Checked Out: The Final Frontier (2021)

Alexa and Jennifer discuss what they've read and enjoyed lately, including dark fantasy, romance, mystery, graphic novels and biographies. They also revisit two timeless children's classics, The Phantom Tollbooth and A Wrinkle in Time. 

This is the final episode of Checked Out, but please look forward to our new library podcast series, coming in January 2022!

Checked Out (2021): June's Picks

Checked Out (2021): Romance!

Alexa and Jennifer discuss Regency, Victorian, and contemporary romance titles, the smash hit Bridgerton, and what they've been reading lately. 

(Beginning at minute mark 08:11, they talk about the problematic history of romance novels and consent. If you are uncomfortable with this topic, you can chapter skip to minute mark 11:55.)

Checked Out (2020): December's Picks

Join Alexa and Jennifer as they discuss what they've been reading, and are excited to check out this month.

Checked Out: November's Picks (2020)

Join Alexa and Jennifer as they discuss what they've been reading, listening to, and watching in the month of November!

Checked Out (2020)

Checked Out is back and like almost everything, it's looking a little different these days! Join Alexa and Jennifer as they discuss what using the library looks like right now, what they've been reading, and what they're looking forward to checking out in the coming months. 

Episode 22: Checked Out Reading Challenge, Episode Five: YA

In this episode, join Alexa, Brian, and Bri as they do a deep dive into the world of Young Adult novels.

Episode 21: Checked Out Reading Challenge, Episode Four: Mystery

Join Alexa, Aprile, and Jennifer as they talk all things mystery, discussing their favorite books, movies, TV shows, and podcasts.

Episode 20: Checked Out Reading Challenge, Episode Three: Science Fiction

Join Alexa, Jenny, Brian, and Scott as they discuss some of their favorite sci-fi books, movies, and TV shows. 

Episode 19: Checked Out Reading Challenge, Episode Two: Romance

Join Alexa, Jenny, Brian, and Ellen as they discuss some of their favorite romantic books, movies, and TV shows, including one interesting take on the genre: a choose your own adventure romance novel!

Episode 18: Checked Out Reading Challenge, Episode One: Thrillers

Join Alexa and Jenny, along with special guests Brian and Aprile, as they read (and watch) their way through one new genre a month in 2019. For the month of January they’ll be talking about their favorite thrillers.

Episode 17: Mother's Day

In this episode, Jenny and Alexa celebrate Mother's Day with a list of their favorite and some of the most memorable mothers across fiction and nonfiction.

Episode 16: Crafting with Robyn from ReBelle

In this episode, Jenny, Alexa, and Robyn, co-owner of ReBelle, Central Kentucky’s most imaginative yarn shop, to discuss how they each got started crafting, their crafts of choice, and their favorite books and pattern resources.

Episode 15: Jarrod Polson

Join Alexa and Jenny as they interview Jarrod Polson and his mentee Joe about their favorite things to do together, UK basketball, and, of course, what they’ve been reading.

Episode 14: Best of 2017

In this episode, Jenny, Alexa, and Becca talk favorites: fiction, nonfiction, YA, picture books, and TV shows.

Episode 13: Pig and Pepper

In this episode, Jenny, Alexa, and creator of Pig and Pepper, Rian, discuss their favorite cookbooks, the food scene in Lexington, and family holiday cookie traditions.

Episode 12: Halloween Special

On this special episode of Checked Out, join Alexa, Jenny, and special guest Brian, as they discuss their favorite scary books, graphic novels, and movies, just in time for Halloween.

Episode 11: Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford

Join Jenny and Alexa as that chat with Jamie Ford, author of Love and Other Consolation Prizes, about Seattle's forgotten World's Fair, diversity in books, and selling beds to brothels.

Episode 10: Fallout

Join Alexa and Jenny as they interview Gwenda Bond, author of Fallout, the first book in a YA series focusing on Lois Lane's high school years. They discuss Lois as a character, her relationship with Superman, cyber bullying, and what it was like working with DC Comics on reimagining such an iconic character.

Episode 9: Inside of a Dog

Join Alexa and Jenny as they discuss Alexandra Horowitz's fascinating book, Inside of a Dog, talk about their own dogs, and interview Ashley with the Lexington Humane Society about everything you could want to know about adopting a pet.

Episode 8: The Underground Railroad

Join Alexa and special guest host Ashley as they discuss Colson Whitehead’s bestselling and National Book Award-winning novel The Underground Railroad.

Episode 7: The Return

In this week's episode Alexa, Jenny, and special guest librarian Mariam, talk about Hisham Martar's memoir The Return. Matar chronicles his return to Libya in a quest to find out what happened to his father, who disappeared in 1990.

Episode 6: Wonder

Alexa and Jenny are joined this week by our middle school expert, Ellie, as we discuss the very popular book Wonder by RJ Palacio. Wonder tells the story of a very special kid named Auggie, as he navigates his first year of middle school, takes on bullies, and make important friendships. 

Episode 5: Night Before Christmas

In this very special holiday episode of the Lexington Public Library’s Checked Out podcast, author C.C. Payne reads “The Night Before Christmas.” Perfect listening for a chilly night spent in front of the fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa.

Episode 4: Brian K. Vaughan

In this episode of Checked Out, join Alexa and special guest Cindy, as we discuss the first volumes of several Brian K. Vaughan graphic novel series: Paper Girls, Saga, and Y: The Last Man.

Episode 3: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Join Alexa and special guest host Kinzie as we talk about the newest entry into the Harry Potter canon, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” This play has been getting a lot of attention and is a wild ride through Albus Severus Potter’s tumultuous first years at Hogwarts. We’ll discuss our favorite characters all grown up, the nature of parent-child relationships, and, of course, Time-Turners.

Episode 2: Modern Lovers

Join Alexa and Jenny as they discuss “Modern Lovers” by New York Times-bestselling author, Emma Straub. Highly acclaimed, including being named one of Entertainment Weekly’s Best Books of 2016 So Far, this book came out just in time for poolside reading. We discuss the tangled relationships of the characters, love, music, middle-age, and Brooklyn hipsters.” [SPOILERS]

Episode 1: Me Before You

Join Alexa and Jenny as we talk about the bestseller "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes. This book is beloved by many, but is also controversial. We'll talk about Will and Lou's love story, as well as the issues this book brings up.