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Hit the Road with Our Book Club Pick

JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them.

Books & Bites Podcast, Ep. 114

On this episode, Carrie, Michael, and guest-host Charlotte discuss So Far Gone by Jess Walter, one of the prompts on the Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge.

This witty, suspenseful, and timely novel follows a reclusive journalist who goes on a quest to rescue his kidnapped grandchildren. It not only features a road trip, the audiobook makes a great pick for a road trip thanks to Eduardo Ballerini's narration.

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Prompt to Page with Eugenia Johnson-Smith

A JCPL librarian interviews published writers about their favorite writing prompts. These exercises can help inspire, focus, and improve your creative writing.

Brought to you in partnership with the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

Listen to Episode 56

 Author Eugenia Johnson-Smith believes writers should focus on getting their thoughts down in a first draft and worry about grammar and style later.  "Don't be too critical," she says, "because you've got to get the words on the page."

Eugenia shares some of the prompts that help her and her students write without pressure or judgment. She also discusses the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative, including her new role there. Listen below!

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Learn About the 2026 Kentucky Primary Midterm Candidates

The Kentucky midterm primary is on May 19, with voters deciding who will advance to the November midterms.

Kentucky voters will decide their party's candidates for the U.S. Senate race to replace Senator Mitch McConnell. Voters in the 6th U.S. House district, which includes Jessamine County, will decide their party's candidates for the U.S. House.

Jessamine County and Nicholasville will also vote on several local and state races. To see the complete list of races, download the Jessamine County sample ballot.

Find your precinct, districts, and polling place at the Kentucky Voter Information Center.

more: Learn About the 2026 Kentucky Primary Midterm Candidates

A Bouquet of Books

JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them.

Books & Bites Podcast, Ep. 113

May is abloom thanks to these books with flowers on the cover, our latest prompt from the Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge.

This prompt is more versatile than you might think, with plenty of options beyond gardening books. (Yes, there's even horror, as Michael shows.) Listen below to learn more about our picks.

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Explore Asian American History with Asian Life in America

Honor the heritage of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) by learning more about their lives and history.

Newspapers and other primary source documents are a great way to supplement book research. Reading directly from these sources can help you understand more about the everyday experiences of Asian Americans.

That’s why the library subscribes to Asian Life in America, a primary source collection that provides online access to 19,000 American and global sources.

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Celebrate Derby Day at JCPL

The first Saturday in May unites Kentuckians across the state as we all gather to watch that famous run for the roses, The Kentucky Derby. But before the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home” or the loading of the starting gate, you’re invited to a special Derby Day Celebration at JCPL!

Join us from 12 pm to 3 pm on Saturday, May 2, for family-friendly fun with food and drinks provided by the Jessamine County Homeless Coalition.

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Prompt to Page with Willie Carver Jr.

A JCPL librarian interviews published writers about their favorite writing prompts. These exercises can help inspire, focus, and improve your creative writing.

Brought to you in partnership with the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.

Listen to Episode 55

Think your story doesn't matter? Author Willie Carver Jr. believes that "each of us has a story that can help contribute to the complexity of all of us...."

When Willie uses writing prompts to unlock his story, "they're almost always body related." That's because he thinks "the truth of things is already in your body."

On this episode, Willie shares a prompt that will help you discover what your body already knows. He also discusses his new book, Tore All to Pieces; why learning to write is like learning a foreign language; and more. Listen below!

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Small-Town Reads for Spring Bingo

JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them.

Books & Bites Podcast, Ep. 112

Give your reading a fresh start with the Spring Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge.

From now through June 30, 2026, keep track of books you read or listen to on the Spring Books & Bites Bingo Card. Complete all 9 squares for a chance to win a $50 Joseph-Beth gift card.

On this episode, we visit fictional small-towns from Mississippi to Northern Ireland.

Our picks include an emotional YA novel about close friendship; a tale of college football that will tackle you out the gate; and a dark comedy served with a side of curry chips.

more: Small-Town Reads for Spring Bingo