We're Booked Up - Dungeon Crawler Carl

Attention, Listeners! We have returned for a sixth season of our usual nonsense! And we're off to a good start with a discussion of the popular lit-rpg book Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. So, get to your nearest safe room and settle in for the Sixth Season Premiere of We're Booked Up. 

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, let us know what you think of the book and what you think of what we think of the book. Would you go into the dungeon?

Then head over to GastonLibrary.org to learn more about what your library has to offer. 

Next month's book will be How To Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix.

Thanks for listening! 

We're Booked Up - Fifth Annual Voticed Awards

Have you voticed yet? Are you as ready to share your correct opinions as we are?

Then you're in luck! It's time for the Fifth Annual Voticed Awards. Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss their favorites and least favorites from the past season based on pure scientific fact and not just vibes. 👀

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, let us know your favorite and least favorite of the season and why you think Jack Graham is The Worst of the Year.

And don't forget to sign up for Summer Reading at your favorite GCPL branch!

Start getting ready for the sixth season! Our September book will Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman.

Thanks for listening!

We're Booked Up - How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying

 Gaston Speaks' plan to conquer the podcast world continues with another episode of We're Booked Up 😈. In this episode, Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler.

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, let us know what you think of the book and what you think of what we think of the book. Be sure to command your evil horde to listen, too!

Then head over to GastonLibrary.org to learn more about what your library has to offer.

Next month is the Fifth Annual Voticed Awards!

Thanks for listening!

We're Booked Up - Atmosphere

 Ready to fall in love? In this episode of We're Booked Up, Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, let us know what you think of the book and what you think of what we think of the book. Be sure to tell you entire crew about the podcast!

Mark your calendars! The Annual Friends of the Gaston County Public Library Book Sale begins on Monday, April 6th! Click here to learn more.

Next month's book will be How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler.

Thanks for listening!

We're Booked Up - The Truth According to Ember

 Love is in the office! For this episode, Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss The Truth According to Ember, a contemporary romance by Danica Nava.

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, let us know what you think of the book and what you think of what we think of the book. And tell all the people you know in Human Resources about the podcast!

And don't forget to sign up for Wowbrary!

Next month's book will be Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Thanks for listening!

We're Booked Up - The Thursday Murder Club

 It's time to solve a murder! Or maybe just critique it a little. For this episode of We're Booked Up, Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, let us know what you think of the book and what you think of what we think of the book. And tell all the people you would solve a murder with about the podcast!

And look for your next book at the NC Digital Library

Next month's book will be The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava.

Thanks for listening!

We're Booked Up - Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge

 Happy Holidays, listeners! It's that time of year again when Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique read a book to get into the holiday spirit! This year's holiday book is Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge by Kjersti Herland Johnsen.

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, let us know what you think of the book and what you think of what we think of the book. And gift your friends by sharing the podcast.

Don't forget to check out Freegal Music for holiday music playlists.

Next month's book will be The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

Thanks for listening!

We're Booked Up - One in a Millennial

 Feeling nostalgic? Join Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique as they discuss One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy, one millennial's memoir of pop culture and growing up.

Use the player below to listen, or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, let us know what you think of the book and what you think of what we think of the book. And be sure to tell every millennial you know about the podcast.

And then head over to NCLive for your millennial research obsessions.

Next month's book will be Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge by Kjersti Herland Johnsen.

Thanks for listening!

We're Booked Up - What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez

 In this episode, Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jiménez, a hilarious and heartbreaking story of three women in search of a lost daughter.

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks in your preferred podcast app. After listening, leave a comment letting us know what you think of what we think. And be sure to tell everyone at the Trunk or Treat about it!

Don't forget to see what's available in the GCPL Library of Things!

Next month's book will be One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls and Fitting In by Kate Kennedy.

Thanks for listening!

We're Booked Up - Absolute Power

 We're back! It's the fifth season, and we, once again, decided to tackle a bestselling, longtime author. This time they're going back to the beginning with the author's first book. Will Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique enjoy Absolute Power by David Baldacci? 

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, leave a comment and let us know what you think of what we think. And make sure you tell everyone you've ever met about your public library's podcast.

And check out GastonLibrary.org for all your GCPL needs!

Next month's book will be What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jiménez.

Thanks for listening!

Summer Reading on Goodreads

Time for another Summer Reading Goodreads Challenge!

Our Adult Summer Reading Challenge is very simple; all you have to do is keep a reading log for us. For every 4 books you read you are entered to win a one-year membership to the Gaston County Museum of Art and History, a GAOMON M10k Pro Drawing Tablet, or a Color Our World Themed Gift Bag. 4 books read = 1 entry, 8 books read = 2 entries, etc. This year we are also offering an Adventure option. Go on 4 adventures = 1 entry. Go on 4 adventures and read 4 books = 2 entries. Mix and match to make it four total.

Our adventure options:

1) Visit a museum, park, or recreation center

2) Visit a local restaurant, brewery, distillery, or food truck

3) Attend a summer event or festival

4) Attend a library program

The best part about summer reading? You can keep a reading/adventure log on Goodreads!

