It’s that time of the year again, when the Booklist editors gather ‘round the proverbial fire and share some of their favorite reads of the year. Covering everything from our Top of the List titles to personal faves, this episode has a little something for every reader. Here’s what we talked about:

Donna:
We Loved It All: A Memory of Life. By Lydia Millet. (Adult Nonfiction Top of the List)
The Morningside. By Téa Obreht.
Martyr! By Kaveh Akbar.
My Black Country: A Journey through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future. By Alice Randall.
The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth. By Zoë Schlanger.

Annie:
Wandering Stars. By Tommy Orange. (Adult Fiction Top of the List)
Donna Seaman interviews Tommy Orange for One Book, One Chicago
All Fours. By Miranda July.

Susan:
The Wedding People. By Alison Espach.
One of Us Knows. By Alyssa Cole.
The Cottage around the Corner. By D. L. Soria.

Sarah:
A Greater Goal: The Epic Battle for Equal Pay in Women’s Soccer—and Beyond. By Elizabeth Rusch. (Youth Nonfiction Top of the List)
Dispatches from Parts Unknown. By Bryan Bliss.
Ash’s Cabin. By Jen Wang. Art by the author. (Youth Graphic Novel Top of the List)
Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir. By Tessa Hulls. Art by the author. (Adult Graphic Novel Top of the List)
The Puerto Rican War: A Graphic History. By John Vasquez Mejias. Art by the author. 
The Jellyfish. By Boum. Art by the author.

Julia:
The House on Yeet Street. By Preston Norton. (Middle Grade Top of the List)
Bye Forever, I Guess. By Jodi Meadows.

Ronny:
That Always Happens Sometimes. By Kiley Frank. Illustrated by K-Fai Steele. (Picture Book Top of the List).
The Yellow Bus. Written and illustrated by Loren Long.

Kelly:
Ariel Crashes a Train, by Olivia A. Cole. (YA Top of the List)
The Dark We Know, by Wen-yi Lee.
Compound Fracture, by Andrew Joseph White.
My Throat an Open Grave, by Tori Bovalino.

Heather:
Birding with Benefits. By Sarah T. Dubb. Read by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Evan Sibley.
The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years. By Shubnum Khan. Read by Soneela Nankani.
Know Your Newlywed. By Heather Taylor, Hillary Nussbaum, and Elena Armas. Read by Tyler Posey, Mary Mouser, and a full cast.
Stars in Your Eyes. By Kacen Callender. Read by André Santana and others.
Nothing: John Cage and 4’33”. By Nicholas Day and Chris Rashka. Read by Fred Berman.
Onyx & Beyond. By Amber McBride. Read by André Santana.
Gender Queer. By Maia Kobabe. Read by Maia Kobabe and a full cast.
Tree. Table. Book. By Lois Lowry. Read by Hope Newhouse.
And
Anita de Monte Laughs Last. By Xochitl Gonzalez. Read by Jessica Pimentel and others. (Adult Audio Top of the List)
Better Must Come. By Desmond Hall. Read by Jaime Lincoln Smith. (Youth Audio Top of the List)


Episode 39: Editors' Choice 2024

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


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

In this episode, part of a mini series on the Journey of a Library book, we discuss the cataloging process with Elbert, Materials Services Assistant at Niles-Maine District Library.

Tech Bytes #40 - The Journey of a Library Book: Materials Services

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



Episode 41: Summer Scares 2025

In this episode, the last part of a mini series on the Journey of a Library book, we talk to Georgia, Patron Services Assistant Supervisor at Niles-Maine District Library about the role that her department plays in getting the book into a reader’s hands.

Tech Bytes #41 - The Journey of a Library Book: Patron Services

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

Episode 42: Why I Love Horror

In this episode, we discuss an exciting opportunity to grow your digital skills and get connected at Niles-Maine District Library.

https://www.nileslibrary.org/learn-to-own

Tech Bytes #43 - Digital Equity and Learn-to-Own

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


Episode 43: Live from ALA!

Checking In, Checking Out is a podcast produced by The Niles-Maine District Library. 

In this episode, we talk about What’s Next?, a service that allows library users to get book recommendations from librarians based on their reading preferences. 

https://nmdl.info/whats-next

Episode 02: What's Next?

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


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

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.

Checking In, Checking Out is the official podcast of Niles-Maine District Library.

With each mini episode, we'll share a little bit of new or useful library-related information. Tune in for staff picks, book talks, technology news and more!

New tracks tagged #Public Libraries