Meet Me In The Stacks

Learn about book-ish things and hear from book-ish people with librarians from Vancouver Island Regional Library.

42 - Chatting About Chickens 10/15/2024

42 - Chatting About Chickens This episode is a good egg for sure. Darby talks with Gabriola Island blogger and educator Claire from Bitchin' Chickens about all sorts of chicken topics. Then Nathan rules the roost at chicken trivia. There's definitely nobody here but us chickens today! Episode links: and Guinness World Record holding chicken training and Dr. Emily Carrington's Facebook group and YouTube channel And books you'll be interested in if you liked the episode: by Dalia Monterroso by Tove Danovich by Susan Juby Remember to tell your peeps about the show! /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/33472137

41 - All Things Seaweed 07/18/2024

41 - All Things Seaweed Nathan talks with Vancouver Island-based all about seaweed. She has a BSc. that involved taking an algae physiology couse and harvests seaweed to eat. She also has written The Science and Sprit of Seaweed for adults and The Science and Superpowers of Seaweed for kids. You can find them in the library. Pro tip from Darby: don't brandish bull kelp as a whip unless you are prepared to whip yourself in the butt (or face!) accidentally. /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/32207972

40 - Beach Listening: Sea & Sea-darr Storytime 07/09/2024

40 - Beach Listening: Sea & Sea-darr Storytime It's a Sea & Cedar Storytime episode! Nathan gets piratey to set some beach vibes. Enjoy work from the Winter, 2024 edition of with local writers. Featured writers: Camilla Arnold, Cate Sandilands, Jonathan Moskaluk, Marlene Dean, Mary Alissa, Erica Keen, Petra Chambers, Richard Youds, Shelley Stein-Wotten, T.J. Radcliffe You can READ this issue of Sea & Cedar or in . You can also SUBMIT your own work . /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/32074007

39 - Murder in Echo Bay with Yvonne Maximchuk 07/03/2024

39 - Murder in Echo Bay with Yvonne Maximchuk Was it Really Murder? Big crime comes to a town too small to merit even that title in Murder Rides a Gale Force Wind. Beloved West Coast author and artist Yvonne Maximchuck is best known for her slices of BC marine life written with friend Billy Proctor, but has turned her hand to writing a murder mystery! Yvonne reads from the book to whet your appetite and then chats with Darby. Check out more about her writing and art, including purchasing her books at her website: You can borrow some of her books from the library /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/31998442

38 - SOGI 1, 2, 3... 04/26/2024

38 - SOGI 1, 2, 3... Have you always wondered what SOGI stands for but didn't want to ask the angry people with the signs by the side of the road? Nathan thinks maybe you have. He conducts an investigation with the help of Scout from . Find some . /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/31007893

37 Canadian Letters & Images Project 04/15/2024

37 Canadian Letters & Images Project Join us in our first sponsored episode! Buster and Barnfather's Children's Cigarettes are the perfect pairing for this educational look at Vancouver Island University's Canadian Letters & Images Project with Dr. Stephen Davies. See the project here at including some famous Canadian guest readers! You can help the project financially by which is a tax-deductible donation. If you have wartime letters, postcards, etc. you can lend them to the project as per the . /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/30838653

36 - Climate Action and Preparing for the Inferno 03/11/2024

36 - Climate Action and Preparing for the Inferno Nathan gets a bit down/realistic about climate change with some special guests. First he talks to Teegan Walshe from in Qualicum, which is an ongoing school strike for climate justice. (Back in Nathan and Darby's day, people skipped school to smoke pot or buy candy.) Second, he talks with Lucy Grainger of FireSmart BC. You can learn more, including the free fire assessment mentioned, at . Books on the topic of Climate Optimism selected by our Librarians can be found . Books mentioned by Teegan: by Michael E. Mann by Christiana Figueres by Katherine Hayhoe /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/30330623

35 - Freedom to Read, this week & every week 02/17/2024

35 - Freedom to Read, this week & every week Ex-high school investigative journal turned Library Manager Stephanie interviews Library Manager Monica about Freedom to Read Week, which we observe from Feb. 18-24 this year. Tune in for this interesting library values conversation on this still very relevant topic. Further reading: Check out the of Freedom to Read items. Or some resources on the site . SOGI =Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. See the BC government site about SOGI . Books with these topics have been challenged many times recently in affiliation with a group called Action for Canada. The Canadian Federation of Library Association have a that Monica talks about. /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/29992718

