The Power of Libraries with Hosts of Medium Lady Reads
01/29/25 • 49 min
Libraries are more than just buildings filled with books - they're vibrant community hubs offering a wealth of resources and experiences. In this episode, we're joined by the book-loving duo from the Medium Lady Reads podcast, Jillian and Erin, to uncover the hidden gems and insider tips for maximizing your library experience.
Jillian O'Keefe is an Instagram content strategist who helps authors and the businesses that serve them gain visibility by embracing and showing their unique story to grow their community on Instagram. Jillian is also the cohost of the podcast Medium Lady Reads where she talks about books and reading as self-care.
Erin Vandeven is the creator of the Medium Lady community and host of two podcasts: Medium Lady Talks and Medium Lady Reads. She helps burnt-out mothers and millennials rediscover themselves and empowers them to find their place in the world. Erin is also the Associate Chief of Nursing Practice at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, where she creates safe spaces for the nursing workforce. She has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Nursing from the University of Toronto. Erin reads over 100 books a year and is always available for book recommendations!
In this episode, we're discussing:
- Personal journeys into adult reading, including how the pandemic reignited their love for fiction and inspired them to read more diversely.
- Childhood memories of the library, from story hours and talent shows to the unique smells and librarians that left a lasting impression.
- Integrating the library into their children's lives, highlighting the wealth of programs, resources, and digital tools available to foster a love of reading.
- Leveraging digital library resources like Libby and Hoopla, as well as lesser-known offerings such as Chromebook and Wi-Fi hotspot lending, community events, and more.
- Top tips for managing library holds, including the power of the "deep search" feature on Libby and the benefits of requesting books before they're officially cataloged.
Whether you're a lifelong bookworm or just rediscovering the joys of reading, your local library holds a world of possibilities. Tune in to this episode to unlock the secrets of your community's literary treasure trove and find inspiration to make the library an integral part of your reading journey.
CONNECT WITH GUESTS:
Jillian Instagram
Erin Instagram
Medium Lady Reads Podcast
BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo (Amazon)
Running list of books mentioned (Doc)
Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.
Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph
This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.
Libraries are more than just buildings filled with books - they're vibrant community hubs offering a wealth of resources and experiences. In this episode, we're joined by the book-loving duo from the Medium Lady Reads podcast, Jillian and Erin, to uncover the hidden gems and insider tips for maximizing your library experience.
Jillian O'Keefe is an Instagram content strategist who helps authors and the businesses that serve them gain visibility by embracing and showing their unique story to grow their community on Instagram. Jillian is also the cohost of the podcast Medium Lady Reads where she talks about books and reading as self-care.
Erin Vandeven is the creator of the Medium Lady community and host of two podcasts: Medium Lady Talks and Medium Lady Reads. She helps burnt-out mothers and millennials rediscover themselves and empowers them to find their place in the world. Erin is also the Associate Chief of Nursing Practice at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, where she creates safe spaces for the nursing workforce. She has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Nursing from the University of Toronto. Erin reads over 100 books a year and is always available for book recommendations!
In this episode, we're discussing:
- Personal journeys into adult reading, including how the pandemic reignited their love for fiction and inspired them to read more diversely.
- Childhood memories of the library, from story hours and talent shows to the unique smells and librarians that left a lasting impression.
- Integrating the library into their children's lives, highlighting the wealth of programs, resources, and digital tools available to foster a love of reading.
- Leveraging digital library resources like Libby and Hoopla, as well as lesser-known offerings such as Chromebook and Wi-Fi hotspot lending, community events, and more.
- Top tips for managing library holds, including the power of the "deep search" feature on Libby and the benefits of requesting books before they're officially cataloged.
Whether you're a lifelong bookworm or just rediscovering the joys of reading, your local library holds a world of possibilities. Tune in to this episode to unlock the secrets of your community's literary treasure trove and find inspiration to make the library an integral part of your reading journey.
