We Speak Volumes: A Bards Alley Bookshop Podcast

Welcome back listeners! After a short break, join Jen and Lane once again, today with the hilarious "Three Men in a Boat" by Jerome K. Jerome. This tale is based on a real adventure taken by Jerome on the Thames, and includes all of the chaotic shenanigans that happen when you take a trip with your closest friends. Especially when just about everything seems to go wrong. Referred to in t...

Welcome back listeners! Join Jen and Lane once again in diving deep into an absolute favorite of classic literature, Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. In this twisted romance (or, should we even call it that?), dark themes provide the foundation for one of the most complex characters in the English canon: Heathcliff. Throughout the novel, Heathcliff’s obsession, need for revenge, and constant plot...

Welcome back and happy holidays, listeners! In today’s festive episode, dive into the enchanting world of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker, the beloved holiday tale with a dar, whimsical twist. Jen and Lane explore the story’s origins, its evolution from a fairy tale to the iconic ballet, and the complex characters came to be. Along the way, they discuss Hoffmann’s unique style, blending fantasy w...

Welcome back listeners! In this episode, Jen and Lane dive deep into Thornton Wilder’s timeless play Our Town. Together, they explore its themes of life, death, and the beauty of everyday moments. Tune in for an engaging conversation about this classic piece of American theater, its lasting impact, and the lessons it offers for modern audiences. Episode Links: Referred to in the episode: Our Town...

Welcome back, listeners! In today’s episode, join Jen and Lane in discussing the beloved Little House series. Although written as children’s books, the captivating relationships, struggles, and triumphs of the lives of the pioneers have appealed to audiences universally. The story of the Ingalls has been loved by many, including through the incredibly popular TV series. Whether a returning fan of...

Welcome back, listeners! After a short break, join Jen and Lane once again to dive into the life and story of the Master of the Macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. In celebrating the culmination of the spoooky~ season, this week we look at two of Poe's most famous short stories, The Tell Tale Heart and The Raven. Discover that despite the caricature of a dark, brooding man, there is much more to this genius...

Welcome back, listeners! Join Jen and Lane in discussing another great American novella, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men . This tragedy involves George and Lennie, the latter of which has a form of disability that leads him to be unable to control his strength, and their struggles with keeping on with their life in the face of the Great Depression and Lennie’s history. Through their sometimes fri...

Welcome back, listeners! Join us today for a tragedy of tragedies, Shakespeare’s Macbeth. In this Scottish-based legend, there’s war, betrayal, and weird witchly things! Learn with us the origin of the story, what real-life legends inspired it, and how prideful ambition can twist and corrupt even a great noble. Episode Links: Referred to in the episode: ⁠ Norton Shakespeare: Tragedies (Bookshop.or...

Welcome back listeners! In today's episode, join Jen and Lane in exploring the dark, twisted side that hides within all of us... Or at least, within the ultra-notorious Dr. Jekyll. Behind the story, discover the incredible, adventurous, and tragically short life of Robert Louis Stevenson's (R.L.S.). : ⁠Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Bookshop.org paperback) ⁠ Strange Case of Dr Jeky...

Welcome back listeners! And Deinophobes, look away! In today's episode, join Jen and Lane in discussing Michael Crichton's modern classic Jurassic Park. Delve into the differences between the novel and the hyper-popular Spielberg movie adaptation, and ponder about the affects of the story on current films and events. Episode Links: Referred to in the episode: ⁠ Radiolab (Podcast) The Movie...

Welcome back, my dear listeners! Join Jen and Lane today discussing one of the most popular characters ever, the ultra-genius consulting detective Sherlock Holmes. Put on your deerstalker caps, grab your magnifying glass, and discover with us how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created Sherlock's world, and how his stories have resonated around ours. Episode Links: Referred to in the episode: Young She...

Welcome back, listeners! In honor of World Read Aloud Day, Jen and Lane talk about the beautiful world of children's classics, one of the genres that has come to be closest to our hearts. We couldn't decide on a particular story, since there are just too many favorites to nail it down to a particular one! Join us in discussing how children's books have evolved over time, how they affec...