34 - Library Trivialities in the Arena, vol. 3 02/01/2024

34 - Library Trivialities in the Arena, vol. 3 Nathan tests his Manager Stephanie's trivia prowess in today's episode. Can you beat Stephanie at trivia? Peter Parker Gretzky thinks you can in one section for sure. Winners will of course receive FREE BOOKS FOR LIFE! If you did not win, you will also receive free books for life, but only real Alex Cross titles. Redeemable at your local library branch. /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/29762638

33 - LAC de livres, etc. 01/17/2024

33 - LAC de livres, etc. We are feeling very educational today. So today is the day you learn a new acronym! LAC stands for Library and Archives Canada and we are really nerding out with Julie Anne Richardson from LAC. Ever wondered what the Library and Archives of Canada does? Or how Canada preserves its written and recorded culture? Or what animal noises Nathan's former bandmates can make? Listen to find out the answers to these questions and more... Check out , where to do your if you made something they want to collect, and you can listen to Jordan Venn's Phosphorescence song on . /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/29520208

32 - Goosefeather 11/24/2023

32 - Goosefeather How do YOU feel about honking like a goose for people? If you're very comfortable, perhaps you are our next guest! Meet , storyteller and author. There are no spoilers, just enjoy the voyage... *HONK!* /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/28776308

31 - Sea & Cedar Storytime 10/20/2023

31 - Sea & Cedar Storytime Enjoy your literary adult storytime with these Sea & Cedar magazine readings! Works included: Storyteller Spirits & Tuesday's Tide by Heather Hendry Hedgerow & Moss by Allie Picketts Flame Girl by Jann Everard Snake Spur Road by Karl Sturmanis Planting Onions by Zoe Dickinson Pop-Up Grebe by Christine Lowther Spell for Skookumchuck Narrows by Anne Hopkinson You can READ this issue of Sea & Cedar or in . You can also SUBMIT your own work . A limited number of PRINT copies are also available for purchase! Email to place an order (for pick up only at any VIRL branch). Cost is $15 + GST per copy. /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/28380665

30 - The Great Debate: eBooks vs. pBooks 09/29/2023

30 - The Great Debate: eBooks vs. pBooks Do paper (or "pbooks", if you will) have a place in this world anymore? Will reading an ebook lead to buying unneeded items on the internet and generally ruin your health? Nathan and Darby duke it out. Can they come together on the topic, or will the excitement of the debate rhetoric prove to be too much? Find out on this impassioned episode. /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/28182749

29 - Jan Zwicky reads & talks philosophy and climate change 07/10/2023

29 - Jan Zwicky reads & talks philosophy and climate change Spurred on by our special guest, Nathan reflects on whether he is "award winning" for a brief, awkward moment. Then Quadra Island dwelling and Order of Canada winning poet Jan Zwicky (and lovely human being) does a special reading of her essays and poems. From this, she dives into a discussion with Darby about climate change and accepting the mess we seem to be in. If you're feeling stressed out about climate change, chill out with some exquisite poetry and feel admiration for the boundless energy of nature in this moment. If that still doesn't work, Jan and Darby suggest growing garlic and making garlic scape pesto, which is very good on pizza. You can get started with our . Failing the garlic cure, you should . /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/27425472

28 - Romance Recipe with Ruby Barret for Pride Month 06/29/2023

28 - Romance Recipe with Ruby Barret for Pride Month Casey talks with Ottawa based bisexual author She is the author of , a queer rom-com featuring Amy and Sophie possibly adding the non-FDA approved ingredient of "love" into their restaurant food. Publisher's Weekly calls it "a down-to-earth queer romance". This episode was recorded at our live Pride Month event with Ruby Barrett. Check out some other on our Pride Month page. Queer books are great to read all year round! /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/27325434