CONNECT WITH GUESTS:
Jillian Instagram
Erin Instagram
Medium Lady Reads Podcast
BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo (Amazon)
Running list of books mentioned (Doc)
Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.
Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph
This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.
Previous Episode
Exploring the Appeal of Enemies to Lovers with Ruby Rana
Do you love the enemies-to-lovers trope as much as I do? Author Ruby Rana joined us to share her unique take on this beloved romance trope, diving into the emotional depth and nuanced character dynamics that make it so captivating.
Ruby Rana is an elder millennial who writes spicy, funny, and heartfelt romance about sassy brown girls. She excels in sending messages where autocorrect has gone terribly wrong. When she's not battling typos, you can find her explaining Midwestern slang to her East Coast-raised husband, being used as a jungle gym by her young children, or experimenting in the kitchen.
In this episode, we're discussing:
- How Ruby Rana's debut novel "Snapshot" expertly blends the enemies-to-lovers trope with a hockey romance backdrop, creating a story of childhood friends turned adversaries.
- The importance of portraying realistic emotional scars and growth, highlighting how past traumas can shape a character's present-day actions and perceptions.
- The value of supportive female friendships in Ruby’s books, providing a safe space for her characters to be their authentic selves.
- Insights on how the enemies-to-lovers trope allows for meaningful character development, as the characters learn to love each other despite their differences.
- The athleticism and camaraderie within the world of professional hockey, which serves as an engaging setting for Rana's stories.
Feeling inspired to dive into Ruby Rana's unique take on the enemies-to-lovers trope? Discover her novels and connect with the author on social media to continue the conversation. Romance readers won't want to miss this insightful discussion!
CONNECT WITH RUBY RANA:
BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:
Snap Shot (Amazon)
Butterfly Effect (Amazon)
Played by Naima Simone (Amazon)
Running list of books mentioned (Doc)
Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.
Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph
This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.
Next Episode
Exploring Cultural Influences in Sci-Fi and Fantasy with Elizabeth Stephens
Prepare to be swept away to magical realms and epic love stories as we dive into the enchanting world of diverse sci-fi and fantasy romance with the incredible author, Elizabeth Stephens. In this fun conversation, Alesia and Elizabeth explore the unique approaches, character dynamics, and powerful representation that make Elizabeth's books stand out in the genre.
Elizabeth Stephens is an author of dark SciFi and fantasy romances, and specializes in sizzling, diverse reads starring characters of color.
In this episode, we're discussing:
- Elizabeth's writing journey and the inspirations behind her innovative storytelling
- The nuanced way she handles the concept of fated mates, creating believable and complex relationships
- The fascinating dystopian power hierarchies and diverse characters in her Omega Verse series
- The importance of representation and inclusivity in Elizabeth's worlds, and the challenges and rewards of traditional publishing
Elizabeth Stephens' books are a must-read for anyone seeking immersive, empowering, and genre-bending sci-fi and fantasy romance. Dive into her captivating worlds, where diverse characters navigate intricate relationships and power dynamics, all while showcasing the transformative power of storytelling. Be inspired to explore Elizabeth's expansive bibliography and connect with her online to stay up-to-date on her latest releases.
CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH STEPHENS:
BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:
Population Series (Amazon)
Beasts of Gatamora Series (Amazon)
Xiveri Mates Series (Amazon)
His to Claim by Taylor Vaughn (Amazon)
Venomous by P. Fletcher (Amazon)
Running list of books mentioned (Doc)
Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.
Connect with Alesia:
Storygraph
This podcast was produced by Galati Media.
Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.
We Read Smut: Bookish Conversations for Romance Readers - The Power of Libraries with Hosts of Medium Lady Reads
Transcript
Get ready to unlock the secrets of your local library. We're joined by the library aficionados from medium lady reads to discuss everything from hidden gems to maximizing your library experience. Listener discretion is advised this podcast contains mature content intended for adult audiences only. Jillian Erin, I am so thrilled to have you on the medium. Ladies read podcasters. Jillian, let's start with you. What did your adult reading journe
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