Back Stories

It's an episode no Millennial will want to miss. Elyssa and her guest Erin discuss their love for the Scholastic Books "Dear America" series, which defined their childhood. Plus, you can't mention Scholastic Books without reminiscing about school book fairs.And, yes, you can find the "Dear America" television shows on YouTube at this link.

Back Stories guest and JCPL Franklin Branch Librarian Katie discusses the memoir of Kim Michele Richardson, a bestselling, multiple-award-winning author from Kentucky. She also tells the story of Book Woman, one of the Packhorse librarians who delivered books to remote areas of the Appalachian Mountains during the Great Depression.Elyssa takes a look behind Hell's Library trilogy. Join them as librarians look at books about libraries and librarians, talk about John Green and local events.

On this Bonus Episode of Back Stories, Elyssa talks with JCPL Director Lisa Lintner, who discusses her role with the Indiana Library Federation and their Indiana Freadom to Read initiative and their work to ensure all Hoosiers enjoy the unrestricted freedom to read and access books of all genres.Lisa highlights John Green in conversation with IN FREADOM being held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Indiana Freadom to Read will discuss John Green's battle with censorship in Indiana and other states where he has filed suit.

In the first episode of the fourth season of Back Stories, host Elyssa Everling interviews Columbus, Indiana, author Paul Hoffman. Paul lays out his backstory on Murder In Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddie Schumacher and the book Wicked Columbus. He also shares how he became a writer, publisher and actor after growing up in Wisconsin and moving to Indiana 30 years ago.

In the final episode of season three, Elyssa and her guest Jody, JCPL's marketing manager and sometimes podcast producer, dig into great true stories. They discuss Erik Larson, Stephen Ambrose, Timothy Egan, Melissa and others, and the Back Stories are revealed.

Are you looking for your next great read, or want to learn how to use the Johnson County Public Library better? Elyssa and her guest Erin review their latest Behind the Page session and discuss thrillers, beach reads, inspirational books, and much more. Here are the books and resources discussed in this episode. Thriller Books Bad Tourists by Caro Carver Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman  Beach Reads Pink Glass Houses by Asha Elias This Summer will be Different by Carley Fortune Inspirational Books Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox The Song of Sourwood Mountain by Ann H. Gabheart Dystopian Books Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton A Better World by Sarah Langan Nonfiction Books You are a Magnet by Amber Lyon The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson  Resources Talked About Creativebug Friends Booktiques Find Your Next Book Lit Loot Book Clubs List Book Club Book Sets Podcasts Discussed Everyone Loved it But Me Reading Glasses Currently Reading Book Talk, etc Just Plain Wrong (Amish Librarians)

Jesse Biggerman, Johnson County Recycling District Executive Director, discusses presidents, historians and Dr. Seuss, while Elyssa examines science fiction books, movies and more.

JCPL's Franklin Branch Manager, Tiffany Wilson, examines the stories behind Dame Agatha Christie and shares her experience acting in and directing several of Christie's plays. Elyssa digs into Ruth Ware, an Authors at JCPL visitor in 2023 and a self-proclaimed Agatha Christy fan. Play it now and see if they both live to the end of the podcast!

Susan Crisafulli, president of the Imagination Library of Johnson County, joins Elyssa for a behind-the-scenes look at the mission and growth of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in our county. The Imagination Library of Johnson County has mailed more than 149,000 books.

Elyssa and her guest Erin share the books, resources and other details about their latest “Behind the Page” event. Here are the resources and book titles they discussed or mentioned in this podcast. Adventure Books James by Percival Everett Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura Cozy Mysteries A Bean to Die For by Tara Lush (A Coffee Lover's Mystery #4) Peril in Pink by Sydney Leigh Nonfiction Books The Real Hoosiers: Crispus Attucks High School. Oscar Robertson, and the Hidden History of Hoops by Jack McCallum A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks by Dave Gibbins Paranormal Books Bride by Ali Hazelwood Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett (Emily Wilde #2) RomCom Books Funny Story by Emily Henry The Break-Up Tour by Emily Wibberkey and Austin Siegemund-Broka Books that People Shared The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane Virgil Wander by Leif Enger (author coming to Wild Geese Bookshop this summer) The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Greymist Fair by Francesca Zappia The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt The Little Liar by Mitch Albom (from last time) Shark Heart by Emily Habeck (from last time) Resources Talked About Talpa Search - https://www.pageafterpage.org/what-should-i-read-next Staff Picks and Book Lists - https://www.pageafterpage.org/staff-picks E-Books and E-Audiobooks - https://www.pageafterpage.org/e-books-e-audio-downloadable-movies

Elyssa and her guest, Stephanie, of JCPL's White River Branch Library, give you the backstory of Frankenstein and Dracula.

