I'm in the Mood for...with Spenser and Jim
21 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 5 years ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsThe Cooper Library's official staff podcast. Come hang out with Spenser and Jim as they discuss their favorite books across different genres. Covering materials available at the local community library, stop by and listen every week for new spotlights!
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Episodes
I'm in the Mood for The Kite Runner
July 05, 2019 17:23 - 11 minutes - 17.2 MBSpenser and Jim discuss a recent classic, Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner. A tale spanning the childhood and adult life of Amir, a boy from Kabul. Chronicling the changes of the region through the rise of violence and danger, the book follows the consequences of Amir's decisions. Spenser and Jim provide important historical and regional context for the novel, as well as discussing what parts of the novel summer reading projects might want to focus on.
I'm in the Mood for The Life of Pi
July 05, 2019 17:01 - 11 minutes - 17.5 MBSpenser and Jim dive into a tale of growing and survival and learning with Yann Martel's The Life of Pi, a story following the journey of Piscine Molitor Patel as he encounters lessons unlike any others. To help dissect and digest the complex ideas of spirituality and practicality found throughout the novel, Spenser and Jim are back to help our summer reading students keep an eye out for important themes and motifs, as well as discuss what they liked most about the book!
I'm in the Mood for The Book Thief!
July 05, 2019 16:51 - 9 minutes - 13.4 MBSometimes, summer reading projects pick really good books for you to read. One those is definitely Markus Zusak's The Book Thief! An international bestseller turned blockbuster movie, the Book Thief is a moving tale taking place during the Holocaust. To help our readers follow and make sense of this wonderful tale, Spenser and Jim have picked out key plot points and important themes for any students reading the Book Thief for their summer reading.
I'm in the Mood for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland!
July 05, 2019 16:45 - 11 minutes - 17.9 MBJust about everyone has heard of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Lewis Carroll's story still remains in the public eye. It's many renditions in film, print, stage, and music are evidence of that. Opelika City Schools, for that reason, assign the book just about every year. Alice's adventures, however, can be a bit confusing at times, especially when the book diverges from what the movies readers might remember. So, Spenser and Jim are here to help make your summer reading experience so...
I'm in the Mood for A Wrinkle in Time!
July 05, 2019 16:36 - 9 minutes - 13.4 MBMadeleine L'Engle's famous novel (now a full-fledged Disney blockbuster) is famously divisive. You either love it or hate it! Unfortunately, many students don't get the choice to read it or not, as its an Opelika city schools regular on the summer reading list. However, for those of you who aren't thrilled with Madeleine L'Engle's classic Young Adult Sci-fi epic, don't despair! Spenser and Jim are here to give you pointers on what to look out for, and discuss some of the more confusing plot...
I'm in the Mood for The Things They Carried
July 05, 2019 16:23 - 8 minutes - 12.7 MBA summer reading favorite for the Auburn-Opelika area, Spenser and Jim talk about the important aspects of the book, at least as far as teachers are concerned. Discussing themes and highlighting important parts of Tim O'brien's classic short story turned novel, Spenser and Jim are here to help you ace your summer reading project!
I'm in the Mood for a New Direction!
July 05, 2019 16:16 - 5 minutes - 8.36 MBSpenser and Jim, after a long hiatus, are finally back (Jim blame's winter, Spenser's new bundle of joy), and this time they've got new ideas! Good ideas? Hopefully!
I'm in the Mood For...Short Stories!
December 21, 2018 17:00 - 23 minutes - 35.6 MBThis week Spenser and Jim talk about stories for busy people and by that we mean short stories. Jim giggles about stories involving a well known character in the science fiction world. Spenser talks about a classic short story collection that is still used to teach short stories in academic settings.
I'm in the Mood For...Something Local!
December 14, 2018 17:00 - 27 minutes - 40.6 MBThis week we are celebrating our local authors! Jim decides to try a story outside his wheelhouse with a popular name, while Spenser stays truly local. Exploring stories written in, about, and by Alabamians, this week is all about local pride!
I'm in the Mood For...Magic!
December 07, 2018 17:00 - 33 minutes - 49.2 MBFeaturing the famous Rosanna McGinnis yet again, the crew has different views on magic! Jim tackles the magic of the silver screen with a behind-the-scenes look at a favorite series, while Spenser delves into a modern Young Adult fiction masterpiece in the making, and Rosanna visits old friends in a new book! Listen in a packed-to-the-brim episode of magic and wonder!
