Revisions, How Our Favorite Books Change Us

Jen Nails
  • 5.0 (28)
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Las Vegas-Clark County Librarian/author Jen Nails chats with authors, actors, comedians, librarians about why certain books from growing up made such a splash in their lives! Season 4: Brian Huskey, Abby Sher, Jonny S, Juliet Jeske, V (Eve Ensler), Jane Kuo , my mom, June Nails. Season 3: Dara & Lyra, Ken Lamug, Willy Vlautin, Jane Borden, Yamile Saied Méndez, Desmond London, Daria Peoples, Kurt Braunohler. Season 2: Jeff Hiller, Kathy Erskine, Mark Ciccone, Charlie and Rachelle Luster, Dr. Micaela Blei, Ms, China, Billy Allen. Season 1: John Ross Bowie, Negin Farsad, Dana Snyder, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Chris Grabenstein, Ellen Hopkins, Kelsey Mazmanyan.

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  1. Episode 1

    "Two-headed Snakes and Legless Lizards," Lyra and Dara school Jen in reptilian anomalies (and other stuff!).

    Within their discussion of all-time faves Eva and the Lost Pony (Elliot, 2018) and Girls I've Been (Sharpe, 2021), Jen and two of her reading buddies ruminate on all the undiscovered gems awaiting them in books! Book recommendations based on my conversation with Lyra and Dara!

    "Two-headed Snakes and Legless Lizards," Lyra and Dara school Jen in reptilian anomalies (and other stuff!).

  2. Episode 2

    "Something Sings in that Silence," Ken Lamug colors in the framework for creating graphic novels with The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 1943).

    Author/illustrator extraordinaire & National Book Festival selection Ken Lamug shares stories about moving to the U.S. as a teen after a childhood in the Philippines, his father's recipe for success, and gifting his high school crush (and future wife!) a book that would shape his artistic style: The Little Prince. Book recommendations based on my conversation with Ken!

    "Something Sings in that Silence," Ken Lamug colors in the framework for creating graphic novels with The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 1943).

  3. Episode 3

    "A Safe Place to Hide Out," Willy Vlautin takes cover inside the pages of Cannery Row (John Steinbeck, 1945).

    Award-winning author/musician & and Hall-0f-Famer Willy Vlautin describes how, since he was a teen, escaping into Cannery Row and spending time with Mack and the Boys has always brought him solace and comfort. Book recommendations based on my conversation with Willy!

    "A Safe Place to Hide Out," Willy Vlautin takes cover inside the pages of Cannery Row (John Steinbeck, 1945).

  4. Episode 4

    "What Else Don't I Know?" Jane Borden humbles herself after college with Fast Food Nation (Eric Schlosser, 2001).

    Carnegie Medal longlister and esteemed culture writer Jane shares her discovery of Fast Food Nation and the calls t0 action that have inspired her since. Book recommendations based on my conversation with Jane!

    "What Else Don't I Know?" Jane Borden humbles herself after college with Fast Food Nation (Eric Schlosser, 2001).

  5. Episode 5

    "The Fool's Card," Yamile Saied Méndez's Heidi tattoo! (Johanna Spyri, 1881)

    Pura Belpré winner & Reese's Book Club author Yamile shares what happened when her neighbor in Las Pampas began lending her classic literature beginning with Heidi, which was the first book she read all the way through. Book recommendations based on my conversation with Yamile!

    "The Fool's Card," Yamile Saied Méndez's Heidi tattoo! (Johanna Spyri, 1881)

  6. Episode 6

    "I've Always Been an Advocate," Desmond London raises his voice after re-reading Makes Me Wanna Holler (Nathan McCall, 1994).

    Nathan McCall's memoir reminds Jen and fellow librarian Desmond of the healing power of difficult conversations and then inspires one. Explicit content. Book recommendations inspired by my conversation with Desmond!

    "I've Always Been an Advocate," Desmond London raises his voice after re-reading Makes Me Wanna Holler (Nathan McCall, 1994).

  7. Episode 7

    "Eventually We Will Open Them," under the gaze of her educator mom, Daria Peoples discovers Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neale Hurston, 1937).

    Beloved picture book author/illustrator & Golden Kite Award winner Daria Peoples begins to understand what it means to live for herself when she discovers Hurston's classic as a young adult. Book recommendations based on my conversation with Daria!

    "Eventually We Will Open Them," under the gaze of her educator mom, Daria Peoples discovers Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neale Hurston, 1937).

  8. Episode 8

    "The Relaxation That You Look For," Braunohler reclines into the world of Vonnegut with Sirens of Titan (1959).

    Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon writer Kurt Braunohler discovers all of Kurt Vonnegut Jr's novels in junior high and begins developing his bizarro, brilliant brand of bombedy. Book recommendations based on my conversation with Kurt!

    "The Relaxation That You Look For," Braunohler reclines into the world of Vonnegut with Sirens of Titan (1959).
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About

Las Vegas-Clark County Librarian/author Jen Nails chats with authors, actors, comedians, librarians about why certain books from growing up made such a splash in their lives! Season 4: Brian Huskey, Abby Sher, Jonny S, Juliet Jeske, V (Eve Ensler), Jane Kuo , my mom, June Nails. Season 3: Dara & Lyra, Ken Lamug, Willy Vlautin, Jane Borden, Yamile Saied Méndez, Desmond London, Daria Peoples, Kurt Braunohler. Season 2: Jeff Hiller, Kathy Erskine, Mark Ciccone, Charlie and Rachelle Luster, Dr. Micaela Blei, Ms, China, Billy Allen. Season 1: John Ross Bowie, Negin Farsad, Dana Snyder, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Chris Grabenstein, Ellen Hopkins, Kelsey Mazmanyan.

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