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The official Forsyth County Public Library podcast for news, upcoming programs, and recommendations.

Forsyth County Public Library


    • May 8, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 10m AVG DURATION
    • 69 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Unreadable

    Color Our World: Your Summer Reading 2025 Guide

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 10:07


    Summer Reading is just around the corner, and Ross is joined by Sarah Brubaker, Programming Manager at FCPL, to discuss how to make the most of this year's Summer Reading Fun! Sarah shares how to get started using Beanstack, as well as some tips and tricks for logging your and your family's reading. Curious about our incremental and grand prizes, or want to know who is performing at our Summer Reading Kickoff Events? Sarah provides a sneak peak of what you can expect this year. Hint: It's going to be awesome!  Summer Reading Fun starts May 22 and ends August 4, 2025. You can learn more about registering with Beanstack, prizes, and upcoming events on our website. 

    Forsyth Reads Together with Shelby Van Pelt

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 16:53


    In this episode of Unreadable, Ross speaks with Shelby Van Pelt about her novel Remarkably Bright Creatures, this year's Forsyth Reads Together selection. Van Pelt's debut novel, published in 2022, remains a New York Times bestseller and features the unique perspective of Marcellus the octopus as a narrator. Van Pelt spoke with Ross about how she developed her characters, some based on true life and others based on people (and marine life) watching at the Georgia Aquarium, and she shared her excitement about the upcoming film adaptation. An Evening with Shelby Van Pelt is Mar 11, 2025 at the Forsyth Conference Center. The event is ticketed and currently full; however, there are a plethora of events related to the book taking place at all the Forsyth County Public Library branches. You can find out more in our event calendar.  A transcript of this episode is available on Bookmarked, the Forsyth County Public Library's blog for book recommendations and news .

    Winter Reading Challenge 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 6:14


    It's that time again! Our Winter Reading Challenge is back. If you enjoyed the reading challenge last year, especially collecting those trading card, we have good news for you: we have a whole new set of trading cards to collect this winter! The Winter Reading Challenge is for all ages. Listen to find out how to participate and what grand prizes can be won this year.  Links Beanstack 

    Ghost Hunting at The Library

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 29:03


    Earlier this month, the Southeastern Institute of Paranormal Research conducted a paranormal investigation at the Hampton Park Library. In this episode, you'll hear an abridged version of investigation, including an equipment overview and sessions conducted in different parts of the library. Are there ghosts in the library? You'll have to listen to find out!

    The Smokey Bear Reading Challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 6:43


    In this episode, Ross speaks with Sarah Brubaker about The Smokey Bear Reading Challenge, which celebrates Smokey Bear's 80th birthday. Listen to hear about prizes, deadlines, and an upcoming Smokey Bear Celebration taking place at the Cumming Library on October 26.  Also, in this episode, we include our first ever listener submitted book reviews. Thank you, Carolynn and Andrea! If you'd like to submit a book review or library-related question, you can email the podcast at unreadable@forsythpl.org.  

    Adventure Begins, Your 2024 Summer Reading Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 8:18


    Are you ready for an adventure? FCPL's Summer Reading Fun begins May 23. In this episode, Kim Ottesen, Programming Manager at FCPL, previews what you can expect during our Summer Reading program, including prizes and performers. From lanyards to camping gear to magicians, listen to get a little taste of all the exciting adventures we have planned for you this summer! Links Summer Reading Guide Episode Transcript

    Benjamin Herold on Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America's Suburbs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2024 12:07


    In this episode, Ross speaks with Benjamin Herold about his book Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America's Suburbs, which follows five families in different areas of the United States, including Gwinnett County, and examines their experiences living in suburbia and their experiences with suburban school systems.  Benjamin Herold is a education journalist, who has reported for Education Week, PBS NewsHour, NPR, the Hechinger Report, Huffington Post, and the Public School Notebook. He has a master's degree in urban education from Temple University in Philadelphia. Join us for an author talk with Benjamin Herold at the Sharon Forks Library on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM.

