Overdue: Recent Episodes
John Hill and Rachel Watts
High school librarians John and Rachel chat about books and news from the library at White House High School in White House, Tennessee. Join in for conversations about current happenings and young adult literature.
We recap Inagural Ballers by Andrew Maraniss and The Weight of Blood by Tiffany Jackson. Hear a preview of The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith from WHHS student Kayleigh M (c/o 2026).
Listen to three student previews in this episode!
- Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur, previewed by Maggie (c/o 2026)
- Divergent by Veronica Roth, previewed by Isabel (c/o 2026)
- I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan, previewed by Gracie (c/o 2026)
This week, we recap See You Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon, the graphic novel Chef's Kiss, and This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg. Hear a preview of The Forgotton 500 by Gregory A. Freeman from WHHS student Easton S (c/o 2026).
We're a day late because of some technical difficulties, but thanks for tuning in to hear us chat about The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson, as well as The Name She Gave Me by Betty Culley. Enjoy a preview of The Shack by William P. Young from WHHS student Bella M (c/o 2026).
What did we read over the summer? What's new in the library?. Listen in as we kickoff SY 2023-2024 to find out the answers to these questions! Hear a preview of The Cellar by Natasha Preston from WHHS student Brae-Lynn P (c/o 2026).
We conclue the year by reviewing our final reads: The Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim and Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex Ogle. Listen as we recap our year of reading with our top three books, and check out what we're reading this summer. Hear a preview of The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han from WHHS student Taylor N (c/o 2026) and a preview of In The Same Boat by Holly Green from WHHS student Ryland K (c/o 2026).
We chat about The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer while recapping some other VSBA reads from earlier this year. Hear a preview of Illegal by Francisco X. Stork from WHHS student Scarlett B. (c/o 2026).
Join us as we discuss Chase the Lion by Mark Patterson, Needlework by Julia Watts, and Annie Abbott and the Druid Stones by Isabelle and Michael Nelson. Hear a preview of Clutch Hitter from WHHS student Easton S (c/o 2026).
Join us as we discuss Chase the Lion by Mark Patterson, Needlework by Julia Watts, and Annie Abbott and the Druid Stones by Isabella and Michael Nelson. Hear a preview of Clutch Hitter from WHHS student Easton S (c/o 2026).
Join us as we discuss Chasing the Lion by Mark Patterson and The Guest List by Lucy Foley. Hear a preview of Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham from WHHS student Ruby W (c/o 2026).
We chat about She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen, The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris, and Living Simply: A Teen Guide to Minimilism by Sally McGraw. Enjoy a preview of Solitaire by Alice Oseman from Carolanne K (c/o 2026).
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
We call an audible and read The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
Books discussed: Together at Midnight by Jennifer Castle, The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
After some technical difficulties and some illnesses, we're back for 2023! Join us as we chat about The Last Words We Said by Leah Scheier and The Electric Kingdom by David Arnold.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
On the day before Thanksgiving, hear us chat about Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson and Britt-Marrie Was Here by Frederik Backman. Enjoy a preview of Before I Do by a WHHS student.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
Find out which one of us struggled to read and hear about the other's great book!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
We like these books. Tune in to hear us chat about them!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
Hear us chat about our two most recent reads and get a quick look at what we're reading next. Enjoy a book preview from a WHHS student!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
Join us as we chat about some nonfiction selections from the VSBA list. We learned a lot!
