Advertise on podcast: Top Shelf with Russell Library

For many of us, modern life continues to feel increasingly complicated. It seems nearly impossible to stay updated on the ever-changing world of current events, technology, science, and economics. The complications of contemporary existence leaves one with a longing for simpler, more comforting times. This may be the reason why cozy fantasy is currently hitting the spot for so many readers. In today's episode, Shan chats with Briana, Cate, and Dillon about why cozy fantasy books have found a place on their shelves. If you're looking for a low-stakes read full of hope, kindness, community, charm, and found family, with a heaping plate of comfort food and a sprinkle of magic, you won't want to miss this delightful genre. Cozy fantasy is inclusive and comforting in all the best ways; your nervous system will breathe a sigh of relief with each turn of the page. So grab a steaming mug of tea and a toasty blanket, your next cozy read is waiting for you!  Book Recommendations The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong A Tale of Mirth & Magic by Kristen Vale Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree Intro Music by nikitsan

It's that time of year again! The holidays bring abundant joy and merriment, but they can also bring unnecessary stress when it comes to gift-giving. If you already find yourself dreading the shopping season, fear not, Russell Library has you covered. In today's chat, Briana talks with Kim, Christy, and Stephanie about their favorite books to gift. Not a reader? Not a problem! With a donation to the Library, we'll give back one of our coveted I Love Russell Library mugs, travel tumblers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, or car magnets. These carefully curated items make wonderful gifts, even for the loved one that seems to have everything. And if all else fails, Kim has an excellent suggestion for the snack lovers out there. Finger chopsticks, anyone? This episode will surely inspire an easeful shopping experience this year. Happy Holidays! Recommendations The 99% Invisible City : A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo Intro Music by nikitsan

November is National Native American Heritage Month. It's a time to celebrate the rich traditions and tales of Native American communities. While some stories have been lost to time, many continue to endure through current literature. In today's conversation, Christy will speak with Briana, Stephanie, and Shan to discuss the works of their favorite Indigenous authors. They'll share how these stories have impacted their understanding of the past and the present. As an added bonus, you'll also hear from Kaitlin Dattilo, the playwright of A Christmas Carol, which will be performed here at Russell Library. Buy your tickets today!  https://russelllibrary.librarycalendar.com/event/christmas-caaol-7065 Book Recommendations There There by Tommy Orange Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall III Intro Music by nikitsan

Spooky Season is officially here! For many readers, this is the perfect time to pick up a heart-pumping thriller. In today's episode, Cate sits down with Kim, Briana, and Stephanie to explore their favorite page-turners. Whether you're drawn to psychological suspense, horror, or paranormal thrills, this episode has something for you. To make things even more exciting, we've chosen titles with an added twist! These books all contain a significant plot twist that fundamentally changes the reader's understanding of the characters, events, and motivations. Be warned, you may need an extra nightlight nearby, because these chilling reads will surely keep you up at night!  Book Recommendations We Were Liars by E. Lockhart Bunny by Mona Awad Hidden Picturesby Jason Rekulak Intro Music by nikitsan

Diving into a novel usually involves a level of trust. We assume that the characters on the page are telling the truth, or at the very least, we trust that the narrator will inform us when someone is spinning a web of lies. But what happens when the narrator is the deceiver? Unreliable narrators may lead us astray due to a variety of reasons; deliberate deception, mental illness, flawed memory, bias, or a limited or skewed perspective. Sometimes the reader finds themself deep into a story before realizing that they've been lied to all along, forcing them to rethink every single page! In today's episode, Briana speaks with Kim, Shannon, and Christy about the novels and narrators that left them questioning everything they thought they knew. These books will keep you guessing long after the last page has been read.  Book Recommendations The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt Atonement by Ian McEwan  Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera Intro Music by nikitsan

