AllBooked: Recent Episodes
Baytown Library
Lesley brings another mystery, this time set in 1940s Mexico and featuring a con-man, a heist, and a secret fortune.
Katie and Lesley tackle another Goodreads challenge category: Lasting Reads. Lesley reviews The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and Katie reviews The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.
Donald and Diana join us to talk about a murder mystery novel with a twist -- these teens are trying to solve a murder while competing on an escape room competition show.
Valde joins us to talk about A Parade of Horribles, book 8 in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, and we talk about how Matt Dinniman has taken the world by storm!
Lesley reviews a darkly comedic thriller about the two kinds of people no one ever expects to be murderers: little girls and old ladies.
Lesley dives into this psychological horror/thriller about a tradwife influencer who is sent back in time in Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke.
Katie reviews a gothic Bulgarian horror where the only vampires are the cycles of violence we perpetuate against those we love: She Made Herself a Monster by Anna Kovatcheva.
Cherie and Lisa discuss (after)life, love, and running a customer service desk in For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn.
Katie and Lesley talk about two books that qualify for the Goodreads "Star Selections" challenge, a mythical retelling called A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang and an award-winning Polish mystery called Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk.
Katie reviews Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman, a new standalone science fiction novel by the writer of Dungeon Crawler Carl.
Lesley reviews Catriona Ward's newest novel, Nowhere Burning. Set to come out on February 24, 2026, Nowhere Burning is a dark and twisty psychological horror loosely inspired by Peter Pan.
Katie and Lesley share a list of favorite books of 2025, with features from Dani and Donald. Find out what stood out to us this year, and what we're looking forward to in 2026.
Erline joins us to discuss Octavia Butler -- not her works of fiction, but her life as told in the new biography written by Susana M. Morris, Positive Obsession.
Our resident manga experts Dani and Percy come to discuss their favorite manga, from the first manga they every picked up to the ones they're keeping tabs on right now.
Titles recommended:
One-Punch Man
One Piece
Skip Beat!
Kitchen Princess
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun
Soul Eater
Tinker Bell's Secret
Miss Not-So-Sidekick
The Boy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Boy At All
Sakamoto Days
A Man and His Cat
Library Wars
Absolute Boyfriend
Full Metal Alchemist
Jake joins us to discuss family dysfunction and Italian ghosts in Jennifer Thorne's gothic horror novel, Diavola.
We're back after a short break with Cherie to review Lynn Painter's new rom-com, Maid for Each Other.
Sara joins us to talk about a book that got her out of her Romantasy reading slump, Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry.
Lisa and Katie review the road trip rom-com Anywhere With You by debut author Margo Glynn, featuring Roswell, a variety of Southeastern wildlife, and a viral social media account created to make your ex(es) jealous.
Rachelle joins us for her debut episode to talk about Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. She and Lesley touch on strained family dynamics, how cool astronauts are, and an epic ending that kept a whole book club on the edge of their seats.
Jake and Katie talk about the top ten reasons you should reconsider a descent into hell to rescue your thesis professor (eg. a lot of math, chthonic dogs, an eventual rivals to lovers romance). Their only cited source is R. F. Kuang's dark academia book, Katabasis.
Katie and Sara both read a cozy, funny fantasy romance by M. Stevenson called Behooved. It's a LadyHawke situation.
Cherie reviews an action-packed dark sci-fi novel called Not That Kind of Good Guy by John Ringo.
Kathy discusses power, identity, and the cost of change in Red Rising, a 2014 action-packed dystopian sci-fi novel by Pierce Brown that is the start of a seven book saga.
Jake, Dani, Lesley, and Katie talk about some of their favorite vampire reads from this year. We cover Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab, Hungerstone by Kat Dunn, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, and Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove. There's something on this list for everyone!
Dani brings Shadow of the Leviathan by Robert Jackson Bennett, a science fiction series and a retelling of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes that features a locked room mystery, murder by tree, and a surprising amount of algae.
Erline reviews one of her must-read authors, Stephen King, and has some things to say about Never Flinch, the latest in the Holly Gibney series.
Avid Discworld fan Cherie joins us to provide three possible entries into the beloved universe of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.
Local author Dr. Regina Sims joins us to talk about the history of Juneteenth, her connection to the holiday, and how all of that culminated in her writing a children's book called Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom.
Dani dives into another retelling with Greenteeth, a brand new debut fantasy novel by Molly O'Neill.
Our resident Suzanne Collins expert Erline is back to review the latest installment in The Hunger Games universe, Sunrise on the Reaping.
Warning: While these reads feature beaches, they are not all "beach reads".
Lesley reviews three sea-riously good books: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S. A. Chakraborty, The Wager by David Grann, and Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward.
Jake and Katie review two recent releases entrenched in the tech world: Sky Daddy by Kate Folk and Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams.
