Behind the Books

Mercer County Library System
  • 4.9 (9)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Behind the Books is a bi-weekly podcast, including interviews with an author - many found on New York Times Best Sellers lists - and an MCLS library staff member.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Work We Love, the Stories We Imagine - Interview with Victoria Dillon

    Bob and Anna sit down with Dana Benner, Marketing Librarian for the Mercer County Library System and Adult Services Librarian at the Hopewell Branch. Dana shares how she brings her own interests and enthusiasm into her work—from shaping engaging programs to helping make the library a welcoming, vibrant place for the community. Then, our co-hosts turn to author Victoria Dillon to discuss her debut novel, Ava. They explore the inspiration behind the story and the themes at the heart of this unique and thought-provoking book. Shannon Tuorto returns with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower. The Work We Love, the Stories We Imagine Intro and Welcome 4:10 Catch up with MCLS: Dana Benner 13:51 Programs and Services @ MCLS 18:04 Sixty Seconds with Shannon 19:16 Interview with Victoria Dillon 29:53 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Learn more about Victoria Dillon at https://victoriadillonauthor.com/. The documentary to which the author refers is Aftershock (2022). Additional information available at https://www.aftershockdocumentary.com/. "60 Seconds with Shannon" features The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl. Attend the 2026 TrashedArt Awards Reception. Registration and additional information available at https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/. Celebrate National Library Week with MCLS, April 19 through April 25. More information at https://mcl.org/national-library-week/. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

    34 min

  2. APR 1

    No Fooling: From Youth Services to Indie Comics - Interview with Shawn Hainsworth

    Anna and Bob speak with Amanda DeCillis, part-time Youth Services staff member at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, about her work with young readers. They also talk with scriptwriter Shawn Hainsworth, founder of SHP Comics, who shares his creative process and previews his upcoming books, Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King and Woodstake. Shannon Tuorto is back with a "60 Seconds with Shannon," featuring Billy Collins' new collection of poems, Dog Show. No Fooling: From Youth Services to Indie Comics Intro and Welcome 3:20 Interview with Amanda DeCillis 13:00 Programs and Services @ MCLS 16:45 Sixty Seconds with Shannon 17:54 Interview with Shawn Hainsworth 31:19 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Learn more about Shawn Hainsworth at https://www.shawnhainsworthproductions.com/ and SHP Comics at https://shpcomics.com/. "60 Seconds with Shannon" features Billy Collins' newest collection of poetry, Dog Show, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog via https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/. Submit a poem to read in the virtual poetry event, A Poetry Happening: Mercer Poets Read, at https://mcl.org/call-for-poems/. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

    35 min

  3. MAR 18

    Bravery at All Ages - Interview with Kimberly Behre Kenna

    Bob and Anna catch up with Janine Hoekstra about her current role as Assistant Administrative Analyst in Library Administration. Author Kimberly Behre Kenna also joins us to discuss her Brave Girl collection, including the newest installment, Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances. Bravery at All Ages Intro and Welcome 4:25 Catch Up with MCLS: Janine Hoekstra 12:04 Programs and Services @ MCLS 16:08 Interview with Kimberly Behre Kenna 32:03 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Discover more about Kimberly Behre Kenna at https://www.kimberlybehrekenna.com/. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/. Explore NJ Makers Day programs at MCLS via https://mcl.org/nj-makers-day/. Vote for your favorite 2026 TrashedArt entry at https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

    36 min

  4. MAR 4

    Plot Twists IRL - Interview with Greer Stothers

    Anna and Bob talk with Emma Reyes of the Adult Services Department at the West Windsor Branch about her pathway to librarianship and how she's bringing the community together through tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). Then our co-hosts chat with illustrator and debut author Greer Stothers about their new novel, Apparently, Sir Cameron is Dead, including their creative journey leading them to writing fiction on their own terms. Plot Twists IRL Intro and Welcome 4:44 Emma Reyes 14:16 Programs and Services @ MCLS 18:09 Interview with Greer Stothers 29:33 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Discover more about Greer Stothers at https://www.greerstothers.com/. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/. Explore a selection of programs celebrating Women's History Month at MCLS via https://libraryaware.com/3B1WHM. Download your Academy Awards ballot for the 2026 Oscar Predictions Contest at https://mcl.org/oscars-contest/. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

