Nate and Ryan complete the second leg of Barbenheimer with a discussion about 2023’s smash hit Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. Barbie‘s popularity boom and subsequent backlash and Oscars buzz and subsequent Oscars backlash have come and gone, so we decided it would be a good time to see what it’s like to watch Barbie after the dust has settled, b…

Book Club Associate Amy and Readers' Advisor Marianne share titles guaranteed to get your book club talking. Titles mentioned in this episode: This Tender Land, William Kent Krueger James, Percival Everett The Lincoln Highway and Table for Two, Amor Towles Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell The Diamond Eye, Kate Quinn Solito, Javier Zamora Chain-Gang All-Sta…

Erica and Brooke, one of the Library's Maintenance staff, talk about two new historical fiction titles and what we can learn from them. Titles and authors mentioned in this episode: The Women by Kristen Hannah Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford China Beach (TV Series) Lou Berney S.A. Cosby Dwyer Murphy The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon …

Once again, the Academy picked our movie for this month, so Ryan and Nate are re-watching Oppenheimer, 2024’s Best Picture Oscar winner, written and directed by Christopher Nolan. On top of continuing this year’s theme of revisiting 2023, Ryan and Nate realized they’ve never talked about a Christopher Nolan movie on air. Given the decades worth of …

Erica and Bronwyn, the Library's Communications Coordinator, talk about the romantasy series that has taken over the internet: Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses, the RenFaire, and how books are better with friends. Titles mentioned in this episode: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas The Crescent City Series by Sarah J. Maas Shad…

For the 9th year in a row librarians Becky and Nate discuss last night's Academy Awards ceremony and celebrate the year in film. Listen and discover the highlights - the movies recognized by the Academy and the movies that were overlooked but not to be missed. Then find out how your library card is the ultimate ticket to the movies.…

For this episode, Nate and Ryan picked from the slate of Best Picture nominees and decided to re-watch Past Lives, their favorite movie from 2023, and a stunning directorial debut from playwright Celine Song. While it’s not a front-runner for any Oscars, Past Lives has been widely recognized as something special, which is saying something, given ho…

Readers' Advisors Erica and Amy share three recent books that bring their worlds -- a tense near-future, a legendary past, and present-day America - to life in vivid and unexpected ways. Books featured in this episode: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identi…

Nate and Ryan discuss the Golden Globe winning and Oscar nominated Alexander Payne comedic drama The Holdovers. Much has been made of the reunion of Paul Giamatti and Alexander Payne after 20 years. Added to their alchemy are Da’Vine Joy Randolph (in yet another standout performance) and newcomer Dominic Sessa. What results is a throwback comedy th…

Erica and Marianne are sticking to their reading resolutions by digging into great historical fiction featuring real-life banditos and midwives. Then, Marianne gives us the inside scoop on this year's One Book, One Community series. Titles discussed in this episode: The Bullet Swallower, by Elizabeth Gonzalez James The Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon…

Erica and Hannah talk about the top titles of the year, our annual Staff Favorites booklets, and the books they can't wait to read in 2024. Thanks for a great year of reading and listening! For a copy of our Favorite Fiction and Nonfiction booklets, stop by Cook Park or Aspen Drive Library, or visit our website. Titles discussed in this episode: Th…

Enjoy part two of Celebrity Spotting, where local history librarian Jenny Barry guides us through a few notable people who made historical appearances in Libertyville. We pick up right where part one left off! Mentioned in the Podcast Watch John F. Kennedy's 1960 Cook Park speech John F. Kennedy's Libertyville campaign stop in the Illinois Digital …

For our Gap Year T. Hanksgiving, Nate and Ryan watch The ‘Burbs, the 1989 Tom Hanks cult classic directed by Joe Dante. Featuring a stacked cast, including Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, and Corey Feldman, in addition to the man himself, The ‘Burbs is a horror/comedy that kind of befuddled audiences and critics in the late ’80s, but has developed a gro…

Erica and Amy, our new book club associate, share the titles they've been enjoying lately, ranging from a suspenseful family drama to a sublimely ridiculous charmer (and the best cover of 2023). Books discussed in this episode: The Leftover Woman, Jean Kwok Night Watch, Jayne Anne Phillips The Dictionary People, Sarah Ogilvie The Wishing Game, Meg …

‘Tis the season for our 10th annual Holiday Spooktacular, and as part of our Gap Year, we’re watching Hereditary, Ari Aster’s 2018 hit horror film starring Toni Collette. Hereditary took audiences by storm and continued studio A24’s rise to prominence in the current film conversation. It’s a career-making first feature for Ari Aster, and an electri…

Say hello (again) to the latest addition to our Popular Services staff, Mary! Hannah and Mary discuss Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the best parts of gothic literature (spoiler: it's the house) and what makes a good book good. Check out the books mentioned in this podcast episode: Jane Eyre / Charlotte Brontë. Mexican Gothic / Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Silver …

