Subscribe to Library Booklists
From Armchair Travel to Christian Fiction to Picture Books, choose your booklist interests and get handpicked recommendations straight to your inbox with direct links to our collection (including direct links to our eBooks!).
To get started, subscribe here.
Book Talk Bakersfield
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, as well as guests, to talk about what we’ve been reading, watching, and listening to. Get reading recommendations and more! Episodes release weekly on Mondays and can be watched on Facebook, or streamed as a podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and additional podcast directories. Subscribe to receive the episode booklists directly in your email inbox.
Follow Fahra and Jasmin’s progress toward their reading goals!
Spooky Reads
Join staff members, Fahra and Jasmin as they discuss their favorite horror reads and how those novels and influenced pop culture. Find out what they have been reading, watching, and listening to for this week.
One Book One Bakersfield series: A Dream Called Home by Reyna Grande
Join staff members, Fahra and Jasmin talk about the main title of our One Book One Bakersfield series: A Dream Called Home by Reyna Grande. For more information about the One Book Project visit https://www.kerncountylibrary.org/one-book-project/Stick around to see what Fahra and Jasmin have been reading, watching, and listening to for the week!
Book Talk Bakersfield in Conversation with Author Nandini Bajpai
Join Kern County Library staff member Fahra in conversation with author Nandini Bajpai about her book Sister of the Bollywood Bride. Find out what Fahra and Nandini have been reading, watching, and listening to. Twenty lucky listeners will have a chance to win a copy of the book from Little Brown and Company Young Readers. Contest ends October 13, 2021Â https://hachettebookgroup.formstack.com/…/sister_of_the…
To get a list of these titles and more directly to your inbox subscribe to our Book Talk Bakersfield newsletter:Â http://libraryaware.com/3161/Subscribers/Subscribe…
Book Giveaway with Author Claire Andrews
Join Kern County Library staff members Fahra and Jasmin in conversation with author Claire Andrews about her book Daughter of Sparta. Find out what they have been reading, watching, and listen to. Twenty lucky listeners will have a chance of winning a copy of the book from Little Brown and Company. Contest ends October 6,2021
Library Updates
Catch up on all the library updates with Fahra and Jasmin on this week’s episode of Book Talk Bakersfield.
September 2021 Judge a Book the Cover
Join staff members, Fahra and Jasmin as they judge September new release young adult titles by their covers. Don’t forget to check out what they have been reading, watching, and listening to.
Workforce and Brainfuse
Join library staff members Fahra, Jasmin, and Lynne talk about the library Workforce and Brainfuse programs and how they help job seekers and students. Check out what they have been reading watching and listening to for this week.
Shadow and Bone
This is the Shadow and Bone episode you have been waiting for! This episode does contain spoilers, but it is one you don’t want to miss! Join staff members, Fahra and Jasmin as they talk about the television adaptation of Shadow and Bone and the other books in the Grishaverse. Stay tuned until the end to catch what they have been reading, watching, and listening to.
Book Talk Bakersfield with Job Fest
Join staff members, Fahra and Jasmin chat with Frank and Josh from Job Fest. Find out what services they offer and how the library uses brainfuse to help with job seeking. Check out what they all are reading, watching, and listening to this week.
One Of Us Passed Our Reading Goal!
Join staff members, Fahra and Jasmin up date you on their reading goals and find out who has already passed their goal. Check out what they have been reading, watching, and listening to this week.
Employer’s Training Resource and Workforce Opportunities
Join library staff member Fahra talk with Jeremy from Employer’s Training Resource about all the workforce opportunities that are available for job seekers. Don’t forget to check out what they have been reading, watching, and listening to this week.
In the Stacks!
Join staff members, Fahra and Jasmin in the stacks talk about some advance reader copies and new books that just came in. Don’t forget to add these books to your TBR because you know Fahra and Jasmin will be doing the same!
The Catch Up Episode
Catch up on all the library updates and what is happening at the Beale Memorial Library. Check out what staff members, Fahra and Jasmin have been reading, watching, and listening to. Don’t forget to join the Summer Reading Challenge!
Happy Summer!
Happy Summer! Catch Up with Fahra and Jasmin and find out where they are with their reading goals. Let us know what you have been reading, watching, and listening to. Don’t forget to join the summer reading challenge!
Book Talk Bakersfield with Story Tours
Have you been on the Bookmobile yet? Join Kern County staff members Fahra, Rachel, and Celina talk about the awesome Bookmobiles and Story Tours partnered with CAPK.
