Reality Raincheck

Learn how Jane Austen's bookshelf can enrich your literary journey. Explore the overlooked women writers who inspired her and why they matter today. In this book club chat, we discuss with author Rebecca Romney the literary influences that shaped Jane Austen's work. Why had we never even heard of these marvelous writers?! You'll discover the importance of recognizing these authors and how to incor...

The Power of Rivers: Ecology, Culture, and Reimagining Nature with Robert MacFarlane This discussion was a dream come true! Have you ever wondered what rivers can teach us about life, culture, and sustainability? If so, you're not alone. In his captivating book Is a River Alive? , Robert MacFarlane explores the profound relationships between humans and rivers across the globe, revealing how these...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Claire O'Callaghan for a rich and thought-provoking conversation on Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë , a novel that continues to unsettle, challenge, and captivate readers across generations. Together, we explore the wild and untamed landscape of the moors, not just as a setting, but as a force that shapes the emotional and psychological terrain of the charac...

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Bryan Banker to unpack the literary and historical weight of James by Percival Everett , a bold revisiting of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that challenges how we understand freedom, language, and power. Together, we explore how language becomes both a tool of survival and resistance within systems of oppression, and why, in the context of American...

Welcome to our deep dive into Mark Twain's literary masterpiece, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . In this discussion, we unravel the layers of comedy, satire, and profound social commentary that make this novel not only a cornerstone of American literature but also an enduring tale that resonates with readers today. We are joined by Dr Kerry Soper, a professor at Brigham Young University, who...

Embracing Abundance: Insights from "The Serviceberry" by Robin Wall Kimmerer   In this engaging bonus episode of our book club, we delve into Robin Wall Kimmerer's profound work, "The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World." As we explore the intricate connections between nature, community, and economy, Kimmerer's insights challenge us to rethink our relationship with the env...

We had a beautiful conversation with author Gayle Boss about her book All Creation Waits . This book invites you to slow down and pay attention, both to the world outside your window and to the quiet season of Advent itself. It gives you pause, and it teaches you to  take pauses, as you begin to observe creation with new eyes and deeper understanding. I was humbled by the ways these 24 animals end...

You may not be interested in the horror genre, but you still might enjoy Stephen King's The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon . In this episode, we speak with Dr. Carl Sederholm—the best apologist I've heard for why horror can be such an insightful and meaningful genre. For one, it trusts young protagonists with frightening "adult" problems. It also explores the fears we keep tucked in our subconscious, g...

Today we're diving into Wallace Stegner's Crossing to Safety , a novel that captures the rare, sustaining friendships between two couples, Sid and Charity Lang, and Larry and Sally Morgan. Though set in Wisconsin during the depression era, the story feels surprisingly relevant. Stegner shows how the right people at the right moments can steady us, shelter us, and make us grateful for the friendshi...

Would you like to escape into a companion story to Pride and Prejudice ? Look no further than Janice Hadlow's wonderful novel The Other Bennet Sister . Hadlow masterfully gives new life and direction to Mary Bennet — the often-overlooked sister originally written as a figure of ridicule. We talk about how Mary develops as a character and eventually finds love. We're joined by author and Austen exp...

This book club chat is truly monumental. We had the privilege of hearing from author and legend Orson Scott Card, whose contributions to the world of science fiction are nothing short of brilliant. I was moved to tears as he spoke about how many individuals from his own life are woven into his fiction. While he cannot heal them in real life, he finds a way to heal them and offer redemption through...

In this book club chat, we explore Greek Mythology through the story of the witch Circe. Madeline Miller has offered us a beautiful retelling of a character who may have been dismissed as terrible and without feeling. She revives her into a character who draws deep sympathy as she grapples with loneliness and isolation after being cast away to the island of Aiaia. We also discuss how this novel—mu...

Come join us for a good laugh and a good cry as we explore the joys and pitfalls of mothering. This conversation centers on Soldier Sailor , a novel by Claire Kilroy. Whether you're a mother yourself or simply want to understand the world of mothering more intimately, this book offers a powerful window into that experience and makes you feel all the feels. The story focuses on Sailor, the child ar...