27 - F This 05/30/2023

27 - F This Not for sensitive ears! There are a lot of words that start with different letters, but mostly "F". Get ready to feel like a kid looking up bad words in the dictionary! (Tee hee.) Nathan talks about all of the books with the eff word in the title. Apparently this kind of title is helpful to us all. And then there is some profanity trivia for you! /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/26983497

26 - Sea & Cedar Storytime 04/21/2023

26 - Sea & Cedar Storytime Nathan gets to reuse his accordion rendition of our theme to welcome you to this second special episode of Sea & Cedar magazine readings! It's like a literary adult storytime for you, really. Works included: Orca Cafe by Anna Russell West Coast Mornings: the view by Chris Lihou Tracks by Deborah Graham You can READ this issue of Sea & Cedar or in . You can also SUBMIT your own work . /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/26616504

25 - From School to Sky 03/28/2023

25 - From School to Sky Does your family have war stories? Are they shared or unspoken? Join blues musician George Halpern for his father's action-packed war story from his book From School to Sky: Joseph's Tale of War. You can or find out where to . See . This event was originally at the Nanaimo North Branch in early 2023. /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/26368863

24 Win Free Books for Life with Library Trivia Vol. 2! 02/21/2023

24 Win Free Books for Life with Library Trivia Vol. 2! Nathan quizzes Darby on such topics as: what kind of library is an osmothèque? detective or dancer? Shakespeare word, or not? and many more... YOU could win FREE BOOKS FOR LIFE! Please redeem your prize at your nearest branch. /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/26001714

23 Best Books Read in 2022 & what is time? 02/10/2023

23 Best Books Read in 2022 & what is time? Nathan and Darby talk about books (again) and important topics like “what is a new year anyway?” We may or may not be late with this segment about our top picks from 2022 (though we are totally early for Nowruz/Persian New Year, so there!). Our top picks: FICTION GENERAL FICTION: by Jo Owens -Victoria author TOP SERIES: The by Kelley Armstrong -Canadian author Start at the beginning with BEST MYSTERY: by Jane Pek HISTORICAL FICTION: by Rivka Galchen DUAL LITERARY FICTION & TOP BOOK CLUB PICK: by Louise Erdrich GRAPHIC NOVEL MEMOIRS: by Kate Beaton by Emily Carrington -Gabriola Island author NON-FICTION: by Tracey Williams by Barbara Burman by Jessica Bruder by Gretchen Rubin KIDS/JUVENILE NOVEL: The by Lev Grossman ( sequel) /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/25886850

22 Something to Talk About (*woof*, *meow*) 12/20/2022

22 Something to Talk About (*woof*, *meow*) When Nathan gets a bee in his bonnet, he really goes all the way. Listen to him talk about phone booths and "computer phones". Yes, this is library related, really. Don't get Nathan started again. Please. Darby brings you 5 books to talk about. They are book club approved! Or you can just think about them really hard by yourself. by Kim Michele Richardson by Miriam Toews by Jessica Bruder by Alyssa Cole by Christina Baker Kline /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/25389582

21 Sea & Cedar Storytime 11/11/2022

21 Sea & Cedar Storytime Nathan is inspired to procure an accordion to welcome you to this special episode of Sea & Cedar magazine readings! It's like a literary adult storytime for you, really. Works included: Steelhead! by Jess H. Brewer The Long View & Youth is an Absence by Diane Massam Hockey Fights by Miles Hayes Cedar Psalm III by Allie Picketts Back Road Bonanza, Solstice Ceremony, & Raining Glory by Neall Calvert You can READ this issue of Sea & Cedar or in . You can also SUBMIT your own work . /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/24974718

20 Library Trivia 10/07/2022

20 Library Trivia Nathan tests your library trivia knowledge and then lets you self-evaluate to assign your own points. Listen in to hear what prizes are on offer. /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/24623649

19 Kicking ASSpergers with Jeremy Tolmie 09/08/2022

19 Kicking ASSpergers with Jeremy Tolmie Longtime library employee talks to Dahlia about his life and his book called . Find his book on his , , or in the . Jeremy Tolmie has written three previous books—Living with Asperger’s Syndrome, Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Living on the Autism Spectrum. His goal in sharing his story is to inspire hope in others with autism, and their families. He resides in semi-independent living in Nanaimo, British Columbia. /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/24317283