    Forsyth Reads Together with Lisa Wingate

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 27:44


    This year's Forsyth Reads Together book pick is Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. In this episode, Ross speaks with Lisa about her inspiration for the book and its characters, as well as the book's impact on the victims of the Tenneessee Children's Home Society.  Lisa also previews her new book, out this summer, called Shelterwood, which is about the women who fought to protect Choctaw children, who owned oil rich land in Oklahoma, from the land barons seeking power and wealth.  Lisa Wingate will be speaking on March 26, 2024 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Forsyth Conference Center. Please follow this link to researve your seat. 

    Revisiting The Science of Love (2019)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 9:57


    In this episode, we revisit The Science of Love (2019) in which Ross interviews Dr. Larry J. Young, professor at Emory University, about his research on prairie voles and what their relationships can teach us about ourselves.  This episode was originally run in February 2019. 

    Learn something new with Pastime Pursuits

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2024 8:39


    Is your New Year's resolution to learn something new? This January, we are offering a series of programs for adults dedicated to learning a new hobby. In this episode, Ross speaks with Sarah Brubaker, Information Services Supervisor at the Cumming Library, about the Pastime Pursuits program series. From photography to cosplay, there is something for everyone. Let us help you achieve your New Year's goal and learn something new! Events:Take a Hike! Prepare for Your Adventure Sunday, January 7 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Sharon Forks Library Is Film Photography for You? Saturday, January 13 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Cumming Library The Beginner's Guide to Cosplay Saturday, January 20 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Cumming Library Craft Supply Swap Fair Saturday, January 27 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Hampton Park Library Beautiful Bobbin Lace * Sunday, January 28 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Post Road Library *Registration Recommended Additional Links:  FCPL Programming Calendar Craft & Hobby

    Winter Reading Fun!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2023 7:01


    In this episode, Ross talks to Kim Ottesen, Programming Manager at FCPL, for the inside scoop on our winter reading challenge and this year's unique, cool prizes. Winter Reading Fun starts on December 19, 2023 and runs through January 21, 2024. You can learn more about Winter Reading Fun on our website.

    Diwali at FCPL

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 14:29


    In this episode of Unreadable, Ross talks with Anu Murari, Youth Specialist at the Sharon Forks Library. Anu explains the significance and history of Diwali and previews upcoming Diwali events at both the Cumming Library and the Sharon Forks Library.    Diwali Crafts and Demonstrations Saturday, November 4, 2023 1:30 PM -3:00 PM Cumming Library 585 Dahlonega Street Cumming, GA 30040   Diwali Celebration  Sunday, November 5, 2023 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Sharon Forks Library 2820 Old Atlanta Road Cumming, GA 30041  

    Sparkle or Burn? It's Stokerfest!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2023 7:59


    Join us this month as Ross speaks with Brianna Schantz, Information Specialist at the Cumming Library, about the month-long celebration of Bram Stoker and all things spooky known as Stokerfest. The programs mentioned in this episode can be found on our website in the events section.  All Stokerfest programs will take place at the Cumming Library.

    FCPL goes batty!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2023 8:06


    Join us this month as Ross speaks with Larry and Laurie Alvord, Georgia Master Naturalists, who will be hosting bat walks at the Post Road Library and Hampton Park Library this fall. Learn about the importance of bats to the Georgia ecosystem and what kind of bats are found in Forsyth County, as Larry and Laurie preview what you expect at their bat walks.   Post Road Library Bat Walk - September 12, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Hampton Park Library Bat Walk - October 25, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM   You can learn more about the Forsyth County Georgia Master Naturalists via their website.

    Staff Pick: Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2023 3:07


    In this mini episode, Erin of the Post Road Library recommends the Young Adult novel Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean. After learning she is a literal princess, Izumi travels to Japan to meet her father, the Crown Prince of Japan. Once there, she must learn to navigate the imperial court, familial relations, the press, and a forbidden romance.

    Staff Pick: Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2023 3:40


    In this mini episode, Ross of the Hampton Park Library recommends Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris, a historical novel set after the English Civil War. The book follows two British Colonels who flee to the American colonies after the execution of King Charles I.

