Books & Banter

Jess and Janine (and Editor Linda) wrap up three years of podcasting in a compilation episode of out-of-context snippets and bloopers. Thanks for joining us, whether it was for one episode or from beginning to end. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects courtesy zapsplat.com

Jess and Janine are reduced to angry speechlessness more than once, Cynical and Naïve make another appearance, and Jess would definitely pick up hitchhikers in a Manitoba winter, in this episode of the Books & Banter podcast, featuring Highway of Tears by Jessica McDermid. Please note that contrary to what Jess says, “skittles” is a type of bowling, not a type of billiards. To place a hold on Highway of Tears, click ⁠here⁠. To read more about the Tina Fontaine trial, click ⁠here⁠. The source articles for interesting facts are ⁠here⁠, ⁠here⁠, ⁠here⁠, and ⁠here⁠. Theme tune: Nothing just happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects by zapsplat.com

Janine is grossed out by certain hide-tanning techniques, Jess never trusts anybody, and the two of them discuss various First Nations cooking techniques in this episode of the Books and Banter podcast, featuring Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom. To place a hold on Crow Mary, click here. To place a hold on Pioneer Quest, click here. For recipes and a book club discussion guide, click here. Additional resources: Author bio. North American buffalo Bison, not buffalo Bison vs buffalo Native uses Traditional uses of the buffalo (pdf) Yellowstone: the bison   Theme tune: Nothing just happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess explains you shouldn’t commit murders unless you really enjoy digging, but she is not giving murder tips to criminals, and Jess and Janine are too fond of the word “unalive” in this episode of the Books & Banter podcast, featuring The Teacher by Freida McFadden. Place a hold on The Teacher here. Reddit thread is here.  Verity podcast here. Verity bonus chapter podcast here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects courtesy of ⁠www.zapsplat.com⁠

Janine doesn’t understand the appeal of a giant hole in the ground, Jess would get up on broken legs to turn off a dripping tap, and both deplore the practice of being asked for your email at store checkouts in this episode of the Books and Banter podcast, this episode featuring Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini. To place a hold on Fractal Noise, click here. The podcast episode of Aurora Rising can be found here. (Sorry - this episode only available on youtube!) The Contact podcast episode is here. The Amish Vampires in Space podcast episode is here. The SCRL blog, Novel Experiences, is here.   The turtle/tortoise fun fact articles are here, here, and here.   Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects by zapsplat.

Jess claims that, technically, everyone is allergic to alligator bites, Janine reveals that she hates paper straws and hoards her plastic ones, and Jess and Janine discuss the ethics of being a bodyguard for endangered rhinos in this episode of the Books & Banter podcast, featuring Gator Country by Rebecca Renner. To place a hold on Gator Country, click here. Author Rebecca Renner’s website is here. For the fun facts source article on Florida Man, click here. and the alligator article is here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudios via pixabay.com Additional sound effect by zapsplat.com

Janine takes grave offense at Bienenstich being called a dull dessert, Jess thinks Will Patton’s audiobook narration radiates the appropriate total disdain for humanity, and digressions abound in this episode of the Books & Banter podcast, featuring Call Down The Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater. To place a hold on Call Down the Hawk, click here. To place a hold on L.A. Meyer’s Bloody Jack titles, click here. To place a hold on Spare, click here (and to listen to the podcast, click here.)            Fun facts articles are here, here, and here.   Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects courtesy of zapsplat.com

Jess would pay money to see Janine trying out pioneer life, and the Janine Nap-O-Meter returns in this episode of Books & Banter, this week featuring The First Fast Draw by Louis L’Amour.  To place a hold on the First Fast Draw, click here. To place a hold on Pioneer Quest, click here. The "Bear at Disney" story is here. More about Quantrill’s Raiders here. Jesse James’ nickname and more fast facts here. Fun facts source article here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay. Additional sound effects courtesy of zapsplat.com

Janine admits she doesn’t carry a shovel in her trunk, and Jess questions the internal defense mechanisms of the main character’s boyfriend in this episode of the Books and Banter podcast, featuring How I’ll Kill You by Ren DeStefano. To place a hold on How I’ll Kill You, click here. For more about Michael Peterson  and (alleged) murder by owl, click here or here. Sources for this episode’s fun facts can be found here, here, and here.  For more information about Paul John Knowles, click here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects by zapsplat.com