Sara, Katie, and Lesley review some delightful romance reads with one theme in mind: the premise must be as ridiculous as possible. Featuring: I'm in Love With Mothman by Paige Lavoie, How to Get a Girlfriend (When You're a Terrifying Monster) by Marie Cardno, and I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming.
Lesly brings us three books about mothers across genres: All the Other Mothers Hate Me, a mystery novel by Sarah Harman; The Motherload, a memoir by Sarah Hoover; and Mothers and Sons, a literary fiction novel by Adam Haslett.
Another one bites the dust for Katie and Lesley's TBR as they respectively review Dating and Dismemberment by A. L. Brody and The Reformatory by Tananarive Due.
Jake talks about a work of historical horror from Grady Hendrix that breaks from the author's usual comedic tone: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.
Dani serves up three piping hot titles from the Horror genre: Private Rites by Julia Armfield, Hungerstone by Kat Dunn, and Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina.
Donald and Sara review An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson, a dark academia read that didn't hit the way they were hoping.
Lesley and Katie each take another book off of their TBR: Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff and The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence respectively.
Jake reviews a brand new novella, Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito. This dark comedy follows Victorian governess Winifred Notty as she delves into the messy details of her post at Ensor House.
Cherie talks about pies, murder, and a secret royal from the first book in the Crown of Shards fantasy series by Jennifer Estep, Kill the Queen.
Katie and Lesley each knock another book off of their TBR, The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks and You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi.
Cherie, Kathy, and Erline share fan theories, favorite moments, and more with Lesley and Katie in a lively podcast about the 3rd installment of the Empyrean series, Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.
Sabrina, Kathy, and Mary join Katie to review Whims of the Wicked by Rebecca Grey, a fantasy romance they co-read as a chapter-a-day book club!
Sara and Dani joined Lesley in a buddy read and a buddy review of T. Kingfisher's new fairy tale retelling A Sorceress Comes to Call.
Sara and Dani review a fantasy duology inspired by modern Egyptian history: The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai.
Chazley joins us for her annual review of 24 books she's read in 2024 (that were also published in 2024) and has given each recommendation a special superlative. Listen to find out which books have earned the honor of "Best Fantasy Creatures", "Worst Title", "Strangest Not-Quite-Time Travel", and more!
Cherie joins us with a holiday romance that will leave you wanting a cozy latte and a cozy latke, Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot.
Apologies for the brief holiday hiatus, but we're back with Chazley and Sara to discuss a popular cozy fantasy read of 2024: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst.
Lesley and Katie defeat another read from their TBR list! We cover Tales from the Gas Station by Jack Townsend and The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst.
Jacob and Sara sit down with Katie and Lesley to discuss the first chapter of Pride and Prejudice, the meaning of "classic literature", and the benefit The Classics Club: the library's new monthly book club dedicated to reading the classics we may have missed in high school or college.
If you want a cheesy holiday rom com with an extra helping of cheese and a dash of Halloween... say no more!
Katie and Lesley explore the uncharted depths of a list that few readers are brave enough to face: The To Be Read pile.
Katie reviews the YA book Saints of the Household by Ari Tison and Lesley reviews The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim and Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield.
Rachel is back to review The Imposters by Roseanna M. White, a heartfelt series set in pre-WWI England and featuring bankrupt nobles moonlighting as PIs, a Romani circus troupe, and a Coldstream guard trying to prove he still has what it takes to serve Queen and country.
Kevin Troller joins the show to talk about Hillary Clinton's autobiography... which gave him some new insight into the 2016 presidential election.
Dana and Dani review a horror novel that brings a Lovecraftian take to Scooby-Doo in Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero.
Lesley and Katie join forces to vanquish that most harrowing of foes: the To Be Read List. Lesley takes on My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh and Katie confronts Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman.
Jake joins us to talk about the publishing industry, cultural appropriation, and the danger of midnight pancakes in Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Rachel and Jen review a mystical, magical YA romantasy novel: One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig.
Lesley and Chazley team up to review Stuart Turton's 2024 science fiction murder mystery set on a seemingly idyllic island.
Kathy reviews a top romantasy pick, The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon, which also led her to discovering fanfiction!
Jake and Lesley talked about Paul Tremblay's newest novel, Horror Movie, and have nothing but good things to say about this mindbending, meta read.
Danielle joins the show to talk about Naomi Alderman's newest book, which explores how the wealthy navigate an end of the world scenario.
After some hurricane-related delays, we present to you our 300th episode! Lesley and I sit back to listen to our top ten hitsof the past 100(-ish) episodes and talk about what we loved, what we want more of in the next 100 episodes, and what we think brings you, the listeners, back for more.
This episode features clips from previous episodes. In order of appearance in the episode:
- Episode 260: Can you judge books by their covers?
