Welcome to Episode 1 of Top Shelf with Russell Library! This show is brought to you by the same team behind Middletown Strong: Looking up With Russell Library. After four wonderful community-focused seasons of Middletown Strong, the team has chosen to focus on one of our other great loves... books! Our librarians will share titles that connect to a unique theme each episode. In today's conversation, Briana, Kim, Christy, and Stephanie will explore some of their favorite banned and challenged books. They'll give you honest recommendations, so you can confidently step into your next read. Thankfully, Russell Library makes it easy to access all of your favorite titles, we'll talk about that, too! Ready to see what's on the top shelf? Come along, we'll turn the page together!
Book Recommendations
Gender Queer : a memoir / by Maia Kobabe ; colors by Phoebe Kobabe
The Perks of Being a Wallflower / Stephen Chbosky
Bridge to Terabithia / Katherine Paterson ; illustrated by Donna Diamond
The Library Vault Blog
https://thelibraryvault.com/2025/06/02/researching-a-middletown-pride-pioneer/
Bklyn Public Library: Interview with Maia Kobabe
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts/interview-maia-kobabe
MSNBC: Interview w/ Stephen Chbosky
https://www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/watch/-velshibannedbookclub-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-by-stephen-chbosky-199844421994
Intro Music by nikitsan
