Between The Stacks

In this special episode celebrating host Victoria Horn's one-year anniversary of producing "Between the Stacks," it's the V's Verses Special, Volume II! Once again, Victoria pulls out all the stops to demystify the poetry genre and help you get the jitters out so that you, too, can confidently approach poetry as a reader and a writer. Victoria discusses the Kwame Alexander's How to Write a Poem; reads and breaks down several of the original poems she wrote during National Poetry Month; and brings you the voices of three fantastic poets: @oliviasnowdrop, Kelly Pitt @blushing_poetry, and Bri Mullaney @briwrites26.

On this very special episode of Between the Stacks, host Victoria Horn is joined in conversation with renowned author, poet, editor, and educator Margot Douaihy! Margot gives Victoria the skinny on her February 2023 lyrical crime novel Scorched Grace, the first in her Sister Holiday Mystery series and the inaugural title published under Gillian Flynn Books. Margot and Victoria discuss the importance of humanizing crime fiction, the trust required to put your heart in readers' hands, and the value in creating narratives that speak to both the damage and the healing queer folks experience in the church. Victoria also reads "Sacrament," the original poem she wrote for Margot.

Host Victoria Horn discusses the books she read in February 2023, from bedtime stories and YA graphic novels to Ashley C. Ford's powerful memoir Somebody's Daughter and Toni Morrison's Recitatif. On V's Verses, Victoria recommends love poems and reads her original poem, "A Lifetime."

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Host Victoria Horn is joined for a second time by special guest Katie Rider, Odell's Youth Programming Coordinator! Katie and Victoria discuss their most-anticipated 2023 book releases and play a round of "Real or Fake Book Release." On V's Verses, Victoria recommends poetry about everyday experiences and reads her original poem, "Making Library Books." As always, listen 'til the end for behind-the-scenes antics!

Listen till the end to hear another side of Little Saint Vic... On this month's episode, host Victoria Horn answers listener requests for personalized book recommendations, shares Odell happenings, highlights the December book order, and reads her original poem, "Portrait of Christmas Eve." 

Parody of "Little Saint Nick" by the Beach Boys: written, performed, and produced by Victoria Horn

Get ready to digest a heaping plateful of self-reflection during V's chaotic one-woman Turkey Day show. Host Victoria Horn discusses why she quit the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge, stepping back from perfectionism, and how to reinvigorate your reading life. She divulges her end-of-year priority list of juicy reads she has been saving up all year--and giving herself permission to finally loosen that belt buckle and just dig in. On segment V's Verses, Victoria reads the original poem she wrote for Justine Johnson, "This birthday poem is a late bloomer, too."

It was coming from the library... Host Victoria and fellow library aide Scout brave the proverbial Haunted Stacks to bring you the best in horror for your spooky October reading list. Also in this episode, the October book order, Odell announcements, a monthly check-in on Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge, and literary Halloween costume ideas. On segment V's Verses, Victoria recommends spooky, scary poems and reads her original poem, "V's Dream Theatre."

Prepare to be schooled. Host Victoria Horn and guest Katie Rider, Odell's Youth Programming and Marketing Coordinator, recommend books about school and the wide array of experiences in the world of education. Also in this episode, the September book order, some exciting Odell announcements and resources, and a discussion of Banned Books Week and the ironic solution to the fear that perpetuates book banning. Capping off the episode with segment V's Verses, Victoria recommends poems about school and reads her original poem, "Dr. W. Lights the Way." 

On this very special episode of your favorite Odell Public Library podcast, host Victoria Horn reads "A Clear Path" by Sam Mills, winner of the "Between the Stacks" Short Story Contest in the 10- to 14-year-old age bracket. And as always, Victoria shares some (big!) Odell announcements, goes over the August book order, checks in on Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge, and shares her original poem, "Familiar," on regular segment, V's Verses.

Victoria attempts to make a poet out of you yet. It's the V's Verses Special! On this episode, Victoria talks about what good poetry is and how to start writing poetry, recommends poetry books for all ages, and reads poetry by oliviasnowdrop and Charley Barnes, as well as her own Victoria Horn original poem, "The Poet's Attempt at Thanking Her Reading Teacher for Saving Her in 6th Grade.". 

On this episode of Between the Stacks: Harry Potter Extravaganza! Krysta, Gillian, and Emily rank the books, participate in trivia, and Emily takes the Sorting Hat test. Plus, our segments TechTalk and Ask A Librarian.