- Episode 264: Lies in the Darkness
- Episode 212: French Braid
- Episode 218: Digging Up Mother
- Episode 272: Sure, I'll Join Your Cult
- Episode 224: The Last Cuentista
- Episode 225: The Latecomer
- Episode 262: A Court of Thorns and Roses
- Episode 216: Becoming Duchess Goldblatt
- Episode 277: First Lie Wins
Erline has good things to say about Gareth Brown's fantasy adventure novel, The Book of Doors.
Cherie reviews a book about a zoologist who is reckoning with her famous father's mysterious disappearance and then reappearance into her life.
Jake joins us to talk about Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, written by famed author Salman Rushdie about the attempt on his life in 2022.
Danielle, Katie, and Lesley discuss the horror romance mashup Someone You Can Build a Nest In, which is just as unique as it sounds!
Lesley talks about a bestselling fiction novel that was recently turned into an Apple TV series: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
Cherie reviews a romance comedy by Olivia Dade that features a spite house!
Will Athena and Matthew get together despite their contentious proximity to one another? Or course! Find out whether or not the journey is enjoyable in this episode.
Lesley and Kathy team up to review the dark comedy serial killer romance that took the internet by storm: Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver.
Lesley talks about the good, the bad, and the ugly in the horror novel Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison. Stick around for some bonus horror recommendations at the end!
Lisa, Chazley and Cherie review a romantic rom-com read about professionals who help break up bad marriages before they can even start.
Lesley and Danielle set out to detail a beautiful epic fantasy that has been at the top of many reading lists over the years.
Katie reviews a book by Abby Jimenez featuring terrible first impressions between two ER doctors.
Chazley, Donald, and Lesley chat about a time-travel romance that has a lot of time, a lot of travel, and very little kissing. This is How You Lose the Time War is a science fiction epistolary novella written by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.
Jump into a fantasy world filled with Chevy Tahoes and fae with our resident Maas experts: Sabrina, Kathy, Cherie, and Mary!
Jake reviews the literary fiction title Poor Deer, a story about a woman whose shame takes the form of a deer who challenges her to recount what really happened when she was four years old.
Cherie reviews the book that covers the 1936 US Olympic rowing team and compares it to the movie that was released last year.
We're featuring local author Lauri Smith as she talks about her book 112 Days, which documents her experience of caregiving for her father. She regularly writes for her blog: https://www.lauriasmith.com/
Donald and Katie review two graphic novels about Congressman John Lewis and his work in the Civil Rights movement.
Valde joins the show to discuss a dystopian novel that serves up a critique of the American prison system.
Donald and Lesley review this dark horror/fantasy written by debut YA author Jamison Shea.
Rachel joins our Romantasy experts Sabrina and Kathy to discuss Divine Rivals, a YA fantasy novel written by Rebecca Ross.
Katie reviews a historical romance that pairs a suffragette with a man who coordinates heists to return ancient artifacts back to their countries of origin.
Jamie reviews a book that was published in 2024 that is already receiving quite a bit of buzz. Find out what she thinks of this thriller filled with lies and false identities.
Kevin Troller attempted to whimsically select a couple of books to read... with mixed results.
Chazley finishes out the year by giving a re-cap of 23 books that were published in 2023... and she manages to keep the episode at only 23 minutes in length!
Did you read any new books that made her list?
Donald and Chazley join Lesley and Katie to talk about Cathy Yardley's 2023 cozy romance novel Role Playing.
If you're already over cooler weather and want something closer to beach-y reads... be sure to check out this episode! Jamie reviews Happy Place by Emily Henry, The Celebrants by Stephen Rowley, and Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld.
Sabrina, Lisa, Kathy, Katie and Lesley all read Iron Flame and have so many feels about the book. Listeners beware: This podcast is full of spoilers.
Erline discusses the prequel to the Hunger Games series before the release of the movie based on the book.
Your Romantasy experts are back and they're recommending their perfect reading list after A Court of Thorns and Roses. Buckle up, because Sabrina and Kathy have more good reads to share than we can count!
Erline, Donald, Katie and Lesley review four different scary reads... just in time for Halloween!
The titles reviewed in this episode are:
Holly by Stephen King
My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion by Danielle Cain
Kevin Troller rejoins the show to review three biographies of three very different and influential first ladies.
Donald and Chazley tell us about a novella that they could not stop talking about: Even Though We Knew the End by C. L. Polk.
Local author C. J. Williams discusses his book, his editing process, and the stories he plans to bring to life next.
Check out his Goodreads page here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/17259449.C_J_Williams
And his book is available at Amazon, as well! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCGQL8Q1?binding=hardcover&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_thcv&qid=1694024828&sr=8-1
Katie, Mary, Sabrina, Cherie, and Kathy join forces to discuss the Court of Thorns and Roses series as a group. Hilarity ensues.
