Booklist's Shelf Care

Booklist's Shelf Care Podcast

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. 11h ago

    Episode 50: Looking Back and Looking Ahead with Robert Wedgeworth

    On this 50th episode of Shelf Care: The Podcast, we take a broader look at the field of librarianship with a conversation with former ALA Executive Director Bob Wedegeworth, the first Black person to hold that position, about his memoir, Breaking Barriers: A Librarian’s Story of Changing Times. Then Susan sits down with Booklist’s Editor, Books for Youth and Graphic Novels, Sarah Hunter, about what she’s been reading and loving lately. Here’s what we talked about: Breaking Barriers: A Librarian’s Story of Changing Times, by Robert Wedgeworth The Dissidents: Autocrats! Vigilantes! Communists! And Cartoonists!, by Derf Backderf. Art by the author Fish and Water, by Gengoroh Tagame. Art by the author. Translated by Anne Ishii Witch’s Inheritance, by Paige Hender. Art by the author Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, by Pedro Martín. Illus. by the author Mexikid Dreams: A Graphic Memoir, by Pedro Martín. Art by the author Roller Girl, by Victoria Jamieson. Illus. by the author The Whole Wide World of Mabel Mulligan, by Victoria Jamieson. Art by the author This One Summer, by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki. Illus. by Jillian Tamaki Young Cat, Old Cat, by Jillian Tamaki. Illus. by the author Rebecca, by Kate Beaton. Illus. by Sydney Smith Hark! A Vagrant, by Kate Beaton. Illus. by the author Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, by Kate Beaton. Illus. by the author. Have You Ever Seen a Ghost?, by Daniel Kwan and Julia Pott. Illus. by Sean Lewis

  2. May 25

    Episode 49: Audiobook Listeners Tell All

    On this episode of Shelf Care: The Podcast, we celebrate Audiobook Month a little early with a conversation between host Susan Maguire and three audiobook listeners on the Booklist staff: Annie Bostrom, Maren Flessen, and Abby McCabe. They cover what they like to listen to, how they choose between reading with their eyes and their ears, and the fact that listening to an audiobook is, in fact, reading. And, of course, they talk about a lot of (audio)books. Here’s what we talked about: Down the Drain. By Julia Fox. Read by the author. Wuthering Heights. By Emily Brontë. Read by Alison Larkin and Andrew Wincott. Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef. By Gabrielle Hamilton. Read by the author. Lit. By Mary Karr. Read by the author. GoodReads & StoryGraph Rodham. By Curtis Sittenfeld. Read by Carrington MacDuffie. Julia Whelan, audiobook narrator The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science. By Kate McKinnon. Read by Kate McKinnon and Emily Lynne. The Devils. By Joe Abercrombie. Read by Steven Pacey. Forget Me Not. By Stacy Willingham. Read by Karissa Vacker and Helen Laser. Alchemy of Secrets. By Stephanie Garber. Read by Sutton Foster. The Body. By Stephen King. Read by Wil Wheaton. Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith. By Phil Hanley. Read by the author. From Here to the Great Unknown. By Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keogh. Read by Riley Keogh and Julia Roberts. Revisionist History podcast The Questlove Show podcast The Moth podcast Wait for Me. By Amy Jo Burns. Read by Patti Murin, Mark Sanderlin, and Gail Shalan. I Told You So! Scientists Who Were Ridiculed, Exiled, and Imprisoned for Being Right. By Matt Kaplan. Read by Sean Pratt. Morbidly Curious: A Scientist Explains Why We Can’t Look Away. By Coltan Scrivner. Read by the author. Dungeon Crawler Carl. By Matt Dinniman. Read by Jeff Hays. Binti. By Nnedi Okorafor. Read by Robin Miles. Binti Home. By Nnedi Okorafor. Read by Robin Miles. Binti: The Night Masquerade. By Nnedi Okorafor. Read by Robin Miles. London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth. By Patrick Radden Keefe. Read by the author. Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks. By Patrick Radden Keefe. Read by the author. What I Ate in One Year (and Related Thoughts). By Stanley Tucci. Read by the author.

  3. Mar 23

    Episode 48: Summer Scares 2026

    Folks are probably well into planning for summer reading programs, so now is the perfect time to talk about Summer Scares! On this Episode of Shelf Care: The Podcast, host Susan Maguire talks to the folks involved. First, this year’s celebrity spokesperson, author Jennifer McMachon, joins Susan and readers’ advisory and horror expert Becky Spratford to talk about the adult and YA Summer Scares titles, and Jennifer’s journey from misfit girl to capital-H horror writer. Then, Booklist’s Julia Smith talks to Susan about the middle-grade Summer Scares titles. Finally, Susan sits down with HWA Library Committee co-chair Konrad Stump along with New York Public Library’s Allison Nellis and Kate Federiconi to talk about programming and NYPL’s best-of lists. Here’s what we talked about: (* indicates a Summer Scares 2026 title) Readers’ Advisory survey (it’s quick!) Summer Scares Resource Page (RA for All) Summer Scares Middle-Grade Panel (March 12) Summer Scares YA Panel (March 23) Summer Scares Adult Panel (March 26) *A Botanical Daughter, by Noah Medlock *Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology, edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr. *Maeve Fly, by CJ Leede iRead Summer Reading 2026: Plant a Seed, Read *What We Harvest, by Ann Fraistat *Gorgeous Gruesome Faces, by Linda Cheng *Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories, edited by Yamile Saied Méndez and Amparo Ortiz, illustrated by Ricardo López Ortiz Stay Buried, by Jennifer McMahon (coming August 2026) “Monster Girl: How Horror Gave Me a Place to Belong,” by Jennifer McMahon, in Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature, edited by Becky Siegel Spratford *This Appearing House, by Ally Malinenko A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness *It Came from the Trees, by Ally Russell *Garlic and the Vampire, by Bree Paulsen, art by the author The Lion’s Run, by Sarah Pennypacker Max in the House of Spies, by Adam Gidwitz Max in the Land of Lies, by Adam Gidwitz Summer Scares 2026 Programming Guide NYPL’s Best New Horror for Adults 2025 Dollface, by Lindy Ryan Headlights, by CJ Leede Kiss, Slay, Replay, by Rachel Harrison Japanese Gothic, by Kylie Lee Baker Abyss, by Nicholas Binge Thirty-Two Words for Field: Lost Words of the Irish Landscape, by Manchán Magan

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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.

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  • Creator
    Booklist's Shelf Care Podcast
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Booklist's Shelf Care