The Russell Library is full of Halloween loving librarians, so we jumped on the chance to celebrate early! If you, too, enjoy the spooky season, you'll love our Summerween conversation. The term “Summerween” comes from the animated mystery TV series "Gravity Falls". The show has inspired fans of the macabre to celebrate this holiday anytime from June through August. Whether you're carving a jack-o-lantern out of a watermelon or throwing a pool party with inflatable skeletons, Summerween reminds us that cooler days and darker nights are right around the corner. So grab your iced pumpkin spice latte and settle in for a spooky chat full of spine-chilling reads! Book Recommendations The Clackity by Lora Senf, illustrated by Alfredo Cáceres Cackle by Rachel Harrison  Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. Intro Music by nikitsan

What makes a perfect beach read? Is it the same for everyone or is there room for interpretation? Merriam Webster defines a beach read as, a usually light work of escapist fiction (such as a thriller or romance). While this may be true for many, on Top Shelf we've decided to dive a little deeper into the subject. In today's episode, Briana, Shannon, and Cate share their perspectives on what criteria must be met for the ultimate beach read experience. Our librarians will also explore the wide world of library museum passes here at Russell Library. Enrich your summer with one of our passes today! Book Recommendations Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Wedding People by Alison Espach The Secrets of a Scottish Isle by Erica Ruth Neubauer Intro Music by nikitsan

Welcome to Episode 1 of Top Shelf with Russell Library! This show is brought to you by the same team behind Middletown Strong: Looking up With Russell Library. After four wonderful community-focused seasons of Middletown Strong, the team has chosen to focus on one of our other great loves... books! Our librarians will share titles that connect to a unique theme each episode. In today's conversation, Briana, Kim, Christy, and Stephanie will explore some of their favorite banned and challenged books. They'll give you honest recommendations, so you can confidently step into your next read. Thankfully, Russell Library makes it easy to access all of your favorite titles, we'll talk about that, too! Ready to see what's on the top shelf? Come along, we'll turn the page together! Book Recommendations Gender Queer : a memoir / by Maia Kobabe ; colors by Phoebe Kobabe The Perks of Being a Wallflower / Stephen Chbosky Bridge to Terabithia / Katherine Paterson ; illustrated by Donna Diamond The Library Vault Blog https://thelibraryvault.com/2025/06/02/researching-a-middletown-pride-pioneer/ Bklyn Public Library: Interview with Maia Kobabe  https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/interview-maia-kobabe MSNBC: Interview w/ Stephen Chbosky https://www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/watch/-velshibannedbookclub-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-by-stephen-chbosky-199844421994 Intro Music by nikitsan

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are delighted to share this exciting conversation with you. Christy and Briana sit down with a very special woman in our community, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz! In this chat, you'll learn about the many roles fulfilled by the lieutenant governor; including, serving as Acting Governor when Governor Lamont is out of state, presiding over the State Senate, and serving as Chair of the Governor's Council on Women and Girls. Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz shares why Connecticut is among the best places for women and girls and for raising a family. We'll discuss exciting initiatives happening within the state and important ways to get involved. We'll even dive into CT's status as the Pizza Capital of the U.S. Starting March 14, you can cast your vote for the best pizzerias in CT, the top 100 will appear on the Pizza Capital Pizza Trail. Join us to celebrate women and girls, Connecticut, public libraries, and, of course, pizza!  Helpful Links: https://portal.ct.gov/governor/working-groups/governors-council-on-women-and-girls?language=en_US https://irisct.org/ https://ctvisit.com/pizzatrailvote Book & Film Recommendations Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine The Womenby Kristin Hannah Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy The Six Triple Eight PG-13 2024 ‧ War/Drama  This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

In today's episode, Christy and Briana sit down with Bill Foster, Russell Library Board of Trustee, retired professor of English from Naugatuck Valley Community College, and a historical collector of comic books. Bill has been a commentator for CNN News National Public Radio and a consultant for a variety of museums. Libraries around the state have benefited from Bill's enriching programs documenting black characters in comics. In this conversation, you'll learn how Bill's love of comics began and how he's extended this love to the broader community. Book Recommendations Harbor Me by Jacqeline Woodson Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters I Think They Love You by Julian Winters James by Percival Everett Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray The Love Simulation by Etta Easton This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

