Check It Out

The Normal Public Library's podcast, featuring book, audio, and movie recommendations, information about the library's programs and services, and other fun odds and ends.

Episode Seventy-Seven 05/18/2022

Episode Seventy-Seven Join Kari, Laura, and Kristi as we discuss books about and by women in celebration of Women's History Month! Fiction and non-fiction titles are both discussed in this month's episode. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/23155919

Episode Seventy-Eight 05/18/2022

Episode Seventy-Eight Join Kathleen, Laura, and Sheri as we celebrate National Poetry Month by discussing our favorite poets, poetry collections, and how to get started reading poetry if your'e unsure of where to start. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/23155808

Episode Seventy-Nine 05/18/2022

Episode Seventy-Nine Join Laura, Kari, and Kevin as we discuss books about nature and the environment! We'll cover fiction and non-fiction in this episode, including books by Jesmyn Ward, Douglas Adams, John Krakauer, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and more. For show notes, including an interview with an NPL staff member about her work on climate fiction, visit our website at www.normalpl.org! /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/22443557

Episode Seventy-Six 02/16/2022

Episode Seventy-Six Join us as we celebrate Black History Month by discussing some of our favorite works by Black contemporary authors. Any of the titles mentioned in this episode would be great choices for February's prompt for the Adult Year-Round Reading Challenge! /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/22154072

Episode Seventy-Five 01/19/2022

Episode Seventy-Five Join NPL staff Laura, Kari, and Kristi on our 75th episode of Check It Out as they discuss reading goals, how to develop a habit of reading, and how to challenge yourself in your reading life (and why that's important!). We'll also discuss the reading challenges and book clubs happening this year at NPL and how you can participate, as well as some exciting new reads for 2022! /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/21811937

Episode Seventy-Four 12/15/2021

Episode Seventy-Four It's our 74th episode and we can't believe it! Laura, Kristi, and Kari celebrate the year of reading by highlighting staff favorites from 2021. Some of our library staff have provided an eclectic list of books—and all are available for checkout or from Normal Public Library. Some of the items discussed in this podcast: by Malinda Lo by Sarah Gailey by June Hur by Kazuo Ishiguro by Emma Donoghue by Douglas Preston by Charles Portis Let us know what you think! /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/21493151

Episode Seventy-Three 11/17/2021

Episode Seventy-Three In this episode of Check It Out, Laura discusses noir fiction and its varied dark corners with Megan, Kathleen, and Kari. Titles mentioned include: Lindsey Davis' historical series featuring Marcus Didius Falco, private informer The Darren Mathews, Texas Ranger, series by Attica Locke beginning with by David Heska Wanbli Weiden The Dublin Murder Squad series (begins with ), written by Tana French , edited by Julie Schaper and Steven Horwitz /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/21194027

Episode Seventy-Two 10/20/2021

Episode Seventy-Two In this episode, Laura talks with Kristi and Kari about their favorite horror novels and detail the many different sub-genres of horror that are out there. Settle back and prepare to feel that chill to the bone. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/20878235

Episode Seventy-One 08/17/2021

Episode Seventy-One Join Kari, Kristi, and Laura as they step out on a limb and discuss the great American adventure as discovered through the book. This month Check It Out is celebrating American Adventures Month, which encourages doing something daring and adventurous, traveling to appreciate our human bonds with nature, and promoting a holistic lifestyle. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/20173193

Episode Seventy 07/21/2021

Episode Seventy Join us this month as Laura speaks with Kristi and Kari about where and how we find the books we like to read, the books you like to read, and everything in between. We'll discuss Novelist, Goodreads, Book Riot, Kirkus, Tik Tok, Nancy Pearl, and more. Don't forget to ask your librarian what they recommend, settle back, and check it out. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/19882670

Episode Sixty-Nine 06/23/2021

Episode Sixty-Nine June is Pride Month! On this month's episode, Kristi, Kari, and Morgan recommend titles in the library's collection that celebrate and elevate LGBTQIA+ voices. Interested in learning more about our local LGBTQIA+ community? We recommend starting with the Prairie Pride Coalition. You can find their website here: /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/19571282

Episode Sixty-Eight 05/19/2021

Episode Sixty-Eight May is Mental Health Awareness month and in this our sixty-eighth episode Laura speaks with Normal Police Department Community Services Officer Brad Park and library staff Kristi, Shelby, Lyndsey, and Erin about Mental Health and mental health reads both fiction and nonfiction. Join us as we explore this important issue, settle back, and check it out. Tell us what you think! ask at normalpl dot org https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/19158776

Episode Sixty-Seven 04/19/2021

Episode Sixty-Seven This sixty-seventh episode of Check It Out is Mari's last. Mari has been our host for over thirty thrilling episodes. Mari passes the torch and talks all things library and all things books. Settle back and check it out. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/18784790

Episode Sixty-Six 03/17/2021

Episode Sixty-Six Today we join Mari as she interviews several library staff about their favorite childhood books. A childhood favorite is a memory that can last a lifetime. We tend to share these most since the stories have stayed with us for so long. We read, and read again, these beloved stories, discovering new meaning and encountering new joys as we do. So sit back, settle in, and check it out. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/18359486

