Booklist's Shelf Care

Booklist's Shelf Care Podcast
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Where we talk all things readers’ advisory, collection development, reference, and other library-related bookish stuff, from your friends at Booklist. Want more? Is it even possible? Go to www.booklistonline.com/newsletters to discover the magic.

  1. JAN 26

    Episode 47: Three Conversations about Reading

    On this episode of Shelf Care: The Podcast, host Susan Maguire speaks to Seattle Public Library Reader Services Librarian Misha Stone about nerding out about reading, reading more (or at least reading more intentionally), and the thrill of the backlist (along with Heated Rivalry, of course). Then, Booklist’s Audio Editor Heather Booth drops some brief but powerful insight into what makes an audiobook reader, and what makes them valid readers (because, yes, audiobooks count as reading), and what you can look forward to in Booklist. Finally, Booklist’s Editor-in-Chief and Adult Books Editor Donna Seaman chats with Susan about some forthcoming books all kinds of readers can look forward to. Here's what we talked about: To register for Readers’ Advisory: Ideas and Practice, visit booklistonline.com/webinars Take our brief Readers’ Advisory survey (please and thank you!) How to Read More in 2025 – Shelf Talk (from Seattle Public Library) “Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking.” ― Christopher Morley Heated Rivalry, by Rachel Reid Go Set a Watchman, by Harper Lee Cat Sebastian Pagebound GoodReads The Storygraph SPL’s Your Next Five Books Hemlock & Silver, by T. Kingfisher The Mountains We Call Home, by Kim Michele Richardson The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, by Kim Michele Richardson “Reading Is a Vice,” by Adam Kirsch, published in The Atlantic on Jan. 2, 2026 Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan saga Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon The Glorians: Visitations from the Holy Ordinary, by Terry Tempest Williams The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change, Rebecca Solnit Men Explain Things to Me, by Rebecca Solnit Figuring, by Maria Popova Traversal, by Maria Popova Isola, by Allegra Goodman This Is Not about Us, by Allegra Goodman The Red Convertible: Selected and New Stories, 1978 – 2008, by Louise Erdrich Python’s Kiss, by Louise Erdrich Discipline, by Larissa Pham Pop Song: Adventures in Art and Intimacy, by Larissa Pham No Way Home, by T. C. Boyle Five Weeks in the Country, by Francine Prose

    48 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Episode 46: Editors' Choice 2025

    It’s bigger than Santa, it’s bigger than the Super Bowl…it’s Editors’ Choice! The full list is a highlight of our December issue, but every winter, Booklist editors gather ‘round the podcast mic and share some of their favorites from the list. Prepare your TBR piles, because we’ve got a little something for every reader. Here’s what we talked about: Donna: The Phoebe Variations, by Jane Hamilton The Invention of Charlotte Brontë: A New Life, by Graham Watson Mother Mary Comes to Me, by Arundhati Roy Song of Ancient Lovers, by Laura Restrepo. Translated By Caro De Robertis Annie: Heart the Lover, by Lily King Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America, by Sean Sherman and others Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love: A Cookbook, by Samin Nosrat. Illustrated by Aya Brackett All Consuming: Why We Eat the Way We Eat Now, by Ruby Tandoh Susan: The Listeners, by Maggie Stiefvater The View from Lake Como, by Adriana Trigiani The Filling Station, by Vanessa Miller Heather: Automatic Noodle, by Annalee Newitz. Read by Em Grosland How to Dodge a Cannonball, by Dennard Dayle. Read by William DeMeritt Songs for Other People’s Weddings, by David Levithan and Jens Lekman. Read by Jefferson Mays The Dead of Summer, by Ryan La Sala. Read by Pete Cross and others Soundtrack, by Jason Reynolds. Read by Nile Bullock and others Sarah: The Witch in the Tower, by Júlia Sardà. Illustrated by the author Loudmouth: Emma Goldman vs. America (a Love Story), by Deborah Heiligman More Weight: A Salem Story, by Ben Wickey. Art by the author Angelica and the Bear Prince, by Trung Le Nguyen. Art by the author Julia: Bad Badger: A Love Story, by Maryrose Wood. Illustrated by Giulia Ghigini The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest, by Aubrey Hartman. Illustrated by Marcin Minor The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham, by Ryan James Black Scarlet Morning, by ND Stevenson. Illustrated by the author Graciela in the Abyss, by Meg Medina. Illustrated by Anna Balbusso and Elena Balbusso Xolo, by Donna Barba Higuera. Illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson Ronny: The Bi Book, by A. J. Irving. Illustrated by Cynthia Alonso Kelly: Fable for the End of the World, by Ava Reid A Fix of Light, by Kel Menton One of the Boys, by Victoria Zeller They Bloom at Night, by Trang Thanh Tran Scarlet Morning, by ND Stevenson. Illustrated by the author Saint Catherine, by Anna Meyer. Art by the author