Janine can’t trust her memory, and Jess calls out “poor little rich girl” hypocrisy in this episode of the Books & Banter podcast, this week featuring Garden of Burning Sand by Corban Addison. To place a hold on Garden of Burning Sand, click here. To place a hold on Change of Heart, click here. The articles where Janine found her fun facts are here: Why Legal Medicine in Africa needs a Boost https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/honey-badger https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/honey-badger-ratel https://www.livescience.com/honey-badger.html Stoffel the Honey Badger Aye-aye picture by Frank Vassen, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects by zapsplat.com

Jess gets hives at the thought of 1930s forensics methods, and Janine is open to bribery, in this episode of Books & Banter, this week featuring American Demon: Eliot Ness and the hunt for America’s Jack the Ripper by Daniel Stashower.  To place a hold on American Demon, click here. Link to the Behind the door podcast here. Link to the Homecoming podcast here. Sources for fun facts can be found here and here. AI portrait of Jack the Ripper can be found here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio, via pixabay.com Additional sound effects by zapsplat.com

A Page to Screen special episode! Jess hears “Capricorn” and thinks “candy corn”, Janine starts out not knowing who Andy Serkis is and ends up fangirling, and Janine and Jess agree on something controversial for a change in this episode of Books & Banter, this time featuring both the book and movie versions of Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Place a hold on Inkheart here. Place hold on the book recommended by Janine, 11/22/63 by Stephen King here. Author website here. Fourth wing podcast here. Fun facts source article here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects by zapsplat.com

Jess dreams of a movie about a shark-ray hybrid (starring Steve Irwin), Janine reveals she doesn’t like Calvin and Hobbes, and both go on all manner of tangents to avoid talking about the actual book, in this episode of Books and Banter, featuring The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall. Place a hold on The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea here. Place a hold on the book Janine & Jess recommended, Fable by Adrienne Young, here. Janine’s sources for this episode’s fun facts: Are mermaids real? 21 Facts about mermaids Mermaids and Merpeople   Theme tune: Nothing just happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects by zapsplat.com

Janine is sad for kids who are exploited by their influencer parents, Jess can’t stand the logical and scientific inconsistencies of cozy mysteries, and Janine finds Jess’s aggravation amusing in this episode of Books & Banter, featuring Death by Bubble Tea by Jennifer Chow. To place a hold on Death by Bubble Tea, click here. To check out the Hannah Swensen series Janine mentioned, click here. Listen to the podcast episodes Jess & Janine mentioned: Amish Vampires in Space A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag Twisted Tea Christmas For fun facts, check out these articles: Bubble Tea (wikipedia) Bubble Tea leads to constipation Bubble tea death Theme tune: Nothing just happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects by zapsplat.com

Janine has no idea how to pronounce the name of that Greek Island, and Jess can’t pronounce “salete” or “chaperone” in this episode of Books and Banter, this time featuring A Semester in the life of a garbage bag by Gordon Korman. To place a hold on A Semester in the life of a garbage bag, click here. Fun facts can be found in this pdf on page 132. Theme tune: Nothing just happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Additional sound effects by zapsplat.com

Janine shows off her Dolly Parton impression, Jess reels off her favourite facts about the appendix, and both spend as much time on tangents as actually discussing the book in this episode of Books & Banter, this time featuring Behind the Door: the dark truths and untold stories of the Cecil Hotel by Amy Price. To place a hold on Behind the Door, click here. Article on the Skid Row Running club here. Article on the Cecil Hotel here. Additional sound effects courtesy of www.zapsplat.com Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Janine is weirdly attached to her copy of certain books, and Jess (verbally) flails incoherently while attempting to describe the plot in this episode of Books and Banter, this week featuring a review of Homecoming by Kate Morton. To place a hold on Homecoming, click here.   Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Janine and Jess return to the Empyrean Riders again, all too briefly, before going off on a tangent (again), in this bonus episode of Books and Banter, this time featuring the bonus chapters of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. To place a hold on Fourth Wing, click here. To listen to the podcast review of Fourth Wing, click here. The Verity bonus chapters podcast is here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Cynical and naïve make a triumphant return as Jess and Janine unabashedly fangirl, Jess is unnervingly good at thinking up torture methods, and Janine has no doubts about her complete inability to survive the gauntlet at Basgiath War College, in this episode of Books and Banter, this week featuring Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. To place a hold on Iron Flame, click here. To place a hold on the first volume in the series, Fourth Wing, click here. The Verity podcast is here. The Holly podcast is here. The Empyrean Riders website is here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess cannot stop referring to “How To Train Your Dragon for adults” and Janine is a sucker for reality shows, in this episode of Books & Banter, this week featuring Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. To place a hold on Fourth Wing, click here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Sound effects by zapsplat.com

