We're back in the studio after a short Summer break with some fresh recommendations!

01:07 - Thank Goodness You're Here

09:18 - Zero Parades: For Dead Spies

17:51 - The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby by Michael Blanding

28:15 - The Big Fat Quiz of the Year

33:14 - I Love Boosters

38:59 - Austin Powers

48:17 - Sayville Fan Fest & "Hot Ones" episode sneak peak!

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Ellen, Marianne and Tim join the pod to discuss what they're currently into!

00:54 - Benson Boone

04:29 - Up Up Down Down Tour feat. New Found Glory

11:05 - Nirvanna the Band the Show (the Movie)

18:15 - World Cup

26:52 - Weight Training

30:56 - Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

41:02 - Sacred and Terrible Air by Robert Kurvitz

50:29 - Graduation Party Planning

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

We're halfway through the year, so we've invited Marianne, Tim and (making her podcast debut) Ellen onto the pod to discuss how their reading life is going thus far in 2026.

00:51 - 2026 Reading Life

09:36 - DNFing

14:59 - Reading highlights

26:48 - Reading lowlights

38:23 - More highlights

44:21 - Minor disappointment

47:46 - A final recommendation

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Kristina and Peter join the pod to discuss what they've been enjoying lately.

00:36 - Eno

06:21 - Taskmaster

10:05 - The Vampire Lestat

15:14 - Resident Evil: Requiem & Pragmata

21:12 - The Bridge Kingdom series by Danielle Jensen

23:44 - Aldous Harding

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Kristina and Peter join the pod to discuss the new, hit, horror-comedy series Widow's Bay and offer some recommendations for things to check out after the show!

01:50 - Overall impressions & cast

06:40 - Story and humor

09:45 - Favorite episodes

19:53 - Season finale *spoilers!*

26:14 - Recommendations

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

The graduating 5th grade classes of our three local Elementary Schools were recently given tours of the Library. As part of the tour, the students were given the opportunity to drop by our studio and record some "mini-podcasts" of their own. In this episode, you'll hear from the students of Cherry Avenue Elementary!

The graduating 5th grade classes of our three local Elementary Schools were recently given tours of the Library. As part of the tour, the students were given the opportunity to drop by our studio and record some "mini-podcasts" of their own. In this episode, you'll hear from the students of Lincoln Avenue Elementary!

The graduating 5th grade classes of our three local Elementary Schools were recently given tours of the Library. As part of the tour, the students were given the opportunity to drop by our studio and record some "mini-podcasts" of their own. In this episode, you'll hear from the students of Sunrise Drive Elementary!

We're back in the studio after an extended hiatus and we've got a lot to discuss! Tory, Steph and Evan join the pod to share their thoughts on this past weekend's Tony Awards and reflect on this Broadway season.

0:01:24 - The Broadway season review

0:05:00 - Overall impressions of the Tony's

0:10:23 - P!nk

0:16:49 - Award winners

0:23:07 - Chess

0:26:23 - Award winners continued

0:37:13 - Tony performances

1:05:43 - Final thoughts

1:11:44 - A look ahead at next Broadway season

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Marianne and Alex share their thoughts, snubs and surprises from the 98th Academy Awards.

01:12 - Our year at the movies / Best Picture thoughts

08:22 - Best Actor / Actress

15:46 - Highlights (and lowlights) from the night

25:39 - Surprises and snubs

38:02 - Best Casting and closing thoughts

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Kristina, Tory, Evan and first-timer Maddy join the pod to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pokémon! We discuss our first memories of Pokémon, the explosive growth of the trading card game, its rise to becoming the most profitable franchise of all time, and much more. Plus, a special bonus Pokémon Start Bracket!

00:01:37 - Our Pokémon origin stories

00:15:07 - Trading Cards

00:23:49 - Anime & Staying Power

00:30:10 - There's a Pokémon game for everyone

00:40:34 - Pokémon Co. & Spin-Offs

00:46:40 - Pokémon Starter Bracket!

01:07:58 - Favorite new starters & closing thoughts

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

In honor of the shortest month of the year, we talk all things short stories! Marianne, Head of Teen Services, drops by to discuss the elements of a great short story and share some of her personal favorite collections.

00:28 - What's so great about short stories?

12:03 - The Story and its Writer

20:27 - The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck

27:42 - "The Classics"

31:27 - Stories from the Tenants Downstairs by Sidik Fofana

36:23 - George Saunders

43:30 - Where Are You Really From by Elaine Hsieh Chou

48:30 - Contemporary short story authors

54:13 - Closing thoughts

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

We celebrate the shortest month of the year by honoring some of pop culture's greatest "weird little guys" by pitting them against each other in our (first?) Weird Little Guy Tournament!

00:37 - Introduction

~~ ROUND OF 16 ~~

03:37 - Furby vs. Worm

06:00 - Babu Frik vs. Rizzo the Rat

09:21 - Lord Farquaad vs. Tim Conway

12:51 - Donnie Thornberry vs. Smeagol

16:41 - George Costanza vs. Danny Devito

20:07 - Ralph Wiggum vs. Fidget

23:18 - Mike Wazowski vs. Michigan J. Frog

27:14 - Yoda vs. Pizza Planet Alien

31:50 - QUARTERFINALS

34:57 - SEMI-FINALS

43:31 - FINALS

51:49 - Final Thoughts

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Steph and Evan join the pod to celebrate National Puzzle Day! To celebrate, we discuss the key elements of a good puzzle and share some of our personal favorite puzzles and puzzle games.

