Russell Reads with the Rach(a)els

Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the July Reading Challenge, Virginia Is for Readers, reading books set in Virginia, by a Virginia author, or perhaps by an author named Virginia. We discuss the rich history of Virginia, the beauty of reading about tough topics, and of course, vampires. Books/Authors we discuss include: “A Princess of Mars” by Edgar Rice Burroughs “The Red Badge of Courage” by...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Lori Merricks, Director of Marketing and Communications at Danville Regional Foundation. We discuss the simple pleasure of little golden books, the joys of a good cozy culinary mystery, and why sometimes you need a spreadsheet to keep up with all your reading. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Little House” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder “Fudge” se...

Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the June Reading Challenge, “Yes, It Counts!” reading audiobooks. In celebration of Audiobook Appreciation Month, we discuss the many things there are to love about reading books on audio. Books/Authors we discuss include: “The Green Ember” by S.D. Smith, read by Joel Clarkson “The Great Library” series by Rachel Caine, read by Julian Elfer “Mr. Tucket” by Gary...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Adrian Nester, English Department chair at Tunstall Highschool, and self-admitted library girlie. We discuss cutting edge reading technology such as audiobooks on cassette and magazines on sticks, our newest idea for a party bus for reading(™), and the importance of formats like audiobooks and graphic novels to make reading accessible and enjoyable...

Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the May Reading Challenge to read books that we MAY or MAY NOT have read in the past. This could include books you lied about for an assignment in school, books you’ve been too embarrassed to read, or books you just cannot remember if you have actually read. We chat about the delightful discoveries we made delving into books we may have missed in the past! Book...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Bailey Cline, Program Coordinator at Ballou Recreation Center and our certified number one fan. We discuss finding your way back to reading despite the responsibilities of adult life, the joy of audiobooks, and our strong opinions about movie adaptations. Books/Authors we discuss include: “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister “Cloudy with a Chance of...

Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the April Reading Challenge to read a dystopian or alternate history novel. Oppressive governments, controlling factions, structured existence and more, we discuss the tropes and themes that define this often bleak, but always profound genre. **Correction: George Orwell died 6 months after the release of 1984, not before. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Zoo”...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Ken Larking, Danville City Manager. In our first mini book club, we review “The Which Way Tree” by Elizabeth Crook and the deep themes it explores including love, kindness and absolution. We discuss the delight of quirky characters, the importance of finding the right book for you, and Russell’s quest for a fun book about owls. Books/Authors we disc...

Lost in Translation? We prefer Found in Translation! The reading challenge this month is to read a book that has been translated from another language. Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss some of their most recent reads and a few classics. Books we discuss include: “The Cat Who Saved Books” by Sōsuke Natsukawa, translated by Louise Heal Kawai “Princess Jellyfish” manga series by Akiko Higashimura...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Michelle Larking, Secondary ELA teacher at Galileo Magnet High School and enthusiastic supporter of reading and literature. Michelle shares her recent reading journey in pursuit of meeting her Goodreads goal, Galileo’s new library at the John M. Langston campus, and whether humans will ever run out of new stories to tell. Russell certainly won’t and...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our February reading challenge, books based solely on loving the cover. Listen in as we delve into our personal aesthetic, poorly describe colors, and make a lot of fish puns.  Books we discuss include: “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches” by Sangu Mandanna “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger “The Revenant” by Michael Punke “Bog Queen” by An...

In this final installment of a special 5-episode weekly series, Russell, Rachael, Rachel, and Jess M. share meaningful quotes from favorite authors. Take just a few moments out of your day to "Be Inspired in 2026!" Quotes from: "Little House on the Prairie" by Laura Ingalls Wilder "Time Piece" by Andrea Gibson "What You Are Looking for Is in the Library" by...

In this fourth installment of a special 5-episode weekly series, Russell, Rachael, Rachel, and Chrislyn share meaningful quotes from favorite authors. Take just a few moments out of your day to "Be Inspired in 2026!" Quotes from: “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L'Engle “Automatic noodle” by Annalee Newitz “The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 8” by Beth Brower “Tracker” by...