Welcome back listeners! In today's episode, join Jen and Lane in discussing the great American classic The Outsiders. A standard in many states' English curricula and banned in others, the story of Ponyboy, his family, and the rivalry between the Greasers and Socs has remained a timeless staple of the American story. A must-read, The Outsiders has a message for everyone. Take a listen, and...

Welcome to the new year, listeners! In today's episode, Jen and Lane discuss Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, a coming-of-age story detailing the transition to womanhood for four sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Dive in deep with us and learn the origins of the story, how they were personally reflective of Alcott's own life, and how this book influenced American literature. Episode Lin...

Welcome back listeners! In today's episode of We Speak Volumes, put on your deerstalkers and whip out your magnifying glasses for this classic murder mystery by Agatha Christie, the G.O.A.T.! The Queen of Crime's genre-defining writing has long been regarded as best-in-class, and in this episode Jen and Lane discuss how she broke literary barriers, smashed reader expectations, and earned h...

Welcome back listeners! On this episode of We Speak Volumes, join Jen and Lane and take a step back into nature with Annie Dillard's nonfiction classic, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Allow yourself to reconnect with the outdoors by means of Dillard's flowing, intimate descriptions of the life surrounding her inside the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Ruminate on the place of oneself within on...

Welcome back, listeners! Continuing our theme of spooky tales leading up to Halloween, Jen and Lane dive into the classic short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Discover how the lanky schoolteacher Ichabod learns of the ghastly tale of the Headless Horseman, and finds himself in a terrifying encounter with the pumpkin wielding specter. Also, learn with us about the centuries-lasting impact of Wa...

Welcome back, listeners! In today's spooky episode, Jen and Lane get into the October spirit by diving into a classic: Bram Stoker's Dracula. Rediscover the horror of the terrifying blood-sucker that has become a staple in our culture, and how the cliches of vampires are not enough to define this incredible story. Join us, and share your thoughts! Episode Links: Mentioned: Elizabeth Costov...

Welcome back, listeners! In this exciting relaunch of the We Speak Volumes podcast, join hosts Jen and Lane as they discuss Jane Austen's beloved classic Pride and Prejudice. They delve into the depth of Austen's characters and the timeless appeal of the story. They also explore various adaptations and retellings of the novel, both classical and modernized. Join us on this journey and shar...

Jen and Lane delve into the world of Raymond Chandler's classic novel,  The Big Sleep . They explore Chandler's unique writing style and how it impacted the mystery genre. Fascinatingly, the mystery begins with a bookstore! The hosts also discuss other important mystery authors from the local Bards Alley community, including Angie Kim, Harper Kincaid, Ellen Crosby, and David Baldacci. Epis...

Join hosts Jen and Lane in this week's episode as they delve into  Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre . They'll examine how the author's perspective on feminist values continue to resonate with readers today. In addition, Jen discovers some surprising connections between Jane Eyre and The Walking Dead. Don't miss this insightful discussion of more classic literature! Episode Links: B...

In this episode, Jen and Lane dive into the classic novel  O Pioneers! by Willa Cather . They discuss the character of Alexandra Bergson and how she defies gender norms and societal expectations to become a successful and respected farmer, even as an immigrant. Whether you're a fan of classic literature or just looking for a thought-provoking conversation, this episode is sure to leave you ins...

All for one and one for all! Join Jen and Lane as they delve into the timeless adventure of  "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas . They discuss the novel's memorable characters and how a ragtag team has captivated readers for generations. In this episode, the hosts also explore the inspiration behind the original story and shed light on whether the 1948 or 1993 film adaptations...

Welcome, old sport! Jen and Lane have an exciting episode for you, where they dive into F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby . Lane serves up her thoughts on the book's characters while Jen spills the beans on how Bards Alley, with the masterful help of Phil Charlwood, built a Gatsby-themed float during a 2021 parade in Vienna, Virginia . So, put on your flapper dress and get ready...

In celebration of Black History Month, Jen and Lane delve into John Ball's "In the Heat of the Night." This classic mystery novel set in the South during racial tensions is a relevant and impactful work to reflect on this month. Jen and Lane analyze themes of racism and social justice, and compare the book to the Oscar-winning film adaptation. Join them for a thought-provoking conversation about t...