You can log your reading/adventure on Goodreads in one of two ways:

- Comment on this Goodreads post with the titles of the books you read this summer. Be sure you have them listed on your Goodreads as well. You can comment at the end of each month, each week, or at the end of summer reading in general as long as your list is in before August 3rd. If you are a Gaston County Employee, please let us know when you comment, as you will be entered into an additional drawing! OR

- Join our Group Challenge to track the books you read. Click the Challenges link on our page to find it and join.

A Few More Things to Keep in Mind:

- Make sure after summer reading ends (September) that you keep an eye on your Goodreads messages because that is how we will have to contact you if you win the prize.

- If you already have completed a physical Adult Summer Reading Log form you may not enter on Goodreads. The physical reading logs will be available at all library locations.

- We do have a small prize (a tote bag) for anyone who reads at least 4 books or completes four adventures, but you will need to come by the library to pick it up. When you have read 4 books and logged them either in a comment or in the group challenge let me know through a comment or message the branch location where you would like to pick up your prize and I can get it there for you.

- Comment here or complete our challenge by August 9th.

If you have children or teens that are interested in Summer Reading be sure to call your library location for more information on how to register them for summer reading as well!

Happy Reading and Exploring!

Summer Reading Is Coming!

 

Click Here for More Information!

We're Booked Up - Fourth Annual Voticed Awards

 If we had a nickel for every time a character named Ben was terrible, we'd have 2 nickels. But it's still weird.

Anyways! It's time for the Fourth Annual Voticed Awards. Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss their favorites and least favorites from the past season and assign them arbitrary value!

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, leave a comment letting us know what you think of what we think. And be sure to share the podcast with every person you talk to for the next month or so.

And don't forget to sign up for Summer Reading at your favorite GCPL branch!

Start getting ready for the fifth season! Listed below are the books we plan to read (all going well):

September 2025: Absolute Power by David Baldacci

October 2025: What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jiménez

November 2025: One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy

December 2025: Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge by Kjersti Herland Johnsen

January 2026: Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

February 2026: The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

March 2026: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

April 2026: How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler

If you've read or plan to read any of the above books, share your opinions in the comments for this post. You might get a shout-out in the episode. NO SPOILERS! Kendall hates spoilers.

We're Booked Up - Convenience Store Woman

 For this episode, Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss Convenience Store Woman, a "strange little book" by Sayaka Murata.

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, leave a comment letting us know what you think of what we think. And be sure to share the podcast with your favorite and least favorite convenience store worker.

And check out GastonLibrary.org for all your GCPL needs!

Next month is the Fourth Annual Voticed Awards! 

We're Booked Up - The Housemaid

 Time for another episode of We're Booked Up. Better late than never! For this episode, Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique will discuss The Housemaid, a popular domestic thriller by Freida McFadden.

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, leave a comment letting us know what you think of what we think. And be sure to share the podcast with every person you talk to for the next month or so.

And don't miss the Friends of the Gaston County Public Library Book Sale! Happening at the Gaston County Public Library Main Branch at 1555 E. Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. Beginning Monday, April 21 and ending Saturday, April 26. Visit the Friends of the Gaston County Public Library website to learn more about the book sale, and about how you can support your library.

Next month's book will be Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata.

We're Booked Up - You Should See Me in a Crown

 CORRECTION: The March book will be The Housemaid by Freida McFadden.

We're going back to school! For this episode, Kendall, Andrew, and Angelique discuss You Should See Me in a Crown, a fun young adult novel by Leah Johnson.

Use the player below to listen or search for Gaston Speaks on your preferred podcast app. After listening, leave a comment and let us know what you think of what we think. And remember to tell everyone you know (and the occasional stranger) about the podcast.

And don't forget to sign up for Wowbrary so you can stay up to date on what's new in the library.

Next month's book will Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata. Convenience Store Women will be April's book.

Kyle Fletcher’s Barbeque and Catering in Lowell, Gaston County, N.C.

Wilma Ratchford Craig of the former Gaston County Historical Society had already been taking pictures of historic places around Gaston County since the 1960s when she photographed the outside of a new restaurant, Kyle Fletcher’s Barbeque (the former Bland’s BBQ building), in 1997.

Kyle Fletcher started Kyle Fletcher’s Barbeque and Catering in Lowell with his wife Julie and brother-in-law Steve Deaton in 1996.

Daryl “Kyle” Fletcher of Gastonia passed away on January 9, 2025 at the age of 70.

Kyle Fletcher’s Barbeque and Catering, 4507 Wilkinson Blvd, Lowell, NC; exterior. (1997)

Photographer: Wilma Ratchford Craig (January 5, 1930  -  June 3, 2020)

 

Kyle Fletcher’s Barbecue & Catering sign. (1997)

Photographer: Wilma Ratchford Craig (January 5, 1930  -  June 3, 2020)

 

Sources:

Kevin Ellis, “Beloved Gaston County Restauranteur Dies - Business North Carolina,” Business North Carolina, last modified January 11, 2025, https://businessnc.com/beloved-gaston-county-restauranteur-dies/.

“Obituary Information for Kyle Fletcher,” https://www.mcleanfuneral.com/obituaries/Kyle-Fletcher?obId=34373019.