Behind the Books

Joy and Jeopardy! - Interview with Jamie Ding

Behind the Books continues the celebration of National Library Week! Bob and Anna talk with patrons and staff about where they find joy at the library, catch up with local Jeopardy! champion Jamie Ding, and in "60 Seconds with Shannon," Shannon Tuorto shares her pick: Don't Think About Dinner by Jenn Lueke. Joy and Jeopardy! Intro and Welcome 1:59 Find Your Joy! 7:42 Programs and Services @ MCLS 11:49 Sixty Seconds with Shannon 13:02 Interview with Jamie Ding 26:51 Summary and Closing Show Notes: "60 Seconds with Shannon" features Don't Think About Dinner by Jenn Lueke, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl [https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl]. Learn more about the MCLS Teen Advisory Board at https://mcl.org/events/teen-advisory-board/ [https://mcl.org/events/teen-advisory-board/]. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/ [https://events.mcl.org/]. Music for National Library Week segment created by minhquang123 [https://pixabay.com/users/minhquang123-52679501/] via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/modern-classical-happy-inspiring-piano-234958/]. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel [https://pixabay.com/users/skilsel-22933514/] via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-energetic-hip-hop-8303/]; music between segments is provided via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/funk-funk-244706/].

The Work We Love, the Stories We Imagine - Interview with Victoria Dillon

Bob and Anna sit down with Dana Benner, Marketing Librarian for the Mercer County Library System and Adult Services Librarian at the Hopewell Branch. Dana shares how she brings her own interests and enthusiasm into her work—from shaping engaging programs to helping make the library a welcoming, vibrant place for the community. Then, our co-hosts turn to author Victoria Dillon to discuss her debut novel, Ava. They explore the inspiration behind the story and the themes at the heart of this unique and thought-provoking book. Shannon Tuorto returns with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower. The Work We Love, the Stories We Imagine Intro and Welcome 4:10 Catch up with MCLS: Dana Benner 13:51 Programs and Services @ MCLS 18:04 Sixty Seconds with Shannon 19:16 Interview with Victoria Dillon 29:53 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Learn more about Victoria Dillon at https://victoriadillonauthor.com/ [https://victoriadillonauthor.com/]. The documentary to which the author refers is Aftershock (2022). Additional information available at https://www.aftershockdocumentary.com/ [https://www.aftershockdocumentary.com/]. "60 Seconds with Shannon" features The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl [https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl]. Attend the 2026 TrashedArt Awards Reception. Registration and additional information available at https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/ [https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/]. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/ [https://events.mcl.org/]. Celebrate National Library Week with MCLS, April 19 through April 25. More information at https://mcl.org/national-library-week/ [https://mcl.org/national-library-week/]. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel [https://pixabay.com/users/skilsel-22933514/] via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-energetic-hip-hop-8303/]; music between segments is provided via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/funk-funk-244706/].

No Fooling: From Youth Services to Indie Comics - Interview with Shawn Hainsworth

Anna and Bob speak with Amanda DeCillis, part-time Youth Services staff member at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, about her work with young readers. They also talk with scriptwriter Shawn Hainsworth, founder of SHP Comics, who shares his creative process and previews his upcoming books, Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King and Woodstake. Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring Billy Collins' new collection of poems, Dog Show. No Fooling: From Youth Services to Indie Comics Intro and Welcome 3:20 Interview with Amanda DeCillis 13:00 Programs and Services @ MCLS 16:45 Sixty Seconds with Shannon 17:54 Interview with Shawn Hainsworth 31:19 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Learn more about Shawn Hainsworth at https://www.shawnhainsworthproductions.com/ [https://www.shawnhainsworthproductions.com/] and SHP Comics at https://shpcomics.com/ [https://shpcomics.com/]. "60 Seconds with Shannon" features Billy Collins' newest collection of poetry, Dog Show, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl [https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl]. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/ [https://events.mcl.org/]. Submit a poem to read in the virtual poetry event, A Poetry Happening: Mercer Poets Read, at https://mcl.org/call-for-poems/ [https://mcl.org/call-for-poems/]. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel [https://pixabay.com/users/skilsel-22933514/] via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-energetic-hip-hop-8303/]; music between segments is provided via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/funk-funk-244706/].

Bravery at All Ages - Interview with Kimberly Behre Kenna

Bob and Anna catch up with Janine Hoekstra about her current role as Assistant Administrative Analyst in Library Administration. Author Kimberly Behre Kenna also joins us to discuss her Brave Girl collection, including the newest installment, Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances. Bravery at All Ages Intro and Welcome 4:25 Catch Up with MCLS: Janine Hoekstra 12:04 Programs and Services @ MCLS 16:08 Interview with Kimberly Behre Kenna 32:03 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Discover more about Kimberly Behre Kenna at https://www.kimberlybehrekenna.com/ [https://www.kimberlybehrekenna.com/]. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/ [https://events.mcl.org/]. Explore NJ Makers Day programs at MCLS via https://mcl.org/nj-makers-day/ [https://mcl.org/nj-makers-day/]. Vote for your favorite 2026 TrashedArt entry at https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/ [https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/]. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel [https://pixabay.com/users/skilsel-22933514/] via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-energetic-hip-hop-8303/]; music between segments is provided via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/funk-funk-244706/].

Plot Twists IRL - Interview with Greer Stothers

Anna and Bob talk with Emma Reyes of the Adult Services Department at the West Windsor Branch about her pathway to librarianship and how she's bringing the community together through tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). Then our co-hosts chat with illustrator and debut author Greer Stothers about their new novel, Apparently, Sir Cameron is Dead, including their creative journey leading them to writing fiction on their own terms. Plot Twists IRL Intro and Welcome 4:44 Emma Reyes 14:16 Programs and Services @ MCLS 18:09 Interview with Greer Stothers 29:33 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Discover more about Greer Stothers at https://www.greerstothers.com/ [https://www.greerstothers.com/]. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/ [https://events.mcl.org/]. Explore a selection of programs celebrating Women's History Month at MCLS via https://libraryaware.com/3B1WHM [https://libraryaware.com/3B1WHM]. Download your Academy Awards ballot for the 2026 Oscar Predictions Contest at https://mcl.org/oscars-contest/ [https://mcl.org/oscars-contest/]. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel [https://pixabay.com/users/skilsel-22933514/] via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/beats-energetic-hip-hop-8303/]; music between segments is provided via Pixabay [https://pixabay.com/music/funk-funk-244706/].