How I Library

In episode 27, show host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with two writers who capture unique aspects of the Indigenous American experience in their work: Kyle Edwards and Angeline Boulley. Kyle Edwards is an award-winning Anishinaabe journalist and writer from the Lake Manitoba First Nation in Manitoba, Canada, and a member of the Ebb and Flow First Nation. He’s the managing editor at Native News Online, a Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University, and a 2021 Nieman Visiting Fellow at Harvard University. Kyle’s debut novel, "Small Ceremonies," is a poignant coming-of-age story that follows a group of Native high school students from Winnipeg’s North End, a remote area at the border of Canada's eastern woodlands and central prairies. It’s a story of friendship, hope, fear, and struggle in the waning days of high school when the future is uncertain, scary and hopeful; a story of growing up forgotten, urban, poor, and Indigenous; and a story about hockey. Kyle joins the show to discuss “Small Ceremonies” and its influences, his work as a journalist, the importance of telling the stories of Indigenous peoples, and how he libraries. Angeline Boulley, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, is a storyteller who writes about her Ojibwe community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her debut novel, "Firekeeper's Daughter" (2021), is a New York Times bestseller and recipient of many international accolades, including the ALA Printz and Morris Awards; the YA Goodreads Choice Award; and the Walter Award for Outstanding Children's Literature. It was also named one of the top 100 young adult novels of all time by Time magazine. Angeline’s new novel, "Sisters in the Wind," is a fascinating mystery about an Ojibwe teen who has been on the run since her father’s death and the dark secrets that arise when she finally stops to confront her past—one that’s found her a ward of the foster care system, unsure of her own identity, and literally fighting to survive against unknown actors. Angeline joins the show to discuss “Sisters in the Wind,” her research process, writing Indigenous American stories, book bans, and how she libraries.

In episode 26, show host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with author and illustrator Grace Lin. Grace is the award-winning creator of scores of beloved books for kids, including the National Book Award finalist, "When the Sea Turned to Silver;" the Newbery Honor title, "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon;" and the Caldecott Honor title, "A Big Mooncake for Little Star.” Grace’s work has earned her the American Library Association’s Children's Literature Legacy Award. She also hosts several podcasts devoted to children’s literature. Grace’s new book for young readers (and her first novel in nine years), "The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon," is based on Chinese folklore and follows a mythical stone lion cub who accidentally escapes from the realm of the spirits and his quest to return home and save his family. Grace joins the show to discuss her new book and its influences, her work as an illustrator, her podcasts, book bans, and of course, how she libraries.

In this special Halloween episode, show host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with Jerry Drake, author of “Hazel Was a Good Girl: Solving the Murder That Inspired Twin Peaks.” In the summer of 1908 near Troy, New York, the body of a young woman was found in a pond in a secluded rural area outside of the city. Her name was Hazel Drew, and her unsolved murder has confounded investigators and the curious for more than 100 years. One of whom was TV writer Mark Frost, who together with filmmaker David Lynch, found inspiration in Drew’s case when they created the groundbreaking TV show “Twin Peaks,” which begins with the unsolved murder of a young woman found in a body of water. Drew’s murder has fascinated people, inspired local ghost stories, and birthed numerous investigations. One of those is documented in the book “Hazel Was a Good Girl: Solving the Murder That Inspired Twin Peaks” by author and cold case investigator Jerry Drake. Drake joins the show to discuss the book and his research, why Hazel Drew has kept a grip on us for more than 100 years, the ghost stories attached to the murder, and of course, how he libraries.

In episode 24, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with one of today’s leading creators of scary literature, author Joe Hill-just in time for Halloween! Hill is the bestselling author of the novels "The Fireman," "NOS4A2," "Horns," "Heart-Shaped Box," "Strange Weather,” and the acclaimed story collections, "Full Throttle" and "20th Century Ghosts." He is also the Eisner Award-winning writer of the seven-volume comic book series, "Locke & Key." Much of his work has been adapted for film and TV, as well, including “Locke & Key,” “In the Tall Grass,” and “The Black Phone.” Hill joins the show the discuss his first novel in nine years, “King Sorrow,” a sprawling, intercontinental tale of modern-world dangers, dark academia, and the unexpected consequences of revenge that follows six friends—one of whom works in a library—who dabble in the occult and are (unfortunately) successful when they call up an evil entity that demands human sacrifice in return for its services. He also gets into his favorite horror movies and novels, writing for comic books, seeing his work adapted by others, book bans, and, of course, how he libraries.

