The Book Drop is a weekly podcast from Omaha Public Library about books, our community and the joy of reading.
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Omaha Public Library Podcasts
A weekly book review and discussion program hosted by Pat Leach. Updated on Thursdays.
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with UNO’s Dr. Doña-Reveco
1:11:58
1:11:58
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1:11:58This week on The Book Drop, we talk about the power of stories told in many languages, with a special guest from UNO’s Office of Latino and Latin American Studies. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: Hispanic Heritage Celebration | Saturday, O…
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On January 28, 1986, a little over a minute into flight, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board. The full story of what happened before and after that day is revealed in the new book, “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space” by Adam Higginbotham.…
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By Omaha Public Library
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219. Celebrating Black Speculative Fiction and Omaha’s Afrocon
1:09:05
1:09:05
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1:09:05This week on The Book Drop, we celebrate Black Speculative Fiction Month with a special guest from the House of Afros, Capes and Curls. This is The Book Drop. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: Stories After Dark | Friday, Oct. 3, 7 to 9 p.m.…
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Beginning with flight from post-World War II North Africa and Paris, right up to our own time; a multi-generational found-family struggles, lives and loves. Best-selling author Amy Bloom’s new novel is, “I’ll Be Right Here".By Nebraska Public Media
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218. Marking Banned Books Week with Film Streams and The Write Stuff Nebraska
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51:22
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51:22This week on The Book Drop, we’re celebrating the freedom to read and highlighting a special collaboration for Banned Books Week with Film Streams and The Write Stuff Nebraska! This is The Book Drop! All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: Storyti…
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“Good Soil:The Education of an Accidental Farmhand” by Jeff Chu
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17:17In mid-life, Jeff Chu left his job as a magazine writer for grad school at Princeton Theological Seminary. The school had a 21-acre farm, the “Farminary”, where Chu worked. Pat Leach talked to Jeff Chu about his experiences and his book “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand”By Nebraska Public Media
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Winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Literature, “James” by Percival Everett is a retelling of Twain’s Huckelberry Finn from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. The river journey contains the same characters and adventures, but Jim’s intelligence and compassion show them in a radically new light.By Nebraska Public Media
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217. Reading Challenge: Reading a book that starts with the letter O
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45:19This week on The Book Drop, we’re joined by Teresa Carmody, of the UNO Writer’s Workshop, as we dive into books that start with the letter O for this month’s Reading Challenge and share some standout titles you won't want to overlook. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast…
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216. Reading Challenge: Read a book published in the 21st Century
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35:37
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35:37This week on The Book Drop, we wrestle with the almost impossible task of choosing just one book from the 21st century for the Reading Challenge. Plus Amy and Maggie, take a nostalgic look at what people thought life would be like in the year 2000 and beyond. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting…
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“The Unauthorized Biography of Lincoln, NE” by Matt Steinhausen
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19:40
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19:40No matter how long you’ve lived in your hometown, there's still more to learn. While some of the things you thought were local history, may in fact be myths. Fascinating history, lots of photos, and even some myth-busting are found in “The Unauthorized Biography of Lincoln, Nebraska” by Matt Steinhausen. The author joins host Pat Leach.…
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215. A Conversation with Ooh De Lally for Omaha Restaurant Week
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1:32:10
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1:32:10This week on The Book Drop, we sit down at a restaurant changing lives through culinary training and meaningful work, and we celebrate Omaha Restaurant Week with a look at the library’s historic menu collection. This is The Book Drop. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast…
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The backpacker’s journey from Istanbul to Kathmandu was once known as the “Hippie Trail” A 23-year old Rick Steves made that trip and documented everything- the adventures, getting lost, and the people he met. His journal is the basis for his new book “On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer”…
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On the latest episode of the New Title Drop, Angela and Melanie roll the dice and test their ability to give book recommendations on the spot. Check out this month's titles and place holds here or visit omahalibrary.org/podcast. Check in with us on the first Tuesday of every month to hear about books we think you should be excited about.…
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214. Beyond the Console: Games That Tell Stories
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57:24
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57:24This week on The Book Drop, we discuss the stories behind our favorite games and how those tales have leapt from consoles and tabletops to the big and small screen. This is The Book Drop. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: Repujado Art Worksh…
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“Clutch” An Education at Work”.by Linda Pawlenty
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20:13Having a job during school to help ends meet is pretty typical, but UNL PhD student Linda Pawlenty’s side job was on a different level of different. Pawlenty drove a concrete mixer truck while earning her PhD. Her experiences being a woman in construction, and a working-class laborer in academia, is the subject of her first book “Clutch” An Educati…
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213. From the Runway to Reading with Guest Susan Trinkle
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1:03:24This week on The Book Drop, we explore the world of fashion and the books that bring the industry to life, and we discuss the stories our clothing can tell about who we are. Special guest Susan Trinkle, Fashion, Art & Humanities Instructor at Metropolitan Community College, joins the discussion. All the books and resources we talk about in this epi…
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"The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben
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9:51Peter Wohlleben is a forester and author whose book, "The Hidden Life of Trees" was a best-seller. Now, that title has been given a graphical makeover with all 240 pages having color illustrations in this new adaptation that honors the spirit of the original book.By Nebraska Public Media
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Epilogue 212: Books Our Central Library Artists Love
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44:06This week on The Book Drop, we dig a little deeper with our Central Library artists as they reveal the reads that have fueled their art. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: Stories After Dark Showcase | Friday, August 15, 6:00PM – 9:00 PM at M…
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The ancient idea that the world is alive was long ridiculed by some scientists, but that’s changing. The view of Earth as a vast interconnected living system is gaining acceptance. “Becoming Earth” by Ferris Jabr offers the idea that humans and all living things, are more than inhabitants of Earth—but *are* Earth.…
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212. Meet the Artists for OPL’s Central Library
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1:39:23
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1:39:23This week on The Book Drop, we’re getting to know the 16 local artists who were selected to create art for the new Central Library opening in Spring 2026. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: Assembling Fragments: Zine-Making as Community Engag…
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Award-winning author Elizabeth Strout returns to Crosby, Maine in her latest novel about new friendships, old loves, and to ask the question- what does anyone’s life mean? Hear a review of “Tell Me Everything”.By Nebraska Public Media
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On the latest episode of New Title Drop, Angela and Melanie celebrate Women in Translation Month with some international gems and preview new August releases soon to hit the library shelves. Check out this month's titles and place holds here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Check in with us on the first Tuesday of every month to hear about …
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Cyrus is a newly sober son of Iranian immigrants. Guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, he embarks on a quest to uncover a family secret. Hear a review of the New York Times best-selling novel “Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbar on this week’s “All About Books”By Nebraska Public Media
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211. A Visit to Omaha’s Abbott House, Where Magic Lives
1:14:25
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1:14:25This week on The Book Drop, we pull back the curtain on Omaha’s magical history and tour The Abbott House, plus books that celebrate the wonder of illusions and magic. This is The Book Drop. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: Willa Cather Wri…
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“Robert F. Kennedy:The Road Not Taken” by Dennis &Laura Crawford
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14:59Nebraska was one of only 15 states that held primaries in 1968. Robert F. Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy campaigned hard in the state. “Robert F. Kennedy: The Road Not Taken” by Dennis and Laura Crawford is a new history of the ’68 Nebraska campaigns, Hear an interview with co-author Dennis Crawford on this week’s “All About Books”…
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210. Reading Challenge: Nonfiction and Biographical Graphic Novels
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50:52
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50:52This week on The Book Drop, we're coming to you from OCon Expo, the perfect place to talk graphic novels and share nonfiction and biographical picks for this month's reading challenge! All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: The Joy of Painting Pa…
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In the graphic novel “Feeding Ghosts”, artist Tessa Hulls traces Chinese history across three generations of women in her family. Growing up, Hulls watched both her mother and grandmother struggle with unexamined trauma and mental illness. Hear a review of this Pulitzer Prize winning memoir on this week's "All About Books".…
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209. Family Reunion Season and Preserving the Past
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1:03:50
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1:03:50This week on The Book Drop, we celebrate Family Reunion Month and dig into genealogy with our guests Martha and Jess from OPL’s Genealogy & Local History Room. This is the Book Drop. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: Cardboard Mannequins: Bu…
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An introduction to Nebraska author, Loren Eiseley
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17:57
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17:57His writing combined keen scientific observation with mystery and wonder. This week on “All About Books” a look at the life and writing of Lincoln native Loren Eiseley. Tom Lynch, Emeritus Professor of English at UNL will introduce readers to this unique and influential writer.By Nebraska Public Media
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208. Summer Movie Blockbusters and Beyond with Film Streams
1:16:21
1:16:21
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1:16:21This week on The Book Drop, we explore how blockbuster movies shape pop culture and we talk with our friends at Film Streams about what it means to go to the movies! This is the Book Drop. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: Textile Art with M…
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Set in Venice, the popular detective series featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti has a new mystery to solve. In “A Refiner’s Fire” by Donna Leon, Brunetti confronts the present-day menace of teenage street gangs.By Nebraska Public Media
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On the latest episode of New Title Drop, Angela and Melanie commiserate over their bookish pet peeves, like distracting audiobook narration and genre clichés, before diving into their picks for July’s new releases. Check out this month's titles and place holds here or visit omahalibrary.org/podcast. Check in with us on the first Tuesday of every mo…
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207. Celebrating LGBTQ+ Stories with Author J.R. Dawson
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1:04:37This week on The Book Drop, we’re celebrating Pride Month and sitting down with author J.R. Dawson to talk about unlikely heroes and the magic of queer storytelling. All the books and resources we talk about in this episode can be found here or by visiting omahalibrary.org/podcast. Happening at the Library: Writers Workshop: Let's Write About Love …
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Pat Leach invited her good friend Susan Millar to talk about the classic novel, “Mrs Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf. It’s one of Susan’s favorite novels and Pat’s first time reading it. Hear their conversation about what makes this book a classic and if it’s a good introduction to Woolf.By Nebraska Public Media
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