Shelf Check

Miranda, Tamera, and Mark talk Suspense in literature and films. They discuss what make Suspense scary (and delightful) and how the Thriller, Horror, and Mystery genres are actually best friends (forever).

Mark and Miranda swap book recs and discuss the surprisingly in-depth world building of both science fiction and cozy murder mysteries.

Happy New (School) Year! Miranda, Mark, and Tamera discuss some of their favorite books about school and resurrect a few titles from their own childhoods.

Miranda, Mark and Tamera take a break to explore some of the ways we choose to spend our free time and share some their personal hobbies with each other.

Tamera, Miranda, and Mark chew thru some select bites of food history and recommend a few books to help satisfy any foodie’s appetite.

Happy 50th Episode! Miranda, Mark, and Tamera are celebrating 50 episodes of Shelf Check! It’s a party with games and silly discussions of books and pop culture.

Miranda, Tamera, and Mark point their wagons west to discuss the Western genre in literature, film, and TV. Tamera shares about growing up loving the genre and Mark and Miranda try to convince everyone that the best Western is a sneaky Western.

Mark, Tamera, and Miranda delve into their earliest childhood memories of libraries and explore how much the library has changed over their lifetimes, and how the days of card catalogs are more recent than you might think.

Miranda, Mark, and Tamera delve into Young Adult fiction, discuss some preconceptions about this type of literature and share some their favorite YA reads, old and new.

Tamera, Mark, and Miranda discuss discovering empathy thru literature and highlight APL’s Kindness Project.

Listen in for a fun discussion about some of our favorite pranksters, jokesters and "spoons".

Tamera, Mark, and Miranda follow the clues and investigate female detectives, from Nancy Drew to Jessica Fletcher.

Mark, Miranda, and Tamera follow the Yellow Brick Road and explore the many adaptations of The Wizard of Oz and its sequels.

Mark and Miranda are joined by UTA Professor Kenton Rambsy to discuss Afrofuturism in literature, film and music. 

Tamera, Mark, and Miranda talk first novels and debut authors to start the New Year off right (by reading).

All the interviews with local Coplayers at Arlington Comic Fest. 

The holidays are here and that means it is time for families to come together. Mark, Miranda and Tamera discuss some of their favorite fictional families in books, TV and film. 

Ready! Set! Hut! Mark, Miranda and Tamera are here to talk all things sports. 

Mark, Miranda, and Tamera go to the movies and delve into the history and meaning of classic movie monsters.

Miranda and Tamera interview local Coplayers at Arlington Comic Fest to talk about all things Cosplay. Interviewees share stories of how they got started in Cosplay, what it means to them, and the eternal issue of costume storage. 

It is Halloween season and Mark, Tamera, and Miranda are here with a new episode. On today's show they discuss what scared them as kids. 

Miranda and Tamera explore how surprisingly unique the customs and vocabulary of your corner of the world can be, even across states or countries that have a shared language.

Miranda and Tamera talk super sleuth Sherlock Holmes and try to unravel why the character remains a perennial favorite.

Mark, Miranda, and Tamera share their love and insights into book clubs. All three lead book clubs at the Arlington Public Library and they explore what books surprised them the most as well as offering tips and tricks for a fun and successful book club.

Linda, Gabby, and Kaylynn from our Woodland West branch are talking the books that made them love reading. They also share information about cool stuff available from the library, like the Libby eBooks service and the yearly, All Ages Summer Reading Challenge.

Mark, Miranda, and Tamera jump feet first into nostalgia to explore pop culture and Americana and slowly realize the curiously strong influence of Turner Classic Movies when growing up with cable TV.

Miranda and Nicole indulge in one of their perennial favorites, Cozy Mysteries. From British classics like Miss Marple to the contemporary Queens of Mystery, they’ll teach you how to get addicted to Cozies.

School is out and summer is here! Tamera and Miranda share stories from their childhood summer vacations and recommend a few books to enjoy and/or escape the hot weather.

In this episode Loretta and Marla discuss Asian representation in honor of Asian Pacific American heritage month.  They explore some of their favorite books featuring Asian characters and talk about the current issues facing Asian Americans living in the U.S.  

Sharon and Lesley have a discussion on Mental Health. Join us for a conversation where we discuss self-care, helpful books, and ways to combat the stigma. In preparation for May, which is a month dedicated to bringing awareness and combating the negative stigmas surrounding mental health issues we hope that this episode will help spark helpful conversations.

Helpful Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: TX to 741741

Miranda and Tamera explore the wealth of fairy tales and how they continue to influence modern storytelling, including retellings of their favorite stories. They discuss some of the meanings behind the classic stories and how they impacted the culture of the youth reading them.