Join us as we chat about our recent reads, one of which is surrounded by some controversy.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
Join us as we recap our latest reads: Punching Bag by Rex Ogle, Disability Visibility edited by Alice Wong, and Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
Join us as we kick off our VSBA readings!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
Join us as we chat about upcoming library events and recap our summer reading!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
Join us as we recap our favorite (and least favorite) books of the year! Enjoy a book preview from a WHHS student!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
Join us as we chat about our final reads for the school year and pick our summer reading books!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Join us as we close out April with some middle grade and YA reads!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Join us as we chat about some real life things via nonfiction and historical fiction books. Listen in to see what we're reading next!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from JuliusH on Pixabay
Join us as we unveil our new TikTok account (maybe) and talk about our recent reads. Listen till the end to find out what we're reading next!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Join us over spring break as we chat about our recent and upcoming reads!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Join us, a day late, as we talk about our recent and upcoming reading selections. Enjoy a book preview from a WHHS student.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
Join us as we celebrate Valentine's Day with some romance novels. Enjoy a book preview from a WHHS student.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 liense. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Nature Walk by dylan-darby from Pixabay
Join us as we recap some recent YA reads and get ready for some Valentine's Day books. Enjoy a book preview from a WHHS student.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
Suspense Dark Ambient by Defekt Maschine
Seagull by Everet Almond
Join us as we chat about two Greek mythology novels by Madeline Miller. Enjoy another book preview from a WHHS student.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Enter the Maze by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ - Download: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
John and Rachel recap some YA books and preview their upcoming reads. They also dive into some library statistics. Enjoy another book preview from a WHHS student.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music by Zen Man on Pixabay
John and Rachel discuss realistic fiction, romance, and find their way back to YA novels. Enjoy a book preview from a WHHS student.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Rain and Tears by Neutrin05 https://soundcloud.com/neutrin05 Creative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/RRsQBq9nSXQ
John and Rachel compare and contrast two novels by Anthony Doerr. Enjoy some reading by a WHHS student.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music by FreeMusicMascot on Pixabay
John and Rachel recap books about Native American history. They also commit to reading two books by the same author.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music from Pixabay
John and Rachel prepare for Halloween with seasonal graphic novels.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Additional music by astrofreq from Pixabay
John and Rachel recap their banned books. They also give a preview of TeenTober and November.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
Rachel gives thoughts on a recent read and picks a challenged book. BDP Library launches something new!
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
John reviews another book and provides multiple updates from the library.
Music Credits
Block Party by Bad Snacks
64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
Seagull by Everet Almond
To begin the second season of Overdue, John and Rachel share the highlights of their summer and plans for the library in the upcoming year. Listen in to see if they held up on the summer reading challenge!
Music Credits
- Block Party by Bad Snacks
- 64 Sundays by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
- Seagull by Everet Almond
John and Rachel close out the first season of Overdue with what they enjoyed about the podcast and plans for next season along with a summer challenge.
John and Rachel offer up personal recommendations of books that twist and thrill and celebrate Money Smart Week with a local entrepreneur. They finish the episode with various titles on money.
Books Mentioned: The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, One of Us is Lying, Where the Crawdads Sing, Those Who Wish Me Dead, City of Saints and Thieves, Confessions of a Scholarship Winner, How to Graduate Debt-Free, 1001 Ways to Pay for College, Personal and Public Debt, Jackpot, The Perfect Escape, Living Well: Spending Less
John and Rachel discuss a genre of fiction that’s not quite as boring as it may often seem and sit down with one of the most intriguing guests to date as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Poetry Month with a distinguished, published poet.
Books Mentioned: Salt to the Sea, Valiant, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, Dangerous Alliance, Like a Love Story, Lord of the Flies, Jane Eyre, Villette, Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems by Teenagers, Honeybee, Pillow Thoughts, Forever Words
In this episode, John and Rachel highlight titles that resemble the top of their spring bucket list and speak with a guest who has played the role of White House student, teacher, administrator, and more. Listen in for books selected in honor of a founding father.
Books Mentioned: The Sun and Her Flowers, Grass (GN), Woven in Moonlight, Hamilton, Fault Lines in the Constitution (GN), You Call This Democracy?
In this episode, John reconnects with a familiar friend and chats with the team that keeps the library running. Listen in for the books that will get you geared up for testing season.
Books Mentioned
Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed (GN), Where the Crawdads Sing, The Vanishing Half, Kite Runner, Skyhunter
In this late-to-air episode, John talks about romance novels and Black History Month.
Books Mentioned:
Not Your #Lovestory, Heartstopper (GN), Instant Karma, The Life of Frederick Douglass (GN), A Promised Land, Courage to Soar, The Mamba Mentality, Track (series), Long Way Down (and GN), Miles Morales, Stamped
John tries to figure out if he’s in a mid-life crisis while he highlights books about hair and recognizes some award-winning titles. He also learns a little about what it means to be a school librarian.
