In this episode of the podcast,Sara dives into the upcoming August DVD releases and Nicole has a follow up on her ongoing discussion regarding the changing landscape of reading culture.
New August DVD Releases
Sara shares an exciting lineup of new movies hitting the library shelves this August:
- Hokum – A folk horror film starring Adam Scott as Ohm Baumann, a grieving horror novelist who travels to Ireland’s Bilberry Woods Hotel. There, he encounters supernatural forces, terrifying visions, and the lore of a local witch.
- Project Hail Mary – Based on the novel by Andy Weir, this sci-fi film stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory and must use his knowledge to save Earth from extinction.
- Disclosure Day – Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Emily Blunt, this summer release explores the terrifying reality of humanity discovering it is not alone in the universe.
- Power Ballad – A musical comedy starring Paul Rudd as a past-his-prime wedding singer and Nick Jonas as a fading boyband star who clash over a hit song.
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu – Following the fall of the Empire, bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu embark on a new galactic adventure.
- The Breadwinner – A family-friendly comedy starring comedian Nate Bargatze and Mandy Moore. When his wife’s household invention takes off on Shark Tank, a dad must figure out how to manage his chaotic household on his own.
- Whistle – A teen horror film starring Nick Frost. A group of high school misfits discovers an ancient death whistle that summons their future deaths to hunt them down.
Deep Dive: Is Reading Dying? (Part 2)
Nicole follows up on the team’s discussion from last week about The Atlantic’s 9,000-word August 2026 feature article exploring the state of reading in modern society. Highlights from the article and discussion include:
- Higher Education Challenges: At top institutions, professors report that students struggle with long-form primary texts, often relying on summaries or AI tools like ChatGPT to translate classic writing.
- Cognitive Benefits of Literacy: The article references historical studies showing how learning to read fundamentally alters how the human brain processes abstract logic and reasoning.
- The Rise of “Post-Literate” Media: Short-form content and bite-sized media continue to shift how people absorb information, impacting everything from daily attention spans to political communication.
- An Invitation to Read: The hosts emphasize that reading is like a muscle. Rather than giving up on long-form text, community members are encouraged to visit the library, pick up a physical book or audiobook, and join local reading clubs.
Mentioned Links & Helpful Resources
- YouTube Channel: Watch full video episodes and subscribe to help the channel reach 3,000 subscribers at the Middle Country Public Library YouTube Channel.
- Library Catalog & Programs: Explore local book clubs, children’s story times, and the Summer Reading Club by visiting the Middle Country Public Library Official Site.
- Featured Article: Read the full feature on reading culture in the August 2026 issue of The Atlantic (available to read in person at the library!).