    41 min

  3. 11/25/2025

    Episode 45: Once Upon a Fairy Tale Retelling

    Fairy tale retelling are having a moment, a moment that has extended for, like, millennia, but now the trend feels particularly hot. Host Susan Maguire sat down with librarian and Booklist reviewer Lucy Lockley about what’s behind the fanfare and some titles and authors you should know. Then Audio Editor Heather Booth spoke to an art educator Heather Kostal about how she uses audiobooks in the classroom. Finally, Books for Youth’s Ronny Khuri and I chatted about picture books about poop and other topics. We cover everything! Here's what we talked about: Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine The Kingdom of Sweets, by Erika Johansen The Swallowed Man, by Edward Carey A Sorceress Comes to Call, by T. Kingfisher Alice, by Christina Henry Horseman, by Christina Henry Gods of Jade and Shadow, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Wicked, by Gregory Maguire Mary McMyne After the Forest, by Kel Woods Sistersong, by Lucy Holland Song of the Huntress, by Lucy Holland Uprooted, by Naomi Novik The Summer War, by Naomi Novik The Witch’s Heart, by Genevieve Gornichec A Spindle Splintered, by Alix E. Harrow Thief Liar Lady, by D. L. Soria Hemlock & Silver, by T. Kingfisher After Happily Ever: An Epic Novel of Midlife Rebellion, by Jennifer Safrey Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, by Heather Fawcett Crocodile on the Sandbank, by Elizabeth Peters (Ameila Peabody series) The Maiden and Her Monster, by Maddie Martinez Cinder House, by Freya Marske Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance: The Forgotten Founding Mothers of the Fairy Tale and the Stories That They Spun, by Jane Harrington, illustrated by Khoa Le F*cked Up Fairy Tales: Sinful Cinderellas, Prince Alarmings, and Other Timeless Classics, by Liz Gotauco The Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park, read by David Baker The Boxcar Children series The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick, read by Jeff Woodman From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E. L. Konigsburg The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, read by Tatiana Maslany Murder of a Movie Star, by L. B. Hathaway Henry Is an Artist, written and illustrated by Justin Worsley Little Moments in a Big Universe, written and illustrated by Todd Stewart Max in the Land of Lies, by Adam Gidwitz Max in the House of Spies, by Adam Gidwitz

    57 min

  4. 09/29/2025

    Episode 44: A Tale of Two Sara(h)s

    On this episode of Shelf Care: The Podcast, host Susan Maguire sits down with two of our favorite Sara(h)s. First, librarian and Booklister Sara Martínez talks about REFORMA’s National Book Award winner and tips for Spanish-language collection development. Then, Sarah Hunter, Editor, Books for Youth and Graphic Novels, drops some book suggestions perfect for fall reading. Here's what we talked about: REFORMA.org Pura Belpré Award REFORMA’s 2024 National Book Award (includes longlist and shortlist) Malas, by Marcela Fuentes Spanish Sure Bets for Adult Readers: Summer 2025 ALA Free Pass Program Spanish-language book stores: Liberías Gandhi in Mexico, Casa del Libro in Spain America Reads Spanish newsletter Guatemalan Rhapsody, by Jared Lemus Brother Brontë, by Fernando A. Flores Starling House, by Alix E. Harrow By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land, by Rebecca Nagle Loudmouth: Emma Goldman vs. America (a Love Story), by Deborah Heiligman Angelica and the Bear Prince, by Trung Le Nguyen, art by the author Cat Nap, by Brian Lies, art by the author Popo the Xolo, by Paloma Angelina Lopez, illustrated by Abraham Matias The Witch in the Tower, by Júlia Sardà, illustrated by the author The Queen in the Cave, by Júlia Sardà, illustrated by the author More Weight: A Salem Story, by Ben Wickey, art by the author

    37 min

  5. 07/28/2025

    Episode 43: Live from ALA!

    In this episode of Booklist’s Shelf Care: The Podcast, we’re coming to you live from ALA’s Annual Conference in Philadelphia. Audio Editor Heather Booth chats with three authors who were excited to share insight into their forthcoming books and what libraries mean to them: Victor Piñeiro (The Island of Forgotten Gods, August 2025, Sourcebooks Young Readers), E. Lockhart (We Fell Apart, November 2025, Delacorte), and Kevin Henkes (Is It Spring?, February 2026, Greenwillow). Here's what we talked about: Read n Rave list The Island of Forgotten Gods, by Victor Piñeiro Time Villains, by Victor Piñeiro The Land of Oz, by L. Frank Baum We Fell Apart, by E. Lockhart We Were Liars, by E. Lockhart Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller They Both Die at the End, by Adam Silvera Family of Liars, by E. Lockhart The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks, by E. Lockhart Is It Spring?, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes Sun Flower Lion, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, Finding Things, by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek Waiting, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes Chrysanthemum, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes Garth Williams American Picture Books from Noah’s Ark to the Beast Within, by Barbara Bader

