The Edmonton Public Library podcast Overdue Finds officially turned one on April 25, 2019 and it was a big year for the show! In February, the podcast won a Canadian Podcast Award, opens a new window for Outstanding Branded Series. The show was also recently named as a Finalist for Best Podcast at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards, opens a new window. New co-host Caroline Land joined the show in March and we launched our first annual March Madness tournament to determine the best movie based on a book (awarded to The Princess Bride). We interviewed high-profile guests, such as sports concussion expert and former WWE superstar, Dr. Chris Nowinski, opens a new window; best-selling author of The Sun Does Shine and former death row inmate, Anthony Ray Hinton, opens a new window; and retired FBI agent and Mindhunter author, John Douglas, opens a new window.
The podcast wouldn't be a success without the help of our guests, including the many EPL staff members who have been on the show and who work behind the scenes. On each episode of Overdue Finds, we ask our guests to name a movie, album, book or video game that they've recently enjoyed. We asked staff to share their own top "Overdue Finds" from 2019 that you can borrow from EPL. Here's their faves!
American Royals by Katharine McGee
"What if instead of becoming president, George Washington became America’s first . . . King? American Royals looks at an alternate world where princesses face scrutiny from the American paparazzi, old traditions struggle against modern times and the royal family spends New Year’s skiing in the Rockies. Plus lots of fancy balls, designer gowns, palace intrigue and, of course, . . . secrets." — Caroline Land, Manager at the Capilano Branch and co-host of Overdue Finds. Caroline's favourite episode of 2019 was Episode 45 – A Christmas Carol.
American Royals is available as a book, eBook, audiobook CD and downloadable audiobook.
Beyond Beautiful by Anuschka Rees
"My item is Beyond Beautiful, which is a book written by Anuschka Rees. It’s billed as a 'Practical Guide to Being Happy, Confident, and You in a Looks-Obsessed World,' which sounds like a cheesy self-help title . . . . In actuality, this is an exploration of body neutrality, which is a surprisingly radical concept in our culture." — Melanie St-Onge, Manager in the Adult Services and City of Learners Division and guest on Episode 36 – Adulting, opens a new window.
Beyond Beautiful is available as a book, eBook and downloadable audiobook
Brightburn (directed by David Yarovesky)
"Everyone knows the origin story of Superman but what if instead of growing up to save mankind he decided that he wanted to destroy it? This movie explores that very scenario with a very similar Clark Kent / Superman like character. Brightburn won’t win any awards but it will keep you on the edge of your seat and was one of the most entertaining movies that I watched in 2019." — Bryce Crittenden, Senior Marketing Consultant in the Marketing and Communications Division and co-host of Overdue Finds. Bryce's favourite episode of 2019 was Episode 40 – “Mindhunter” John Douglas, opens a new window.
Brightburn is available as a DVD.
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow
"It is a deep dive into the way our systems are stacked against sexual assault victims coming forward, and an excellent portrait of the #MeToo movement. Farrow is a meticulous and funny writer and this book is an important and gripping read.” — Laura Young, Community Librarian with the epl2go Literacy Vans and guest on Episode 34 – Road Trippin'.
Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and A Conspiracy to Protect Predators is available as a book, eBook, audiobook CD and downloadable audiobook.
Hadestown
"For musical theatre lovers with a local connection! The soundtrack from the original Broadway cast of Hadestown; a Tony award winning production based on a Greek tale. The amazing tunes from singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell is worth it alone, but the production had a stop in Edmonton on its path to the Great White Way. Some seriously powerful performances make this a treat to listen to." — Hannah Whittaker, Fund Development Events Specialist in the Fund Development Division and guest on Episode 26 – Let’s Plan an Event, opens a new window.
Hadestown is available as a music CD and streaming music.
It Started With A Big Bang by Floor Bal
"This book is a beautifully illustrated, a very high level perspective, and an easy-to-read aloud overview of how life on earth evolved from the very beginning. My son (grade 2) and I enjoyed talking through the transitions, and the content provided a natural jumping off point for all sorts of other topics to explore. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking something super scientific with tons of detail to answer specific inquiries, but it’s a perfect starting point for little ones with big questions! Overall this book is a delightful experience for readers of all ages wanting a quick journey through the ages of the universe and life on earth." — Angelica Thompson, Manager of the Meadows Branch and guest on Episode 31 – The Public, opens a new window.
It Started With A Big Bang: The Origin of Earth, You and Everything Else is available as a book.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (directed by Chad Stahelski)
"I chose this item because my Internet boyfriend, Keanu, continued to wreaked havoc across the globe for his dog. I would have done same for my dog." — Amy Tremblay-Wong, Library Assistant at the Abbottsfield - Penny McKee Branch and worked behind the scenes on Episode 27 – Capital City Records Vinyl, opens a new window.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum is available as a DVD.
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
"My Overdue Find for 2019 is the memoir Know My Name by Chanel Miller. Known to many by her court pseudonym 'Emily Doe' or by some permutation of 'the Stanford rape victim,' Chanel writes about her fight to regain autonomy after being sexually assaulted at a Stanford frat party in 2015. She writes beautifully, yet her experiences are traumatizing and unsurprisingly difficult to read. Choosing to release her name and tell her authentic story is an important way for her to drive many points home: not only do survivors suffer the ongoing effects of sexual assault itself, but their identities also suffer at the hands of the public and the legal system. This story is so, so important." — Maria Milanowski, Library Assistant with the epl2go Literacy Vans and worked behind the scenes on Episode 29 – Libraries in Pop Culture, opens a new window.