In this third installment of a special 5-episode weekly series, Russell, Rachael, Rachel, and Jess Austin share meaningful quotes from favorite authors. Take just a few moments out of your day to "Be Inspired in 2026!" "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho "A New Year Prayer" by Silas House "By Any Other Name" by Jodi Picoult "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbr...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Tim Rogers, branch manager for Mount Hermon Public Library and former manager of B. Dalton bookstore at Piedmont Mall in Danville. We take a leisurely stroll down memory lane, go behind the scenes into the workings of the bookstore world, and learn how you go from finding books boring to managing a library. Books we discuss include: “The Sinking of...

In the second episode of this special 5-episode series, Russell, Rachael, Rachel, and Brianna share inspiring quotes from favorite authors.  “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig “No Particular Night or Morning” by Ray Bradbury “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins “Spirit of Steamboat” by Craig Johnson “Winnie-the-Pooh” by A.A. Milne “The Lorax” by Dr. Suess “The Legend of Bagger Vance” by St...

In the first episode of this special 5-episode series, Russell, Rachael, Rachel, and Riley share inspiring quotes from favorite authors.  Brené Brown, “Atlas of the Heart” C.S. Lewis, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” Rita Mae Brown, “Rubyfruit Jungle” Lauren Wolk, “Echo Mountain” Dr. Seuss, “The Lorax” Jack London, “The Call of the Wild”

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our January reading challenge, books featuring a horse. They discuss the Chinese Zodiac which inspired the challenge, share a glimpse behind the scenes into the creative process and bond over the nostalgia of childhood trauma. If you have a favorite literary horse we somehow missed, let us know on social media ! Books we discuss include: “The Neverending Sto...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Katelyn Murray, one of the new owners of The Dog-eared Page bookshop on Main Street. We discuss finding that one perfect book for you, receiving letters of praise from your favorite author, and unexpectedly learning how showers work! Books/Authors we discuss include: “Daughter of the Forest” by Juliet Marillier “Redwall” series by Brian Jacques “Kal...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our December reading challenge, books with a holiday theme, which it turns out cover a wide range of topics and genres. We discuss the magic of Santa, turkeys, and the 80s. Books we discuss include: “Turkey Claus” by Wendy Silvano, illustrated by Lee Harper “Santa Jaws” by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Galia Bernstein “The Christmas Guest” by Peter Swanson “S...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Bill Guerrant, local goatherd, Vice President of Pittsylvania Historical Society, and author of four books including “Jim Wrenn” and “Let a Pillar Arise”. We discuss reading in all its many varieties, including newspapers and the dictionary and the importance of keeping historical research alive. Books we discuss include: “A Primer for Star Gazers”...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our November reading challenge, books about a historic event. We discuss the wide range of topics, genres and time periods this challenge encompasses and what history can teach us about the time we are living in now. Books we discuss include: “War Games” by Alan Gratz “Grenade” by Alan Gratz **Fact check: The character in this book lives on the island of Oki...

Get hype! It’s the BRO SHOW! (air horn sounds) Russell, and also the Rach(a)els, chat with returning guests Scott Longerbeam and Charles Perkins about life, the universe, and every reading rabbit we could possibly chase.  Books we discuss include: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll “American Rapture” by C.J. Leede “The Priory...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our October reading challenge, Folklore, Fairytales, and Cryptids! We discuss the wide range of cultures and genres this topic overlaps. Russell gets very excited about every cryptid from Bigfoot to Nessie, the chupacabra to the hodag. The gang's all here! Books we discuss include: “The Island of Forgotten Gods” by Victor Pineiro “Dear Mothman” by Robin...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Angela Longerbeam, Assistant Branch Manager at the Mount Hermon Branch Library in Pittsylvania County. We discuss cozy fall reading, experiencing other perspectives through novels in verse, and exploring our murder book era. Listen until the end for the library crime of the century! Books we discuss include: “Bread and Jam for Frances” by Russell Ho...