    Staff Pick: Happy Place by Emily Henry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2023 7:10


    In this mini episode, Emily and Andrea of the Cumming Library talk about Emily Henry's new book Happy Place, which focuses on an engaged couple who broke up and now must act like they are still together while on a trip with their friends.

    Staff Pick: Clytemnestra by Constanza Casati

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 4:15


    In this mini episode, Brooke of the Hampton Park Library recommends Clytemnestra by Constanza Casati, a retelling of Greek mythology focusing on Clytemnestra, the Queen of Mycenae and the wife of Agamemnon.

    Staff Pick: The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman by KJ Charles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 5:10


    In this mini episode, Brittany of the Post Road Library shares one of her favorite reads of the year: The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles, a historical romance set in Regency England.   

    Book Recommendations for Kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 4:49


    In this mini episode, Anu of the Sharon Forks Library sits down with Amy Billings, Youth Services Supervisor at the Sharon Forks Library, for some children's book recommendations on this summer's theme: All Together Now. Books discussed in this episode: Animal Teams written by Caroline Stamps and illustrated by Charlotte Milner Boxitects by Kim Smith Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer by Megan McDonald Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funk Last Kids on Earth series by Max Brallier  

    The Summer of Jane Austen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2023 5:20


    In this special mini episode, Ross speaks with Melissa of the Cumming Library about one of her favorite books, Persuasion by Jane Austen, and an upcoming Austen-themed program series happening this summer at our Cumming branch.  Program Dates Regency Crafts with Jane Austen Friday Jun 9, 20232:00 PM - 4:00 PM Learn Regency Dance Saturday Jun 17, 20232:00 PM - 4:00 PM Escape Mr. Wickham Saturday June 24, 2023 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM 3 sessions; registration required Session 1 Session 2 Session 3

    All Together Now! Your Summer Reading Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 12:31


    In this episode, Ross interviews Programming Manager Kim Ottesen about our upcoming Summer Reading Program, themed “All Together Now!” Join us for a sneak preview of programming and prizes.  Summer Reading Kickoffs: Sharon Forks - May 30, 2023  Post Road - May 31, 2023  Cumming - June 1, 2023  Hampton Park - June 2, 2023 Important Dates: Summer Reading registration starts on May 1, 2023.  Summer Reading begins on May 25 and ends on July 30. August 3 is the last day to apply tickets to the prize drawings. Grand prize drawings will take place on August 4. The final day to pick up prizes is August 14.

    Chitra Divakaruni on One Amazing Thing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 16:08


    Chitra Divakaruni, author of One Amazing Thing, joins host Ross Gericke to talk about her inspiration for the novel, her literary influences, and the power of sharing stories. One Amazing Thing is the 2023 Forsyth Reads Together book selection. 

    interview author talk one amazing thing chitra divakaruni
    Women and Crime, a historical look

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2023 14:21


    History and True Crime collide! Dr. Erin Bush, professor at the University of North Georgia, discusses violent women, death dioramas, and her upcoming talk at the Post Road Library on how the murder of the Bailey sisters affected the Temperance movement in Georgia. She also previews her new book Under the Guise of Protection: Wayward Girls, Eugenics, and the Growth of Social Authority in Twentieth-Century Virginia. 

    What is an Archivist?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2023 14:20


    JoyEllen Williams from Kennesaw State University discusses her role as an archivist and her upcoming program at FCPL.

    Summer is Back in 2022!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2022 8:45


    Programming Manager Cleo Joyce talks about the exciting return of full Summer Reading programming and some cool Summer Reading prizes.

    FCPL Reads in 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2022 5:52


    Youth Services Supervisor Kayla Bolton talks about the FCPL Reads in 2022 program.  More information can be found at https://www.forsythpl.org/fcpl-reads

    Jeff Shaara on Gods and Generals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2022 14:03


    Author Jeff Shaara discusses his book Gods and Generals, the official selection of Forsyth Reads Together in 2022.  Come see Jeff Shaara in person at the Forsyth Conference Center on March 7th, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

    gods generals jeff shaara
    Winter Reading Fun!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2021 7:22


    Programming Manager Cleo Joyce talks Winter Reading Fun prizes and upcoming programs.