Join our resident BookTok fantasy expert Kathy as she shares her ACOTAR hot takes and describes what it's like to listen to an audiobook at 3x speed.
Jake and Lisa join the show as the hosts for the library's two book clubs. They discuss the upcoming books for August and September and warmly invite listeners to check out either book club!
Donald, Erline, Katie, and Lesley each selected books based solely on their covers. Did the books meet the expectations set by their cover art? Listen to find out!
The following books were reviewed:
The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
Love in Color by Bolu Babalola
Tell-All by Chuck Palahnuik
Weyward by Emilia Hart
Houston area author Joseph Schiller joins the show to talk about his book as well as the Author Indie Book Fair that he's organizing at Spring Streets Studio in Houston.
For more information about the Book Fair, click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/author-indie-book-fair-2023-tickets-643096548087
For more information about Joseph Schiller, go here:
http://josephschiller.weebly.com/?fbclid=IwAR2Ra0u5M9H6KjmXf3BjOsPQF484cqDDx1rb6aG8O3bNf8d6XBkD5GsA4m8
Jake reviews a book written by one of the doctors who works at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston. The book follows five uninsured Houstonians as they attempt to find care for a variety of complex and costly health crises.
Jamie reviews the latest book by Peter Swanson, which continues the story of two characters from The Kind Worth Killing.
Donald, Katie, and Lesley discuss a variety of novellas and how reading shorter stories can serve as palate cleansers between heftier reads.
Books mentioned include:
All Systems Redby Becky Chambers
How Long 'til Black Future Month?by N. K. Jemisin
Eating the Sun by Ella Frances Sanders
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
The Strange Library Haruki Murakami
The Annual Migration of Cloudsby Premee Mohamed
All the Horses of Iceland by Sarah Tolmie
Fox 8: A Story by George Saunders
The Ballad of Black Tomby Victor LaValle
Jodi joins the show to recommend a number of novels in verse and graphic novels... both of which make for excellent summer reading!
A local author shares about her latest book, her sources of inspiration, and her writing process!
You can learn more about Yulanda Braxton and her books here: https://www.yulandabraxton.com/
Join us as we get to know one of our friendly, local elementary librarians. Come for the book recommendations, stay for the info about early childhood literacy!
Katie and Lesley co-review a book by Carl Sagan's daughter, Sasha Sagan. The book is a meditation on how rituals can serve as a celebration of life and natural wonder even from a secular perspective.
Brandy, who typically does not read romance, fell in love with Meg Cabot's Little Bridge Island Book Series. She and Cherie discuss the trilogy that's set in the Florida Keys.
Jake rejoins the show to review a teen book... that just didn't quite fulfill his Fantasy/D&D needs like he had hoped.
Kevin Troller rejoins the show to review a couple of biographies by Mike Pence and George W Bush.
Chazley and Lesley chat about grief, family, and some delicious Korean food with Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner.
Lu joins the show to review a book she's featuring for Tween Book Club that describes three natural disasters that are occurring due to climate change.
Jake reviews a book that is filled with fun facts about animal senses and how they perceive the world in unique and interesting ways.
Sam review Cormac McCarthy's two latest books, which are tied together by their main characters.
Chazley reviews a science fiction title that was published in 2020 that feels like something of a mixture between The Martianand Handmaid's Tale.
Rachel joins the show to discuss three popular nonfiction titles by Bill O'Reilly: Killing Jesus, Killing Lincoln, and Killing Kennedy.
Jake joins us to discuss a graphic memoir about working in the oil and gas industry named Ducks by Kate Beaton.
There are no book reviews in this episode... instead, we gathered a few library staff members to talk about how many books we plan to read in 2023 as well as how we plan to choose those reads.
Chazley reviews 22 books she read that were published in 2022... all in under 22 minutes!
Jamie joins the podcast to test out her "box of chocolates" book review game and reviews six books in total: A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel; Heading Out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick; The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran; Book Lovers by Emily Henry; Becoming Duchess Goldblatt (again!) by Anonymous; and The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy.
Sabrina reviews a graphic novel that is an uplifting and humorous examination of the universal experiences of moms with small kids.
Sam and Chazley review V. E. Schwab's latest book that features an "other side of the gate" that may feel familiar to some readers.
Lesley and Rachel discuss motherhood, midlife, and Jessi Klein's memoir I'll Show Myself Out.
Sam delivers a less than glowing review of a dark fantasy title that didn't land quite right for him.
Cherie reviews a book by a Texan author who happened to be featured at an Evening With the Author event several years ago!
Erline, Donald, Katie, and Lesley wrap up their tour of the library's graphic novel collections with a sampling of adult graphic novels. They selected Fluorescent Mud, Ice Cream Man, Saga, and Wicked + Divine for their discussion.
Erline, Donald, Katie, and Lesley are back to talk about teen graphic novels and all the feels in part two of this three part series about graphic novels.