It’s officially 2025! Many of us have already thought about eating better and exercising more, but have you considered your reading resolutions? In today’s episode, Stephanie, Briana, and Cate talk about the various ways they approach reading. Whether your reading style involves casually browsing the shelves or crafting carefully curated spreadsheets, this episode will offer tips and tools for starting your 2025 reading journey. The team dives into the pros and cons of using sites like Goodreads and Storygraph and they’ll even share a behind-the-scenes glimpse at Stephanie’s expertly-designed reading spreadsheet. We hope this light-hearted chat inspires you to find joy and satisfaction in all your reads this year! Book Recommendations Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay We Do This 'Til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros Fourth Wing and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Most people associate the Salvation Army with the wonderful bell ringers collecting funds in their red kettles around the holiday. However, this is just one of the many ways that the Salvation Army serves its communities  From embracing the homeless, uplifting the abused or abandoned, training and mentoring the disadvantaged, providing character building programs for youth, or assisting the displaced or elderly, the Salvation Army is there to support and serve all year long. In today's episode, Briana and Cate sit down with Captain Erin & Lieutenant Brian Perks to discuss the many initiatives happening at the Salvation Army right here in Middletown. Whether you're in need of service or looking to serve, this conversation will span it all! With the holidays upon us, don't miss the opportunity to learn more about this invaluable community resource. https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/southern-new-england/middletown/ Book Recommendations Not Nothing by Gayle Forman Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez From Here To The Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough Books 1 and 2 in the Brightstorm Twins Trilogy: Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy Darkwhispers by Vashti Hardy This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

We like BIG BOOKS and we cannot lie! In today's episode, Steph and Shan guide us through the world of big books. What are they? Should we read them? What strategies can we use to tackle them? They'll discuss things like choosing the right time to invest in a big book, determining if your lifestyle supports the effort they require, and balancing the completion of a big book with a lighter read. You'll also receive pro tips; such as, using audio books so you can freely move while reading, or buddy reading to keep you accountable, or even finding a condensed Young Readers edition when the big book is simply too much to tackle. Shan will make an argument for why Lord of the Rings is the ultimate big book. And Stephanie will tell us all the reasons why Stephen King should be on your reading list. If you've been intimidated by big books in the past, let this episode inspire you to finally curl up with a hefty tome this winter. Enjoy!  Book Recommendations 11/22/63 by Stephen King It by Stephen King The Stand by Stephen King A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkein The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig  The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Are you a fan of the weird and wonderful? If so, you're in for a treat! In today's episode, Briana and Christy sit down with Patrick Scalisi and Valerie Ruby-Omen, author and illustrator of Connecticut Cryptids: A Field Guide to the Weird and Wonderful Creatures of the Nutmeg State. They'll help us define cryptids and cryptozoology and introduce us to cryptids in our local area, such as the Shad Spirit and the Connecticut River Serpent. We'll learn all about the inspiration behind this wonderful book and the creative process that brought it to life. https://www.ctcryptids.com/ Instagram: @ctcryptids Book Recommendations Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth The Paranormal Ranger by Stanley Milford Jr. The Girl in White by Lindsay Currie Tales of the Cryptids : Mysterious Creatures That May or May Not Exist by Kelly Milner Halls, Rick Spears, Roxyanne Young This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Join Cate Tsahalis and Shannon Barillari as they interview our very own Mary Dattilo about the new and improved Secrets of Russell Library! This season, actors will entertain the audience with historical stories told by an eclectic cast of library characters. Shannon returns with Kim Spachman for "Turn That Shhh Up!" where they discuss library card signup month and the goings on here at Russell this September. Lastly, Stephanie Rush, Kate McCarthy-Bond, and Christy Billings give theatrical book recommendations to pair with the upcoming Secrets of Russell Library performance.  Book Recommendations R-E-S-P-E-C-T : Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul by Carole Boston Weatherford Brave ballerina : the story of Janet Collins by Michelle Meadows The Breakup Lists by Adib Khorram All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz Stand Up, Yumi Chung! By Jessica Kim Second Chance Summer by Sarah Kapit The Backstagers by James Tynion IV Tom Lake by Ann Patchett This podcast uses music by Ashutosh, under a creative commons license: Time by ASHUTOSH | https://soundcloud.com/grandakt Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US