I'm in the Mood For...the Holidays!
November 30, 2018 17:00 - 28 minutes - 41.9 MBHappy Holidays! With the season upon us, Spenser and Jim welcome Rosanna on the podcast to talk about their favorite holiday books. Rosanna talks about something new, while Spenser brings in a short story anthology. Jim, against all reason, discusses a holiday-themed non-fiction book! This episode has a little something for everyone!
I'm in the Mood For...Food!
November 23, 2018 17:00 - 27 minutes - 41 MBWith Thanksgiving happening (Happened?), Spenser and Jim talk about food! Or food books! Or both? Find out in this very thankful episode of I'm in the Mood For... Spenser talks about a good old children's classic and with Jim's help turns it into the literature debate of the century. Jim picks a somber memoir about cooking and culture. Spenser and Jim then reminisce on past thanksgiving celebrations.
I'm in the Mood For...Throwbacks!
November 16, 2018 17:00 - 29 minutes - 45 MBSpenser and Jim tackle some book series that everyone has read! Why? To talk about if they're still important, and what was or is important about them! If you've lived under a rock for the last twenty years, we have some great suggestions for you to read! If you've been above that rock, we might just have a few other suggestions if you liked these throwbacks in this week's episode!
I'm in the Mood For...Historical Fiction
November 09, 2018 17:00 - 20 minutes - 30.8 MBEver wonder what the world might be like if history played out differently? Well, so have a bunch of other people! Diving into the genre of Historical Fiction, Spenser sticks close to reality with a historical account of an English Village, while Jim goes off the deep end with a book that rebuilds a world where the Allies lost World War II! Come listen to Spenser fan-girl and Jim brood in this week's episode!
I'm in the Mood For...Death.
November 02, 2018 17:00 - 20 minutes - 29.6 MBHappy Dios de los Muertos! In celebration of this morbidly themed holiday, Spenser and Jim talk about books dealing with mortality. While Jim deals with feeling things, Spenser lightens the mood by laughing at dead people...kinda.
I'm in the Mood For...Horror!
October 26, 2018 17:00 - 20 minutes - 29.3 MBOh, the Horror! In this slightly-more-terrifying-than-scary episode, Spenser and Jim are ready for the spookiest day of the year, Halloween. Jim dives into a classic set of short stories still influencing the genre today, while Spenser takes a tiny step away from the classic Stephen King and towards something relatively new: a classic ghost story with a twist.
I'm in the Mood For...Time Travel Shenanigans!
October 19, 2018 17:00 - 16 minutes - 25 MBIn this episode Spenser and Jim get excited about Time Travel Shenanigans (aka books that include an element of time travel). Jim talks about what he calls "Harry Potter: the College Years" and Spenser gets too excited about an old favorite. Don't worry, there are no spoilers.
I'm in the Mood For...Something Scary!
October 12, 2018 17:00 - 19 minutes - 30.3 MBWith Halloween rapidly approaching, Spenser and Jim pull out their favorite scary books. Jim delves into his love for a well known horror book by a bestselling author and Spenser dusts off a non-fiction book that will still scare the wits out of everyone...especially since it is true.
I'm in the Mood for...Something Classic
October 05, 2018 17:00 - 19 minutes - 29.1 MBIn this episode Jim and Spenser explore their chosen classic books. Jim explores an influential fantasy novel, and talks about how its withstood the test of time and influenced novels follwing in its footsteps. Spenser talks about how her pick is often mistaken for a true memoir when in fact it is a work of fiction but how the book still captures the truth about war.
I'm in the Mood For...Banned Books
September 26, 2018 19:16 - 20 minutes - 27.1 MBIt's Banned Books Week 2018 (September 23-29th)! Spenser and Jim tackled their favorite banned books in order to address the subject of censorship. Spenser talks about one of her preferred banned books which targeted young adults and why this book was first banned and why its ban was eventually resended. Jim addresses one of the most contentious banned books of the 20th century, its success, and its eventual legacy today.
I'm in the Mood For...Something New
September 26, 2018 19:01 - 19 minutes - 26 MBSpenser and Jim talk about their favorite new books of the year. Jim explains why Terry Goodkind's new book is a step out of fantasy and a step into a gritty, almost brutal, crime thriller mixed with just the right amount of paranormal; Spenser talks about why David Sedaris's new book is not only the most recent of David Sedaris's books but also has a unique feel for fans and newcomers alike.