Lunch at your Local Library!
Did you know your favorite Kern County Libraries are handing out lunches for kids ages 2-18 as well as other activities!? Join Kern County staff members Fahra and Bethany to find out more about Lunch at the Library, the locations, and other activities available. Don’t forget to check out what they have been reading, watching, and listening to.
June 2021 New YA Releases
Thinking about new books to add to your ever growing TBR? Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Nerina talk about new upcoming young adult releases for June 2021. Find out what they have been reading, watching, listening to, and don’t forget to join the Summer Reading Challenge.
Traveling and Books
Traveling for the summer or planning a staycation? Fahra and Jasmin got you! Join them on this week’s episode to talk about travel guides, reading while traveling, and escaping to new worlds. Check out what they have been reading, watching, listening to this week, and don’t forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge.
We’re So Excited That Summer Reading Is Almost Here!
Get hyped for Summer Reading, which is only a couple weeks away! Join Fahra and Jasmin as they talk about the titles they’ve been reading, watching, and listening to.
Adiós Reading Slumps
Fahra & Jasmin have overcome their reading slumps! Join library staff members as they talk about the titles they’ve been reading, watching, and listening to that helped sparked their interest in reading again.
Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month
This week, Fahra and Jasmin, are joined by Dr. Christina from Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services to talk about Mental Health Awareness Month, upcoming events, and breaking the stigma! Join us to hear what we’re reading, watching, and listening to.Â
Getting Through Reading Slumps
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, to talk about reading slumps and why they are okay. Catching up on what they have been reading, watching, and listening to for the week.
The Duke and the Library Ladies
The Bridgerton Episode that you have been waiting for! Join staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, while they talk about the similarities and differences between season 1 of Bridgerton and the book, The Duke and I. Don’t forget to check out what they have been reading, watching, and listening to this week!
National Poetry Month
Join Kern County staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, to talk about National Poetry Month and catch up on what they have been reading, watching, and listening to.
Find Out More About Beale Memorial Library
Join staff members, Fahra and Ashley, to talk about all the services Beale Memorial Library has to offer. Also, Find out what they have been reading, watching, and listening to this week.
Judge a Book By Its Cover (April 2021)
Join Kern County Library Staff members, Fahra and Jasmin judge new Young Adult (April 2021) releases by their covers. Don’t forget to add these titles to your TBR!
Lauren Visits Us From Delano Branch
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra, Jasmin, and Lauren from the Delano Branch Library to talk about what they’ve been watching, reading, and listening to.Â
Track Your Reading with Beanstack
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, to talk about the In-N-Out Cover to Cover Reading Challenge. Find out the rules and how kids ages 4-12 can get their own FREE hamburger or cheeseburger. Check out what they’ve been watching, reading, and listening to. Sign up for the reading challenge online, on the Beanstack app, or at any of your local Kern County Library branches.
Book Talk Bakersfield: Untold
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guests Gabrielle and Kamini co-editors of Untold: Defining Moments of the Uprooted. Catch your first glimpse of this book and find out what we all have been reading, watching, and listening to.
Reading Sirens
Join Kern County Library Staff members, Fahra and Jasmin with fellow book podcast guests the Reading Sirens. Check out what they have been reading, watching, and listening to and follow their podcast Reading Sirens.
How Are We Doing On Our Reading Goals?
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, as they talk about what they have been reading, watching, and listening to. This week, they revisit their reading goals set at the beginning of the year to see how far they’ve come!
Our Romance With Romance Novels
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest and staff member Nerina to talk about the different kinds of Romance Novels.
Bizarro Fiction: Would You Read These?
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, as they learn about Bizarro Fiction and talk about what they have been reading, watching, and listening to.
Bridgerton Fever
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, to celebrate Family Literacy Week and talk about what they have been reading, watching, and listening to.
We’re Adding These to Our TBR
Join staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, as they judge books by their covers. Upcoming titles include January 2021 releases and catch up on what they have been reading, watching, and listening to.
Fitness Goals = Reading Goals
The Elfhame Obsession
Catch up with Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin to talk about their love for The Folk of the Air Series by Holly Black and what they have been reading, watching, and listening to.
New Year, New Book Reading Goals!
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, to talk about their reading goals for 2021 and what their favorite reads were for 2020.