In this Back Stories bonus episode, Elyssa is joined by Erin from JCPL's Clark Pleasant Branch. Erin provides the backstory on the Local Author Fair, which is scheduled for April 13, 2024. Forty-five authors are registered. Genres include picture books, memoirs, young adult novels, Christian self-help, gardening essays, poetry, romance, non-fiction and more.

Elyssa and Library Director Lisa Lintner provide the backstory on how the Snuggle Up with a Book Ball came to be and how it supports bringing New York Times bestselling authors to Johnson County as part of the Authors at JCPL series. You will get an inside look at this fun ”event you don't attend,” as well as authors and some of Lisa's favorite books.

Your host, Elyssa, takes a look at Stephen King. She notes he writes pretty much everything except for Amish romance. Elyssa's guest is Franklin Branch Children's Librarian Katie. Despite being a children's librarian, she is also here to discuss horror. Although she started reading Stephen King when she was ten, she is here to give you the backstory on Grady Hendrix, the author of “How to Sell a Haunted House” and many other horror novels. Katie says, “There is such a playfulness” to his books.

Welcome to season three of “Back Stories,” Indiana's Johnson County Public Library podcast. We kick off the season with a special episode taking you “Behind the Page” for a new year look at just-released or soon-to-be-released books. On this episode, Elyssa and her guest, Erin, look at Mitch Albom's new book “The Little Liar,” discuss why Colleen Hoover is so popular and highlight library services and other things that will help you on your reading journey.

On this special “Behind the Page” bonus episode of “Back Stories,” Elyssa and her guest Erin dig deep into new and upcoming books. Plus, they dive into Library services, including digital sources, ways to find your next great read and tease an upcoming Authors at JCPL visit. Resources mentioned in this podcast:  Book discussions Find Your Next Read ABC Mouse JCPL-to-Your-Door JCPL-to-Go Digital Services – to Stream & Download Authors at JCPL Snuggle Up with a Book Ball

How can a woman balance societal expectations, responsibilities, and art? Host Elyssa Everling reveals the background of US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, the first female, Native American to achieve the title and honor from her highly acclaimed memoirs and poetry collections like "An American Sunrise." Guest Tiffany Phillips of local bookseller Wild Geese Bookshop considers the struggle of female artists and motherhood represented in Julie Phillips' "The Baby on the Fire Escape." Listen to learn about the ultimate success of renowned female authors and artists. Back Stories is a production of the Johnson County Public Library-Indiana.

You may know of writer Kurt Vonnegut, but I promise you don't as much about him as Elyssa's guest Chris Lafave, Curator of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library in downtown Indianapolis. Elyssa looks at the life of Ray Bradbury another midwestern author who wrote unique and entertaining stories. Are there a few connections between the two? Listen to find out.

Guest Amy Hamilton takes a look at the connections between Led Zeppelin and J.R.R. Tolkien. Yes, there are Lord of the Rings things in Led Zeppelin songs. She also reveals the only video you can't find on YouTube. They may tell tales of mystery and magic but Lev Grossman, Elyssa's focus, may be best known for writing The Magicians Trilogy: The Magicians(2009), The Magician King (2011), and The Magician's Land (2014). She digs into his back stories and finds connections with Amy's topic. When you are done listening come back here and play this game that lets you guess if the word is the name of an antidepressant or a Tolkien character. Play here.

Elyssa is joined by Elizabeth Moffett, a Jobs for America's Graduates teacher at Whiteland Community High School. Elizabeth provides context on “Educated” by Tara Westover. A memoir of what happens when a girl grows up in a survivalist community in Idaho and doesn't start formal education until college. Up next, Elyssa continues the memoir theme of the show by looking at “Heartland: a Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth” by Sarah Smarsh who asks us to look at modern-day America differently. Plus, Elyssa and Elizabeth find a way to include Dolly Parton in the conversation.

How do you connect Emily Post, Julian Fellowes, “Downton Abby,” Pierce Brosnan, the House of Lords and the HBO series “The Gilded Age”? Elyssa, and Back Stories guest host Nicole, of JCPL's Trafalgar Branch, accomplish that and provide a few laughs along the way.

For a teenage detective, Nancy Drew has been around a long time. Erin Cataldi from the JCPL Clark Pleasant Branch Library provides a look at the history of this literary character and how she has changed over the years. Season 2 host Elyssa Everling tells the tale of the DC Comics character Lucifer created by Neil Gaiman which was turned into a TV series for ABC.

