Books and Bites
Books & Literature
About
Books and BitesJCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them.
Episodes
- A Bouquet of Books
The Books and Bites podcast episode 'A Bouquet of Books' explores reading suggestions for May's Spring Books & Bites Bingo challenge, focusing on books with flower covers. Featured selections include 'Wolf Worm,' 'Inciting Joy,' and 'Power…
- Small-Town Reads
The Books and Bites podcast introduces the Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge, running until June 30, 2026. Episodes feature small-town fiction, including YA novels, football stories, and dark comedies, with specific book and foo…
- The Forecast Calls for Books
The Books and Bites podcast discusses books featuring significant weather events, prompted by the Winter Books & Bites Bingo challenge. Episode picks include Their Eyes Were Watching God, Trapped, and The Water Knife, with associated recip…
- Books Set on Trains or Ships
The Books and Bites podcast discusses books centered around train or ship settings, inspired by a reading challenge. Recommendations include "Sea of Sorrows," "Migrations," and "Challenger Deep."
- Audiobooks with Multiple Narrators
The Books and Bites podcast discusses audiobooks with multiple narrators, highlighting a YA dystopian novel, a horror/thriller hybrid, and a historical Western. Book pairings include homemade bread, s'mores brownies, and minestrone soup.
- Must-Read Books of 2025
We're saying goodbye to 2025 with this episode, and with it our Summer-Fall Books & Bites bingo card! What better way to ring out the old year than with some of our favorite books published in 2025? Our picks include a darkly comic adventu…
- Books with Dragons
On this episode, we discuss books with dragons. It’s one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . Our picks include a slow-burn romantasy, a speculative fantasy that takes place during the 1950s and 1960s,…
- Discussing The Dark Library with Mary Anna Evans
On this episode, we talk to Mary Anna Evans about her book, The Dark Library . Want to discuss the book in person? Join us at Book Club: The Dark Library on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 pm. The first 10 people to register may pick up a free c…
- Books by Hispanic-American Authors
National Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15-Oct. 15, so what better time to discuss books by Hispanic-American authors? It’s one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge ! Michael's Pick Tiny Threads by Lill…
- Feel-Good Fiction
On this episode, we discuss feel-good fiction, a prompt on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge ! Our picks include two summer-soaked novels set in New England; a classic mystery; and a cozy fantasy so good, it busted Mich…
- Books About the Internet or Social Media: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 103
On this episode, we discuss books about the internet or social media. It's one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge ! Whether horror, dystopian fiction, or a mystery, our picks will make you think about w…
- Science Fiction: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 102
We’re wrapping up the 2025 Winter-Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge with science fiction! Our picks include a prequel from a popular YA dystopian series; a novella for fans of Star Trek: First Contact ; and a bittersweet comic n…
- Books in Translation: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 101
On this episode, we discuss books in translation, a prompt on the Winter-Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . From Iceland to Argentina with several stops in between, come travel the world with us from the comfort of home. Carrie…
- Poetry and Novels in Verse: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 100
We're in a celebratory mood this April. Not only is it National Poetry Month, it's also our 100th episode! Whether you're a new or longtime listener, we appreciate you tuning in to our podcast. This episode, we discuss books of poetry and…
- Reading "Rednecks" by Taylor Brown: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 99
Join our discussion of Rednecks by Taylor Brown, winner of the 2025 Southern Book Prize! On this episode, Michael Cunningham, Carrie Green, and guest John David Hurley share their thoughts on this novel about the West Virginia Mine Wars of…
- Rad Reads: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 98
This month we're getting nostalgic with books set in the 1990s, one of the prompts in the Winter-Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . Teenagers all figure prominently in our picks: a YA mystery, a thriller that celebrates horror'…
- Wintry Reads: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 97
Start the new year with the Winter-Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge ! We hope our prompts will inspire you to read and have fun while doing it. Up first, we share wintry books perfect for reading by the fire. Our picks include…
- Wrap Up 2024: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 96
It's time to wrap up the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge! On this episode, we discuss books published in 2024. Our picks include a suspense novel that is also an immersive alternate reality game, a National Book Award-win…
- Books about Chosen Family: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 95
On this episode, we discuss books about chosen or found family, one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . According to library database NoveList, books with this theme focus on families "formed by choice…
- Southern Gothic: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 94
On this episode, we discuss Southern Gothic books, one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . Southern Gothic is a sub-genre of Gothic fiction--or, as Michael says, it's "Gothic with a twang." According t…
- Books with Kings or Queens: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 93
On this episode, we discuss books with kings and queens, one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . Our picks include a page-turning history of the Magna Carta; a novel about Mary, Queen of Scots; and a Y…
- Hybrid Genres: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 92
On this episode, we discuss books that are hybrids of at least two genres, one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . Jacqueline's favorite romantasy novels are a good example. They combine elements of ro…
- Books by Authors with Disabilities: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 91
July is Disability Pride Month ! Learn more about the history, experiences, and contributions of the disabled community by reading books by authors with disabilities. On this episode, we also introduce the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo r…
- Books with Maps: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 90
No matter the genre, when you read a book with a map, you're in for an adventure. This month, we share a YA historical fiction meets fantasy novel; a mystery set in 1920s Bangalore; and a dystopian novel set during a future American Civil…
- Books by Asian American and Pacific Islander Authors: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 89
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with books by AAPI authors! It's one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . Our suggestions include an action-packed adventure tale, a Y…
- Get Outside with a Good Book: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 88
On this episode, we discuss books set in or about the outdoors, one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . We recommend a memoir by a teenage naturalist and environmental activist; a popular YA dys…