0:00:26 - Introduction (? → !)

0:10:23 - The Room

0:14:28 - Jigsaw puzzles

0:24:51 - Unpacking & Shape Escape

0:26:27 - Strange Jigsaws

0:32:31 - Mahjongg Solitaire & Minesweeper

0:37:19 - Rebuses

0:40:39 - Crosswords

0:45:56 - Hexic HD & Tetris

0:54:47 - The Witness

1:03:37 - Wrap-Up

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Dust off your Walkmans and grab your flamethrowers, we're heading into the Upside Down! Marianne, Sean, Lizzie, and Katie join the pod for an unprecedented 5(!) person recording to discuss our favorite moments and legacy of Stranger Things and share our thoughts on its final season.

01:13 - First experiences with the show

04:08 - Impact & nostalgia factor

07:34 - Favorite season

10:41 - Favorite cast members

18:15 - More thoughts on characters

22:55 - Final season

35:24 - Actors and Easter eggs

39:08 - Final thoughts

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

If you liked the show, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

In our last episode of 2025, Marianne, Rachel and Katie join the pod to share their favorite books, shows and more of the year!

0:01:10 - Everything Must Go by Dorian Lynskey

0:06:50 - The Sunflower Boys by Sam Wachman

0:12:25 - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

0:17:17 - Papilio by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor & Andy Chou Musser

0:21:12 - Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo

0:27:55 - Adolescence

0:34:46 - TerraGreen, Haminations, and TheOdd1sOut (Youtube Channels)

0:37:41 - Task

0:42:18 - IT: Welcome to Derry

0:50:17 - Secret Mall Apartment

0:56:54 - "Good Hang" with Amy Poehler

1:00:21 - Despelote

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

On this very special, "Ho! Ho! Ho-liday edition" of the pod, we rank (almost) every Rankin/Bass animated holiday special, from Rudolph to Santa, Baby! Spoiler: it's a bumpy sleigh ride!

02:11 - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

07:17 - The Little Drummer Boy

10:43 - Frosty the Snowman

14:12 - Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

18:10 - The Year Without Santa Claus

21:46 - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

25:39 - The First Christmas

27:43 - Frosty's Winter Wonderland

29:32 - Nestor, the Long-Eared Donkey

32:45 - The Stingiest Man in Town

34:31 - Rudolph & Frosty's Christmas in July

38:28 - Jack Frost

42:17 - The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold

45:43 - The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

49:30 - Santa, Baby!

56:33 - Closing thoughts

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

Our Best of the Year episodes continue! This time Tory, Kristina and Evan drop by to discuss their favorite books, music, shows and video games of the year. This fun conversation is not one to be missed!

(00:01:10) - Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

(00:05:36) - The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

(00:09:30) - Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

(00:12:03) - Shadow Ticket by Thomas Pynchon

(00:18:32) - The Baker's Wife

(00:23:44) - Ego Death at the Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams

(00:25:55) - Phantom Island by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

(00:29:27) - "Gnarly" by Katseye

(00:34:00) - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

(00:39:46) - Blue Prince

(00:48:14) - Merrily We Roll Along

(00:55:13) - "Disney's Living Characters: A Broken Promise" by Defunctland

(01:05:07) - Death by Lightning

(01:09:07) - The Rehearsal

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

It's time for our end of the year wrap-up! Lizzie, Sean and Tim join the pod to share their favorite books, shows, albums and more of 2025!

01:04 - The Antidote by Karen Russell

04:41 - Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

08:44 - The Tenant by Frieda McFadden

11:34 - Wool by Hugh Howey

14:01 - Enshittification: Why Everything Sudddenly Got Worse and What To Do About It by Corey Doctorow

21:29 - Music for People Who Believe in Love by Joe Jonas

24:46 - Man's Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter

28:49 - Getting Killed by Geese

33:50 - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

39:51 - Common Side Effects

43:35 - The Pitt

49:15 - Alien: Earth

54:50 - Bugonia

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!

Sean and special guest Sharon O'Halloran (our first ever non-library worker guest!) join the pod to discuss their favorite war movies.

0:00:50 - Introduction

0:05:35 - Our Top 10 War Movies

0:09:44 - Saving Private Ryan

0:13:50 - Black Hawk Down

0:19:26 - Apocalypse Now

0:24:22 - Full Metal Jacket

0:27:41 - Dunkirk

0:32:26 - Das Boot

0:36:27 - Greyhound

0:40:49 - Come and See

0:44:46 - Warfare

0:54:34 - Paths of Glory

0:59:41 - Lone Survivor

1:03:00 - The Hurt Locker

1:06:27 - All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

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For our complete show notes and links to items we mention in this episode, visit sayvillelibrary.org/podcast.

Have a question, comment or topic idea? Let us know at alex@sayvillelibrary.org!