The premier Sayville Library podcast! Join Sayville Library staff as we discuss books, movies, TV, games, pop culture and all things library-related!
Subscribe on your favorite podcast player (like Apple Podcasts or Spotify) or listen here using the player above each episode description.
"Between the Shelves" is recorded at the Sayville Studio in Sayville Library.
Hobbit Day
September 18, 2023
Kristina, Tim and Alex celebrate Hobbit Day (Sept 22nd) by discussing the classic book that started it all. Then, they go “back again” to review The Hobbit’s less-than-stellar movie adaptations!
Discussed in this episode:
The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)
The Return of the King (1980 film)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012 film)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013 film)
The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies (2014 film)
Tolkien’s World: Paintings from Middle-Earth by Alan Lee
"What Are You Into?" with Tory
September 4, 2023
Tory and Alex talk about what they're into!
Mentioned in this episode:
“Best of the Doobies. Volume II” by the Doobie Brothers
Pod-Ception!
August 28, 2023
Alex and Tory deep-dive on all things podcasts. That's right, a podcast about podcasts. It's...the Pod-Ception!
Mentioned in this episode:
Comedy:
Pistol Shrimps Radio / Mallwalkin’
Narrative:
True Crime:
Pop Culture & Gaming:
News:
Misc:
"So You Want to Be a Librarian?" (Part 2) with Erin & Gianna
August 14, 2023
Erin and Gianna share their perspectives on library school, academic libraries, archives, collection development, book challenges and ... UFOs!
Mentioned in this episode:
Under the Eye of Power by Colin Dickey
UFOs: Investigating the Unknown
"So You Want to Be a Librarian?" with Angela & Jillian
August 7, 2023
Alex speaks with librarians-to-be, Angela and Jillian, about why they decided to become librarians, their library school experiences, and the ever-changing nature of library work.
Mentioned in this episode:
"What Are You Into?" with Mary & Rachel
July 31, 2023
Mary & Rachel join Alex to talk about what they're into! In this week's episode, we discuss:
Rudeboy: the Story of Trojan Records (film)
Rudeboy: the Story of Trojan Records (soundtrack)
The Harder They Come (soundtrack)
Cymbeline by William Shakespeare
Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast
The World’s Worst Assistant by Sona Movsesian
Mallwalkin’ & Pistol Shrimps Radio podcasts
Pearlmania500 podcast
Shameless podcast
Mamamia podcast
What's Your Sign?
July 24, 2023
Mary and Rachel, our resident astrologists, explain the fundamentals of astrology and read Alex's birth chart!
Mentioned in this episode:
MinnowPond (Youtube Channel)
The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk
"What Are You Into?" with Kristina, Morgan & Tim
July 17, 2023
Kristina, Morgan, Tim and Alex discuss what they're into, including:
The Feather Thief by Kirk W Johnson
The Orvis Guide to Beginning Fly Fishing
Hunt for the Roses by Drea Scott
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
It's Video Game Week!
July 10, 2023
It's National Video Game Week! In this episode, we celebrate by talking all things video games, from our first gaming experiences to our thoughts on this year's biggest title: Tears of the Kingdom.
Mentioned in this episode:
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Mario Strikers: Battle League Football
The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023)
Super Mario Bros. Movie (1993)
"What Are You Into?" with Marianne, Meg, Stephanie & Alex
July 3, 2023
Marianne, Meg, Stephanie and Alex talk about what they're into! Plus, some 5th graders from Cherry Ave, Lincoln Ave and Sunrise Drive Elementary Schools talk about their summer plans!
Hestia Strikes a Match by Christine Grillo
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
Summer Reading Starts Now!
June 26, 2023
Alex, Marianne, Meaghan, and Stephanie celebrate the launch of Sayville Library's Summer Reading Club by discussing what makes a perfect summer read. Plus, some 5th graders from Cherry Ave, Lincoln Ave, and Sunrise Drive Elementary Schools share their own favorite summer reads!
Mentioned in this episode:
I Have No Secrets by Penny Joelson
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
The Lake Wobegon Virus by Garrison Keillor
Pride Month: Music, Film & TV Recs!
June 19, 2023
Peter, Marianne, Kristina and Alex talk about some of their favorite LGBTQ+ bands, TV shows and films, including:
Los Espookys
Heartstoppers (TV series)
Dropout.tv
Somebody Somewhere
The Conners
Ted Lasso
Pride Month: Book Recs!
June 12, 2023
Peter, Marianne, Kristina and Alex discuss some of their favorite LGBTQ+ books, including:
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Nagata Kabi
This Body I Wore: A Memoir by Diana Goetsch
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
Sorrowland / The Deep by Rivers Solomon
Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman
Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather
The Kingston Cycle Series by C.L. Polk
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
"What Are You Into?" with Peter & Alex
June 5, 2023
Peter and Alex discuss some things they're into, including:
Spinning Vinyl in the Studio
May 29,2023
DJs Peter and Alex play some choice tracks from their favorite albums in Sayville Library's vinyl record collection, including:
(Come on feel the) Illinoise! - Sufjan Stevens
Heaven or Las Vegas - Cocteau Twins
Odessey and Oracle - The Zombies
Time Out - Dave Brubeck Quartet
"What Are You Into?" with Kristina, Tory & Alex
May 22, 2023
Kristina, Tory and Alex talk about what they're into! Discussed in this episode:
Fall Out Boy - Under the Cork Tree
It's AniMay!