- Books for Women's History Month: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 87
On this episode, we celebrate Women's History Month with fiction and nonfiction about women's history, one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . From a graphic novel about Soviet women fighter pil…
- In the Mood for Romance: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 86
On this episode, we discuss romance novels, one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge . This popular book genre has something for everyone, even the horror fans among us! Jacqueline's Pick Once Upon…
- Books You Can Read in One Sitting: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 85
On this episode, we ring in the New Year with the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge ! From now through June 30, 2024, keep track of books you read or listen to by writing the title and author in the matching bingo sq…
- Books with Magic: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 84
This month, we discuss books with magic, our final prompt from the 2023 Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Our picks include an anthology of witchy tales; a novel about the magic of sourdough starter, robot arms, and the human who wo…
- Books by Indigenous Authors: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 83
In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, we discuss books by Indigenous authors, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Our picks are as varied as ever, with a ghost story set in a bookstore, a teen…
- Gothic Fiction: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 82
For October, we discuss Gothic fiction, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Our picks have all the creepy mansions, women in the attic, and brooding characters you could possibly want. Not to mention fungi! C…
- Music and Musicians: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 81
This month, we discuss books about music or musicians, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. From mixtapes to AI, music memoirs to YA novels, we share our thoughts on both music and books. Michael's Pick Michae…
- Adventure Awaits: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 80
This month, we discuss adventure stories, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Choose your own adventure, whether it's with a group of teens on a road trip, on top of Mount Everest, or on a pirate ship! Jacque…
- Dig Into a Great Book: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 79
In honor of this year's summer learning theme, Dig In, we're digging into some authors we already know with the Books and Bites Bingo prompt, read another book by an author you love. Carrie's Pick Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, a coming…
- LGBTQIA+ Authors: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 78
On this episode, we discuss books by LGBTQIA+ authors, one of the prompts for Books & Bites Bingo . We've got a diverse group of characters and settings for you, including a Splatterpunk novel set in 1990s New Orleans, a Booker Prize-winni…
- Travel the World Through Books: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 77
On this episode, we discuss books set in or about a place you want to visit, one of the prompts for Books & Bites Bingo . Join us as we travel to Mexico City, Paris, and the English countryside--all with the help of some good books! Jacque…
- Appalachian Reads: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 76
On this episode, we discuss books set in or about Appalachia, one of the prompts for Books & Bites Bingo . Collection Access Associate John David Hurley, who is from Mount Vernon, Kentucky, joins Michael, Carrie, and Jacqueline to share so…
- Get Lettered with Epistolary Books: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 75
On this episode, we discuss epistolary books, one of the prompts for Books & Bites Bingo. Epistolary novels are told primarily through letters, but they can also include diaries, emails, instant messages, transcripts, and even post-it note…
- Afrofuturism and Afrofantasy: Books and Bites Podcast, Episode 74
This month, we discuss the Afrofuturism/Afrofantasy square from Books & Bites Bingo . As Michael pointed out on the podcast, “Afrofuturism and Afrofantasy are sub-genres of science fiction and fantasy that are rooted in African cultures, m…
- Books About Books: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 73
We're starting the New Year with a new Books and Bites reading challenge, Books and Bites Bingo! You'll have more prompts to choose from, and more chances to win prizes. Plus, every time you get a bingo, you'll earn a fun, book-themed stic…
- Wrap Up Your Reading: Books and Bites podcast, Ep. 72
If you’re participating in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge , it’s time to wrap up your reading! On this episode of the podcast, we discuss the books we read for the twelfth and final prompt, read whatever you want. If you’ve com…
- Satisfy Your Curiosity with Nonfiction: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 71
On this episode, we discuss the eleventh prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge , a nonfiction book about something you’re curious about. We hope we can pique your interest with books about octopuses, Sherlock Holmes, and cul…
- Discover Manga: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 70
On this episode, we discuss the tenth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge , read a manga! Manga are comics or graphic novels that began in Japan. Since you read them from right to left instead of left to right, they can be…
- Celebrate the Freedom to Read: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 69
On this episode, we celebrate the freedom to read with the ninth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge , read a banned or challenged book. Dr. Ron Critchfield, JCPL's Executive Director, joins us to discuss the importance of…
- Short Reads With Novellas: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 68
On this episode, we discuss the eighth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge , novellas. These short novels of 200 pages or less are just the right size for reading in one sitting or trying something new. We’ve got something…
- An Ocean of Possible Reads: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 67
On this episode, we welcome our new co-host Jacqueline Cooper and discuss the seventh prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge , books that take place near the ocean. To celebrate our summer learning theme, we have an ocean of…
- Books With Black Joy: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 66
On this episode, we discuss the sixth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge , books that include Black joy. These books celebrate the richness and fullness of Black lives. Book Notes Michael recommends Blacktop Wasteland by…
- Books Through the Decades: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 65
On this episode, we discuss the fifth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge , a book published in the decade you were born. We're covering the hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s—brought to you by WJCPL! Book Notes Michael recom…
- Not Your Typical Biography: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 64
Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 64 JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. On this episode, we discuss the fourth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge , a biography…