Kindred Spirits Book Club

For the Season 1 Finale of Kindred Spirits Book Club, we are excited to introduce you to a new kindred spirit, Katie Stewart, co-founder of Owl’s Next Publishing. Katie, Ragon, and Kelly have the ultimate Anne geek out session, discussing everything from quoting the books in wedding vows to what can you do with an English degree? We rank all the Anne books and fangirl about our other favorite L.M. Montgomery book. 
Inspired by:
Katie is inspired by the beautiful pottery of RBD Pottery
Kelly is inspired by The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews
Ragon is inspired by The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett

Some of the most exciting adaptations of Anne of Green Gables are illustrated! In this episode, we discuss three gorgeously illustrated graphic novels which bring Anne’s story to life, led by our graphic novel expert, Alice! 
Inspired by:
Alice recommends hair chalk
Kelly recommends Kindred Candle Company
Ragon recommends donating to organizations that help kids read like Book Aid International and Reading Is Fundamental and We Need Diverse Books

Anne With an E brought Anne of Green Gables to a new generation. Ragon and Kelly discuss how it differs from the source material, what they liked about the show, and where they thought it missed the mark. Come for the thoughtful discussions of childhood PTSD, stay for our dream adaptations of Anne! 
Inspired by:
Kelly is inspired by Marilla’s belts:  Whipstitch Corset Belt and Leather Corset Belt
Ragon is inspired by the Kindred Spirit sweatshirt from Splendid Bohemians on Etsy.

Anne of Green Gables has a long cinematic history but the adaptation we love best is the 1985 CBC miniseries starring Megan Follows and Colleen Dewhurst. We chat about our recent re-watch, how the movie strayed from the book, and the things we still love – the costumes! the scenery! Gilbert! Digressions include favorite movie musicals and how the kids are doing their hair these days. 

Anne Shirley, “all spirit and fire and dew,” is notorious for her temper and her pride. Ragon and Kelly explore why this is such a challenging character trait for Anne, and how she overcomes it. Side quests include TikTok, duels of honor, and whether Jo March, Mary Lennox or Pippi Longstocking is Anne’s spiritual sister. 

Wherein our heroine invents ghosts and dryads, fairies and snow queens, and we discuss how her imaginings very likely saved her spirit. We talk about whether embellishments are the same as lies, which Romantic poets Anne was reading, and how Anne made Prince Edward Island iconic with her imaginative descriptions.  

New Year, New Anne! We discuss Anne’s preoccupation with her appearance – she’s perfect just the way she is and so are you, listener! – and why Marilla was so worried about Anne’s vanity. We discuss Victorian fashion as well as the terrible haircuts, skincare, and diets we tried in the name of vanity.

The podcast episode that is at least 20 years in the making . . .  We gush about why Gilbert was our first imaginary boyfriend, what the heck was wrong with Anne, and contemporary successors to Gilbert’s true good guy prototype.  We also discuss our year in reading and where we stand on the “rivals to lovers” trope.  

It turns out that kids are kids even a century apart: opaque social hierarchies, dares gone wrong, mean-girl passive aggressive relationships, gossip and dramatics!  We talk about Anne’s friends and their antics, what we all got wrong about The Lady Of Shalott and how we are coping with the holiday season.  

Everyone knows that single, child-free, and mysteriously wealthy woman with immaculate clothes and a gorgeous home – and for Anne, it’s Diana’s Aunt Josephine! We tag along with Aunt Jo and the girls on a lavish trip to the big city and speculate about where her money came from.  Bonus content includes Aunt Jo fan fic!
Inspired by:
Ragon is reading When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill.
Kelly is reading The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Ragon is inspired by fancy ice cream like Salt and Straw or Jeni’s.  
Kelly is inspired by the Rich Auntie Supreme community.
You can support the pod by shopping through our Bookshop link for any books we’ve recommended!  
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