Join Donald, Erline, Katie, and Lesley in their review some of our graphic novels. In this episode, they discuss picks from the kid's section: Camp, My Own World, Ghosts, and Cucumber Quest. Tune in for part two, the review of our teen graphic novel selections!
Cherie and Katie give an overview of Ali Hazelwood's romance and science infused books and novellas in our latest episode!
Introducing our first ever crossover episode with the Baytown Engage Podcast!
We hosted employees from a number of other city departments to show them around the library. Little did they know that they would also serve as guests on the two podcasts we host! You can check out other Baytown Engage episodes here: https://baytownengage.podbean.com/
Introducing our first ever crossover episode with the Baytown Engage Podcast!
We hosted employees from a number of other city departments to show them around the library. Little did they know that they would also serve as guests on the two podcasts we host! You can check out other Baytown Engage episodes here: https://baytownengage.podbean.com/
Kevin reviews five different books by A. J. Jacobs... and listen to the end to hear a few words from the author himself!
Kevin reviews five different books by A. J. Jacobs... and listen to the end to hear a few words from the author himself!
Sci-fi lovers Erline and Donald have some differing opinions about singer Janelle Monáe's new science fiction anthology The Memory Librarian.
Sci-fi lovers Erline and Donald have some differing opinions about singer Janelle Monáe's new science fiction anthology The Memory Librarian.
Jamie reviews a book about triplets who couldn't be more different from each other in a book that is stylistically very different from the author's other works.
Jamie reviews a book about triplets who couldn't be more different from each other in a book that is stylistically very different from the author's other works.
Brandy and Diana join the show to review an award winning title from the kid's collection that is currently receiving praise and attention from readers of all ages!
Ash joins the show to review a book that developed a cult following over the years due to its unique formatting and disorienting storytelling style.
Jake and Kathy join the show together to talk about The Hacienda, a gothic horror story set in Mexico in the aftermath of the War of Independence.
Rachel reviews a historical fiction book from the teen collection about a Chinese American young adult finding her voice in unexpected ways in 1890 Atlanta, Georgia.
Jake joins the show to review a book that examines US political dysfunction and economic extremes from September 11 to the 2008 Recession.
Kathy joins the show to discuss a 500+ page fantasy novel that was so captivating that she read it in one day.
Sam reviews a memoir about a very strange and special relationship between a stand up comedian and his mother.
Cherie puts the spotlight on a sampling of some of the 200+ books that Nora Roberts has written over the course of her career.
Jamie and Lisa come to us with internet-sensation-turned-memoir Becoming Duchess Goldblatt, written by Anonymous.
Didn't get enough of Disney's Encanto? Katie and Lesley review a book with a similar magical realism/big family vibe with much more adult themes and elements.
Jake joins us to talk about William Neuman's new book on the continued crisis in Venezuela.
Sam joins the show to review a new book that examines the rise and fall of SST records, that is sure to give anyone who is a fan of 80's punk and alternative music a hit of nostalgia.
Lisa and Chazley join us to talk about family, identity, and growing apart in Anne Tyler's French Braid.
Valdemar rejoins the show to discuss a fantasy title from the teen collection that was written by the author of the popular Lockwood & Co. series.
Ash discusses the book that was turned into a movie. Spoiler alert: the book is definitely better.
Donald reviews a book from the teen collection that focuses on a blossoming romance between two Koori teens in New South Wales.
Jake is back with the show to talk about Gulp, Mary Roach's humorous nonfiction book covering the digestive system.
Makayla rejoins the show to review a dystopian teen series that her Kindle picked out for her. Did the recommendation hit the mark? Listen to find out!
Lisa and Cherie review a romance set in outer space... that is filled with everything we've missed from the early days of the pandemic. If you're a fan of Firefly, be sure to tune in to this review!
Jamie joins Katie and Lesley to talk about two of David Dow's books. One of her favorites, Things I've Learned From Dying, and his first novel, The Confessions of an Innocent Man. Confessions of an Innocent Man will be featured in Sterling Municipal Library's Evening with an Author on April 13 at 6pm.
In this episode, Rachel and Bryce join us to discuss Hippie by Paulo Coehlo, an autobiographical novel written in the third person. While Hippie isn't pure memoir, it draws on real events and experiences in Paulo Coehlo's life.
Chazley and Katie talk about The Viscount Who Loved Me and speculate about what might happen in the second season of Bridgerton.
Chazley, Lisa, and Katie discuss the first book of the Bridgerton series... as well as the first season of the hit Netflix show in this two-part Bridgerton takeover!
Katie and Lesley review the past 200 episodes (and almost 4 years worth of recordings) by talking about their 5 most influential books, as well as the podcast's most frequently downloaded episodes!