Jess finds Paul Rudd’s lack of aging to be suspicious, special guest Kelly questions the health of Ant-Man’s relationship, Janine is confused by the entire book, and everyone goes off the rails in this episode of Books & Banter (formerly known as Between the Lines), this week featuring Look Out For The Little Guy by Scott Lang. To place a hold on Look Out For The Little Guy, click here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com Sound effects by zapsplat.com

Janine divulges the wisdom of her mother when it comes to murder, special guest Britany prefers their murders slightly less classy and organized,… and no one is sure where Jess is (hmm. How odd.) in this episode of Books & Banter (formerly known as Between the Lines), featuring Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes. To place a hold on Murder Your Employer, click here. To read the article, 16 Employees who killed their bosses, click here.

Jess finds the main character’s obsession with her future father-in-law rather creepy, and Janine thinks Thanksgiving dinner stuffing made of Timbits would be excellent in this episode of Books & Banter, this week featuring The Family Game by Catherine Steadman. Krampus card can be seen here. Bat card can be seen (second image) here. To place a hold on The Family Game, click here. The article, False confessions explained, can be found here. To listen to the song Jesus’ Brother Bob, click here. To listen to the podcast episode on The Pawn, click here. Spotify here. To listen to the podcast episodes on Verity, click here and here. Spotify here and here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess is looking up property prices for sinister secluded cabins, Janine explains that crocodiles feel like leather purses, and Jess and Janine lose it over the possibility of holiday-themed masks, in this episode of Books & Banter, featuring Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger. To place a hold on Christmas Presents, click here. To read the article “The true crime genre is popular, but is it ethical?“ click here. To place a hold on Secluded cabin, sleeps six, click here. To listen to the Holly podcast episode on youtube click : here. on Spotify: here. To listen to the Pawn episode on youtube, click here: On Spotify: here. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess would take self-defense courses if she ever had to work as a kindergarten teacher, and Janine has finally read a podcast book without falling asleep in the middle of it, in this episode of Between the Lines, featuring The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter. To place a hold on The Blonde Identity, click here: https://tinyurl.com/5b2rvm9v BBC Entertainment article on post-concert amnesia here: https://tinyurl.com/ysyu9j6d This episode was previously published on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on November 27, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess is still annoyed about a book she read for the podcast eleven months ago, Janine wants to go swimming, and Jess gives Janine 8 hours of homework to better understand the book, in this episode featuring The Wager by David Grann. This episode was previously published on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on November 13, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess thinks Psycho is hilarious, Janine is tired of all the half-jokes, and no one wants to hear any more about Covid, in this episode featuring Holly by Stephen King. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on October 30, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Janine is tired of hearing about Flynn’s nose, and Jess promotes an alternative pronunciation of "chameleon" in this week's podcast, featuring What Once Was Mine by Liz Braswell. This episode was previously published on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on October 17, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess feels about Brandon Sanderson the way Janine feels about Louise Penny, and Janine and Jess agree that anything is better than Patterson, in this week's podcast, featuring Mistborn: the Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on October 3, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Janine has Strong Opinions about audiobook narration styles, and Jess is too crabby for that level of perkiness, ever, in this week's podcast, featuring American Predator: the Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century, by Maureen Callahan. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on September 19, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess can taste the desperation, and Janine is against basing her judgment of books on her caffeine consumption, in today's episode, featuring Crossbones by Kimberly Vale. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on September 5, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess thinks serial killers should have the courtesy to let the press give them their nicknames, and Janine wonders why someone who calls himself “The Illusionist” is using chess pieces, in this podcast installment, featuring The Pawn by Steven James. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on August 22, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Janine’s role on the podcast is revealed as snack-bringer and explaining the most basic parts of the books to Jess, and Jess has logistical questions about the use of bones in amplifying magic in this week's podcast, featuring the graphic novel Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo, part of the Grishaverse. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on August 8, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess is too crabby for books where no one dies, and Janine gets deeply invested in someone else's relationship, in this week's podcast, featuring Happy Place by Emily Henry. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on July 25, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Janine sees no need for anyone to own five shovels, and Jess thinks a human equivalent of fainting goats would be hilarious, in this week's podcast, featuring Amish Vampires In Space by Kerry Nietz. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on July 11, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess needs a butler, Janine briefly channels her inner Mr. T, and both are in the same boat... with no idea of where they're going, in this week’s podcast, featuring the Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor by Ally Carter. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on June 27, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Janine discovers there's an actual sport called "hurling," and Jess wants to line up all the crabs on the beach and make them fight, in this episode, featuring Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on June 13, 2023 Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Janine almost jinxes Matthew Perry, and Jess suggests renaming the podcast "Naive and Cynical" to reflect the hosts' characters, in this episode, featuring Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on May 30, 2023 Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Michelle calls Matthew McConaughey "delicious," Janine discovers Carl Sagan smoked weed, and Jess sends an unscientific translator to the corner with their crayons in this episode, featuring Contact by Carl Sagan. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on May 16, 2023 Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess has no problem imagining being smuggled out of a bar and leaving hidden in the trunk of her own car, Janine bemoans the fact that there will likely never be a companion memoir by William, and both are rather punchy in this week’s episode, featuring Spare by Harry, Prince of Cornwall. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel on May 2, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess covets an elderly lawyer’s swordstick, Janine calls the Sacketts the Kennedys of the Wild West, and both agree to disagree in today’s episode, featuring Ride the River by Louis L’Amour. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel on April 18, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess speculates about the backstory of Frederica the Cow Lady, Janine discovers a horrifying definition of “tool”, and special guest (and editor) Linda is skeptical about the author’s commitment to historical accuracy in this episode, featuring How to be a Wallflower by Eloisa James This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel on April 4, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess shares her appreciation for orcas (who aren't all that diplomatic) and Janine reminisces about crushed childhood illusions about the movie Free Willy in this episode, featuring Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on March 21, 2023 Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Jess and Janine welcome special guest Cathy, and talk banned books, Freedom to Read week, talking polar bears, and Tom Hanks as audiobook narrator in this week's podcast - oh, and Phillip Pullman's The Golden Compass, too. This episode was published on South Central Regional Library's Between the lines podcast on February 21, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Janine does not appreciate chaos, but Jess really really likes cannons... all this and more in this episode, featuring Playing the Part by Jen Turano This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on January 24, 2023 Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio

Janine realizes she will not live for 300 years, Jess realizes that she would be a terrible counselor, and special guest Raina realizes that there are similarities between an 18th century French village and Winkler, Manitoba, in this episode of Between the Lines, featuring The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab. This episode was originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on March 7, 2023. Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio via pixabay.com

Janine gets fangirly over Louise Penny and Jess disapproves of Action! Hero! President! in today's podcast, featuring a comparison and contrast of Bill Clinton and James Patterson's *The President is Missing* and Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny's *State of Terror*. This episode was posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on February 7, 2023 Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio

Jess calls for "more blood!", and Janine finds the author's photo a bit disconcerting, in today's podcast discussion of Furious Hours by Casey Cep. This episode was originally published on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on January 10, 2023 Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio

In this podcast, Jess accidentally renames a character and Janine admits her true feelings about pets in cozy mysteries, as they give their opinions of Twisted Tea Christmas by Laura Childs. This episode was posted on the South Central Regional Library youtube channel as a Between the Lines podcast on November 29, 2022 Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio

Janine's kids are scared of the Grinch, and Jess only likes the crappy parts of Christmas... and other revelation in this page-to-screen podcast about A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Originally posted on South Central Regional Library's youtube channel as a Between The Lines podcast episode on December 13, 2022 Theme tune: Nothing Just Happens by lemonmusicstudio