    36 min

  6. 05/23/2025

    Episode 42: Why I Love Horror

    Episode 42 Show Notes In this episode of Booklist’s Shelf Care: The Podcast, host Susan Maguire talks to librarian and horror expert Becky Spratford about the forthcoming collection of essays she edited, Why I Love Horror, what Mary Shelley might think about the current trend of monster romance, and, of course, why she loves horror. Then Booklist’s Audio Editor Heather Booth presents an epic rant against AI-narrated audiobooks, and Susan and Booklist Senior Editor, Adult Books Annie Bostrom chat about two water-related books they’re loving. Here's what we talked about: Becky’s early “Why I Love Horror,” featuring Booklist folks The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror, by Becky Siegel Spratford Danse Macabre, by Stephen King Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, by Seth Grahame-Smith The Hunger, by Alma Katsu Buffalo Hunter Hunter, by Stephen Graham Jones James, by Percival Everett Horror for Weenies, by Emily Hughes Circulating Ideas podcast, hosted by Steve Thomas LibraryReads Hall of Fame Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein The Grip of It, by Jac Jemc Horror Makes Us Happy podcast with Becky Spratford The Bewitching, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Cynthia Pelayo 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered, Sadie Hartmnn Paperbacks from Hell, by Grady Hendrix A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen, by Erin Frankel and Paola Escobar. Read by Luis Carlos de la Lombana. (Odyssey Award Winner, 2025) How the Boogeyman Became a Poet, by Tony Keith Jr. Read by the author. (Odyssey Award Winner, 2025) The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story, by Pagan Kennedy. Read by Claire Danes The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart. Read by Del Roy Listening Still, by Anne Griffin. Read by Nicola Coughlan A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck, by Sophie Elmhirst Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster, by Jon Krakauer The Love Fix, by Jill Shalvis The Listeners, by Maggie Stiefvater

    1h 9m

  7. 03/21/2025

    Episode 41: Summer Scares 2025

    It’s time for Summer Scares, and the popular horror-reading program is in fine form again. Shelf Care host Susan Maguire spoke to librarian Becky Spratford, author Kendare Blake, and Booklist’s Julia Smith about this year’s selections for adult, teen, and middle-grade readers; transgressive horror; and Hellmouth Pokémon, as you do. She also spoke to Jocelyn Codner and Carina Stopenski, both of the Horror Writers Association’s Library Advisory Council, about the Summer Scares program guide, why libraries should serve horror readers, and what they’re reading and loving. Here’s what we talked about: Summer Scares Resource Page Find Him Where You Left Him Dead, by Kristen Simmons iRead Summer 2025: Level Up at Your Library The Getaway, by Lamar Giles Devils unto Dust, by Emma Berquist Reprieve, by James Han Mattson Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes, by Eric LaRocca The Luminous Dead, by Caitlin Starling Summer Scares webinars: for Adult, YA, and Middle Grade All These Bodies, by Kendare Blake In Every Generation, by Kendare Blake Summer Scares Program Guide HWA Young Adults Write Now scholarship (or email libraries@horror.org) Stoker Con 2025 Librarians’ Day Stag Dance, by Torrey Peters Detransition, Baby, by Torrey Peters It Came from the Trees, by Ally Russell Hide and Seeker, by Daka Hermon Ravenous Things, by Derrick Chow Eerie Tales from the School of Screams, by Graham Annable, art by the author Skunk and Badger, by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon Klassen The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest, by Aubrey Hartman, illustrated by Macin Minor Bad Badger: A Love Story, by Maryrose Wood, illustrated by Giulia Ghigini Reluctant Witch, by Melissa Marr

    1h 14m

  8. 01/23/2025

    Episode 40: It’s Not New (But It Sucks): Dealing with Book Bans from the Frontlines

    On this episode of Shelf Care: The Podcast, host Susan Maguire talks to Katie Clausen, a Chicagoland children’s librarian, about what it’s like to be on the front lines of a book banning, who offers some tips and suggested language for dealing with a challenge. Then, on a lighter note, Susan talks to Audio Editor Heather Booth about what she’s been reading (and listening to) and loving lately. Here's what we talked about: Interview with Kelly Jensen in Episode 22 Foundations of Intellectual Freedom, by Emily Knox Kate Messner’s Letter to Parents The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story, by Pagan Kennedy. Read by Claire Danes. The Use of Photography, by Annie Ernaux and Marc Marie. Translated by Alison L. Strayer. Read by Tavia Gilbert. The Suite Spot, by Trish Doller. Read by Sarah Naughton. Birding with Benefits, by Sarah T. Dubb. Read by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Evan Sibley. How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Eklund? by Anna Montague. Read by Cynthia Nixon. Nightbitch, by Rache Yoder. The Payback, by Kashana Cauley. The Survivalists, by Kashana Cauley. Other helpful resources for dealing with contentious book challenges: The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About, by Mel Robbins (A useful book for work and personal development, especially for helping to take book challenges less personally.) Quick Tips & Language When Someone Wants to Challenge Materials Handling Book Challenges

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Where we talk all things readers’ advisory, collection development, reference, and other library-related bookish stuff, from your friends at Booklist. Want more? Is it even possible? Go to www.booklistonline.com/newsletters to discover the magic.

Information

  • Creator
    Booklist's Shelf Care Podcast
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Booklist's Shelf Care