    34 min

  5. FEB 18

    A-Hunting We Will Go - Interview with Beth Amos

    It's Library Lovers Month! Anna and Bob hit the floor to ask patrons what they love most about the library, then sit down with USA Today bestselling author Annelise Ryan to discuss Monster in the Moonlight, the latest installment in her Monster Hunter Mysteries series. Listeners may also know her by her real name, Beth Amos, or her other pseudonym, Allyson K. Abbott. A-Hunting We Will Go Intro and Welcome 4:07 Library Lovers Month Segment 12:00 Programs and Services @ MCLS 15:33 Interview with Beth Amos 29:06 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Discover more about Beth Amos at https://bethamos.com/; learn more about Annelise Ryan's Monster Hunter Mysteries at https://anneliseryan.com/ Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/. Find additional information about the 2026 TrashedArt Contest at https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/. Apply to host an author table at the 2026 MCLS Book Festival via https://mcl.org/events/book-festival/. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

    33 min

  6. FEB 4

    Fun Across the Generations… and the Dimensions - Interview with Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd

    Bob and Anna catch up with Bekka Trapp from Adult Services at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch to talk about her work at the library and her plans to expand multi-generational programming. The episode also features an interview with husband-and-wife authors Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd about their latest collaboration, You & Me & You & Me & You & Me. Fun Across the Generations… and the Dimensions Intro and Welcome 1:50 Catch Up with MCLS: Bekka Trapp 12:41 Programs and Services @ MCLS 16:43 Interview with Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd 37:06 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Discover more about Emlyn Rees at https://www.emlynrees.com/ and Josie Lloyd at https://www.josielloyd.com/ Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/. Find additional information about the 2026 TrashedArt Contest at https://mcl.org/events/trashedart/. Explore America 250 resources and events at https://resources.mcl.org/america-250 and https://mcl.org/events/america-250/ Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

    41 min

  7. JAN 21

    Front and Center - Interview with Diana Harmon Asher

    Bob and Anna catch up with Shanna Caines from Adult Services at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, discussing her work at the library and the impact of Adult Services in the community. The episode then features an interview with middle-grade author Diana Harmon Asher, who talks about her latest book, Trouble Finds Evie Lefkowitz, and the themes that matter most to young readers. Shannon Tuorto's "60 Seconds with Shannon" features works by Noelle Ihli, specifically Ask for Andrea. Front and Center Intro and Welcome 3:05 Catch Up with MCLS: Shanna Caines 12:10 Programs and Services @ MCLS 16:26 Sixty Seconds with Shannon 17:06 Interview with Diana Harmon Asher 30:07 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Learn more about Diana Harmon Asher at https://dianaharmonasher.com/ "60 Seconds with Shannon" features works by Noelle Ihli, specifically Ask for Andrea, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog at https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/. Participate in the Winter Reading Program via https://mcl.org/events/winter-reading-program/. Participate in the Dr. MLK Jr. Day(s) of Service 2026: Card & Letter Writing Drive. Additional information and card templates located at https://mcl.org/mlk-jr-day-of-service/. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

    34 min

  8. JAN 7

    Expansion of Experience - Interview with Tomika Reid

    Bob and Anna catch up with MCLS staff member Pam Murphy from the Acquisitions and Cataloging Department, then sit down with author Tomika Reid to chat about her writing journey and her newest book, The Girl in the Cave. Expansion of Experience Intro and Welcome 5:25 Catch Up with MCLS: Pam Murphy 12:47 Programs and Services @ MCLS 16:26 Sixty Seconds with Shannon 17:36 Interview with Tomika Reid 25:28 Summary and Closing Show Notes: Learn more about Tomika Reid at https://www.tomikareid.com/ "60 Seconds with Shannon" features Hostage, by Eli Sharabi, which is available from MCLS. Check the MCLS Catalog at https://merl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/mcl. Register for upcoming virtual programs and branch events, using the MCLS Event Calendar, located at https://events.mcl.org/. Explore the 2026 Reading Challenge via https://mcl.org/events/reading-challenge/. Participate in the Dr. MLK Jr. Day(s) of Service 2026: Card & Letter Writing Drive. Additional information and card templates located at https://mcl.org/mlk-jr-day-of-service/. Discover additional information about the MCLS Haiku Contest at https://mcl.org/events/haiku-contest/. Opening and closing music provided by Skilsel via Pixabay; music between segments is provided via Pixabay.

    29 min
See All (144)

4.9
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Behind the Books is a bi-weekly podcast, including interviews with an author - many found on New York Times Best Sellers lists - and an MCLS library staff member.

Information

  • Creator
    Mercer County Library System
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mercer County Library System
  • Show Website
    Behind the Books