Drinks in the Library
Episodes
This is the Honey by Kwame Alexander with Nick George The Poet
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week I am joined by Nick George, a poet and educator, to discuss This Is The Honey an anthology of poems edited by Kwame ...
The Gunslinger by Stephen King with Bill Blume
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello libration nation! This week's book is The Gunslinger by Stephen King a dark twisted fantasy novel and the first book in King’s The Dark Tower ...
Kindred by Octavia Butler with Alethea McCollin
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s book is Kindred by Octavia Butler, a time-traveling story about Dana, who goes back in time to ensure the survival of her ancestor...
Animorphs by KA Applegate with Fiona Fenn (Redux)
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Thanksgiving! I’m taking the week to relax with family. Please enjoy the re-airing of this recording, which originally aired December 17, 2024...
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary with Ashley Jones
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary is a charming romantic comedy about two strangers, Tiffy and Leon, who share a London flat but have never met, communi...
The Finlay Donovan Series by Elle Cosimano with Mair Downing
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano follows a witty, overworked single mom and novelist who accidentally becomes entangled in real-life crime w...
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey with Ally Kirkpatrick
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I’m so excited to share the audio from my very first live recording, held on October 28 at M.M.LaFleur Georgetown. I had the pleasure of interviewin...
Carrie by Stephen King with Nathan Buchholz
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Carrie by Stephen King tells the story of a shy, bullied teenager who endures relentless cruelty at school and terrifying abuse at home from her fanat...
Required Listening with Gigi Howard
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello, Libration Nation! This week, I'm doing something a bit different and sharing 15 books that I loved in 2025! This format is a departure from the...
Surrender by Bono with Heidi K. Brown
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Surrender by Bono, the iconic frontman of U2, shares a deeply personal memoir that explores his life’s journey through music, activism, and spiri...
Solito by Javier Zamora with Donna McCarthy
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Solito, a memoir by poet Javier Zamora recounts his harrowing and heartfelt journey as a nine-year-old traveling alone from El Salvador to the Unit...
Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston with Katharine Herndon
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to Drinks in the Library! Today, we're exploring the delightful and charming world of Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. Thi...
Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin with Dr. Julia Skinner
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! Our book this week is Catwings a whimsical and heartwarming tale by beloved author Ursula K. Le Guin. The story follows four o...
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson with Gigi Howard
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back Libration Nation! Today, I’m excited to share one of my recent favorites: Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. This delightfu...
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh with Mary Green
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh tells the poignant story of Victoria Jones, a young woman who uses the Victorian tradition of flower sy...
The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells with Hayley DeRoche
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week, we are diving into the captivating world of "The Murderbot Diaries," a remarkable series by Martha Wells. Follow th...
Fantomina by Eliza Haywood with Samantha DeShazo
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are going back in time and discussing Amatory Fiction in the 18th century novel Fantomina by Eliza Haywood. This incredible story explores the comp...
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll with ELizabeth Wiley
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are going down the rabbit hole this week folks! Join us as we dive into the whimsical world of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, a ...
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe with Erin Surber (REdux)
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Christmas in July! This week we are visiting the world of Narnia, where it is always Winter but never Christmas, at least until the Pevensie ch...
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman with Angie Zhao
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week we are discussing The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman. This newly released middle-grade book f...
Here For it by R. Eric Thomas with Izzie Call
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you have listened to the podcast for awhile, you have probably heard me reference the book Here For it: Or, How To Save Your Soul in America by R. ...
Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! By Kate Bowler With Lisa Varga REDUX
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please enjoy the re-airing of this episode which was originally released July 9, 2024.There is no getting around this: I was THRILLED when Lisa agreed...
Gingko Season by Naomi Xu Elegant
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is such a special episode because, for the first time ever, I’m interviewing an author about their book, because it’s one of my favorite book...
Anne of Green Gables By LM Montgomery with Deanna Firehair Redux
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Note: This episode was originally published April 2, 2024, I’ll be back with new content next week, enjoy!Did you read the Anne of Green Gables seri...
Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz with Magan Vernon
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz is a memoir about her decade-long entrapment in a manipulative Christian cult during her time on One Tree Hill...
Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl with Mandy Naglich
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The song “Welcome to New York” has been in my head all week preparing for this episode on the book Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Crit...
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma with Dr. Meghan Waldron
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Robin Sharma tells the story of a high-powered lawyer who trades his fast-paced life for spiritual enlightenment in ...
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel with Dave Valeza
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're diving into Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel—a hauntingly beautiful novel that blends post-apocalyptic survival with the end...
Reading with Pride: A Queer Lit Celebration with Rachel Yorkshire
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Pride Month Libration Nation! This week’s episode is so special and fun, with returning guest Rachel Yorkshire! Rachel is bringing us a wealth...
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe with Jess Harshbarger
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s episode is about one of my personal favorite books, Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe, and I’m joined by returning guest an...
The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger with Heather Maury
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to another episode of Drinks at the Library, the podcast where we pair the perfect drink with the perfect book. Today, we're diving into ...
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers with Emily James
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In A Psalm for the Wild-Built ,Becky Chambers invites readers into a serene, post-collapse world where a wandering tea monk named Dex crosses paths wi...
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie with Kemper Donovan
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re off to the deceptively cozy village of St. Mary Mead, where gossip flows freely and murder is just around the hedgerow. Join us as ...
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher with Bill Howard
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to this week’s episode of Drinks in the Library! Today we’re exploring Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher, a darkly whimsical tale of a sh...
The Women by Kristin Hannah with Sarah Glover
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation, this week we are discussing The Women by Kristin Hannah. The Women is a powerful, heart-wrenching novel that follows a young n...
Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins with Michael Bickett
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week we are discussing Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins. This is a love story… kind of. It’s about a princes...
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire with Britt Keup
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Libration Nation! I am coming to you this National Library week with a delightful book Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, which offers a whim...
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe with Forest Isaac Jones
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation!, I am so excited for you to hear this week’s episode. Our book is Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern...
The Last Ranger by Peter Heller with Sarah Glenn Marsh
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! I’m thrilled to welcome Sarah Glenn Marsh to this week's episode as we uncover the wonders of "The Last Ranger" by Peter Hel...
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler with Gretchen Gales
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello, Libration Nation! 📚✨ This week, we’re diving into Parable of the Sower by the legendary Octavia Butler. If you haven’t read it y...
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten with Mair Downing
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello, Libration Nation! 📚✨ This week, we're diving into Be Ready When the Luck Happensby none other than Ina Garten. And joining me is the fabul...
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë with Carrie Pruett
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our book this week is the classic love, revenge, and ghost story, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, and my guest this week is Carrie Pruett.Carrie i...
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell with Rachel Yorkshire
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Raise your wands Libration Nation! This week’s book is Carry On by Rainbow Rowell a magical mages story about Simon Snow, the worst chosen one ever ...
Drinks in the Library Turns One Year Old!
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy One Year Anniversary, Libration Nation! 🥳 One year ago, February 20, 2024 the very first episode of Drinks of the Library came into this worl...
The Detective Josie Quinn Series by Lisa Regan with Kristin Miller
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s episode covers the Detective Josie Quinn series by Lisa Regan, a police procedural in a small town in Pennsylvania, and my guest this we...
The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan with Madison Schmidt
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When I was a baby librarian there was not a book requested more than The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, and all the books that came after it in the ...
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks with Nancy Houser-Bluhm
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are discussing The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and take life to the next level level by Gay Hendricks. This book encourages ...
Dramione Fanfiction with Jaclyn Wilkins
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I’m so excited to bring you something a little different—not a book, but a genre that’s new to me: FanFiction. Specifically, Dramione Fanfiction...
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut with Kat McCleese
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we’re stepping into the surreal, tragic, and darkly comedic world of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five—a story about war, time travel, a...
Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finley with Julia Marshel
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Artist and author Julia Marshel is someone who sees the world through a lens of wonder and joy. From a young age, Julia discovered that if you lo...
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown with Sonya Durney
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week’s book is Daring Greatly by Dr. Brené Brown, and I’m talking about it with my fellow librarian and library advo...
Animorphs by KA Applegate with Fiona Fenn
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week we are discussing the classic series Animorphs by K.A. Applegate. Animorphs is a collection of 54 middle-grade books...
The Good Life by Robert J. Waldinger and Marc S. Schulz with David Crowley
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! In this week’s episode I’m chatting with David Crowley, nonprofit leader and podcaster, about The Good Life: Lessons ...
Bird by Bird By Anne Lamott with Gigi Howard (Re-Release)
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listener update: I am taking a short pause over the holidays from all the editing and content creation that goes into this podcast. I have plenty of r...
Dog Songs by Mary Oliver with Amanda Sue Creasey
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week, we're diving into a beautifully heartwarming poetry collection, Dog Songs by the illustrious Mary Oliver. Joining m...
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy with Laura (LM) Elliott
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back Libration Nation! This week, we're delving into a classic piece of Southern writing with The Prince of Tides by the remarkable Pat Conroy...
Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughn with Mary Jane French
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello, Libration Nation! This week, we're diving into the vibrant world of "Paper Girls," an imaginative comic series by Brian K. Vaughn with ar...
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson with Grace Todd
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's Spooky Season Libration Nation! In this spine-tingling episode, I'm joined by Grace Todd, fellow Richmond podcast host of the "Didn't Read It" po...
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn with Christine O’Brien
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! In this podcast episode, I'm excited to discuss The Rose Code by Kate Quinn with my cousin Christine O'Brien—a nurse, wife, ...
Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott with Juliana Soltis
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are discussing Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott, a novel originally published in 1929 and a fascinating account of the experiences of wom...
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson with Helen Gabay
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are discussing The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson, a thrilling account of Winston Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister of the...
Generation X by Douglas Coupland with David How
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! Ready to go back to the 90s? Today, we're talking about one of the defining books of a generation: Generation X by Douglas Cou...
The Midwife by Jennifer Worth with Katie Dolan
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I had an amazing chat with Katie Dolan about “The Midwife” by Jennifer Worth, the book that inspired the TV show “Call the Midwife”. We dived ...
