The Book Return: Recent Episodes
Alvah N Belding Library
An Alvah N Belding Library podcast hosted by Britney, Chloe and Zach where we discuss everything from books to video games.
In today's episode, Britney, Chloe, and Zach discuss librarians in media, exploring common stereotypes that range from strict "shushers" to dynamic action heroes. The conversation concludes on a more serious note by highlighting the Marshall Project and examining the frustrating realities of extensive book banning within the prison system.
Britney, Chloe and Zach discuss domestic thrillers in both books and film. They also play a survival horror quiz to determine who would be the most likely to live through a horror movie.
We're diving deep into the dark and captivating world of fandom, exploring its evolution, ethical complexities, and the reasons why we can't seem to look away. From the earliest cult followings to the toxic rabbit holes of the internet, we examine the fine line between passion and obsession. Join us for a conversation about our personal experiences with the genre, from the bizarrely humorous to the downright disturbing.
Britney, Chloe, and Zach discuss all things math, weather, space, and Jim Carrey's box office flop The Number 23 in this new nonfiction episode!
We're diving deep into the dark and captivating world of true crime, exploring its evolution, ethical complexities, and the reasons why we can't seem to look away. Join us for a conversation about our personal experiences with the genre, from the bizarrely humorous to the downright disturbing.
In this episode the crew learns exactly what a MacGuffin is and is not. Contentious examples include: the One Ring, the community college in Community, and the giant mechanical spider from Wild, Wild, West.
Britney, Zach and Chloe discuss the found family trope! We find out that Zach has not seen The Goonies, even though he was sure he had. Turns out it was... Monster Squad?
Join us as we dive deep into the world of "guilt-free reads" - those books we love without shame. From dissecting societal judgments to confessing our own controversial favorites, we explore what it means to read with joy and embrace our unique literary tastes.
Britney, Zach and Chloe are back to discuss the twelve steps of the Hero's Journey, using popular works like Star Wars, The Hunger Games, The Lord of the Rings, and The Evil Dead.
We discuss our favorite books and television from the 90s, ending the episode with a 90s movie checklist.
We're doing another decade episode! It's the 90s! In part one we discuss our favorite 90s movies and play some 90s Trivial Pursuit!
We dive into a newly introduced genre- Romantasy! These are books set in a fatansy world with a strong romance plot. Britney and Chloe are big fans, and Zach is still figuring it out.
We break out of our comfort zones and talk about alternatives to traditional books, including graphic novels, audio books, digital magazines and more!
In this episode, we're joined by Britney's sister Carrie to discuss the wide world of Disney, including films, music, and television. Tune in for a comprehensive look at all things Disney.
Zach quizzes Britney and Chloe on their Christmas movie quote knowledge. Play along with us and see if you can guess the movie before we do!
We talk about our favorite Christmas traditions around the world including Japan, Spain, and Venezuela.
We're finally doing it! It's reader's advisory time. This week Britney and Chloe give Zach some recommendations based on what they know about him. Notable recommendations nclude Eragon, Good Omens, and The Devil in the White City.
We go over the book to film adaptations coming out later this year and next year. Some of the ones we're excited about include: The Color Purple, Wonka, and the new Percy Jackson series.
We talk about the media that pleasantly surprised us, including Wolf Hall, Nancy Drew, and Heaven's Official Blessing in our second visual podcast episode.
It's the third part in our nonfiction series! We're covering the 200s (and a little of the 300s) and discussing mythology and folklore. Topics include archaeology, the Bermuda Triangle, and Slenderman.
Watch us in the first half (we lose our video feed) describe our picks for overrated, underrated and appropriately related titles.
Avery joins the podcast this week as we talk about spooky reads, Japanese capsule hotels and invasive insects. We also play a game of Guess That Theme song with some of our favorite horror themes.
We're back with the final installment of our Comfort Zone series. We talk about the best music, games, and food of the 90s and beyond!
We discuss Zach's lack of comfort reads, his affinity for impenetrable tomes, and lots o' comfort music.
We get comfortable (aside from Zach's debilitating headache) as we discuss what movies, shows, books, and music make us feel all warm inside.
In the first part of our sci-fi adventure we discuss our favorite science fiction television shows including Star Trek, Buck Rodgers, Firely, The OA and Russian Doll, and much more.
We ask ourselves hypothetical trolley problems and find out who we really are. We also go over our horoscopes.
We discuss our favorite heroes and villians, Home Improvement, and the hit ABC sitcom Coach with Craig T Nelson.
We discuss the decade that Britney and Zach were born in. Books, television, movies, music, and more!
We talk about our favorite middle grade books! Zach maybe read Summerland, Chloe talks about Holes, and Britney gives Zach some great recommendations.
We talk historical fiction, censorship, Tudor history, pirates, and Supernatural again for some reason.
Join Chloe and Zach with special guest Therese for their first ever PodShot (short episode)!
Zach and Chloe discuss their favorite horror movies with special guest and podcast man Jeremy.
We discuss the books that made us- from our earliest childhood reads to the books we love as adults.
We talk about the western genre, Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones and the direct to television version of The Shining for some reason.
Britney and Chloe discuss film theory while Zach pretends to understand; everyone shares their favorite nonfiction topics and briefly discuss the best animal documentaries.
We discuss all things within the romance genre, the evolution of gender roles in the genre and Pedro Pascal.
We discuss some of our favorite mystery books and movies, including Scooby Doo, Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series and all things Christian Bale.
We look back at 2022, discuss upcoming releases, and talk about our New Year's resolutions.
We talk about our favorite holiday movies and traditions. We're joined by special guests throughout and discuss the likelihood of the English surviving the apocalypse.
We discuss inspirational authors Lauraine Snelling and Colleen Coble before talking about what we like (and hate) about book covers.
We discuss world famous librarian Nancy Pearl, reading doorways, zombies and the gothic genres.
Kelly joins the show to discuss her experiences with ghost hunters at the library and we share our own spooky encounters.
In this episode Britney, Zach and Chloe discuss the fantasy genre, adaptations, Twilight, solo board game baseball, and the hit Canadian rock trio Rush.