    FCPL's 25th Anniversary with Mary Helen McGruder

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2021 17:25


    Library Board Chair Mary Helen McGruder provides some unique insight on the library's past and some tantalizing hints about its future.

    Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2021 9:42


    Information Specialist Alicia Cavitt discusses Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, the September selection of the Page Turners book club at Sharon Forks.

    In-Person Programming Returns!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2021 7:57


    Programming Manager Cleo Joyce talks about the exciting return of in-person programming to all FCPL branches.

    The Turbulent Life and Mysterious Death of Cherokee Chief James Vann

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2021 18:01


    Martha and Jimmy McConnell, Co-Presidents of the Historical Society of Cumming/Forsyth County, recount the life of James Vann, his mysterious death and burial, and his legacy in Forsyth County.

    The Life Cycle of a Book

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2021 15:23


    Materials Services Manager Jeff Fisher takes us through the process of adding, maintaining, and removing a book from the library's collection.

    Raising the Cumming Library Roof

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 7:25


    Branch Manager Denise Leeson discusses the Cumming Library's new roof renovation, along with a number of other interesting projects occurring this summer.

    2021 Reading Challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2021 10:24


    Host Ross Gericke and Materials Services Supervisor Jeff Fisher discuss the 2021 Reading Challenge and provide a few book recommendations along the way.

    A Ride on the Bookmobile

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2021 12:59


    Hitch a ride on the library's new bookmobile with Outreach Specialist Lorraine Lane.

    Winter Reading Prizes and 2021 Programming

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2020 15:17


    Program Manager Tracy Walker talks about Winter Reading Fun and some exciting programming coming in 2021.

    The Library at the Laundromat

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2020 10:51


    Outreach Specialists Lorraine Lane and Joanie Goforth talk about the unique way the library provides services to laundromat users in Forsyth county.

    The Library Bookstores Reopen

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2020 11:49


    Jodie Barger, President of the FCPL Friends and Advocates, announces the reopening of the library bookstores on October 1st.  She also talks about the important role the Friends and Advocates play for the library and how you can join.

    Virtual Programming Revisited

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2020 9:51


    Librarians Brooke Rose and Amy Szvetecz return to discuss recent exciting changes to our virtual programming options.

    A Reading Challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2020 4:53


    Librarian Kayla Bolton talks about reading challenges and recommends graphic novels for all ages.

    Forsyth Remembers Lake Lanier

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2020 10:12


    Two Forsyth County residents reminisce about the early days of Lake Lanier.

    Summer Reading in 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2020 6:44


    Amy Szvetecz, Youth Services Supervisor at Hampton Park, discusses the changes to this year's Summer Reading program.

    Virtual Programming and Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 11:33


    Staff members Amy Szvetecz and Brooke Rose discuss how FCPL is providing unique virtual programming and services while the library is closed.

    The Historical Society of Cumming and Forsyth County

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020 11:36


    Ross talks to Martha and Jimmy McConnell, co-presidents of the Historical Society of Cumming and Forysth County, about the services they offer and their current projects.

    Museum Passes and the Seed Library

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2020 6:54


    Host Ross Gericke talks with library staff about some of our unique museum passes and the seed libraries at the Hampton Park and Cumming branches.

    Census 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2020 6:45


    Joan Dudzinski, Information Services Supervisor at the Cumming branch, explains why the census is important and how the library can help.

    New Programs in the New Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2020 16:01


    Program Manager Tracy Walker returns to the podcast to give us the scoop on what library programs we should be looking forward to in 2020.

    A Discussion of There There by Tommy Orange

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2019 9:00


    A recent library book club, led by our own Deputy Director Steven Kight, discusses the novel There There by Tommy Orange.

    Jeff Shaara on Gods and Generals

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2019 14:03


    Author Jeff Shaara discusses his book Gods and Generals, the official selection of Forsyth Reads Together in 2020.  Be sure to register at www.forsythpl.org to see Jeff Shaara in person at the Forsyth Conference Center on April 14th, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

    gods generals jeff shaara

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