The dynamic staff at Woodland West featuring Public Service Coordinator, Renee Bradshaw and Customer Service Assistants Linda Belanger and Gaby Fritz discuss their favorite strong women in fiction, film and real life! They explore character development, favorite authors and amazing stories featuring women as heroes.

Councilperson Dr. Victoria Farrar-Myers, District 7, speaks with us about women's history month, some of her favorite books, what inspired her to public service, and leadership.

Councilperson Ruby Faye Woolridge, District 6 at-large, speaks with us about women's history month, some of her favorite books, how her family inspired her to public service, and what it is like being a leader that is a woman of color.

Join us for a wide-ranging discussion on “What makes a book Texan!” Texan authorship? Setting? Certain tropes or themes, such as rugged individualism? With our guest hosts from the Arlington Historical Society, OK Carter and Denise Youngblood, we’ll tackle those questions and more. Like why do movie cowboys often have clean and crisply-pressed shirts?! Covering Larry McMurtry, James Michener, Elmer Kelton, Edna Ferber, Katherine Anne Porter and other favorites!

In this episode Program Specialists Tamera Miller and Lesley Hinojosa tell us all about the Makerspace at the Arlington Public Library. If you are a crafty maker listen in! Tamera and Lesley discuss exciting programs coming up in the spring including Kit week that will take place during spring break as well as two exciting Laser Cutting demonstrations!

In the wake of the brutal Texas Winter Storm of 2021, Librarian Mark suggests some titles that explore survival against the elements, DIY plumbing repair, and preparing for the next crisis.

Happy Valentines! In this week’s episode Librarian Miranda Want and program specialist Lesley Hinojosa recommend the best romance novels including Jane Eyre and The Rosie Project. In addition, they discuss love languages, and romance in film and TV. 

Sharon and Miranda get cozy and talk about all things Hygge (especially how to pronounce it). Hygge is the Danish art of comfort and coziness, so the librarians share some of their go-to comforts along with a few books that will teach you how to Hygge at home!

We bring awareness to National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month by discussing the crime as a whole along with ways that we can prevent, spot and stop the crime. We interview special guests Lieutenant Curtis Petties and Victim Services Coordinator Carnesha Collins who offer their knowledge and educate us on the issue. In addition, they let us know what we can do if we suspect an individual is being trafficked and who we should contact.

Miranda and Tamera explore the world of Memoirs and Biographies and join the Danny Kaye fan club. They also try their hand at fortune telling and choose contemporary movies and TV shows they think will stand the test of time.

Miranda and Mark look at novels set in unusual time periods and discuss how easy it is to read historical fiction by accident. They also delve into the surprising fun of deliberately anachronistic literature.

Librarian Sharon Granado and Program Specialist Lesley Hinojosa dive into the world of Jane Austen. In this episode, they discuss Jane Austen’s classic novels, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility.

Sharon and Lesley are also joined by a very special guest, Dr. Kathryn Warren, an English senior lecturer at the University of Texas at Arlington who teaches a Jane Austen literature course. Dr. Warren shares her knowledge on Jane Austen including why Jane Austen’s writing is still relevant today, how Austen’s books teach us empathy, and what character Dr. Warren identifies with most.

This season kicks off with an episode about Fresh Starts. Library Staff Lesley, Sarai, and Sharon recommend books and tips to help start the new year off right. This season we want to hear from you! So let us know how you plan to spend 2021 and any New Year traditions and resolutions you have. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter @ ArlingtonTXLib #APLshelfcheck or leave us a voice message at https://anchor.fm/arlington-public-library

Librarians Mark and Sharon invite you along as they set out for far-off lands (and day trips in North Texas) discussing favorite novels, memoirs, and guidebooks focused on quests, journeys, and travel!

So pack your bags and let’s get moving!

We open this episode with a cold open with Melissa and Loretta giving a touching tribute and remembrance to famed writer and Arlington Public Library supporter, Rachel Caine who passed away on October 31, 2020. Then the episode continues with Tamera and Lesley will be discussing books they loved or hated as children. Tune in for an emotional episode that will definitely tug at your heartstrings. 

Librarian Sharon Granado and Program Specialist Lesley Hinojosa dive into the world of true crime. In this episode, they discuss classic true crimes that have impacted the world, The Black Dahlia Murder, Truman Capote’s Classic true crime book, and the crime that inspired  Vladimir Nabokov's classic novel, Lolita. 

They recommend the best True crime books which include Truman Capote’s critically acclaimed In Cold Blood which details the murders of a Kansas family, and a recounting and investigation of The Black Dahlia’s murder. Is a murder born or made?