Shelf Check

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Shelf Check is a podcast that combines fun discussions and storytelling to spotlight the interesting authors, literary topics, and community questions. Each episode, less than an hour, of Shelf Check will focus on different themes including holidays and pop culture with recommendations for both fiction and non-fiction.

Arlington Public Library


    • Oct 15, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 57 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Shelf Check

    Wait for it......Suspense

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2022 36:44


    Miranda, Tamera, and Mark talk Suspense in literature and films. They discuss what make Suspense scary (and delightful) and how the Thriller, Horror, and Mystery genres are actually best friends (forever).

    Book Swap

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2022 38:42


    Mark and Miranda swap book recs and discuss the surprisingly in-depth world building of both science fiction and cozy murder mysteries.

    Back to School

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2022 39:42


    Happy New (School) Year! Miranda, Mark, and Tamera discuss some of their favorite books about school and resurrect a few titles from their own childhoods.

    Hobbies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2022 36:43


    Miranda, Mark and Tamera take a break to explore some of the ways we choose to spend our free time and share some their personal hobbies with each other.

    Food for Thoughts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2022 37:26


    Tamera, Miranda, and Mark chew thru some select bites of food history and recommend a few books to help satisfy any foodie's appetite.

    50th Episode Celebration!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2022 40:46


    It's the 50th episode of Shelf Check! Join Mark, Miranda and Tamera as they play some fun games to celebrate.

    Whither the Westerns?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2022 40:42


    Miranda, Tamera, and Mark point their wagons west to discuss the Western genre in literature, film, and TV. Tamera shares about growing up loving the genre and Mark and Miranda try to convince everyone that the best Western is a sneaky Western.

    The Library Marches On

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2022 34:17


    Mark, Tamera, and Miranda delve into their earliest childhood memories of libraries and explore how much the library has changed over their lifetimes, and how the days of card catalogs are more recent than you might think.

    Teen Dream

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2022 38:19


    Miranda, Mark, and Tamera delve into Young Adult fiction, discuss some preconceptions about this type of literature and share some their favorite YA reads, old and new.

    Empathy in Literature

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2022 36:20


    Tamera, Mark, and Miranda discuss discovering empathy thru literature and highlight APL's Kindness Project.

    Tricksters, Gadflies, Con Artists, and 'Spoons'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2022 32:25


    Listen in for a fun discussion about some of our favorite pranksters, jokesters and "spoons".

    Curious Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2022 37:11


    Tamera, Mark, and Miranda follow the clues and investigate female detectives, from Nancy Drew to Jessica Fletcher.

    No Place Like OZ

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2022 35:03


    Mark, Miranda, and Tamera follow the Yellow Brick Road and explore the many adaptations of The Wizard of Oz and its sequels.

    Afrofuturism with Dr. Kenton Rambsy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2022 38:57


    Mark and Miranda are joined by UTA Professor Kenton Rambsy to discuss Afrofuturism in literature, film and music.

    The Brand New Thing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2022 33:53


    Tamera, Mark, and Miranda talk first novels and debut authors to start the New Year off right (by reading).

    Cosplay Bonus Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2021 45:06


    All the interviews with local Coplayers at Arlington Comic Fest.

    We are family

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2021 38:05


    The holidays are here and that means it is time for families to come together. Mark, Miranda and Tamera discuss some of their favorite fictional families in books, TV and film.

    The Thrill of Victory

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2021 40:27


    Ready! Set! Hut! Mark, Miranda and Tamera are here to talk all things sports.

    Monster Mash-Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2021 32:41


    Mark, Miranda, and Tamera go to the movies and delve into the history and meaning of classic movie monsters.

    Into the Cosplay 'Verse

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2021 45:04


    Miranda and Tamera interview local Coplayers at Arlington Comic Fest to talk about all things Cosplay. Interviewees share stories of how they got started in Cosplay, what it means to them, and the eternal issue of costume storage.

    The Scaredy-Kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2021 33:18


    It is Halloween season and Mark, Tamera, and Miranda are here with a new episode. On today's show they discuss what scared them as kids.

    Native in a Strangeland

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2021 31:31


    Miranda and Tamera explore how surprisingly unique the customs and vocabulary of your corner of the world can be, even across states or countries that have a shared language.

    Sherlock Holmes

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2021 31:08


    Miranda and Tamera talk super sleuth Sherlock Holmes and try to unravel why the character remains a perennial favorite.

    Book Club Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2021 35:16


    Mark, Miranda, and Tamera share their love and insights into book clubs. All three lead book clubs at the Arlington Public Library and they explore what books surprised them the most as well as offering tips and tricks for a fun and successful book club.