The most popular episodes are:
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Episode 93: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
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Episode 103: The Beekeeper of Aleppo
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Episode 102: American Dirt
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Episode 115: Anne Boleyn: 500 Years of Lies and 1491
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Episode 35: Kafka on the Shore
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Episode 124: The Murderbot Diaries
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Episode 97: The Opposite of Princess
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Episode 113: The Anti-Racist Reading Companion
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Episode 13: A Gentleman in Moscow
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Episode 108: Orconomics
Cherie joins the show to review a book that we were certain had been featured on this show before.
Turns out, we were wrong, so... better late than never!
Tyler rejoins the show to discuss the hit zombie/romance book turned movie: Warm Bodies.
Ash joins the show as a first time reviewer to discuss the modern fantasy title Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko.
Kevin Troller joins us to dicuss the hard-to-find biography Monica's Story by Andrew Morton and The Final Days by Barbara Olson.
Sabrina reviews an Inspirational Fiction title about munitionettes and the work they performed in a factory during World War I.
Cherie is back with a paranomal romance written by husband-and-wife duo Ilona Andrews (Ilona and Andrew Gordon) and features a Houston filled to the brim with magical beings.
Kathy reviews a book written by none other than Pablo Escobar's son!
If you enjoyed the TV series, Narcos, this is a review and book that you won't want to miss!
Jake reviews a book that is equal parts memoir by a Filipino immigrant and history of a nation.
Erline, Donald, and Lesley may have very similar reading interests... but this is the first time they purposefully set out to read and review the same book. Did this horror title that was set in a decaying Japanese mansion hit the mark for all three of them? Listen to the review to find out!
Chazley reviews 21 books that were published in 2021... all in under 21 minutes. The books reviewed are:
Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
Below the Edge of Darkness by Edith Widder
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
The Heiress: the Revelations of Anne de Bourgh by Molly Greeley
One Two Three by Laurie Frankel
Wendy, Darling by A.C. Wise
Go Tell the Bees that I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry
The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
The Last Shadow by Orson Scott Card
The Hummingbird’s Gift by Sy Montgomery
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Charlie Thorne and the Lost City by Stuart Gibbs
The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis
Alone by Megan E. Freeman
Ian Philo of the phabulous Philo family joins the show to review The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. The book may have been initially published in the 70's... but it still finds an audience to this day as an example of classic military science fiction.
Tween Librarian and J. K. Rowling enthusiast Lu joins the show to review Rowling's latest book: The Christmas Pig, which just might make an excellent Christmas gift for older kids on your list!
Katie goes on a rant about a book that only became more problematic the more she thought about it... but she also recommends a number of better teen rom coms, instead!
Our inspirational duo Sabrina and Rachel join the show to review another inspirational historical fiction read... this time set in Victorian England.
Do Dark Lords come into play in this Robin Hood-esque tale? Listen to the review to find out!
Lesley reviews a novella that is set in Nigeria and is centered around a sisterly relationship that is anything but healthy.
When manufacturing it outsourced to other countries, what happens to the factory workers and their families?
Jake discusses this and more in his review of a book centered on the closure of a manufacturing plant in the Midwest.
Ella, a teen guest from Minnesota, joins us to review Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth.
Listen to find out how watching Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman inspired her to read the book, interview the author, and take her project to History Day regionals!
Tyler joins the show to review a book from a genre he's never tried before: horror!
Listen to this episode to find out just how badly purchasing a haunted item for your home can go.
Erline joins the show to review a... self-help/memoir of all books! Hear her take on Tabitha Brown's book and why everyone should read it.
Lesley finally reviews a new horror/thriller title... just in time for October. Can you spot the famous slasher movie references made throughout the show?
Planning on traveling soon? This book might come in handy if you're planning to visit the English countryside.
Jake joins Lesley and Katie to talk about an atmospheric horror novel set in 1950s Mexico!
Chazley joins the show to review an alternate history space race sci fi in our latest episode!
Ever get the feeling that what you learned about the Battle of the Alamo might not be that accurate? Sam and Jake review a book that takes a hard look at what actually went down.
Chazley reviews a beach-y read that she stumbled upon when browsing books based on their covers. In this case, she was pleasantly surprised by a slow burn romance filled with wit and exotic travel destinations.
Who knew that a small town with a thriving Amish community would play accidental host to so many gruesome murders?
Our resident wrestling expert, Kevin Troller, joins the show to review several biographies and autobiographies of well known wrestlers... including one from Texas!
Cherie discusses a romance book that is set mainly on the Q line. August keeps running into a mysterious, attractive woman on the subway, and there's way more to it than sharing similar commutes.
Lisa reviews a paranormal romance series that features a heavy dose of supernatural spell castings, a creepy house, and a dude in a kilt.
Kathy joins the show to review a book that is a departure from her usual thriller/suspense reads... by discussing a witty mom-lit mystery filled with more humor than dead bodies.
