura recommends:

• Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell

Kristi recommends:

• Losers Take All by David Klass
• Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill

The library’s new podcast stars will discuss:

• Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

As always, we’d love to hear from you! Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and we can be found on Twitter @NPLTweets.

In this episode, Rachel Weishar talks about Poetry Is Normal, a new semi-regular poetry reading event held in the library’s cafe (6:34); Amy Kubica explains the Staff Picks and Patron Picks programs (5:06); and Kristi Cates recommends three recent prize-winning young adult novels (12:05). Plus, we inaugurate a new segment in which we talk to a kid about the library. (This week, it’s Montana’s turn. Thanks, Montana!)

Amy recommends:

• Before We Go (2015)

Montana recommends:

• The Princess and the Pig, by Jonathan Emmett and Poly Bernatene

Kristi recommends:

• Bone Gap, by Laura Ruby (Printz Award)
• Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, by Becky Albertalli (Morris Award)
• Challenger Deep, by Neal Shusterman (National Book Award for YA Lit)

Please tell us what you think! Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and you can find us on Twitter @NPLTweets.

In this episode, Rebecca Gopinath invites us to attend a screening of the hit Bollywood film Bajrangi Bhaijaan (5:38); Jennifer Williams gives the rundown of kids’ spring break activities that we’re calling Spy Training (6:01); and Kristi Cates recommends two great but often overlooked young adult novels (8:30).

Check out our activity calendar to register for Spring Break programs.

Check out Kristi’s recommendations:

• The Year of Secret Assignments* (print) by Jaclyn Moriarty
• The Year of Secret Assignments* (audiobook)
• The President’s Daughter by Ellen Emerson White

As always, please tell us what you think! Our email is ask@normalpl.org, and we’re on Twitter @NPLTweets.

In this episode, Perry Kaufman explains the difference between “hard” and “soft” science fiction and makes a couple recommendations (13:21), and Kristi Cates talks about books that readers of The Martian might also like (13:39). Plus, there’s a new prize challenge.

Perry’s recommendations:

• Blindsight by Peter Watts
• Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds

Kristi’s recommendations:

• The Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson (Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars)
• Packing For Mars by Mary Roach
• Alone In Antarctica by Felicity Aston
• Adrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea by Steven Callahan

Please let us know what you think! You can email us at ask@normalpl.org, or tweet us @NPLTweets.

In our first episode of 2016, Silvia Schuh recommends the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, starting with the first novel in the series, A Discovery of Witches. Holli Kober recommendsSuicide Squad, a series of comics that patrons can access through Hoopla. Plus, we talk February arts and crafts (register here), and we bring our first literary interpretation challenge to a close.

The translation of Dante’s Inferno by Mark Musa referenced in this episode is excellent, by the way.

Comments, questions, suggestions, and random thoughts are welcome at ask@normalpl.org!

In this week’s episode, we explore the wonders of the library’s 3D printer, eLearning programs you can access through our website, and January’s arts and crafts programs (register now!). Also, we talk about some books that Star Wars fans might have a good feeling about. Plus, a new and better way to win the episode’s weekly prize.

Books we recommend in this episode:

• Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope by Ian Doescher
• The Pluto Files by Neil DeGrasse Tyson
• Young Miles by Lois McMaster Bujold
• A Beautiful Friendship by David Weber
• Expiration Day by William Campbell Powell

This episode features the “Sunrise” opening to Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, performed by the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Barbara Schubert, available at the Internet Archive. For over one hundred different performances of Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra, why not check out Naxos Music Library? It’s free, and all that’s required is a Normal Public Library card (which is also free). Plus, Naxos Music Library offers streaming access to more than 109,960 CDs with more than 1,609,000 tracks of many musical genres including classical, jazz, world and pop/rock.