Let's just start off by saying we love Thomas Hardy with an ardent fervor. The man can write landscapes that are at once transportive and captivating. Join us for this book club chat as we talk about Return of the Native with Hardy expert, and former BYU professor John Bennion. We discuss the role the landscape plays, how it can entrap the characters, or assist them, depending on how you look at i...

Have you ever been hounded to continue writing books? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has! In fact, were it not for his ardent fans, we wouldn't have as many Sherlock Holmes books as we do currently. In this book club chat, we'll talk about Doyle's use of landscape to add ambiance and mystery to this novel that is at once a detective story, a horror, and a gothic tale. We discuss how the book, though known...

In this episode, you'll discover why The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green resonates so deeply with readers. Through a series of insightful, nostalgic, and often hilarious essays, Green reviews everything from Halley's Comet and Diet Dr Pepper to scratch-and-sniff stickers and Liverpool soccer games. His reflections turn the ordinary into something extraordinary, offering moments of humor, heart...

Have you ever met a female commercial pilot? It's a rare experience and one that we were able to have as we discussed Beryl Markham's memoir West With the Night, with special guest and pilot Lola Reid Allin.  In this episode of Reality Raincheck , we take to the skies with two extraordinary aviators—one from history and one from our own time. We dive into West with the Night , Beryl Markham's lyri...

If you've ever wanted to talk about L.M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon series, but have lacked the proper bosom friends, fret no longer! Listen to this chat as we'll discuss the magical ways in which Montgomery creates another heroine that rivals Anne of Green Gables in her wit and charm, but is distinct from her in appearance and cool-headedness. We'll also delve into the lingering mystery surro...

If you're searching for a meaningful Christmas read, this episode is just for you. Join us as we dive into Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These , a novella that proves even the shortest books can make a big difference. Set against the backdrop of a quiet Irish town during the holiday season, this story explores the profound impact one person can have in the face of systemic oppression. In this...

In this episode, we dive into the macabre yet enlightening world of cadavers with Stiff by Mary Roach, a book that reveals the many unexpected ways cadavers have advanced human knowledge and society, whether it be from their use in medical research and crash tests to their roles in forensic investigations. Our guest,  Dr. Darin Johnston , an oral and maxillofacial surgeon from Northern California,...

Join us as we welcome back Dr. Carl Sederholm, a professor of horror and early American studies at BYU, to explore the haunting world of Nathaniel Hawthorne's  The House of the Seven Gables . Although the novel unfolds at a slow pace, it offers a rich foundation for discussing how individuals and families grapple with ancestral guilt and inherited curses. Together, we'll examine themes like wealth...

My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead is a captivating blend of memoir and biography that invites readers to explore the enduring impact of George Eliot's Middlemarch . Mead offers insights into the relevance of Middlemarch in contemporary life, illustrating how Eliot's exploration of human relationships and personal growth resonates today. We are joined by former British Novel professor, and pub...

The Last Cuentista is a winner of the Newberry Medal award, and is the second book by author Donna Barba Higuera. It is a fast paced, middle-grade dystopian sci-fi, and yet it has so much depth and maturity in its themes.   We were able to discuss many topics at length including immigration, the importance of storytelling, genetic enhancement, collective working, and what connects us. Azul Uribe i...

Join us in this book club chat as we discuss Susan Cain's work of non-fiction Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking . This book feels very validating for those of us who are introverts, and helpful for extroverts who want to better understand their children and partners and the very different ways in which they are energized. We also talk about the highly sensitive pers...

Join us as we discuss a classic that still has modern relevance. Air Force attorney, Mike Bunnell will provide his unique perspective as he specializes in criminal cases involving sexual assault. He discusses the difficulty found in proving or disproving consent (particularly when alcohol is involved) and compares it to the accusation and subsequent trial that take place in the book. In E.M. Forst...