Erik Larson's “The Devil in the White City,” tells the story of America's first serial killer H.H. Holmes. Season 2 host Elyssa Everling covers his story. David Pfeiffer of the Johnson County Museum of History-Indiana gives the backstory on Franklin, IN native Georgiana Yoke, told in the book “A Competent Witness,” as the only woman to survive being married to Holmes.

In this episode of Back Stories Amy and Elyssa dig deeper into how fairy tales have been told in different cultural settings. Elyssa looks at the Amish Fairytales Series by author Sarah Price. Amy discusses Marissa Meyer's retelling of famous tales.

When you mention Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid many people think of Disney movies. But these tales are nearly as old as time. Amy and her guest Erin take a look at the origins of these stories and touch on their impact on society and how we view traditional relationships.

It's an all Amy episode. Amy provides the backstory on author Amy Stewarts' series of Kopp Sisters. For well over a decade, in the early 1900s, their exploits as crime-fighters and detectives made newspapers nationwide–but they'd been entirely forgotten. You can find more on the Kopp Sisters mentioned in this episode here. Amy's guest, Amy H. takes a look at the 1980s set sitcom The Goldbergs. The show is loosely based on the real-life experiences of the show's creator's childhood, during which he regularly videotaped events. There is no one named Amy in the family. But the discussion is interesting nonetheless.

Amy digs into the backstory of regency romances and Netflix's Bridgerton series. Her guest Jody, the Library's marketing and communications manager examines how real-life experiences shaped author Erle Stanley Gardner's fiction writing, including the long-running series Perry Mason. This episode was first presented live via Zoom.

If the names Elwyn Brooks White, or EB White, and Margaret Wise Brown sound unfamiliar, then you may recognize them better by the titles of their works. White’s repertoire includes novels such as Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web, the first-place winner in a 2012 survey of the top one hundred children’s novels. In addition to his works of fiction, White contributed to The New Yorker magazine and co-authored the English language style guide, The Elements of Style. Brown, who was also a children’s author, wrote Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny, which earned her the epithet “the laureate of the nursery” for her literary achievements. Amy and Darcy unravel the writing careers of these renowned authors, and ultimately, discover a common thread: the influence of Anne Carroll Moore, educator, writer and advocate for children’s libraries.

In this episode of Back Stories Amy and her guest dig into books and authors who face challenges. Amy gives the backstory on Australian author Madeleine Ryan’s book “A Room Called Earth.” Amy’s guest, Katie, looks at the life and challenges of Carrie Fisher.

In this episode, Amy and Elyssa look at you two female writers. If one of your accomplishments is being an award-winning science fiction writer that is impressive. What if you were raised by a widowed mom, Black and female? There is even more to Octavia Butler’s backstory. After university, Emily Elgar worked for a non-profit organization providing support services to sex workers in the UK, her first novel “Grace is Gone” has been called “Chilling and compassionate.” Where did the idea come from? Find out this episode of Back Stories from your Indiana Johnson County Public Library.

William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” was not an instant hit. A lot of publishers turned it down and when first published, it did no sell well. Jane Austen is known for her six major novels and frequently examines women depending on marriage for social standing and economic security. However, the film industry has gained some economic security from film adaptations of Austen’s novels. Join librarian Amy Dalton and JCPL’s Director, Lisa Lintner as they explore the backstories of Austen and Golding!

In “Back Stories” we discuss the people behind the books, movies, and yes even video games, you can borrow from the library. In this episode, Amy and Keeley share the stories behind the “Legend of Zelda” first released in 1986 and Stephen King’s 1975 second horror novel “Salem’s Lot.”

Author Donna Tartt has won the WH Smith Literary Award for “The Little Friend” in 2003 and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for “The Goldfinch” in 2014. What inspired her? Sure, the musician Prince is famous, but it wasn’t always that way. You will also be surprised by the other music he is behind. Join us we look at the “Back Stories” behind Tartt & Prince. JCPL Librarian Amy Dalton is your host and this week's guest is fellow Johnson County Public Library (Indiana) librarian Davin Kolderup. If you have questions comments or suggestions you can reach Amy at BackStories@JPCLIN.org.

Robert Louis Stevenson is a Scottish novelist, poet and travel writer, most noted for "Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped." What fueled his ideas for stories? Ian Fleming is best known for his James Bond stories. What other book turned into a movie did he write? You will be surprised by what you learn about each author in the first episode of "Back Stories." Librarian Amy Dalton is your host and this week's guest is fellow Johnson County Public Library librarian Erin Cataldi. If you have questions comments or suggestions you can reach Amy at BackStories@JPCLIN.org.