May 15, 2023
Tory and Kristina join Alex to talk all things anime! We discuss our favorite shows and movies followed by an in-depth review of the classic Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Mentioned in this episode:
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Neon Genesis Evangelion (series)
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
Evangelion: 1.01: You Are (Not) Alone
Evangelion: 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance
More Star Wars!
May 8, 2023
Alex, Chuck, Kristina and Tim return to talk more Star Wars! We cover our personal histories with the franchise, our favorite Star Wars books and video games, and play a new game: "Know Your Podracer!"
Mentioned in this episode:
Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray
Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray
Rogue Squadron by Michael Stackpole
Star Wars: Brotherhood by Mike Chen
Queen's Shadow by E.K. Johnston
Star Wars: The Definitive Ranking
May 1, 2023
Episode XIV: THE RANKING OF STAR WARS
Four brave podcasters boldly attempt to rank every film and show in the galaxy's most beloved franchise.
"What Are You Into?" with Marianne, Peter & Alex
April 24, 2023
Alex, Marianne and Peter discuss what they're currently into! Mentioned in this episode:
Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
Annals of the Western Shore by Ursula K. LeGuin
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself by Marisa Crane
Liberation Day by George Saunders
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Tenth of December by George Saunders
Yellowjackets, Ted Lasso & other TV Favs!
April 17, 2023
Marianne and Peter go on a deep-dive of their favorite Spring TV shows (Yellowjackets and Ted Lasso) … and Alex is there too!
Mentioned in this episode:
"What Are You Into?" with Jenn, Jonathan & Morgan
April 10, 2023
Jenn, Jonathan, Morgan & Alex talk about what they're into! Discussed in this episode:
Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
What Do Librarians Even Do?
April 3, 2023
Library Director Jenn and Department Heads Jonathan and Morgan help kick off National Library Month with a heartfelt, enlightening discussion on how public libraries remain as relevant today as ever.
Mentioned in this episode:
TED Talk: Reimagining the Public Library
Digital Library: Streaming Apps
Digital Library: Online Learning
Between the Shelves: The Musical!
March 20, 2023
Broadway aficionadas, Stephanie and Tory, join Alex to celebrate World Theater Day!
Mentioned in this episode:
Oscar Review Crew Oscar Review
March 15, 2023
The Oscar Review Crew returns for a very special bonus episode! In it, we discuss our favorite moments from the 95th Academy Awards and movies we're looking forward to seeing in next year's Oscars.
Mentioned in this episode:
Oscar Review Crew
March 7, 2023
Movie-buffs Chuck, Sean and Rachel join Alex to discuss this year’s Best Picture nominees!
Mentioned in this episode:
All Quiet on the Western Front
The Red Rot Gang
February 27, 2023
Jonathan and Erin join Alex to discuss their varied and interesting past jobs and what led them to becoming a librarian, all the while taking some nice detours on cooking, finding time to read, indie role playing games, and motorcycle gangs!
Mentioned in this episode:
Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons
Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell
A "Between the Shelves" Mystery!
February 13, 2023
Jenn and Peter, the Library's unofficial detectives, join Alex on a special mystery-themed episode! We discuss our favorite mystery books and series, what makes a good cozy mystery, and review The Thursday Murder Club.
Mentioned in this episode:
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
The Devil House by John Darnielle
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
In These Times - Makaya McCraven
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers - Kendrick Lamar
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
The 7th Hand - Immanuel Wilkins
Audiobooks, Modern Romance & "Would You Rather?"
January 30, 2023
Children’s Librarians, Kerry and Meg, join Alex in this episode to discuss audiobooks, Twilight, fantasy series, and modern romance books, then we wrap up with a fun round of “Would You Rather?”
Mentioned in this episode:
Audiobooks narrated by Julia Whelan
The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & The Fall of Imperial Russia by Candance Fleming
The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Megan Mullally
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
Paddle Your Own Canoe by Nick Offerman
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnetgut
Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
Recommendation Fails, Elden Ring & "Two Truths and a Lie"
January 17, 2023
Alex and Morgan are joined by Assistant Director Tim! In this episode, we talk more best books of 2022, recommendations that just didn’t land for us, all things Elden Ring, and we play a fun round of “Two Truths and a Lie!”
Mentioned in this episode:
The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
How to Raise an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
More Fav Books of 2022
January 9, 2023
Librarians Marianne and Melissa join Alex to discuss their favorite books of 2022! We also talk book adaptations, Andor, video games, Lord of the Rings, Nope, and recap the year with some 2022 pop culture trivia!
Mentioned in this episode:
Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World by Jonathan Freedland
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Fav Books of 2022, Kingdom Hearts & Trivia!
December 30, 2022
Welcome to Between the Shelves, the premiere Sayville Library podcast! In this episode, Librarians Alex, Morgan and Kristina talk Star Wars, Kingdom Hearts, their favorite books of 2022 and play some Santa-themed movie trivia.
Mentioned in this episode:
All Quiet on the Western Front
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten
Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Everything Everywhere All At Once
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Meet Me by the Fountain by Alexandra Lange
The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid