Going Behind the Books: MCLS, Podcasts & Podcasters

September 30^th is International Podcast Day, and in case you haven’t had a chance to listen, Mercer County Library System has had its very own podcast called “Behind the Books” since November of 2020. The podcast, which is hosted by two of the Hopewell Branch’s endearing staff members, Anna and Bob, features bi-weekly interviews with authors and MCLS staff members. The podcast started as a resource and outlet for patrons to interact with the library during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has continued to grow (over 100 episodes and counting!), inform and entertain its audience over the past four years. Each episode offers listeners the opportunity to get to know MCLS staff a little better and also hear some fun and interesting stories from well-known authors such as Dan Gutman, Fiona Davis, Renee Kurilla, Lyn Liao Butler, Saadia Faruqi, Steven Rowley, and many others!

Have you ever thought about starting your own podcast? Read about Anna’s involvement with the “Behind the Books” podcast in her blog post, “You Can Podcast, Too!” In it, she shares her experience and lists books, tips, and other resources you might find helpful for getting started.

I also thought it’d be fun to share some books by authors who host their own podcasts (these titles can all be found in the MCLS collection):

Stuff You Should Know: An Incomplete Compendium of Mostly Interesting Things by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant. (Podcast: Stuff You Should Know)

You Just Need To Lose Weight” and 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon. (Podcast: Maintenance Phase)

Let’s Talk About Hard Things by Anna Sale. (Podcast: Death, Sex, and Money)

Black Futures by Jenna Wortham [and Kimberly Drew]. (Podcast: Still Processing)

Becoming Wise: An Inquiry Into the Mystery and Art of Living by Krista Tippett. (Podcast: On Being)

Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman. (Podcast: Call Your Girlfriend)

Untamed by Glennon Doyle. (Podcast: We Can Do Hard Things)

The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. (Podcast: The Office Ladies)

Do you have a favorite podcaster-turned-author or author-turned-podcaster? Share your recommendations in the comments!

- by Dana B., Hopewell Branch