George Takei, renowned actor and LGBTQ activist, discusses his new graphic novel, "It Rhymes with Takei," which chronicles his journey from a Japanese-American internment camp to a prominent social advocate. He candidly shares the challenges of hiding his sexuality in Hollywood and the liberation he felt after coming out. Takei reflects on the progressive vision of Star Trek and its missed opportunities for LGBTQ representation. He also recounts his love story with Brad, highlighting the importance of marriage equality and libraries in his life.

In episode 22 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with actor, writer, and musician David Duchovny. With an acting career that stretches more than three decades, Duchovny is best known for playing FBI agent Fox Mulder on the TV series “The X-Files” and writer Hank Moody on the TV series “Californication,” both of which earned him Golden Globe awards. He is also host of the podcast, “Fail Better with David Duchovny," a successful singer-songwriter, and author of six best-selling novels. Duchovny’s latest book, “About Time: Poems” (Akashic Books, 2025), is his first collection of poetry. Duchovny joins the show to discuss “About Time: Poems,” his writing and music, his thoughts on book bans and censorship, and, of course, how he libraries. He also reads a brand-new poem for our listeners.

In episode 21 of the “How I Library” podcast, host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with writer and artist Brian Selznick. Selznick is the author and illustrator of multiple books for young readers, including “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” which won the Caldecott Medal and was adapted into Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning film “Hugo,” “Wonderstruck,” which was adapted into a feature film by Todd Haynes, and “The Marvels.” His illustrations include the 20th-anniversary book covers for the Harry Potter series. Selznick’s new book, and his first novel for young adult readers, “Run Away with Me,” is a coming-of-age love story about two teen boys who find each other and fall in love over one summer in Rome in the 1980s. It’s a beautiful, touching ode to Rome and its history and architecture, the magic of books, and being young, queer, and in love. And it’s gorgeously illustrated. Selznick joins the show to discuss “Run Away with Me” and its influences, Italian art and architecture, the importance of creating stories that depict the LGBTQ+ experience, book repair, and, of course, how he libraries.

In episode 20, Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with magician, actor, and author Penn Jillette. As part of the Emmy Award-winning duo, Penn and Teller, Jillette has wowed audiences worldwide with his unique blend of magic and comedy. With Teller, he hosted the long-running television show, “Penn and Teller: Bullshit,” and currently hosts the magic-competition show, “Penn and Teller: Fool Us.” Jillette is also the host of the podcast, “Penn’s Sunday School,” and is the author of multiple fiction and nonfiction books, including the new novel, “Felony Juggler,” a semi-autobiographical tale about a nomadic street performer whose life is turned upside down after participating in a bank heist. Jillette joins the show to discuss “Felony Juggler” and its influences, magic and skepticism, the importance of libraries in his life growing up, book bans and information access, and of course, how he libraries.

In episode 19, Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with Nick Brooks. Brooks is the critically acclaimed author of the award-winning young adult (Y.A.) thriller, "Promise Boys,” a filmmaker, and a musician from Washington, D.C. His new book, "Up In Smoke," is another page-turning, Y.A. thriller that follows the events that spiral after a murder is committed during a Black Lives Matter protest. It’s part murder mystery, part call to revolution. Brooks joins the show to talk about "Up In Smoke" and its influences, his writing career, empowering today's youth, and of course, how he libraries.

In episode 18, show host Phil Morehart from the American Library Association speaks with Marium Zahra and Aruja Misra, two high school students from El Paso, Texas, who are participants in “On Our Minds,” an award-winning podcast series from PBS News Student Reporting Labs about the teenage experience. Each season is hosted by two high school students, and episodes are co-created with teens and feature segments produced by student producers across the country. The new season, which premiered April 16, asks teens, “Who Inspires You?” For Zahra and Misra, it was their school librarian, Mr. Biddle, who is beloved on campus for his outgoing personality and for being a proponent of reading banned books. Zahra and Misra join the show to discuss working with PBS News Student Reporting Labs, podcasting, journalism, banned books, and of course, how they library.