Russell Reads with the Rach(a)els

Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the November Reading Challenge, ‘Hungry for Reading”, books involving or featuring food. Make sure you’ve had a good meal before you take a bite out of this episode! Books/Authors we discuss include: “Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story” by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal “Bad Kitty” by Nick Bruel “Strega Nona” by Tomie dePaola  “...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with A THIRD RACHEL🎉! Our guest Rachel Holden, Youth Services Librarian for Rockingham County Public Library system , shares with us her great love of all types of literature from children’s to YA, graphic novels, celebrity memoir, the classic canon, and beyond. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Little Critter” series by Mercer Meyer “American Girl” series by Su...

Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the October Reading Challenge, books with a surprising or thrilling twist. No spoilers! Choose Your Own Library Adventure: (OR CHOOSE BOTH!) Register for our Board Game Series to survive the “House of Danger”. Catch “The Mousetrap” at Smokestack Theatre Company October 2-4. Books/Authors we discuss include: “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart “The Wife Between Us” b...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Josh Cassell, the Dog-Eared Dude, co-owner and social media icon for The Dog-Eared Page bookshop . We discuss all the genres from classics to sci fi to classic sci fi. Visit the Dude himself at The Dog-Eared Page or catch him in “The Mousetrap” at Smokestack Theatre Company  opening Thursday, September 24. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Hatchet”...

Hop in, we're going to Banned Camp! In our September 1 episode, Russell and the Rach(a)els discuss books that have been challenged in the past 10 years and some of the reasons why those books have drawn attention. We discuss the importance of using your library, the way books can serve as a window into other experiences, and the rich internal lives of children. Books/Authors we discuss includ...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Emily Campbell, Community Events Coordinator for Danville Parks and Recreation. We discuss the meaningful companionship of books, the simple joy of reading children’s literature, and the importance of whimsy in all stages of life. Books/Authors we discuss include: “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien “The Twil...

Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the August Reading Challenge, Saved by the Bell, reading books about a teacher or set in a school. We discuss a wide variety of genres through all age groups and explore the many nostalgic sensations associated with the back to school season. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Matilda” by Roald Dahl “The Fourth Stall” by Chris Rylander “Janitors” by Tyler White...

Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Amber Pilkin, Information Specialist at Danville Public Library and cofounder of Khaos Legacy Tabletop Gaming. We discuss the many reading moments of our lives, from romantasy to lady knights to sprayed edges and beyond. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Morrigan’s Cross” by Nora Roberts “Moonfall” series by Sarah A. Parker “Yumi and the Nightmare...

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”