Erica and Zach, one of our Outreach Associates, talk about home delivery, great characters, graphic novels, and a suprisingly cozy spot. For more information about our Outreach services, including Home Delivery, visit https://www.cooklib.org/bookmobile-outreach/ For the Fall Book Buzz, click here. Books discussed in this episode: A Woman of No Impo…

Nate and Ryan watch Bringing out the Dead, a Gap Year movie by one of their favorite directors, Martin Scorsese. Released in 1999, Bringing out the Dead was largely ignored by audiences and remains one of Scorsese’s forgotten works. Listen in as Nate and Ryan dig into the merits of this underappreciated gem. If you haven’t seen Bringing out the Dea…

In this episode, Becky and Erica share the small-town stories they've been enjoying as summer winds down. Books mentioned in this episode: Small Town Sins, Ken Jaworowski Save What's Left, Elizabeth Castellano An Honest Man, Michael Koryta Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, Satoshi Yagisawa Register for the Fall Book Buzz!…

In this episode, Hannah and Erica share the titles that have suprised and delighted them as summer hits its midpoint. Books mentioned in this episode: The Apology, Jimin Han The Infinite Miles, Hannah Fergesen Ace of Spades, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Same Time Next Summer, Annabel Monaghan The Book of Delights, Ross Gay Sign up for the Fall Book…

Nate and Ryan get in the summer blockbuster mood by watching Predator (1987) for the first time. As part of our Gap Year series, we’re catching up on this action classic over 35 years later. As often happens, Predator is now looked at quite differently from when it was first released. Nate and Ryan share their first impressions and whether or not a…

In this episode, Andrea and Mark share the books they’ve been reading to kick off the summer – and there’s something for every type of reader! Books in this episode: Warrior Girl Unearthed, Angeline Boulley Fairy Tale, Stephen King The Only One Left, Riley Sager The Librarianist, Patrick DewittBy Cook Library Staff

Find out the who's who of national celebrities and historical figures that have made appearances in Libertyville through the years. Enjoy part one of the series. There's more to come! Mentioned in the Podcast Ep. 38: The Past is Present - Frederick Grabbe and Libertyville's Spring Water Local History page…

Nate and Ryan watch Under the Tuscan Sun with special guest Rachel Hughes Gates. As we continue to rectify blind spots during this Gap Year, Rachel suggested that we watch Under the Tuscan Sun, a movie that has stuck with her ever since she saw it in theaters 20 years ago. Though the movie didn’t make the biggest splash upon its release, it has mai…

Erica is joined by Hannah, the newest member of the Bookies, to talk about her path to Cook Library, favorite reads, and what they've been enjoying lately. Titles mentioned in this episode: Bliss Montage, Ling Ma Going Postal, Terry Pratchett Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman Good Omens, Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett Watch our Spring Book Buzz and other Book…

Bookies Talk is back! This month, Erica and Marianne discuss great book club reads and the fun kind of murder mysteries. If you'd like back episodes of Bookies TV or our seasonal book buzz, visit the library's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@CookMemorialLibrary. If you want personalized book advice, head to http://www.cooklib.org/bookie…

Nate and Ryan watch and discuss Sicario, directed by Denis Villeneuve. As the beginning to what we’re calling our Gap Year, where we fill in gaps in our viewing history, we’ve chosen to watch Sicario, with an unbelievable cast and crew that includes cinematographer Roger Deakins, and screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, not to mention stars Emily Blunt, J…

We close out Women's History Month with a look at some of the earliest businesses in Libertyville that were owned by women. Previous Women's History Month Podcast Episodes Women of Cook Library The Past is Present: Dr. Norma Munson The Past is Present: 3 Women of Libertyville Libertyville Historical Society on YouTube History Matters: Stay - The Hi…

Introducing Bookies Talk! Karen and Erica, two of our readers' advisors, are kicking off our monthly podcast series by discussing books they've read and loved lately. New episodes will drop the third Friday of every month. Want to watch back episodes of Bookies TV, or our upcoming Spring Book Buzz, featuring our most-anticipated titles of the seaso…

For the 8th year in a row librarians Becky and Nate get together after the Academy Awards to discuss the ceremony and celebrate the year in film. Listen in as they discuss the nominees, the night's memorable moments, and share their own selection of movies the awards season may have overlooked but you won't want to miss. Also, find out how you can …

Really quick announcement: We will NOT be discussing Marcel the Shell with Shoes On for our March episode and will instead be watching and discussing Sicario. Watch it with us!By Ryan Ebling and Nate Gass

Nate and Ryan re-watch Everything Everywhere All at Once. In addition to being the top nominated movie at this year’s Oscars (11 nominations), Everything Everywhere All at Once is also one of our favorite movies from last year. Despite, or maybe because of its mind-bending multiversal action, audiences flocked to see it and dared to look into the c…

For their annual Holiday episode, Nate and Ryan re-watch the ultimate Christmas movie: A Charlie Brown Christmas. It’s the first TV special on this podcast, and there couldn’t be a more fitting choice. A staple since it’s debut in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas has brought joy and melancholy to generations. Listen in as Nate and Ryan discuss what …

Nate and Ryan discuss You’ve Got Mail to celebrate this year’s annual T. Hanksgiving! Rom-Com Tom Hanks won America’s hearts throughout the ’90s, so listen in as Nate and Ryan take a look at Hanks and Meg Ryan at the peak of their powers. Directed and written by Nora Ephron with her sister Delia, You’ve Got Mail revisits a time when the internet wa…

Nate and Ryan celebrate their 9th Holiday Spooktacular by watching Get Out, Jordan Peele’s 2017 Oscar-winning horror contemporary classic. We’re continuing our Back to School series with another movie that Ryan teaches in his high school class. Listen in as we discuss the philosophical and social implications in Peele’s razor-sharp writing in his d…

Popular Services Librarian Andrea Larson shares different ways the library can help get you out of a reading rut. Sign up for the email newsletters View and Subscribe to Bookies TV on the library's YouTube channel Get a personalized reading list from one of the Bookies

Nate and Ryan revisit No Country for Old Men, the Coen brothers’ 2007 Best Picture Oscar winner. No Country for Old Men is one of the movies Ryan teaches in his high school class, so for our September episode, Nate wanted to go back to school and hear what Mr. Ebling has to say. While No Country for Old Men is one of the Coens’ most successful film…

Our local history librarian Jenny Barry shares news articles of animals running wild throughout Libertyville. MORE... Loose Pigs in the Libertyville Briefs Horse in the Wagon Find more on our Local History Page Video: Ask Geoffrey: The Hawthorn Mellody Dairy Farm (WTTW)By Cook Library Staff

Nate and Ryan invite long-time friend Andrew Johnson in to discuss 2001’s Josie and the Pussycats, a flop when it was released 21 years ago, but now a film that many are rethinking as its lasting impact is more apparent. Andrew has championed Josie ever since he first saw it in college, and has now brought his campaign to us. From the music, to the…

Nate and Ryan invite Kris Hiew in to talk about Top Gun, the 1986 hit whose recent hit sequel has Tom Cruise wowing audiences again. Kris and Nate have a long history with Top Gun and bring all that childlike wonder into the conversation. With the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick proving to be one of the biggest movies of the year, listen in as we discuss…

For their first volume of underappreciated movies, Ryan and Nate discuss Spencer and Happy Go-Lucky. Listen in as they discuss two powerhouse performances that are criminally underrated. While quite different in tone, both movies feature women who are trying to navigate worlds that don’t know what to do with their unique personalities. Ryan and Nat…

For this episode, Nate and Ryan watch the most recent Best Picture winner, CODA. Its story of a deaf family portrayed by deaf actors is an important step in diverse representation and storytelling. Even before its historic Oscar win for Troy Kotsur – the first deaf man to win an acting Oscar, CODA was making waves at Sundance when Apple TV+ paid 25…

April 3-9 is National Library Week and this year's theme is Connect With Your Library. In this episode we run down five ways to use the library that you may not have known about. Read Bronwyn's National Library Week blog post Explore the Digital Studios Learn how to sign up for text notifications Visit our Genealogy page Check out Mango Languages a…

Becky and Nate are back on the podcast for the 7th year in a row to talk about last night's Academy Awards ceremony. They share some of their own opinions about the nominees and other favorite movies of last year. Hear about the night's memorable moments (and boy were there moments), the movies, the performances, and how you can catch up with all o…

Nate and Ryan talk about Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning masterpiece, Spirited Away. Miyazaki is undoubtedly a legend of cinema, and with Spirited Away celebrating the 20th anniversary of its US release, the time is perfect to revisit one of the most iconic animated films of all time. Whether it’s the first time or you’ve seen it before, watch with …

For their 100th episode, Nate and Ryan name the movies that have defined them as people and as movie-watchers. After a century of episodes over 8 years, Nate and Ryan haven’t really talked about how certain movies have shaped them over the course of their lives. With the help from some listeners who share their own lists, Nate and Ryan talk about t…

To kick off the first podcast episode of the year, Andrea and Erica recommend four excellent books for your 2022 reading list. This is an edited version of January's Bookies Live Facebook event. Follow the library on Facebook to catch future Bookies Live, every second Tuesday of the month. In This Episode Dan Harris, 10% Happier Nita Prose, The Mai…

As Nate and Ryan prepare to share the five movies that define them in their 100th episode, they check in to share a few of their favorites from 2021. We also invite you to share the movies that define you (however you define that). Give us all 5 or just name a few definitive movies and you might find yourself featured in our 100th episode! Call and…

Believe it or not 2021 is wrapping up and Readers' Advisor Jo is back for our annual episode recounting Cook Library's favorite books of the year! Make sure you visit either Cook Park or Aspen Drive library to pick up your very own copies of our Fiction and Nonfiction Favorites booklets. Or take a look at them online anytime. Read Jo's blog posts s…

For this year’s holiday celebration, Nate and Ryan watch a staple from their childhood, Home Alone, the 1990 smash hit directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes. An annual tradition for many people, is Home Alone a movie people can even talk about objectively? Listen in as they discuss what has made Home Alone endure for more than 30 ye…