Episode #302: CHOP SUEY: Library of Congress, AI summer reading lists, and Summer of…!
Grace and Alvina have an odds and ends episode where they give some updates on the recent firing of the Librarian of Congress, they talk about the AI-generated summer reading list, and they ponder what they're hoping to focus on this summer. Then, children's literature specialist Alison Morris joins to give some book recommendations, and they end as always with what they're grateful for.
How have you been?
Alvina is on vacation officially and headed to Turks and Caicos! Grace is finally home from her book tour and getting back to home-life. Grace is going to receive her honorary degree at the 2025 RISD commencement! After that, the book friends will be recording their next podcast episode at the opening of Grace’s exhibit at the Carle Museum!
In the news…
Dr. Haden was fired from the Library of Congress by Trump. Former National Ambassadors for Young People’s Literature have announced their opposition: Jon Scieszka, Katherine Paterson, Kate DiCamillo, Gene Luen Yang, Jacqueline Woodson, Jason Reynolds, and Meg Medina all signed a joint statement. Trump also fired head of the U.S. Copyright Office. A summer reading list was posted in the Chicago Sun Times and it was generated by AI. It listed a bunch of books that were written by authors that do not exist.
From the Gretchen Rubin podcast, “Happier”, where she talks about what is this “the summer of?” Alvina is thinking this may be the summer of reading lists! Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad inspired Alvina to keep up her morning pages and tap into creativity. Alvina will call it the “summer of art” for herself. Grace is thinking of it being the “summer of peace” for her. Listening to audio books, painting, and looking forward to staying home.
Book Recommendations
Welcome Alison Morris! What could we be reading?
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.
The Song of Achilles (Great for Pride Month) and Circe by Madeline Miller
Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson
A picture book biography: Jim! Six True Stories About One Great Artist: James Marshall by Jerrold Connors
Watch This! A Book about Making Shapes by Hilary Walker, Beci Orpin, and Jane Godwin
Mama Moon: A Story About Love and Mental Health by Noah Grigni
Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol
Cute Animals That Could Kill You Dead by Brooke Hartman and Maria Garcia
Gratefuls
Alvina is grateful that she’s on vacation! Alison is so grateful for weddings and happy celebrations! Grace is grateful for friends in general and Hazel’s friends too!
THANK YOU!
Thank you to Hachette Audio, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Alex at Pacyworks Studio for producing and editing this podcast. Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and tell a friend about us. (Use the hashtag #bookfriendsforever.)
You can find Alvina @Planetalvina on Twitter and TikTok and @Alvinaling on Instagram and Threads, @alvinaling on BlueSky
You can find Grace @Pacylin on Instagram and Threads, @authorgracelin on Facebook, @gracelinauthor on Blue Sky.
You can find Alison Morris @ kidlitgirl on Instagram
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