20 NOV 2023 · Subgenre Deep-Dive: Momoirs What’s a Momoir you ask? Well, a Memoir, as you know, is essentially a personal account of memories—it’s narrative nonfiction. A Momoir is a personal account of memories from a mother’s perspective. We invite you to enjoy another collection deep-dive with Gregg as he hosts a discussion with Kelsey and Caitlyn about a subgenre worth your time and attention: Momoirs! 

30 OCT 2023 · There is a lot of good in Johnson County. Our schools, libraries, parks, cultural diversity and community. Those things don't happen without the vision and hard work of unsung heroes who fight the good fight and overcome odds. On this episode of the https://www.jocolibrary.org/our-stories/jocolibrary-uncovered podcast, Andrew Gustafson—Curator of Interpretation, https://www.jocogov.org/contact-us/all-locations/arts-and-heritage-center—presents the fascinating stories of three individuals who truly helped make this little corner of the world that we call home, better. Learn about the contributions from: - John Barkley  - Corinthian Nutter  - Erik Erazo  Their stories are intriguing, and yet, they are Unsung Heroes! Our Unsung Heroes Recommendations:   Charles’ Choices: https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/item/show/961685036 by Kurt Beyer and https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/item/show/860052036  Dave’s Double-feature: Everything Everywhere All at Once (a https://www.jocolibrary.org/elibrary/streaming-video/kanopy offering) and https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C773052  From our catalog: https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1351050381_jclcharlesh/2408873339_jocolibrary_uncovered_-_unsung_heroes

16 OCT 2023 · Let's Cozy Up to the Romance Genre Did you know that Romance is the most popular fiction genre out there?  It's true! According to https://wordsrated.com/romance-novel-sales-statistics/—a research group that focuses on the book industry—romance novels sold 39 million volumes from 2022 to 2023, bringing in $1.44 billion.  This is probably not news to those readers out there trying to request some best-selling romance novels and finding long holds lists for authors like Colleen Hoover. Her books became a popular on TikTok last year, and though we now are doing a better job keeping up with demand, when it released in October of 2022 her book “It Starts with Us” already had nearly 900 people with it on hold through the Johnson County Library.  What draws people so passionately to this genre? For those who may have never picked up a romance novel, where should they start? Gregg is back with some friends who just might have the answer to those questions! What draws people so passionately to this genre? For those who may have never picked up a romance novel, where should they start? Gregg is back with some friends who just might have the answer to those questions! Our Romance Recommendations:   Charles’ Choices: https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C1831713 by Megan Bannen & https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S980C3580907 by Shelly Laurenston Dave’s Double-feature: https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C851324 and https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C349478 From our catalog: https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/list/share/73805943/2391661619

3 OCT 2023 · “Libreria” vs “Biblioteca” Have you ever been confused by a word that looked like another word? You know, like bear and bare or idol and idle?   Today's episode of JocCoLibrary Uncovered isn't about homophones or false cognates. But it is about how words can seem like one thing but mean something else, particularly in Spanish, and especially the words "Biblioteca" and "Libreria."   We're a bit past the mid-way mark of https://www.jocolibrary.org/our-stories/celebrate-hispanic-heritage-month, so it's fitting that our Latino Services Librarians, Christine and German, are our guests today. They do the hard work of explaining cognates and how words that look like other words can lead to confusion.   We also discuss the confusion that comes when a person experiences a Library in one country and then moves or visits another place, and how that can sometimes influence perceptions of what Libraries are like away from home. To some, differing understandings of what libraries are and are not in other countries may affect their perception of what Johnson County Library offers patrons—and Christina and German help us clear that up.   Our Recommendations:     Charles’ Choices: https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C1702273 by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Gótico) & https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C1302786 by Felipe Fernández-Armesto   Dave’s Double-feature: visit the https://www.jocolibrary.org/elibrary/streaming-video. On https://www.jocolibrary.org/elibrary/streaming-video/kanopy you'll find "Guie’dani‘s Navel." And look for "Visiones: Latino Art & Culture." This is a series that explores visual art, performing arts, music and dance as a way to discover Latin American culture.    Learning Links: - https://www.jocolibrary.org/espa%C3%B1ol - German Perilla, Univision KC, https://youtu.be/Ip77UFG9P6U?si=iUzzen8uqdTvRSN4 - https://www.jocolibrary.org/our-stories/celebrate-hispanic-heritage-month - https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/list/share/73805943/1971842889 - https://www.google.com/search?q=library+bogota+colombia+&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiSh9ys-9mBAxV6MN4AHRKiD00Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=library+bogota+colombia+&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECCMQJzoFCAAQgARQrBhYyD5gjk5oAHAAeACAAYEBiAHkA5IBAzAuNJgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=WhQcZZLyMvrg-LYPksS-6AQ&bih=612&biw=1197 - https://youtu.be/eQMh8_TD2dI?si=qMISO1daWZycwPKj

