Reality Raincheck

In this book club chat, we discuss Ted Chiang's compilation of short stories titled Exhalation. Although a sci-fi writer, his ability to focus on the human element  is what makes the stories readable, memorable, and very fun to discuss. Come with us to consider how we capture memories, whether we have free will, and the self-awareness achieved through time-travel.

This book is a beautiful memoir that takes us on a journey through the cold months of the year. If you're looking for some ideas about how to better endure the winter months, or the emotional winters that occur in our lives, you'll want to give this book club chat a listen. You will be among friends while we talk about depression and anxiety and how to seek additional help while wintering.

For those of us who love a good murder mystery, or 10 mysterious murders, consider reading Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None. Christie has the mind of a puzzler, and you won't be able to put the pieces together--try as you might. Join us as we talk about these suspicious characters and the creepy atmosphere that come together on the secluded Soldier Island.

Join us for this book club chat in which we discuss Thomas Hardy's novel The Woodlanders. We have the privilege of reuniting with our dear, BYU professor, John Bennion, who is a Hardy expert and himself a novelist. We talk about how Hardy was superb at his craft because he could weave interesting stories set in beautiful landscapes, where the roll of nature is almost equally important as the rolls...

The Eye of the World is a fantasy book written by Robert Jordan. It is the first book in a very epic series, and in this episode we discuss some of the reasons that Jordan keeps the tension alive through using archetypes and impressive world and character building skills. A fun read to follow up with Tolstoy, as Jordan was a big fan.

Join us as we discuss Sue Monk Kidd's most recent novel, The Book of Longings. It is the story of Ana, wife of Jesus, who gives voice to silenced women of New Testament times, and in the meantime, finds her own. This book will stick with you and make you reimagine a time in history you thought you knew a little about. 

Join us in this book club chat as we discuss James Herriot's bestselling novel All Creatures Great and Small. It transports us to the dales of England and gives firsthand accounts of what it's like to be a veterinarian  in the 1930's. A heartwarming and hilarious read for those who want a pleasant escape!

There's a reason this book is known as the best novel ever written. In this book club chat, we discuss the Russian classic, War and Peace. Not a read for the light reader, but if you've ever wanted to get a brief overview of what this book achieves, give this a listen! 

Join us for this book club chat about a deep time journey that is mostly underground. Whether by caving, or exploring catacombs, or understanding the underworkings of trees, this journey is DEEP!

Join us in our third book club as we discuss Leif Enger's bestselling novel, Peace Like a River.

This is our second book club chat in which we discuss the inequalities in our justice system as detailed by Bryan Stevenson in his book  Just Mercy . This book had me weeping and has fundamentally changed my thinking in regards to racial inequalities in our penal system. It reads like a memoir and is beautifully written.

This episode covers the positive escape of going on a ghost tour or seeking out something that scares you (in a good way.) Listen in for some ideas on boosting the old adrenaline and finding new energy for life... among the dead.

Join us for our first book club discussion about Two Old Women by Velma Wallis. It's based on an Athabaskan legend passed along for many generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska. We also introduce our book club and its beginnings.

This episode covers the escape of Stargazing and details how it is a better choice than gazingstock, the practice of looking at others with scorn. 

This episode covers escapism and the positive and negative ways in which we escape. I'll talk about two of my personal escapes--one good, one bad--and some methods to help us overcome our negative escapes by replacing them with positive escapes. Spoiler alert, my favorite escape is reading!