Hiatus until the new year

The podcast recently took an unannounced and unexplained hiatus. I wanted to give an update about the reason for our absence. Just before we were set to record new episodes, we received the devastating news that our friend and colleague, Amber Clark, had been shot and killed while leaving the branch where she was supervisor.

I first met Amber as a teen librarian. We worked together on a Haunted Library program that showcased her supportive nature. She was able to synthesize the disparate ideas of her teens into a fun, funny, and polished tour. The first year I helped her, her sense of humor shone through and carried the tour, and it was clear that the teens respected and loved her. And you could tell how much of an impact she was having on the teens because, even though the tour was sparsely attended, everyone left with a sense of accomplishment. We worked on the tour a second time, and it was clear that the confidence of her teens had increased: the tour was even more well-designed, their sense of ownership was higher, and the attendance was larger.

Amber was promoted after that, and I didn't have as much direct contact with her. But it was at this point that she launched the passion project that the library has chosen to associate her with: ensuring that the library is an accessible place for everyone. She launched a series of programs for patrons with disabilities.

Amber had the dry sense of humor that I always find in kindred spirits, she was game for painting her face like a zombie when the program called for it, and she seemed comfortable working around my chaotic and free-wheeling energy. Basically, along with everyone who works on the podcast, Amber had the uncanny ability to make me feel like I am a librarian. A statement that feels in question whenever I'm not around people like the crew of the podcast or Amber.

--Nathan Milos

Episode 050: Double Bill—Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin and Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Here are two of the original episodes we recorded that are both too short for individual release (though hopefully not to short for a meaningful discussion).

We discuss Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin and Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys and suggest the books George by Alex Gino, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills, and None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio, as well as author Elizabeth E. Wein.

Episode 049: The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding.

In what turned out to be a surprisingly contentious discussion (our panel is passionately divided), we discuss Amy Spalding's The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles).

Molly suggests Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan.

Kim suggests To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han and The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner.

Amy mentions When Dimple Met Rishi as a potential readalike (before we talk readalikes).

Lindsey suggests Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore.

Cash Money suggests the movie Sarah Burgess is a Big Loser.

Nathan mentions Pink by Lili Wikerson but vacillates on whether it is a good readalike or not.

Episode 048: Leah on the OffBeat by Becky Albertali

This one is pretty loose, gang (complete with a spaced out Nathan and some cool interruptions from children—mostly relegated to easter egg status).

We do manage something resembling a discussion Becky Albertali's Leah on the Offbeat.

Nate suggests To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han and Noggin by John Corey Whaley.

Lindsey suggests The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding.

Cash Money and Amy suggest The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza by Shaun David Hutchinson.

Episode 047: To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han (part 2)

Here's the second half of our conversation.

We also get into book recommendations.

Nate (accidentally) suggests Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson (he'd intended to suggest it for Poet X) and Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli.

Lindsey suggests The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon.

Cat mentions that students at her school read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz and Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi.

Cash Money suggests American Panda by Gloria Chao.

Episode 046: To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han (part 1)

In this episode we discuss To All The Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han with Catherine and Marguerite—who have both done scholarly work and taught classes on Asian American Literature. Thank you both again for joining us and helping demonstrate how worthy teen literature is of scholarly discussion. Our conversation here is wide ranging, fruitful, and—frankly—a little long. So, to make it digestible and also not deprive anyone of the full conversation, we'll be releasing it as two episodes. Here is part one; look for part two in two weeks.

Episode 045: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Our smallest panel in a long time discusses The Poet X (a National Book Award Long List nominee at the time of our recording; best of luck Elizabeth Acevedo).

Nathan suggests Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez.

Nate suggests Yaqui Delgado Wants To Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina and Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson.

Lindsey suggests Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

Cash Money suggests the show Insecure.