Check out the ALA Youth Media Awards!
http://www.ilovelibraries.org/booklovers/youth-media-awards
Books Mentioned
Hairspray (DVD), The Hairdresser of Harare, Hot Comb, The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, Sad is Untrue (a true story), Apple: Skin to the Core, Dragon Hoops, We Are Not Free, If These Wings Could Fly, The Black Kids, The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh
John, flying solo, explores his role as a high school librarian while making a few points about information literacy.
Books Mentioned:
The Catcher in the Rye
AASL Presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1P3GZq6dLvrk7GPFzD6UN3wQGyy-fA1-Q5-jRYapkDMA/edit?usp=sharing
John and Rachel celebrate the holiday season by highlighting Christmas books and leaving the library to visit someone who loves all things Christmas in their workshop. Let’s wrap up 2020 with the best books as voted on by readers like you.
Books Mentioned:
Pearl S Buck’s Book of Christmas, Christmas Stories (Dickens), Let it Snow, My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories, The Official Guide to Christmas in the South or, If You Can’t Fry It, Spraypaint It Gold, Catcher in the Rye, The Polar Express, T'was the Night Before Christmas, The Christmas Carol, The Midnight Library, The Guest List, The Vanishing Half, House of Earth and Blood, From Blood and Ash, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, Mexican Gothic, Strange Planet, Stamped, A Promised Land, Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, A Life on Our Planet, Heartstopper: Volume Three, Dearly, Such a Fun Age, Clap When You Land, The Queen of Nothing, The Tower of Nero
Music Credits:
Jingle Bells 7 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Deck the Halls B by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100368
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Carol Of The Bells by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/
John and Rachel serve up books about food and sit down with White House High School’s leader of yesteryear. Discover titles that were written by or feature Native Americans in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
Books mentioned: Eat a Peach, Fast Food Nation, Devoured, Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Love and Food, Meal (GN), Sourdough, The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, Let’s Make Ramen (GN), Where the Crawdads Sing, Hearts Unbroken, Apple in the Middle, Come On In, Surviving the City (GN), A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States
John and Rachel take a look at science fiction titles and host White House High School’s favorite gamer. Listen as we honor those who have served our country.
Books Mentioned: War Girls, American War, Soul of Stars, Uglies, Hush Hush, Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, Old Man's War, The Ghost Brigades, The Last Colony, Zoe's Tale, The Forever War, Ready Player One, Grenade, Grass (GN), Ceremony, Flygirl,
John and Rachel headline authors of horror before settling in for an eerie story from White House High School graduates and local business owners of lifeless treasures.
Books mentioned: HP Lovecraft (author), Stephen King (author), Elevation, If It Bleeds, The Strange True Tale of Frankenstein's Creator, Joe Quinn's Poltergeist, Alice in Zombieland, I Hunt Killers, Stamped
John and Rachel put a spotlight on teens’ top book choices and visit with the media specialist at White House Middle School. Stay tuned for books that will get you out of the middle and allow you to vote with confidence.
Books Mentioned: With the Fire on High, Frankly in Love, Wayward Son, These Witches Don't Burn, Pumpkinheads (GN), Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me (GN), The Poet X, American Panda, Children of Blood and Bone, Thunderhead, The Cruel Prince, Batman: Nightwalker (GN), The Giver of Stars, Where the Crawdads Sing, Educated, Atomic City Girls, Donald Trump: 45th US President, Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics, Votes of Confidence: A Young Person's Guide to American Elections, Vote for Larry
John and Rachel face off in Banned Books Week trivia and stop in to visit a local business run by WHHS graduates. This episode closes with some of the librarians’ top picks from the banned books list.
Books Mentioned: Brave New World, 1984, Of Mice and Men, Invisible Man, Ender's Game, Harry Potter, Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Hate U Give, The Fault in Our Stars, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Looking for Alaska, Th1rteen R3asons Why, Catcher in the Rye, Eleanor & Park, Kite Runner