Katie and Lesley review a romance series that has recently taken TikTok by storm. Is the 40+ book series worth checking out? Find out in this episode!
Kevin rejoins the show to review Mitch Albom's latest book... which happens to be a nonfiction title called Finding Chika.
Jake joins the show to review this year's Gulf Coast Reads selection! The book is a cute beach-worthy read that will have broad appeal to anyone who wants to join in the annual community book club.
Lisa joins the show to review not just one book... but everything Joe Abercrombie has ever written. If this episode doesn't make you want to read his books... nothing will!
Jamie and Amy join the show to review a genre-blending book that was featured in Reese Witherspoon's book club.
Jamie joins the show to review the third book in the very popular "You" series... in which Joe's new object of obsession is none other than the local public librarian.
Kathy and Sam join the show to review a true crime book that's more riveting that a lot of fiction!
Cherie reviews a book that features not just one cat... but 217 cats in a graphic novel that was written for older kids and tweens.
If you love cats... this is the kitten fix for you!
Sam, Chazley, and Katie review the latest book by staff favorite author, V. E. Schwab! Hear what they have to say about her twist on a Faustian tale in our latest episode.
Katie and Sabrina join the show to review a historical fiction book about a woman who becomes a forger for the French Resistance during World War II.
In this week's episode, Cherie reviews a book that is less about cats and more of an "ask a mortician" column. If you've ever wondered what happens to bodies once they expire... this is the morbid book for you!
Teen volunteer Kathy joins the show to review a book that is a dark fantasy rendering of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Val and Katie join us for our first ever couple's review! They both read Gideon the Ninth, a science fiction and fantasy genre blender filled to the brim with necromancy and magical warfare. Check out what they have to say about this Goodreads fan favorite!
Sabrina and Rachel, who are both avid inspirational fiction readers, review a recent title by Julie Klassen.
Jake and Jamie rejoin the show to review a book by an author who will be joining us for a virtual visit at the library on March 23 at 6pm. Free copies of The Which Way Tree are available to anyone who is interested in attending the virtual chat.
To get a free book, contact Jake at 281-422-1148 or at jacob.boyd@baytown.org
Teen volunteer Kathy returns to the show to review the classic science fiction dystopian title, Brave New World.
Val rejoins the show to review a true crime book that investigates the events leading up to the mass murder/suicide at the Peoples Temple in Guyana in 1978.
Sabrina reviews Matthew McConaughey's autobiography... which she was surprised to discover contained less behind-the-scenes info about Hollywood and more... bar stories than anything else.
New librarian Kathy (not to be confused with our teen volunteer named Kathy) joins the show to review a scandalous thriller and crime procedural about a grisly murder and three prime suspects.
Jamie and Jake join the show to review a historical fiction book titled Hamnet, which is about the very short life of Shakespeare's son.
One of our library holiday traditions is to recommend books to each other each year. Eight of our librarians review the books that were chosen for them.
Titles reviewed are:
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
Afterland by Lauren Beukes
Exhalation by Ted Chiang
Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
Bunny by Mona Awad
The Alienist by Caleb Carr
With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden
Erline loved Ready Player One and read Ready Player Two as soon as it was published... only to be left disappointed by the sequel.
Lionel and Kevin join the show to discuss the book White Fragility and how to use the book as a framework to have authentic conversations about race.
Our previous recording of the Anti-Racist Reading Companion can be found here: https://allbooked.podbean.com/e/episode-113-the-anti-racist-reading-companion/
Chazley reviews three very different science fiction novellas in an episode that is bound to appeal to a variety of science fiction readers! The books reviewed are:
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
To Be Taught if Fortunate by Becky Chambers
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Not all books are a hit... and this one is definitely more of an oddity than anything else.
Content Warning: Santa spoilers are included in this episode. Don't listen in the car with your kiddos.
Cherie reviews one of the only holiday-ish books that can be found in our Science Fiction and Fantasy collection. Tune in for some semi-festive fun in our latest episode!
Kathy joins us to review a book that wasn't assigned to her to read! Learn about the gritty world building of Not Even Bones in this new episode.
New guest Donna joins the show to recommend a variety of books about brains... for readers of all ages!
Jamie, Sabrina, and Katie all talk about a recently released book with a hefty hold list. Bottom line: the book is Complicated, but absolutely breathtaking and worth checking out!
New guest reviewer Candace talks about Brene Brown's popular leadership book Dare to Lead... as well as a little bit about what it is like behind the scenes at animal control.
Kevin Troller reviews a book that chronicles a man's trip to Ireland to explore the history of the Guinness family... as well as the ties between the beer label and the church.
Kathy returns to review one of Octavia Butler's famous books... which was part of her school's assigned reading.
Here's our third and final vampire book review this month... now with way less sparkles!