    Books That Made Us Readers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2021 26:47


    Linda, Gabby, and Kaylynn from our Woodland West branch are talking the books that made them love reading. They also share information about cool stuff available from the library, like the Libby eBooks service and the yearly, All Ages Summer Reading Challenge.

    Americana, the Beautiful

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2021 35:14


    Mark, Miranda, and Tamera jump feet first into nostalgia to explore pop culture and Americana and slowly realize the curiously strong influence of Turner Classic Movies when growing up with cable TV.

    Murder She, Read - British Cozy Mysteries

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2021 31:58


    Miranda and Nicole indulge in one of their perennial favorites, Cozy Mysteries. From British classics like Miss Marple to the contemporary Queens of Mystery, they'll teach you how to get addicted to Cozies.

    Summer Vacation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2021 26:45


    School is out and summer is here! Tamera and Miranda share stories from their childhood summer vacations and recommend a few books to enjoy and/or escape the hot weather.

    Asian Pacific American Representation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2021 34:59


    In this episode Loretta and Marla discuss Asian representation in honor of Asian Pacific American heritage month. They explore some of their favorite books featuring Asian characters and talk about the current issues facing Asian Americans living in the U.S.

    Healthy Living

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2021 36:07


    Join Librarian Sharon and Program Specialist Tamera as they honestly discuss healthy living and their own personal journeys attempting to achieve it. 8 Strategies for a Healthy Spring https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/pdf/infographics/healthy-spring-H.pdf

    Mental Health Awareness

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2021 23:38


    Sharon and Lesley have a discussion on Mental Health. Join us for a conversation where we discuss self-care, helpful books, and ways to combat the stigma. In preparation for May, which is a month dedicated to bringing awareness and combating the negative stigmas surrounding mental health issues we hope that this episode will help spark helpful conversations. Helpful Resources National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line: TX to 741741

    Fairy Tales

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2021 34:39


    Miranda and Tamera explore the wealth of fairy tales and how they continue to influence modern storytelling, including retellings of their favorite stories. They discuss some of the meanings behind the classic stories and how they impacted the culture of the youth reading them.

    Strong Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2021 22:05


    The dynamic staff at Woodland West featuring Public Service Coordinator, Renee Bradshaw and Customer Service Assistants Linda Belanger and Gaby Fritz discuss their favorite strong women in fiction, film and real life! They explore character development, favorite authors and amazing stories featuring women as heroes.

    Celebrating Women's History, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2021 20:23


    Councilperson Dr. Victoria Farrar-Myers, District 7, speaks with us about women's history month, some of her favorite books, what inspired her to public service, and leadership.

    Celebrating Women's History

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2021 29:18


    Councilperson Ruby Faye Woolridge, District 6 at-large, speaks with us about women's history month, some of her favorite books, how her family inspired her to public service, and what it is like being a leader that is a woman of color.

    It’s Texas Literature, Y’all!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2021 37:18


    Join us for a wide-ranging discussion on “What makes a book Texan!” Texan authorship? Setting? Certain tropes or themes, such as rugged individualism? With our guest hosts from the Arlington Historical Society, OK Carter and Denise Youngblood, we’ll tackle those questions and more. Like why do movie cowboys often have clean and crisply-pressed shirts?! Covering Larry McMurtry, James Michener, Elmer Kelton, Edna Ferber, Katherine Anne Porter and other favorites!

    Explore the Makerspace

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2021 25:46


    In this episode Program Specialists Tamera Miller and Lesley Hinojosa tell us all about the Makerspace at the Arlington Public Library. If you are a crafty maker listen in! Tamera and Lesley discuss exciting programs coming up in the spring including Kit week that will take place during spring break as well as two exciting Laser Cutting demonstrations!

    After the Storm – Survival and Beyond (Bonus Episode)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2021 16:33


    In the wake of the brutal Texas Winter Storm of 2021, Librarian Mark suggests some titles that explore survival against the elements, DIY plumbing repair, and preparing for the next crisis.

    Love By the Book

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2021 29:16


    Happy Valentines! In this week’s episode Librarian Miranda Want and program specialist Lesley Hinojosa recommend the best romance novels including Jane Eyre and The Rosie Project. In addition, they discuss love languages, and romance in film and TV.

    Let’s Hygge it Out

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2021 37:10


    Sharon and Miranda get cozy and talk about all things Hygge (especially how to pronounce it). Hygge is the Danish art of comfort and coziness, so the librarians share some of their go-to comforts along with a few books that will teach you how to Hygge at home!

