Kindred Spirits Book Club

Episode 49: Recapping the Perfect Pilgrimage to Prince Edward Island

Come along to Prince Edward Island and the 2024 biennial L.M. Montgomery conference with Kelly and Ragon! First we raved about our first conference experience and reflected on the brilliant presentations and new perspectives we heard. Then we shared all about our trip to LM Montgomery historical sites, Green Gables Heritage Place, the musicals inspired by the Anne books, and the beauty and splendor of the Island. It was a phenomenal trip and we can’t wait to tell you all about it! 
Inspired by:
Kelly is inspired by the artisan crafts at The Dunes Gallery on PEI.
Ragon is inspired by the Anne and Marilla and Matthew  quotation pencil packs from Lit and Whimsy that she bought from the independent bookstore Bookmark in Charlottetown, PEI.  
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Episode 48: Kilmeny of the Orchard

Y’all, this book is wild. Join Ragon and Kelly as they discuss one of LM Montgomery’s lesser-known novella Kilmeny of the Orchard. It’s a sweet, somewhat simplistic summer romance that takes some truly unexpected twists and turns. Although Kilmeny hasn’t stood the test of time like Anne of Green Gables, there are  glimmers of L.M. Montgomery’s later writing style in this fairytale-like story that reminded us of The Little Mermaid.
Inspired by: 
Kelly is inspired by the music of Akiko Suwanai.
Ragon is inspired by the Rochester Lilac Festival  and the Highland Lilac perfume company. 
If you want to get a free logo sticker from us, either leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your love for the pod on social media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram. 

Episode 47: Summer Reading Extravaganza

Join Kelly, Ragon, and returning special guest Katie Stewart to discuss summer reads! They discuss books that remind them of summer as well as favorite summer reads for middle grade readers, romance and romantasy readers, the best books to survive a long flight, and of course, our ultimate recommendations for fun, breezy books to occupy your lazy summer days. 
Inspired by:
Kelly is inspired by sun protection and recommends Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen for Face.
Ragon is inspired by keeping cool with sweet treats with a Slushy Cup.
Katie is inspired by the delicious scent of hanni Shower Salve.
If you want to get a free logo sticker from us, either leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your love for the pod on social media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram. 

Episode 46: Planning A Perfect Pilgrimage to Prince Edward Island

Kindred Spirits Book Club is going on the road! Kelly and Ragon are joined by Brenna Clarke Gray to plan for their upcoming trip to Prince Edward Island. We discuss all things PEI, from the award-winning cheese at COWS Creamery to the cheesy souvenirs aimed at Anne of Green Gables tourists. Side chats include Brenna’s survival guide for an academic conference and our ultimate road trip playlists. 
Inspired By: Road trip entertainment!
Ragon is inspired by Get Out The Map and Closer To Fine by Indigo Girls for road trip sing-a-longs and the podcast Girls Who Don't D&D.
Kelly is inspired by Chicago by Sufjan Stevens and Chappell Roan for music and the podcast Judge John Hodgman.
Brenna is inspired by PEI artists Lennie Gallant, Alvvays, and Two Hours Traffic for music and the podcast Stuff You Should Know.
If you want to get a free logo sticker from us, either leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your love for the pod on social media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram. 

Episode 45: Friendships and Found Family: Community in Anne's House of Dreams

In today’s episode, Kelly and Ragon wind up their discussion of Anne’s House of Dreams. In a book that encompasses many emotional highs and lows, we discuss friendship and family as the foundation of a happy life. Ragon explains psychological protective factors, which can help determine how well someone weathers a crisis, and we share our favorite books with found families.  
What we are reading:
Ragon is reading The Eyes And The Impossible by Dave Eggers and The Swifts: A Dictionary Of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln.
Kelly is reading A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn.
And we are both tracking our reading in the Novelly Yours Reading Tracker.
Inspired By:
Ragon is inspired by the found families in The House In The Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune and The Very Secret Society Of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandana.
Kelly is inspired by the found families in Nettle And Bone by T. Kingfisher and The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakaborty.
If you want to get a free logo sticker from us, either leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your love for the pod on social media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram. 

