How on earth can you read when you have a newborn? Stephanie Anderson—a new mom and a professional book selector for NYPL and the Brooklyn Public Library—comes to talk about the shifting habits of a reader with a new baby. Plus: Frank channels Supernanny! Again.
Book Recommendations:
Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy by Angela Garbes
Cesearian Section: An American History of Risk, Technology and Consequence by Jaqueline H. Wolf
The board books: Bunny Roo, I Love You by Melissa Marr and Global Babies
Also mentioned:
The New York Times article on cute aggression—why you want to squish and eat that baby!
In the Witch Elm by Tana French
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Happyland by J. Robert Lennon
The films Back to the Future and The Terminator
Angela Garbes' article, "The More I Learn About Breast Milk, the More Amazed I Am"
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Lauren Childs
Bull by David Elliott
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Greek mythology and contemporary fiction join forces this week! Gwen and Frank read two books that make readers ask, what would you do—or, what should you do?
Book Recommendations:
Golden Child by Claire Adam
The audiobook of Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube: Chasing Fear and Finding Home in the Great White North by Blair Braverman
Also mentioned:
A House for Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul
Mythology by Edith Hamilton
The Odyssey , translated by Emily Wilson
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Here Come the 123s! by They Might Be Giants, and also please watch the amazing video of the "Never Go to Work" song (guaranteed to change your life for the better)
Okay, what's the deal with librarians and musical theater? This week's guest, newly minted children's librarian Kevin Kelley, traces his origin story back to the stage. He also discusses kids' books about the queer experience and offers up a brand-new first for the guessing game.
Book Recommendations:
New Kid by Jerry Craft
The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg
Non-Book Recommendations:
"The Prom," a musical now playing on Broadway (LOTS of dancing!)
Have a laugh with the podcast "Throwing Shade"
And look back at episodes of "Gilmore Girls... still so enjoyable.
Also mentioned:
Go the Way Your Blood Beats: On Truth, Bisexuality and Desire by Michael Amherst
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
Hurricaine Child by Kheryn Callender
Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle
Feminasty: The Complicated Woman's Guide to Surviving the Patriarchy Without Drinkng Herself to Death by Erin Gibson
Over 200 years ago, a teenage girl started a literary legacy that continues to haunt us today. Why do we still keep telling this story and how does it reflect our darkest fears? The New York Public Library's curators join monster theory scholars and best-selling authors to trace the history of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley’s classic. This special podcast episode unpacks the genius of Shelley’s novel, its origins and evolution—from the British Romantics to Black Lives Matter—to uncover how it’s helped us better understand ourselves, our humanity, and our future.
Audre Lorde and Pat Parker were close friends who fought fiercely for social justice. In this episode, Frank and Gwen discuss a powerful book of letters between the two Black feminist poets.
Book Recommendation
Sister Love: The Letters of Audre Lorde and Pat Parker 1974-1989, ed. by Julie Ensure
More by Audre Lorde and Pat Parker:
The Complete Works of Pat Parker, ed. by Julie Enszer
Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde
The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde includes the poem "Power" mentioned in the epsiode.
I Am Your Sister: Collected and Unpublished Writings of Audre Lorde includes the essay "There is No Heriarchy of Oppression"