    National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2021 36:55


    We bring awareness to National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month by discussing the crime as a whole along with ways that we can prevent, spot and stop the crime. We interview special guests Lieutenant Curtis Petties and Victim Services Coordinator Carnesha Collins who offer their knowledge and educate us on the issue. In addition, they let us know what we can do if we suspect an individual is being trafficked and who we should contact.

    Let's Talk About Me

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2021 41:50


    Miranda and Tamera explore the world of Memoirs and Biographies and join the Danny Kaye fan club. They also try their hand at fortune telling and choose contemporary movies and TV shows they think will stand the test of time.

    Unlocking the Past with Historical Fiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2021 33:01


    Miranda and Mark look at novels set in unusual time periods and discuss how easy it is to read historical fiction by accident. They also delve into the surprising fun of deliberately anachronistic literature.

    For the Love of Jane Austen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2021 32:05


    Librarian Sharon Granado and Program Specialist Lesley Hinojosa dive into the world of Jane Austen. In this episode, they discuss Jane Austen’s classic novels, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility. Sharon and Lesley are also joined by a very special guest, Dr. Kathryn Warren, an English senior lecturer at the University of Texas at Arlington who teaches a Jane Austen literature course. Dr. Warren shares her knowledge on Jane Austen including why Jane Austen’s writing is still relevant today, how Austen’s books teach us empathy, and what character Dr. Warren identifies with most.

    Fresh Start

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2021 23:52


    This season kicks off with an episode about Fresh Starts. Library Staff Lesley, Sarai, and Sharon recommend books and tips to help start the new year off right. This season we want to hear from you! So let us know how you plan to spend 2021 and any New Year traditions and resolutions you have. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter @ ArlingtonTXLib #APLshelfcheck or leave us a voice message at https://anchor.fm/arlington-public-library

    On the Move - Journeys & Travels

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2020 26:00


    Librarians Mark and Sharon invite you along as they set out for far-off lands (and day trips in North Texas) discussing favorite novels, memoirs, and guidebooks focused on quests, journeys, and travel! So pack your bags and let’s get moving!

    No Batteries Required - Books as Gifts

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2020 37:06


    Librarians Miranda and Lisa share tips on how to successfully give books as gifts and how to avoid accidentally giving homework to your friends and family. Lisa and Miranda also geek out over the Icelandic holiday tradition of Jólabókaflóð (the Yule Book Flood) and discuss whether you should write inscriptions in books (not library books). Check out APL’s new service What Should I Read Next? to request reading suggestions from real, live library staff!

    Books We Loved (or Hated) as Children

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2020 32:31


    We open this episode with a cold open with Melissa and Loretta giving a touching tribute and remembrance to famed writer and Arlington Public Library supporter, Rachel Caine who passed away on October 31, 2020. Then the episode continues with Tamera and Lesley will be discussing books they loved or hated as children. Tune in for an emotional episode that will definitely tug at your heartstrings.

    What is Indie Author Day?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2020 25:21


    Each year, libraries and organizations around the world welcome local indie authors, writers, and their communities in for a day of education, networking, mingling, writing, open mics, panels, and so much more! Join Arlington Public Library as we celebrate Indie Author Day through our virtual event https://www.facebook.com/events/665459544105579 We will showcase local authors through book talk videos and we will have online workshops that focus on self-publishing, how to develop characters, and how to produce a professional book. All virtual content will be available in the discussion board of this event. Learn more about the authors that will be a part of our virtual event: https://bit.ly/2G0zQw4

    Too Real for Fiction: True Crime Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2020 24:16


    Librarian Sharon Granado and Program Specialist Lesley Hinojosa dive into the world of true crime. In this episode, they discuss classic true crimes that have impacted the world, The Black Dahlia Murder, Truman Capote’s Classic true crime book, and the crime that inspired Vladimir Nabokov's classic novel, Lolita. They recommend the best True crime books which include Truman Capote’s critically acclaimed In Cold Blood which details the murders of a Kansas family, and a recounting and investigation of The Black Dahlia’s murder. Is a murder born or made?

    Time Travel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2020 30:17


    Have you ever wanted to go "Back to the Future" or "Turn Back Time"? Is hindsight really 20/20? Ever question the butterfly effect? Well, settle in for this episode where Library Service Manager, Melissa, and Librarian Mark discuss time travel in fiction, non-fiction, and what are some of the problematic questions that time travel invokes.

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