Special Holiday Episode: The Librarians Among Us
Join Kern County Library staff members along with Fahra and Jasmin to talk about the new game Among Us and how digital games can be used to facilitate collaboration and can be extremely social especially during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Also find out the staff’s favorite Science Fiction recommendations to add to your TBR (To Be Read) List
Episode 36: GoodReads Awards 2020
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, to talk about the Goodreads 2020 Choice Awards and what they have been reading, watching, and listening to.
Episode 35: Author Talk with Libby Copeland
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest Libby Copeland author of The Lost Family to talk about what we’re reading, watching, listening to, and how DNA testing and massive genealogy databases are upending our family trees.
Episode 34: Judge a Book By Its Cover – December 2020
Join staff members Fahra and Jasmin as they judge books by their covers. Upcoming titles include December 2020 releases and catch up on what they have been reading, watching and listening to.
Episode 33: All About YA Tropes
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest, co-worker, and YA Book Lover Nerina to talk about what we’re reading, watching, and listening to, as well as our favorite YA tropes.
Episode 32: Author Talk with Erik Talkin
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest Erik Talkin author of Lulu and the Hunger Monster and CEO of The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County to talk about what we’re reading, watching, listening to and food literacy.
Episode 31: Artist Talk with Saida Woolf
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest Saida Woolf author and artist of SoulStream to talk about what we’re reading, watching, and listening to, as well as finding a passion in storytelling.
Episode 30: The Spooky Episode
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest, Ariel, and staff member, Candace, to talk about our spooky paranormal experiences and hauntings in Bakersfield.Â
Episode 29: Judge a Book By Its Cover (November 2020)
Join staff members Fahra and Jasmin as they judge books by their covers. Upcoming titles include November 2020 releases and catch up on what they have been reading, watching and listening to.
Episode 28: Author Talk with Rana Tahir
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest Rana Tahir, author of Choose Your Own Adventure Spies: Noor Inayat Khan, to talk about what we’re reading, watching, listening to and the nostalgia of the choose your own adventure novels.
Episode 27: Author Talk with Marlene Wagman-Geller
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest Marlene Wagman-Geller author of Woman Who Launch to talk about what we’re reading, watching, and listening to. Join us for the One Book Project and get a list of all the titles to participate.
Episode 24: Author Talk with Lynne Kelly
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest Lynne Kelly author of “Song for a Whale” (along with ASL Interpretation) to talk about what we’re reading, watching, listening to. Join us for Book Talk’s second One Book Project episode and get a list of all the titles to participate.
Episode 23: Judge a Book By Its Cover
Episode 22: It’s Library Card Sign-Up Month with Wonder Woman
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest Wonder Woman (Nina Ha), in celebrating National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Find out what their all-time favorites books are and what they’ve been reading, watching, and listening to.
Episode 21: Author Talk with Brittney Morris
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest Brittney Morris author of SLAY to talk about what we’re reading, watching, listening to and young women in STEAM. Join us for the Kern County Library’s kick off episode for the One Book Project and get a list of all the titles to participate.
Episode 20: Let’s Explore the eLibrary!
Episode 19: The BIG YA Episode
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, with library lovers all the way on the other side of the U.S. of A! Erin and Courtney join us from New Hampshire to talk all things YA. Check out one of our many favorites in our Big YA Episode!
Episode 18: ShePOWER, Titles About Race, & More!
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, along with guest Arleana Waller with ShePOWER Leadership Academy to talk about what we’re reading and watching, empowering women to become leaders, the importance of the 2020 Census, and information about the Library’s curbside services.
Episode 17: Summer Reading’s NOT Over!
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, to talk about what we’re reading and watching, how the Kern County Library’s Summer Reading Challenge is extended through August this year, and information about the Library’s curbside services.
Backpack Giveaways, Reading with Children, and More!
Catch up with Staff Members, Jasmin and Fahra, as they talk with the Director of Child Support Services in Kern County, Elizabeth Chavez. Find out about their upcoming backpack distribution and why it’s so important to read to kids at an early age!
Pandemic Reads, Reading for Your Health, & More!
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, with Matt Constantine, Director of the Kern County Department of Public Health to talk about what we’re reading and watching, the importance of reading for public health, pandemic reads, and information about the Library’s curbside services.
The Kern Recovers Program, The Baby-Sitters Club, Hamilton, and More!
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, with Scott Couture, of Kern County Department Employers’ Training Resource to talk about what we’re reading and watching, the Kern Recovers Program and PPE distribution, and information about the Library’s curbside services.
Continuing Curbside Services, Lunch Grab-N-Go, and More!
