What were the books Butte County readers checked out again and again in 2025? In this episode of Library-ish, we’re taking a look at the most popular titles borrowed from the Butte County Library — the books that flew off the shelves, racked up holds, and became true community favorites.We’ll talk about the reading trends that shaped the year and what these top checkouts say about what our community loves to read. Then, at the end of the episode, we’ll shift our focus to the year ahead and share the books we’re personally most excited to read in 2026 — from fiction to nonfiction and everything in between.Whether you’re looking for your next great read, curious about what your neighbors loved this past year, or already building your reading list for the new year, this episode is a great place to start.The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community. Library-ish podcast: https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod Butte County Public Library website: https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library Our programming calendar: https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month

Settle in with Traci and January for a cozy literary journey around the world as we explore real winter reading traditions that make this season perfect for stories, candles, and long nights with a good book.

In this episode, we travel through:

🕯️ Sweden’s mysiga stunder — the art of creating “cozy moments,” where winter reading becomes a slow, intentional ritual surrounded by warmth, candles, and comfort.

📚 Iceland’s Jólabókaflóð — the beloved “Christmas Book Flood,” when families exchange books on December 24 and spend the night reading with cocoa or jólaöl.

🌙 Iran’s Yalda Night — the ancient winter solstice celebration marked by poetry recitation, especially Hafez, as families gather to welcome the longest night with stories and light.

🎄 Germany’s Advent Reading Nights — including chapter-a-day Advent books and Adventslesungen hosted in libraries and homes throughout December.

📖 Japan’s fuyu no dokusho — the nationwide “winter reading season,” supported by seasonal book lists, school reading weeks, and library programs.

🍃 Scotland’s Winter Storytelling Tradition — rooted in Celtic folklore, long nights, and oral storytelling gatherings that continue today through community events and library programs.

Plus: a look at why winter becomes the natural global reading season — psychologically, culturally, and historically.

Grab a warm drink, wrap up in a blanket, and join us for a tour of winter bookish traditions from across the world.

The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community.

Library-ish podcast: ⁠https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod⁠

Butte County Public Library website: ⁠https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library⁠

Our programming calendar: ⁠https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month

Join Traci & January for a cozy holiday episode of Library-ish as they unwrap Butte County’s most-checked-out titles of 2025, share their personal favorites, and recommend their most anticipated new and upcoming books to give (or keep!) this season.

📚 Borrow these & many more titles for free through your local library — or find them on Libby & Hoopla!

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community.

Library-ish podcast:⁠https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod⁠

Butte County Public Library website: ⁠https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library⁠

Our programming calendar: ⁠https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month

#LibraryishPodcast #ButteCountyLibrary #HolidayReads #BookGifts #ChristmasReads #BookRecommendations #LibbyApp #HooplaDigital #ReadersOfInstagram

Some books tell stories. Others keep secrets. 📖💀

In this Halloween episode of Library-ish, Traci and January open the covers of history’s most haunted and forbidden works — from the unreadable Voynich Manuscript and the chilling Devil’s Bible, to the Malleus Maleficarum, the Piri Reis Map, the legendary Necronomicon, and even Shakespeare’s Macbeth — the cursed Scottish Play that still haunts stages today.

Are they cursed, misunderstood, or simply too powerful to ignore? Find out in Cursed Ink: The Legends Behind History’s Most Haunted Books.

The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community.

Library-ish podcast:https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod

Butte County Public Library website: https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library

Our programming calendar: https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month

Did you know Charlotte’s Web was once challenged for its talking animals? Or that Where’s Waldo? was banned because of a single background image?

In this episode of Library-ish, Traci and January dive into thesurprising history of banned books. We share unusual stories behind some of the most unexpected titles, explain why challenges happen, and highlight how libraries safeguard intellectual freedom for everyone.

Join us as we take the mystery out of banned books and explore why access to stories—no matter how unusual the challenge—matters to every community.

The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community.

Library-ish podcast:https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod

Butte County Public Library website: https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library

Our programming calendar: https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month

Library policies:

https://www.buttecounty.net/694/Library-Policies

The air is crisp, the leaves are turning, and fall is the perfect time to curl up with a good book. In this episode of Library-ish, Traci and January share their top recommendations for the season — pairing five timeless classics with five modern favorites that echo the same cozy, autumnal vibes.

📚 From literary gems to sci-fi & fantasy adventures, from cozy mysteries to chilling horror tales, we’ll guide you through the perfect books to keep you company this fall.

✨ Highlights include:

• Classic & modern pairings across four genres

• Cozy mystery staples to warm your evenings
• Gothic and spooky favorites for fall chills
• Comforting, heartwarming reads for sweater-weather days

🍂 Whether you love timeless stories or are searchingfor your next new favorite, this episode will inspire your fall TBR.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share so younever miss an episode of Library-ish!

Once upon a time, libraries were quiet places to read and research. Now? They're hosting storytimes, resume workshops, crafting nights, and coding classes. In this episode, Traci and January dive into how libraries evolved into vibrant community hubs—and why programming is at the heart of everything we do.

🎨👶📚💼 Plus, learn about some of the cool things we're doing at your favorite Butte County Branch! From toddler dance parties to tech help, we’ve got something for everyone.

The Library-ish Podcast delves into libraries & librarianship within the context of culture and community.

Library-ish podcast: https://www.buttecounty.net/2085/Library-ish-the-Butte-County-Library-Pod

Butte County Public Library website: https://www.buttecounty.net/528/Library

Our programming calendar: https://buttecounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month

📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your fellow bookworms!

Is your to-be-read list more overwhelming than inspiring? In this episode of Library-ish, hosts Traci (librarian) and January(library assistant) break down a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect TBR—a list that works for YOU insteadof against you.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

- How to set realistic reading goals

- Ways to balance your list with different genres, formats, and moods

- Tricks for keeping your TBR manageable (and fun!)

- Why it's okay to DNF and refresh your list regularly

Whether you’re a mood reader, a list-maker, or someone stuck in reading paralysis, this episode will give you tools and tips to make your TBR something you’re excited aboutagain.

🎧 Tune in, grab a notebook, and start building your dream reading list today!

💬 Tell us in the comments: What’s the #1 book on your current TBR?

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more episodes from the Butte County Library’s Library-ish podcast!