Lisa and Laura review the super anticipated return to the Twilight series by discussing Midnight Sun.
In our longest episode yet... four of us revisit Twilight in honor of the recent release of Midnight Sun. This is part one of a two-part series. Tune in next week for reviewers' reactions to Edward's point of view in Midnight Sun.
Lesley reviews a cult classic graphic novel... which was created by two brothers: one who was five years old and the other who was twenty-nine... because why not?
Ever wonder what all the hype was about surrounding the bestselling memoir, Educated? Find out by listening to Sabrina's take on it in this week's episode.
Laci joins us to discuss a popular young adult fantasy/romance/adventure novel... which is mostly set in India.
Kevin Troller rejoins us on the podcast to discuss a book about an athlete who rebuilt his life after overcoming alcohol addiction to become a sponsored ultra triathlon competitor.
Jamie reviews a New York Times bestseller that was so thought provoking that it would make an excellent book club feature.
Cherie just had to check out this book when she found out that it was the first in a series called... The Mercenary Librarians.
Katie reviews a science fiction series that started as several novellas featuring a relatable misanthropic android.
Jamie reviews a psychological thriller that will tickle any book lover's fancy... since the setting is in a book store AND the murders were plucked straight from the pages of eight other mystery books.
Sam reviews a noir style mystery set in good ol' Galveston. The book just so happens to have been written by one of the writers behind the True Detective HBO series!
Teen Volunteers Laci and Kathy team up to review very different books... one, a new dark fantasy teen book and another an assigned summer reading title.
What's better than one person reviewing a Stephen King book? How about two people reviewing it!
Erline and Lisa join the show to talk about King's latest release: If it Bleeds... and the result makes this episode feel like sitting in on a favorite book club discussion.
Sabrina reviews a genre bending historical inspirational suspense title in our latest episode.
Teen Volunteer Kathy joins the show to talk about a literary fiction title she enjoyed!
Lisa joins us to review a light, breezy romance read about men who... participate in a romance novel book club.
Chazley joins us to review two books that revisit history: Anne Boleyn: 500 Years of Lies and 1491. Both books are proof that learning about history does not have to be dull!
Sabrina revisits a favorite series from her childhood when she discovers that seven more books were published since she initially read the series!
Our librarians recommend thirteen different anti-racist books for readers of all ages. The recommended titles are:
Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbottom
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Recitatif by Toni Morrison
Let's Talk About Race by Julius Lester
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Chokehold: Policing Black Men by Paul Butler
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Cherie joins us to review a gentle, country, historical romance novel featuring hogs and cheese. We hope you're intrigued.
We have our first mother and son guests in this episode that we recorded just before Mother's Day!
Rachel reviews one of her favorite books from when she was a kid... and her son Cody reviews one of his current favorite series.
PS If we sound a little muffled, it's because we were wearing masks.
Erline took home a book to keep her occupied during the Work Safe Stay Home Order that fell a little short of her hopes and expectations. Despite the catchy title, the book succumbed to "cool girl syndrome". What exactly does that mean? Listen to find out!
Lesley and Katie review two recent teen book releases, since our volunteers are unable to join us during the Work Safe, Stay Home order.
Both are genre-bending adventures in set in somewhat fantastic worlds. Which one would you choose to read?
Cherie joins us remotely from isolation to recommend one of her latest reads... which is a supernatural, mystery mash-up!
Sam brings a book from the Juvenile collection to discuss... and he was pleasantly surprised at the number of complex themes covered in this historical fiction title.
If you only ever read one self help book in your life... try out the one that Chazley recommends in this episode.
Sabrina joins us to review a book about a couple who flees Syria to seek asylum in the UK.
Carrie recommends not one, not three, but twenty-fourdifferent podcasts to try out... just in case you are stuck at home and looking for something new to binge.
Here is a list of the series reviewed:
- The Daily
- What Next
- Today, Explained
- Science Vs
- Welcome to Night Vale
- Homecoming
- In the Dark
- Serial
- Criminal
- Female Criminals
- A Very Fatal Murder
- S-Town
- Decoder Ring
- No Such Thing as Fish
- Uncertain Hour
- The Dream
- More Perfect
- Revisionist History
- Heavyweight
- Running from Cops
- Endless Thread
- Factually
- Throughline
- You're Wrong About
Kevin Troller discusses Mitch Albom in general, and The Timekeeper specifically in a live recording at the Friends of the Library's annual meeting!
Lisa L. joins us to review a book by an author that she reviewed back in... 2018! It Ends With Us was the book she originally reviewed... but the plot to Verityis a completely different style for the author. Listen to find out if Lisa enjoyed the author's new writing direction!
Sabrina reviews two books: Ellie and the Harpmaker and the book that was recommended after it... The Rosie Project. Do these books share much in common? Listen to the episode to find out!