18 Short Fiction for Your Busy Ears 08/05/2022

18 Short Fiction for Your Busy Ears We hear ya... Summer can be a busy time and we have some local short fiction to squeeze in while you do something else. Meet winners from the 2022 ! They are here for you. Stories included today: The Grimathonian Monster written by and read by Mira Vickers, 1st place in the junior category The Push written by and read by Lillith Stoyko-Lang, 1st place in the youth category Read-a-like: by Stephen Graham Jones Revenge of the Butterflies written by and read by Linnea Wiggers, tied for 3rd place in the youth category Servant of the Ants written by Cody Alexander and read by Nathan, 2nd place in the youth category Bear written by and read by Robert Bowerman, 1st place in the adult category Read-a-like: by Richard Wagamese You can read all of the winning stories here on the page. Thanks to all of the talented writers who shared their work for the contest! /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/23964981

17 Live vibes for I Am Everything In Between with Sydney Sunderland 07/08/2022

17 Live vibes for I Am Everything In Between with Sydney Sunderland Get right into the live vibe of this event from Pride Month at Courtenay library with author Sydney Sunderland. I Am Everything In Between highlights kids who don’t fit into stereotypical gender ideals. The book is published by Rebel Mountain Press in Nanoose. Find it in the , see more info from , and find it in your local bookstore! /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/23690570

16 Favourite Picks from Volume One Bookstore in Duncan 05/03/2022

16 Favourite Picks from Volume One Bookstore in Duncan Kendra talks with Vivi and Catherine of Duncan's amazing bookstore, . Get ready for some deep-dive recommendations! Their favourites for adults: by Suzanne Simard (non-fiction) by Esi Edugyan (fiction) by Sharon Cameron (fiction) ~on order by Vivek Shraya (non-fiction/essay) Their favourites for children: by Julia Donaldson (picture book) by Barbara Cooney (picture book) by Sharon Cameron (YA fiction) ~on order Nathan suggests you check out to assuage your invasive species guilt for loving the Miss Rumphius book. [caption id="attachment_948" align="alignnone" width="576"] Image from Broombusters.org website.[/caption] /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/22997942

15 Fine Crimes 04/22/2022

15 Fine Crimes Are fines fine, or are fines not so fine? Does fining lead to... crime? Find out with Nathan and visit the dark world of library fine crimes. (Did you know that VIRL has no overdue fines for children's and young adult materials? And we're trying it out for adult materials too in 2022!) Darby shares some fine thrillers (with crimes in them): by Wendy Heard Read alike: Roxanne Weary series by Elle Cosimano by Stephen Graham-Jones by Kelly Armstrong by Tom Ryan /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/22880819

14 Visiting Notting Hill for a queer romcom + audiobooks to delight your ears 03/04/2022

14 Visiting Notting Hill for a queer romcom + audiobooks to delight your ears Sooke Librarian Nathalie interviews Victoria-based . He is definitely a book-ish person and talks about favourite real-life bookshops along with the fictional one he created for his character Aubrey. You can find his queer romance book An Unexpected Kind of Love or . (Apparently it has a lot of kissing and steamy bits.) Casey tells us about some great full cast audiobooks, which are awesome because there are multiple narrators and it's a bit like a radio play. (Nathan should probably not lie down if he's listening to an audiobook.) on your phone or tablet here so you can get listening. by Taylor Jenkins Reid available in eAudiobook and CD audiobook by Michael Christie available in eAudiobook by Marlon James available in eAudiobook by Courtenay Summers available in eAudiobook by Rebecca Roanhorse available in eAudiobook and CD audiobook /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/22342352

13 Take a break from busy with poetry by Kamal Parmar 11/30/2021

13 Take a break from busy with poetry by Kamal Parmar Settle in, maybe in a meditation seat, maybe reclined on your couch, and give yourself a little break to listen to some poetry. Kamal Parmar is and the author of . Parmar is also a writer creative non-fiction and has published multiple books in North America, India and the United Kingdom, with topics including childhood memories of India, her impressions of Canada and her experience caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease. /episode/index/show/meetmeinthestacks/id/21327002

Meet Me In The Stacks

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