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, as well as Regional Librarian Shalyn, to talk about what we’re reading and watching, how curbside services are going at library branches, and grab-n-go lunches.
Curbside Services Begin at Kern County Library!
Join Kern County Library staff members, Fahra and Jasmin, to talk about what we’re reading and watching and the launch of curbside services at select Kern County Library locations.
Russo’s Books, Reading During COVID-19, and More!
Book Cover Art, Podcasts, & More!
Join Fahra and Jasmin to talk about what we’ve been reading and watching, about how cover art on books affects what we choose to read, and on Fahra’s newest favorite podcast. Check out a list of what we talked about with catalog links! Access at kerncountylibrary.org.
Book Cafe
Looking for interaction and social connections? Are you maxed out on Netflix? Want to virtually meet new friends and discuss books and ideas with like-minded bibliophiles? The Book Cafe is open and offers five interest groups: Non-Fiction, General Fiction, Cozy Reads, Young Adult, and Children’s. Sign up individually or with friends. Even Great Uncle Albert who lives in Montana can join in the fun. All you need is an internet connection to listen in and discuss!
July 2022
The Global Book Club
Join OverDrive in their “Big Library Read” that connects readers around the world with the same eBook at the same time without any waitlists or holds. Joining is easy and FREE. Access the current title through OverDrive. Many Big Library Reads culminate with digital author events. Learn more about the current title.
November 2-16, 2020 – Reverie, by Ryan La Sala
Inception meets The Magicians in this wildly imaginative story about what happens when the secret world people hide within themselves comes to light.
All Kane Montgomery knows for certain is that the police found him half-dead in the river. He can’t remember anything since an accident robbed him of his memories a few weeks ago. And the world feels different — reality itself seems different. So when three of his classmates claim to be his friends and the only people who can tell him what’s truly going on, he doesn’t know what to believe or who he can trust. But as he and the others are dragged into unimaginable worlds that materialize out of nowhere — the gym warps into a subterranean temple, a historical home nearby blooms into a Victorian romance rife with scandal and sorcery — Kane realizes that nothing in his life is an accident, and only he can stop their world from unraveling.
The Global Book Club
Discover Hoopla’s suggested book club reads and resources. Every quarter, Hoopla releases Spotlight Selections which include a discussion guide and exclusive author interview to help you get the most out of your book club. With Hoopla, there’s no holds and no waiting, so it’s super easy to get started with a group of your friends to start your very own book club! Check out the current Spotlight Selection.
Even More Book Clubs, Talks, and Groups
There are many publisher book clubs and title suggestions, free online book groups, and celebrity book clubs. Here are a list of official groups you may be interested in accessing.
Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House provides assorted title suggestions, as well as discussion guides to kick off your book club. Access their suggestions.
Simon and Schuster Book Club Favorites
Simon and Schuster chooses a book monthly for discussion, includes a reading group discussion guide, and a Facebook Live Discussion. Simon and Schuster also includes recommended titles for your own book clubs. Access their club and suggestions.
Oprah’s Book Club
Oprah founded the first celebrity book club, starting as a segment on on her popular talk show. Oprah posts selections on her website, as well as on her GoodReads group.
Our Shared Shelf with Emma Watson
Emma Watson shares all her feminist reads and selects a book every two months. She starts an open discussion for every read on her GoodReads group.
Reese’s Book Club with Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon unites a community that celebrates female storytelling. A book is chosen each month and Reese posts video blogs sharing her thoughts on the read while her fans can share their thoughts on the club’s social media platforms.
SJP Picks with Sarah Jessica Parker
SJP Picks is a place where Sarah Jessica Parker shares her love of reading and discussing good books with readers everywhere. There is no limitation on a particular genre. The read often includes reviews, author interviews, and more.
Between Two Books with Florence + The Machine
Dedicated to Florence Welch’s love of reading, this club includes Florence (and sometimes special guests too!) recommending a book every few months. The club includes events for readers to discuss the stories, meet fellow members, and ask questions of Florence and her friends.
Belletrist with Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts and bestie Karah Preiss pick their favorite reads, share their treasured bookstores, and interview their favorite authors for their book club, which encourages members to discover and celebrate their favorite book monthly. This club has a celebrity following of its own!
Andrew Luck Book Club
NFL star Andrew Luck’s Book Club offers picks for “Rookies” (kids) and “Veterans” (older readers) and believes in building a team through reading. Discover Andrew’s current picks.