Know My Name: A Memoir is available as a book, eBook and downloadable audiobook.
Middlegame by Seanan McGuire
"Roger and Dodger are twins separated at birth who aren’t exactly human. They learn that they are more than they seem and the world is stranger than any of us know. Will they figure out who created them and what they can do in time? Or will they tear the world apart?" — Meg DeForest, Community Librarian at the Jasper Place Branch and guest on Episode 36 – Adulting, opens a new window.
Middlegame is available as a book, eBook and downloadable audiobook.
Monsters and Men (directed by Reinaldo Marus Green)
"Almost a response to the 30-year-old Do The Right Thing, Monsters and Men reminds us that the 'right thing' is never painless or easy or convenient. Set amongst the Black Lives Matter days of modern Brooklyn, this film launches from a police shooting and its aftermath. And there’s a surprising amount of nuance here—we’re treated to a number of different viewpoints, including the Blue Lives movement—so that any time you’re tempted to feel weary and numb, little actions can remind you what the right thing feels like. This film left me surprised and even exhilarated." — Diego Ibarra, Library Assistant at Idywyle Branch and guest on Episode 25 – Overdue Finds March Madness, opens a new window.
Monsters and Men is available as a DVD.
Purple Mountains by Purple Mountains
"A beautiful return to recording for Silver Jews’ David Berman who committed suicide about a month after this came out. It’s a rather profound record and, can I say it, catchy too. A hands-down beauty!" — Richard Thornley, Manager at Enterprise Square (Downtown) Branch and guest on Episode 35 – 1969 Pop Culture Time Capsule, opens a new window.
Purple Mountains is available as a music CD.
Sabrina by Nick Drnaso
"Sabrina, a graphic novel by Nick Drnaso, is set in contemporary America and explores the fallout of a tragic event involving a young woman named Sabrina. It’s beautifully drawn, with rounded figures and muted colours, and truly captures our current moment at the end of the decade." — Allison DaSilva, Licensing and Collections Assessment Librarian in the Collections Management and Access Division and guest on Episode 33 – Game of Thrones, opens a new window.
Sabrina is available as a graphic novel.
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
“It starts off as a singular history of a young widow and mom who disappeared in Belfast during the height of the Troubles, but it quickly expands into a gripping account of the multiple tragedies of the conflict in Northern Ireland over the years. It’s a sobering companion to the great show Derry Girls (on Netflix).” — Camilla Fita, Community Librarian at the Whitemud Crossing Branch and guest on Episode 44 – Tales From the Stacks.
Say Nothing is available as a book, eBook, downloadable audiobook and in large print.
Vegetables First by Ricardo
"Ricardo is known for creating simple foolproof recipes and this cookbook does not disappoint. His newest cookbook Vegetables First is full of simple and elegant ways to serve your favourite vegetables and soon-to-be favourite vegetables. It even has a useful section on how to use up those odds and ends to avoid food waste. This book will inspire you to put more vegetable goodness front and center on your plate, exactly where we all know they belong!" — Hayley Redpath, Library Services Coordinator at the Idylwylde (Bonnie Doon) Branch and guest on Episode 46 – Best of 2019.
Vegetables First: 120 Vibrant Vegetable-Forward Recipes is available as a book and eBook.
Very Nice by Marcy Dermansky
"Everyone in the book makes bad choices! (hilariously bad choices!) The last chapter made me laugh out loud but don't ask me too much about it because I am not good at keeping spoilers to myself. In fact, the reason that I want more people to read it, is so that I can talk about the ending without worrying about spoiling anything." — Katherine Bateman, Library Assistant at the Whitemud Crossing Branch and worked behind the scenes on Episode 37 – Kids Pop Culture Confessions, opens a new window.
Very Nice is available as a book.
Why? by Adam Rex and Illustrated by Claire Keane
"This book delighted both my children, was a smash-hit at school during read-in week and made me laugh. Publisher’s Weekly sums it up well to call it part origin story and part therapy session. We meet supervillain Dr. X-Ray in the midst of taking over the world, but he’s not expecting to be questioned by a young girl with a simple question. As kids and adults alike know, there’s no more powerful question than 'why?'" — Tamsin Shute, Youth Services Librarian at the Enterprise Square (Downtown) Branch, opens a new window and guest on Episode 22 – Children's Picture Books are Where It's At, opens a new window.
Why? is available as a book and eBook.
Wordslut by Amanda Montell
"Amanda Montell explores studies in sociolinguistics that explore how the very language we use supports the default system of patriarchy and how as everyday users we can try to be more proactive in how we use English as feminists. I adored this book from the opening introduction. While the linguistics studies Montell is unpacking are rigorous and academic, she makes them clear and understandable for a general audience while being smart and funny and entertaining. Whether she's exploring the swears we use, the euphemisms we use for genitalia, or how women talk amongst themselves, everything is well explored and clear for the non-expert. Highly recommended for all feminists but also for those who are just curious about how English really works." — Beth Kilfoy, Collections Librarian in the Collection Management and Access Division and guest co-host on Episode 24 – Romance is For Everyone, opens a new window.
Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language is available as a book and downloadable audiobook.
Subscribe to EPL's Overdue Finds podcast to get new episodes bi-weekly!
Add a comment to: The Top ‘Overdue Finds’ of 2019