Episode Sixty-Five 02/17/2021

Episode Sixty-Five Mari speaks with Kathleen, Kristi, and Laura about fiction by African American writers, focusing on fiction that explores the lives of Black people in this February 2021 podcast episode. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/17983877

Episode Sixty-Four 01/19/2021

Episode Sixty-Four All of us read and books tell a variety of stories. The best among them will sometimes earn recognition by award. There are awards for all types of books and this month, Mari will speak with Kristi, Kathleen, Morgan, and Britni about some of the best titles that book awards have named over the recent past. Sit back and check it out as we look at award books in this sixty-fourth episode of Check It Out. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/17611571

Episode Sixty-Three 12/18/2020

Episode Sixty-Three Baking food, making gifts, being creative! Jane, Laura, Kristi, and Mari discuss all things creative for December. Sharpen those pencils, get out the knitting needles, sit back, and check it out! /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/17241650

Episode Sixty-Two 11/18/2020

Episode Sixty-Two Mari discusses odd titles (and the more odd book covers) of No Reality November with Jane, Kristi, and Laura. Sit back and check it out! /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/16850963

Episode Sixty-One 10/21/2020

Episode Sixty-One In our sixty first episode, Mari speaks with Kristi and Laura about books to read in this season of change. Falling leaves, crisp mornings, and warm beverages all pair well with a good story. Sit back, settle in, and Check It Out. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/16464185

Episode Sixty 09/16/2020

Episode Sixty Graphic novels are booming in popularity for readers of all ages. Topics range from a young girl navigating the worlds of roller derby and middle school; teenagers disappearing into a fantasy role-playing game; and the life of civil rights icon John Lewis in the 1960s. Plus so much more! Our 60th episode features Mari, Jane, and Kristi exploring the world of graphic novels — check it out! Titles in the podcast include: Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson Primates by Jim Ottaviani Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis The Mars Challenge by Alison Wilgus and Wyeth Yates The Way of the House Husband, vol. 1 by Kousuke Oono The Phantom Twin by Lisa Brown Die vol. 1 by Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans March, books 1, 2, 3 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/16018871

Episode Fifty-Nine 08/19/2020

Episode Fifty-Nine Mari talks travel on this episode. Hear from Laura, Jane, and Kristi about all things nonfiction and fiction related to making that journey—sometimes of the mind, the heart, and often around the bend. Leave the driving to us. Sit back and check it out! /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/15674198

Episode Fifty-Eight 07/15/2020

Episode Fifty-Eight Mari speaks with Ally, Jennifer, Ron, and Laura about their summer reads and shares some insights about what makes it all so summer-like. So sit back, press play, chill down, and Check It Out. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/15219116

Episode Fifty-Seven 06/17/2020

Episode Fifty-Seven Our podcast host Mari McKeeth interviews Kathleen Kirk about quarantine reads and electronic formats. Kathleen Kirk is a library staff member, actor, poet, and avid reader. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/14847383

Episode Fifty-Six 05/20/2020

Episode Fifty-Six In this special episode of Check It Out! Mari and guests Jane, Kristi, and Laura talk about pandemic reads and comfort reads to stimulate the mind. Sit back, stay safe, and Check It Out! Contact us about our podcast and let us know what you think! /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/14496809

Episode Fifty-Five 04/01/2020

Episode Fifty-Five In this special episode of Check It Out! Mari and guests Jane, Kristi, and Laura talk about free resources for use at home while sheltering in place. Sit back, stay home, and Check It Out! /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/13798589

Episode Fifty-Four 03/18/2020

Episode Fifty-Four It's bracket time! Four Normal Public Library librarians share their bracket picks for best book and the finish is an all out book-off! March madness with book bracketology. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/13598006

Episode Fifty-Three 02/19/2020

Episode Fifty-Three This episode includes Mari and Laura discussing Academy Awards and related titles, an annual episode topic. Books discussed: "I Heard You Paint Houses": Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran and Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa -- by Charles Brandt Little Women -- by Louisa May Alcott The Pope: Francis, Benedict, and the Decision That Shook the World -- by Anthony McCarten Caging Skies -- by Christine Leunens /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/13216628

Episode Fifty-Two 01/15/2020

Episode Fifty-Two Best of the year, best of the decade with Mari, Laura, and Kristi. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/12749597

Episode Fifty-One 12/16/2019

Episode Fifty-One Winter is a time that features holidays celebrated around the world -- Hannukah, Christmas, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Los Posadas, Eid-al-Adha, Diwali, and many, many more. There is celebrating of the light, friends, culture, feasting, and giving to others. Today Kristi, Laura, Rachel and Mari will be talking about some favorite gifts - books, music, or film - that they have received, or given. Let us know what you think after you check it out! /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/12419918

Episode Fifty 11/20/2019

Episode Fifty Welcome to our fiftieth episode of Check It Out! We celebrate Normal Public Library and our favorite, favorite reads with several staff visiting back to the studio. /episode/index/show/checkitout/id/12115610

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