28 SEP 2023 · Creative Nonfiction In his writing blog, https://davehood59.wordpress.com, Dave Hood provides a great summary definition of Creative Nonfiction: “A historical text presents the facts and causes and effects, and significance. Creative nonfiction does the same, but also adds narrative, including storytelling, dialogue, setting, character development. Writing Nonfiction History relies on an authoritative tone and is written in the third person."  In this episode, we interview Jim Cosgrove, author of the creative nonfiction title https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C1807747. You may be familiar with Cosgrove as a nationally recognized, award-winning children’s entertainer known by young fans as Mr. Stinky Feet. He is also the author of three children’s books and https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C1548082, a collection of inspirational essays from his time as a parenting columnist for The Kansas City Star. Cosgrove spent his time during the COVID pandemic and subsequent lockdown to finish his incomplete investigative work focused on finding the killer of a family friend, Frank McGonigle. His resulting book, Ripple, is Cosgrove's story about Frank's cold case. He uncovers connections to a ruthless local crime boss and the blunders by the threadbare sheriff's department. “Our story is no different from what a lot of families have dealt with. A child, a brother, whoever. They got murdered in a violent way that didn’t make any sense. ~https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1807747036 - Jim Cosgrove We use Jim's book as an exemplar of creative nonfiction because he walks us through his experience researching and writing. We truly get the story behind the story! We also bring in Local History Librarian Amanda Wahlmeier who walks us through regional reference resources available so you too can research the next great creative nonfiction true crime novel!

18 SEP 2023 · It’s National Preparedness Month which is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. So, get prepared: - Get informed (we suggest registering at https://www.jocogov.org/department/emergency-management/emergency-alerts/notifyjocohttps://www.jocogov.org/department/emergency-management/emergency-alerts/notifyjoco for emergency alerts.) - Make a plan - Assemble a Kit - Maintain your kit And, make sure there's a good book in that kit! Can we suggest a Post-apocalyptic fiction title? We welcome back Gregg Winsor and friends to take a deep-dive into Post-apocalyptic fiction—a subgenre of science fiction where some disaster has occurred, and we discover IF the characters were … prepared. Our Recommendations:   Charles’ Choices: https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C987500 by Justin Cronin & https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C1651630 by Kira Jane Buxton Dave’s Double-feature: visit the http://jocolibrary.org/elibrary/streaming-videohttp://jocolibrary.org/elibrary/streaming-video—: On https://www.jocolibrary.org/elibrary/streaming-video/indieflix you’ll find a 14 minute Drama/Science Fiction film from 2022 called Riley. On https://www.jocolibrary.org/elibrary/streaming-video/kanopy under one of our favorite categories—The Great Courses—learn about Great Utopian and Dystopian Works of Literature.  From our catalog:  Important Preparedness links: - Official National Preparedness Month website: http://ready.gov - https://www.jocogov.org/department/emergency-management/emergency-alerts/notifyjoco - https://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/pfd.pdf - https://www.riddle.com/view/451551?qzzr=1    

1 SEP 2023 · In honor of Labor Day, we invited five staff members with very different behind-the-scenes jobs to answer three simple questions. You’ve heard the saying, “That’s like comparing Apples and Oranges” right? Well, Dave and Charles take it one step further with Apples, Oranges and Bananas. We picked staff with jobs that touch every part of the Library system—Josh: the Warehouse Manager, Patti: the Executive Assistant, Bryan: a Courier, Julie: a Training Specialist and Brian: a MakerSpace Facilitator.     

21 AUG 2023 · "Like most cities during Prohibition, Kansas City had illegal alcohol, bootleggers, speakeasies, cops on the take, corrupt politicians and moralizing reformers. But by the time the Eighteenth Amendment was repealed, Kansas City had been singled out by one observer as one of the wettest cities, as well as the wickedest.“ - Prohibition in Kansas City, Missouri: Highballs, Spooners & Crooked Dice by John Simonson  We take a deep dive into crime in Kansas City's history. A lawless culture created before the Civil War evolved into political and criminal empires that drew the FBI's focus in what would be come decades of crime and violence. Show notes and booklist to come.

7 AUG 2023 · What is the difference between thrillers and mysteries? What are good recommendations in each of these genres? Readers Advisory Librarian Gregg is back with colleagues Piepie and Bet to do a deep dive into thrillers and mysteries and titles that are a good mixup of the two genres. Our Thriller and Mystery Recommendations:   Charles’ Choice: https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S36C1089723, Craig Johnson Dave’s Double-feature: No Country for Old Men and Memento in https://www.jocolibrary.org/elibrary/streaming-video/kanopy in our eLibrary From our catalog: https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/list/share/73805943_jclgreggw/2347757309_jocolibrary_uncovered_collection_deep_dives_-_mysteries_and_thrillers

28 JUL 2023 · Bonus Episode! In June of 2020, we produced a podcast episode about J. Robert Oppenheimer. It was part of a series we called "Author Research in Action" where we invited two guests—one an award-winning author, and the other a subject matter expert. We stepped back let them interview each other and we recorded their conversation. Considering the movie Oppenheimer—The story of the American scientist and his role in the development of the atomic bomb—is currently in theaters, we thought it appropriate to revisit this episode.   Reference Librarian Helen Hokanson hosts a discussion on the Manhattan Project and so much more. Los Alamos National Laboratory Program Manager and Senior Historian, Alan Carr is paired with author https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/search?q=%22Sawyer%2C+Robert+J.%22&search_category=author&t=author, who’s written a new SciFi/historical fiction/thriller called https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1713426036