New episodes every month, wherever you get your podcasts.
Here's the skinny on your new favorite podcast.
Between the Stacks is a monthly podcast created by the Odell Public Library and hosted, edited, and produced by me, Victoria Horn.
Every month, I spend an hour talking about a variety of bookish things, from new releases to old favorites, comfort reads to challenging ones, the importance of making time to read and the value in giving yourself a break.
Sometimes I recommend books on a theme.
Sometimes I take requests for personalized book recommendations.
And sometimes I ask authors, friends, family, and coworkers to tell you what to add to that infinite TBR list we all seem to keep.
Whether I’m hogging the mic while hosting solo…
Giggling with guest hosts like fan-favorite Miss Katie Rider…
Fangirling during interviews with phenomenal authors like Margot Douaihy…
Or asking you to give poetry a chance on my regular segment V’s Verses…
I’m here to bring you a listening experience that highlights the Odell Public Library mission to inspire life-long learning by sharing a realistic picture of what it means to make reading a regular part of your life.
On Between the Stacks, I aim to bring you engaging conversations, inspiring suggestions, kind and authentic insights, and powerful reasons to keep on reading.
No matter the topic, this is a safe space where readers of all ages, abilities, races, nationalities, genders, religions, and sexualities are warmly welcomed, considered, and valued.
Here, I hope you find a little bit of yourself and a whole lot of curiosity about others, and as always, I hope you enjoy your time between the stacks.
Episodes hosted, edited & produced by Victoria Horn.
Season 3, Episode 1
"The V's Verses Special: Poetry for All"
May 31, 2022
Host Victoria Horn 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."
Season 3, Episode 2
"Reading Sam Mills' Winning Short Story A Clear Path"
August 19, 2022
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 Odell announcements, goes over the August book order, checks in on Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge 2022, and shares her original poem, "Familiar," on regular segment V's Verses.
Season 3, Episode 3
"Hopefully It's Not the Chokey: Back-to-School Books, Banned Books & Heartstopper with Miss Katie!"
September 16, 2022
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."
Season 3, Episode 4
"Family Murder is a Bit Much: Stephen King, Poe Retellings, and Real Life Horror with Scout!"
October 24, 2022
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."
Season 3, Episode 5
"V's Chaotic One-Woman Turkey Day Show: Why I Quit My Reading Challenge & My End-of-Year Priority TBR"
November 23, 2022
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."
Season 3, Episode 6
"Little Saint Vic's Personalized Book Recommendations"
December 30, 2023
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."
Season 3, Episode 7
"Most-Anticipated 2023 Books & 'Real or Fake Book Release' with Miss Katie!"
January 27, 2023
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."
Season 3, Episode 8
"Kid Lit, Coming-of-Age & Stories of Black Womanhood: What I Read in February 2023"
March 4, 2023
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."
Season 3, Episode 9
"A Conversation with Margot Douaihy, Renowed Author of Scorched Grace!"
March 27, 2023
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.
Season 4
"Between the Stacks Season 4 Trailer"
May 30, 2023
Spend some time Between The Stacks... a podcast created and produced by the Odell Public Library in Morrison, IL. Host Victoria Horn recommends books based on monthly themes, interviews authors and community members, discusses Odell happenings, and reads original poetry on her segment V's Verses.
Season 4, Episode 1
"Poetry as Play: The V's Verses Special, Volume II"
May 30, 2023
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.