Back Stories

In this Back Stories bonus episode, Elyssa is joined by Erin from JCPL’s Clark Pleasant Branch. Erin provides the backstory on the Local Author Fair, which is scheduled for April 13, 2024. Forty-five authors are registered. Genres include picture books, memoirs, young adult novels, Christian self-help, gardening essays, poetry, romance, non-fiction and more.

Welcome to season three of “Back Stories,” Indiana’s Johnson County Public Library podcast. We kick off the season with a special episode taking you “Behind the Page” for a new year look at just-released or soon-to-be-released books. On this episode, Elyssa and her guest, Erin, look at Mitch Albom’s new book “The Little Liar,” discuss why Colleen Hoover is so popular and highlight library services and other things that will help you on your reading journey.

Elyssa is joined by Elizabeth Moffett, a Jobs for America’s Graduates teacher at Whiteland Community High School. Elizabeth provides context on “Educated” by Tara Westover. A memoir of what happens when a girl grows up in a survivalist community in Idaho and doesn’t start formal education until college.

Up next, Elyssa continues the memoir theme of the show by looking at “Heartland: a Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth” by Sarah Smarsh who asks us to look at modern-day America differently.

Plus, Elyssa and Elizabeth find a way to include Dolly Parton in the conversation.

For a teenage detective, Nancy Drew has been around a long time. Erin Cataldi from the JCPL Clark Pleasant Branch Library provides a look at the history of this literary character and how she has changed over the years. Season 2 host Elyssa Everling tells the tale of the DC Comics character Lucifer created by Neil Gaiman which was turned into a TV series for ABC.

When you mention Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid many people think of Disney movies. But these tales are nearly as old as time. Amy and her guest Erin take a look at the origins of these stories and touch on their impact on society and how we view traditional relationships.

Amy digs into the backstory of regency romances and Netflix’s Bridgerton series. Her guest Jody, the Library’s marketing and communications manager examines how real-life experiences shaped author Erle Stanley Gardner’s fiction writing, including the long-running series Perry Mason.

This episode was first presented live via Zoom.

If the names Elwyn Brooks White, or EB White, and Margaret Wise Brown sound unfamiliar, then you may recognize them better by the titles of their works. White’s repertoire includes novels such as Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web, the first-place winner in a 2012 survey of the top one hundred children’s novels. In addition to his works of fiction, White contributed to The New Yorker magazine and co-authored the English language style guide, The Elements of Style. Brown, who was also a children’s author, wrote Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny, which earned her the epithet “the laureate of the nursery” for her literary achievements.

Amy and Darcy unravel the writing careers of these renowned authors, and ultimately, discover a common thread: the influence of Anne Carroll Moore, educator, writer and advocate for children’s libraries.

In this episode of Back Stories Amy and her guest dig into books and authors who face challenges. Amy gives the backstory on Australian author Madeleine Ryan’s book “A Room Called Earth.” Amy’s guest, Katie, looks at the life and challenges of Carrie Fisher.

In this episode, Amy and Elyssa look at you two female writers.

If one of your accomplishments is being an award-winning science fiction writer that is impressive. What if you were raised by a widowed mom, Black and female? There is even more to Octavia Butler’s backstory.

After university, Emily Elgar worked for a non-profit organization providing support services to sex workers in the UK, her first novel “Grace is Gone” has been called “Chilling and compassionate.” Where did the idea come from? Find out this episode of Back Stories from your Indiana Johnson County Public Library.

William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” was not an instant hit. A lot of publishers turned it down and when first published, it did no sell well. Jane Austen is known for her six major novels and frequently examines women depending on marriage for social standing and economic security. However, the film industry has gained some economic security from film adaptations of Austen’s novels. Join librarian Amy Dalton and JCPL’s Director, Lisa Lintner as they explore the backstories of Austen and Golding!

In “Back Stories” we discuss the people behind the books, movies, and yes even video games, you can borrow from the library. In this episode, Amy and Keeley share the stories behind the “Legend of Zelda” first released in 1986 and Stephen King’s 1975 second horror novel “Salem’s Lot.”