A Three Dog Life with Joyce A. Miller
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the dog lovers of Libration Nation, have we got the episode for you! This week, we are discussing Abigail Thomas’s memoir, A Three Dog Life whic...
First Break All the Rules with Ira Holliday
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Calling all #librationnation leaders! This week we are discussing the groundbreaking book for managers, “First Break All the Rules” By Marcus Buck...
Four Thousand Weeks with Rebecca Schinsky
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if I told you that your entire life boils down to just 4,000 weeks? Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks will change the way you think about how...
Wolf Hall with Valerie Adachi
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Good Morrow Libration Nation! This week we are LIVING in Henry VIII’s court, delving deeply into Hilary Mantel's historical novel, Wolf Hall Explori...
Homo Zapiens with Dr. Albert Arias
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another episode Libration Nation! Today, we're diving deep into the surreal and thought-provoking world of Victor Pelevin's "Generation P,"...
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret with Jess Harshbarger
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back, Libration Nation! Today, we're diving into the timeless world of Judy Blume's "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." Joining me is the ...
A Doubter’s Almanac with Marty Mooradian
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“The Limit Does Not Exist!”Calling all Mathletes! This week we are talking about the troubled life of mathematician Milo Andret, the protagonist a...
The Book of Night Women with Elizabeth Klaczynski
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are reading a BOOK, and I mean that in the best possible way. The Book of Night Women by Booker Prize winner Marlon James is moving, hear...
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe with Erin Surber
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Christmas in July! This week we are visiting the world of Narnia, where it is always Winter but never Christmas, at least until the Pevensie ch...
Always Only You with Sara Mueller
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Because you are super hot!Yes, this is a very corny way to start this post, but this week’s episode featur...
Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! With Lisa Varga
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is no getting around this: I was THRILLED when Lisa agreed to come on the podcast. Lisa is the Executive Director of the Virginia Library Associ...
From the Dust Returned with Harry Szabo
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week I am discussing From the Dust Returned with Harry Szabo. Harry is a writer and union organizer. Their books, W...
Bird by Bird with Gigi Howard
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation - I’m back! So, after all these interviews talking with wonderful people about their favorite books, I felt it was time to sh...
Return of Hyperion with Bill Howard
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! So this week I am announcing that I am taking a tiny two week break from the podcast BECAUSE I am working with my friends at E...
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Keely Blue
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are going under the sea, 20,000 leagues worth to be precise! It was sincerely so wonderful to talk with Keely Blue about this novel that she loves ...
Ahab’s Wife with Dr. Nan Carmack
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I’m so thrilled this week to be talking with Dr. Nan Carmack about a book that profoundly impacted her, Ahab’s Wife, or the Star-gazer by Sena Jet...
The Friday Night Club with Izzie Call
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I am discussing The Friday Night Club: A Novel of Artist Hilma af Klint and Her Creative Circle by Sofia Lindberg, Alyson Richman and MJ Ros...
Marzahn, Mon Amour with Patricia Smith
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Libration Nation is going International! This week we are discussing the German book Marzahn, Mon Amour by Katja Oskamp, which was the winner of the D...
The Last Book in the Universe with Heather Knapp
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week I am talking with writer, library worker and avid reader Heather Knapp about a book that had a big impact on her as ...
Fourth Wing with Hannah Hauck
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
But I gotta know what’s your Romanta-ta-cy? If you are Hannah “H Bomb” Hauck the answer to this is Fourth Wing and everything else that is comin...
The Catcher in the Rye with James Hudson
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I am talking with librarian James Hudson about The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, an American classic and a book that had a huge impact ...
From Here to Eternity with Kierston Foutz
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Giddy-up folks, we are talking about everyone’s favorite topic: DEATH. I loved talking with Kierston about all things death, funeral practices from ...
Olga Dies Dreaming with Dr. Stephanie Lau
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week I am joined by Dr. Stephanie Lau, she is research faculty in the School of Education at VCU, she has a Masters of Arts in Teaching as well a...
Anne of Green Gables with Deanna Firehair
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did you read the Anne of Green Gables series as a young girl and then walk through the woods pretending to be Anne and Diana? Yes? So did I and so did...
Unreasonable Hospitality with Allison Schwalm
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation!This week I talk with realtor and small business owner Allison Schwalm about the book Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara....
Lessons in Chemistry with Haley Houghton
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week I’m joined by Haley Houghton, an educator and book enthusiast. The book we discuss is “Lessons in Chemistry” b...
Mistborn with Beka Castagna
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week’s episode features librarian Beka Castagna as we discuss her latest fantasy obsession, the Mistborn series by Bran...
The Exorcist with Matthew Knotts
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Libration Nation! This week horror film enthusiast Matthew Knotts is here to talk about one of his favorite books and films “The Exorcist” ...
Hyperion with Bill Howard
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I could not pick a better first guest than my life-partner, Bill! We discuss one of his favorite books Hyperion, land some pretty decent jokes, and co...
Drinks in the Library Trailer
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Drinks in the Library is thinly library where drinks aren’t just allowed, they are required! Each episode librarian Gigi Howard interviews a guest a...