Episode 44: Part II: Lullabies and Loss: Anne's Journey to Motherhood

Rejoin Ragon, Kelly, and guest Dr. Brenna Clarke Gray for their discussion about motherhood in Anne’s House of Dreams. 
Ragon and Kelly are joined by Dr. Brenna Clarke Gray, Canadian literature expert, to discuss the joys and sorrows of Anne’s journey to motherhood in Anne’s House of Dreams. We discuss everything from baby talk to our favorite books and gifts for babies. Content warning: Child loss, pregnancy loss, infertility. Be kind to yourselves, Kindred Spirits!
Inspired by:
We are inspired by baby gifts!  
Kelly is inspired by: Maisonette baby bonnets and the beautiful picture book Life by Cynthia Rylant and Brendan Wenzel.  
Ragon is inspired by: Tag Blanket Lovey (which you can also find on etsy from independent artists) and picture books like The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater and Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and Kadir Nelson.  
Brenna is inspired by: They All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzel and A Is For Activist board book by Innosanto Nagara.  
And we all also recommend the BabyLit board books like Alice In Wonderland: Colors Primer and of course, Anne of Green Gables: Places Primer.
If you want to get a free logo sticker from us, either leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your love for the pod on social media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram. 

Episode 43: Part I Lullabies and Loss: Anne's Journey to Motherhood

Ragon and Kelly are joined by Dr. Brenna Clarke Gray, Canadian literature expert, to discuss the joys and sorrows of Anne’s journey to motherhood in Anne’s House of Dreams. We discuss Victorian attitudes to pregnancy and birth, and we share our own journeys around motherhood. We had so much to say that we are actually making this a two-part episode!  Content warning: Child loss, pregnancy loss, infertility. Be kind to yourselves, Kindred Spirits!
Inspired by:
We didn’t have our usual inspired by because this is a 2-parter but we did talk about what we brought or would bring to a “favorite things” party.
Ragon brought:  Dashing Diva nail stickers, NYX lip oil in That's Chic which is the perfect berry shade of gloss and Mini brands tiny plants.
Kelly brought:  Teleties flat hair clip.
Brenna would bring: Squish gummy candies, especially the Ice Wine and the Gin and Tonic flavors.
If you want to get a free logo sticker from us, either leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your love for the pod on social media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram. 

Episode 42: Heartache and Hope: Romance in Anne's House of Dreams

Ragon and Kelly are joined by audiobook narrator and voice actor Kelli Tager to discuss the beautiful romance threaded through Anne’s House of Dreams. From Anne and Gilbert’s wedding day to Leslie and Owen’s happily ever after, join us to celebrate all the delicious romance. Kelli also discusses what it’s like to narrate audiobooks and her favorite LM Montgomery books.  
Inspired by:
Kelly is inspired by weddings and recommends her favorite anniversary tradition, which is to recreate her wedding bouquet every anniversary.
Ragon is inspired by her favorite indie perfumer, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, especially The Rose in honor of Leslie’s engagement and Maiden for Anne’s wedding day
Kelli Tager is inspired by Leslie’s glorious hair and recommends Eufora Hydration Leave-in Conditioner for goddess hair!
If you want to get a free logo sticker from us, either leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your love for the pod on social media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram. 

Episode 41: Wisdom and Whimsy: Captain Jim Tells The Tales

In this episode, we are setting sail with Captain Jim! Kelly and Ragon talk about the lighthouse keeper’s gentle guidance, how he embodies and subverts the theme of cleverness, and his deep wisdom, earned over many years of seafaring. Sidebars and digressions include whether Captain Jim is a stealth matchmaker, life at sea in the 1800s, and recommendations for two swashbuckling adventure book series!
Inspired By:
Both Kelly and Ragon are loving Dashing Diva nail strips.
Kelly is inspired by the Aubrey Maturin Series by Patrick O’Brian for some seafaring adventures like Captain Jim’s.
Ragon is inspired by the Temeraire Series by Naomi Novik for military adventures plus DRAGONS.  
If you want to get a free logo sticker from us, either leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your love for the pod on social media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram. 

Episode 40: Sorrow and Splendor: Leslie Moore Lives Happily Ever After

The mysterious beauty Leslie Moore is the subject of this Anne’s House of Dreams character study. Ragon and Kelly discuss the myths and metaphors surrounding Leslie, and whether she is properly humanized in the text. Digressions include Favorite Things parties, how to talk to kids about stereotypes in media, and the tragic beauty trope.
Inspired By:
Kelly is inspired by Leslie’s style and recommends red flower choker-style necklaces like this gorgeous one from Free People.
Ragon is inspired by the beautiful fairytale retellings by Robin McKinley, especially Beauty and Rose Daughter for Beauty and the Beast retellings and Deerskin for a darker fairytale about the curse of being beautiful.  And don’t forget Spindle's End for a Sleeping Beauty retelling.  
If you want to get a free logo sticker from us, either leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your love for the pod on social media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram.