PODCAST · arts
Reality Raincheck
by Janelle M Morris
Welcome to Reality Raincheck—a book club that helps you escape into the best books and then come back feeling empowered by beautiful thoughts and words. We talk with authors, professors, and great thinkers about our favorite reads. For any of you who like to get lost in a good book, you've come to the right club. Cozy in while we get away!
Episodes
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The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower with guest Jessica King
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower This month on Reality Raincheck, we're heading to St. Crispian's for a spoiler-filled discussion of Beth Brower's beloved series, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. We're joined by our friend Jessica, a lifelong reader, lover of…
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Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson with Professor George Handley
We had the wonderful opportunity to discuss Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping with George Handley and to marvel all over again at the astonishing beauty of Robinson's prose. Our guest, George Handley, is a professor of humanities at Brigham Young University whose work explores the intersections…
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The Odyssey by Homer with guest Dr. Emily Hauser
Exploring The Odyssey with Dr. Emily Hauser | Homer, Emily Wilson, Greek Mythology & the Humanities Few books have shaped Western literature more profoundly than Homer's The Odyssey. Nearly 3,000 years after it was composed, readers are still asking the same questions Homer posed: What makes a...
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Jane Austen's Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector's Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend with author Rebecca Romney
Learn how Jane Austen's bookshelf can enrich your literary journey. Explore the overlooked women writers who inspired her and why they matter today. In this book club chat, we discuss with author Rebecca Romney the literary influences that shaped Jane Austen's work. Why had we never even heard of...
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Is a River Alive? with author Robert MacFarlane
The Power of Rivers: Ecology, Culture, and Reimagining Nature with Robert MacFarlane This discussion was a dream come true! Have you ever wondered what rivers can teach us about life, culture, and sustainability? If so, you're not alone. In his captivating book Is a River Alive?, Robert…
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Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë with guest Dr. Claire O'Callaghan
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Claire O'Callaghan for a rich and thought-provoking conversation on Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, a novel that continues to unsettle, challenge, and captivate readers across generations. Together, we explore the wild and untamed landscape of the moors…
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James by Percival Everett with Professor Bryan Banker
In this episode, we sit down with Professor Bryan Banker to unpack the literary and historical weight of James by Percival Everett, a bold revisiting of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that challenges how we understand freedom, language, and power. Together, we explore how language becomes…
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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain with Dr. Kerry Soper
Welcome to our deep dive into Mark Twain's literary masterpiece, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In this discussion, we unravel the layers of comedy, satire, and profound social commentary that make this novel not only a cornerstone of American literature but also an enduring tale that...
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Bonus Episode: The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Embracing Abundance: Insights from "The Serviceberry" by Robin Wall Kimmerer In this engaging bonus episode of our book club, we delve into Robin Wall Kimmerer's profound work, "The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World." As we explore the intricate connections between...
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All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings with author Gayle Boss
We had a beautiful conversation with author Gayle Boss about her book All Creation Waits. This book invites you to slow down and pay attention, both to the world outside your window and to the quiet season of Advent itself. It gives you pause, and it teaches you to take pauses, as you begin to...
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The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King with guest Dr. Carl Sederholm
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Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner with guest Amanda Frost
Today we're diving into Wallace Stegner's Crossing to Safety, a novel that captures the rare, sustaining friendships between two couples, Sid and Charity Lang, and Larry and Sally Morgan. Though set in Wisconsin during the depression era, the story feels surprisingly relevant. Stegner shows how…
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The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow with guest Paula Byrne
Would you like to escape into a companion story to Pride and Prejudice? Look no further than Janice Hadlow's wonderful novel The Other Bennet Sister. Hadlow masterfully gives new life and direction to Mary Bennet — the often-overlooked sister originally written as a figure of ridicule. We talk...
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Speaker For the Dead with author Orson Scott Card
This book club chat is truly monumental. We had the privilege of hearing from author and legend Orson Scott Card, whose contributions to the world of science fiction are nothing short of brilliant. I was moved to tears as he spoke about how many individuals from his own life are woven into his...
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Circe by Madeline Miller
In this book club chat, we explore Greek Mythology through the story of the witch Circe. Madeline Miller has offered us a beautiful retelling of a character who may have been dismissed as terrible and without feeling. She revives her into a character who draws deep sympathy as she grapples with...
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Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
Come join us for a good laugh and a good cry as we explore the joys and pitfalls of mothering. This conversation centers on Soldier Sailor, a novel by Claire Kilroy. Whether you're a mother yourself or simply want to understand the world of mothering more intimately, this book offers a powerful...
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The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy with guest John Bennion
Let's just start off by saying we love Thomas Hardy with an ardent fervor. The man can write landscapes that are at once transportive and captivating. Join us for this book club chat as we talk about Return of the Native with Hardy expert, and former BYU professor John Bennion. We discuss the…
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The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Have you ever been hounded to continue writing books? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has! In fact, were it not for his ardent fans, we wouldn't have as many Sherlock Holmes books as we do currently. In this book club chat, we'll talk about Doyle's use of landscape to add ambiance and mystery to this…
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The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-centered Planet by John Green
In this episode, you'll discover why The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green resonates so deeply with readers. Through a series of insightful, nostalgic, and often hilarious essays, Green reviews everything from Halley's Comet and Diet Dr Pepper to scratch-and-sniff stickers and Liverpool soccer...
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West with the Night by Beryl Markham with guest Lola Reid Allin
Have you ever met a female commercial pilot? It's a rare experience and one that we were able to have as we discussed Beryl Markham's memoir West With the Night, with special guest and pilot Lola Reid Allin. In this episode of Reality Raincheck, we take to the skies with two extraordinary...
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Emily of New Moon By L.M. Montgomery with guest Diana Smith
If you've ever wanted to talk about L.M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon series, but have lacked the proper bosom friends, fret no longer! Listen to this chat as we'll discuss the magical ways in which Montgomery creates another heroine that rivals Anne of Green Gables in her wit and charm, but is...
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Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
If you're searching for a meaningful Christmas read, this episode is just for you. Join us as we dive into Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These, a novella that proves even the shortest books can make a big difference. Set against the backdrop of a quiet Irish town during the holiday season…
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Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach with guest Dr. Darin Johnston
In this episode, we dive into the macabre yet enlightening world of cadavers with Stiff by Mary Roach, a book that reveals the many unexpected ways cadavers have advanced human knowledge and society, whether it be from their use in medical research and crash tests to their roles in forensic...
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The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne with guest Dr. Carl Sederholm
Join us as we welcome back Dr. Carl Sederholm, a professor of horror and early American studies at BYU, to explore the haunting world of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables. Although the novel unfolds at a slow pace, it offers a rich foundation for discussing how individuals and...
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My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead with guest John Bennion
My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead is a captivating blend of memoir and biography that invites readers to explore the enduring impact of George Eliot's Middlemarch. Mead offers insights into the relevance of Middlemarch in contemporary life, illustrating how Eliot's exploration of human...
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The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera with guest Azul Uribe
The Last Cuentista is a winner of the Newberry Medal award, and is the second book by author Donna Barba Higuera. It is a fast paced, middle-grade dystopian sci-fi, and yet it has so much depth and maturity in its themes. We were able to discuss many topics at length including immigration, the...
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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Join us in this book club chat as we discuss Susan Cain's work of non-fiction Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. This book feels very validating for those of us who are introverts, and helpful for extroverts who want to better understand their children and partners...
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A Passage To India by E.M. Forster, with guest Mike Bunnell
Join us as we discuss a classic that still has modern relevance. Air Force attorney, Mike Bunnell will provide his unique perspective as he specializes in criminal cases involving sexual assault. He discusses the difficulty found in proving or disproving consent (particularly when alcohol is...
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Bel Canto By Ann Patchett with bonus aria performed by Mary Ann Claros
On the plots surface, Bel Canto details a hostage situation that takes place at an embassy in Peru. But when one delves deeper, it is a meditation on the healing and uniting power of art, specifically that of opera to bring people of completely different cultures and languages together to...
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Zion Earth Zen Sky: A Memoir, with author Dr. Charles Inouye
Join us for this book club chat as we interview author Dr. Charles Inouye about his beautiful memoir, Zion Earth Zen Sky. He details the experiences from his life as a child growing up in rural Sigurd, Utah. As Japanese-Americans, his family eventually settled there after his parents met at an...
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The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot with guest John Bennion
George Eliot, who's actual name is Mary Ann Evans, was one of the best Victorian authors to have emerged from England. Join us in this book club chat with author John Bennion, and former BYU professor of the British novel. While this novel has slow beginnings, the pace quickens and provides such…
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Bonus Episode: A selection of poems by Mary Oliver with guest Jessie Scoville
If you want a glimpse into beautiful nature poetry, look no further than the poems of Mary Oliver. She was considered to be one of America's finest poets, winning the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Her poems, and the reading of them, connect you more closely to the natural world and...
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The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey with guest Lizzie Jones
Eowyn Ivey's debut novel The Snow Child is a beautiful journey into the imagination and the wilds of Alaska. Incorporating the Russian fairytale, the Snow Maiden, Ivey breaths new life into an old tale, and lets live the idea that hope (along with a child) can spring from even the most harsh and...
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The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson with guest Dr. Carl Sederholm
If you're curious about the origin story of the haunted house, look no further than Shirley Jackson's classic horror novel, The Haunting of Hill House. We are joined for this book club chat by horror professor, Dr. Carl Sederholm, who recently published a chapter in a work about Shirley Jackson....
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The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Barbara Kingsolver's best selling novel The Poisonwood Bible is a masterful historical fiction about the Price family. While their story is fictional, the backdrop and historical events of the narrative are an accurate depiction of life in the Congo. It's an eye-opening tale told from the...
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Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen with guest John Bennion
Join us for this book club chat about Austen's first novel Sense and Sensibility. Former BYU professor and author, John Bennion, will discuss the merits of the book and Austen's growth as a novelist as she improved upon her craft in subsequent books. The film adaptation of the book as written by...
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The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn
Joanna Quinn's debut novel, The Whalebone Theatre, is historical fiction at its finest. We are transported to southern England off the coast of Dorset, where we meet three unlikely heroes--Cristabel, Flossie, and Digby. They are siblings who grow up against the backdrop of the second world war....
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All Things New by Fiona and Terryl Givens with guest Fiona Givens
This conversation with author, mother, grandmother, scholar, and kind soul Fiona Givens, was healing. If you have not read the books she co-authored with her husband, Terryl Givens, you are missing out on some beautiful and poetic explorations of theology within the Church of Jesus Christ of…
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The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt
Join us in our book club chat as we discuss Jonathan Haidt's work of social psychology, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Religion and Politics. Whether you find yourself politically on the left, right, or in-between, we could all benefit from a little application of empathy for...
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Silence By Shusaku Endo with guest Van Gessel
Join us as we discuss Shusaku Endo's novel of historical fiction Silence, where he confronts the age old question of "Where is God during human suffering?" Van Gessel, our guest and translator of many of Endo's novels, joins us to clarify some of the discrepancies in the original translation, as...
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How to have fun adventures with Sarah Cole
Sarah Cole joins me in this interview about the great escape of creating adventures. Find and follow her on instagram at hatgirladventures for some refreshing ways of getting out of the daily grind, and seeing the things around you that you never knew were always there. Dust off your favorite…
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Possession by A.S. Byatt
I can't sufficiently sum up what this book accomplishes, but sufficeth to say that Dame Antonia Byatt won the Booker prize (England's most prestigious award for literature) because her book is masterfull in its telling. It is at once a romance and a mystery, modern and victorian, and a book that...
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The Great Escape of Music
If you find yourself in a quaundry over how to best appreciate music, join me as I discuss some creative ideas for playlists, and how to surround yourself with the music that you had forgotten you always loved. We have such amazing access to mood-enhancing music in so many genres. When was the…
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The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Join us for this book club chat about Alexandre Dumas classic adventure tale of revenge, The Count of Monte Cristo. It is clear why this book has withstood the test of time, and is so widely recogized as great french literature. But if you don't have time to give it a read, give this podcast a...
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The Box of Delights by John Masefield
We loved reading and discussing this Christmas classic, The Box of Delights. Author, John Masefield transports us to the wintery british world of the 1930's, where Kay and his young friends have many fanciful and sometimes dangerous adventures together. If you've ever wanted to enter the world of...
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Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury
Join us as we discuss Ray Bradbury's coming of age story Something Wicked This Way Comes. Bradbury uses the backdrop of a small town in Illinois with a traveling carnival that entices two teenagers with all of its attractions and curiosities. The carnival will ultimately imprison you in your own...
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The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Join us for this book club chat as we discuss the guilded age of New York, and the american author who shed so much light on the time, Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence illuminates the rigid societal norms of pre-WWI New York, and the contraints that we make on our hearts, for better or worse,...
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The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
We thoroughly loved reading and discussing this exciting travel narrative, The Salt Path. Raynor Winn has captured a beautiful and harrowing memoir about homelessness and surival. She redefines home as the relationships that mean the most, and the walking paths that keep you moving forward. It...
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Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer weaves a beautiful story, rich with both scientific and native american culture. She tells the story of our relationship to the earth and what we can learn from indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the wisdom of plants. If you're looking for a book that will...
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Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
In Maggie O'Farrell's novel, Hamnet, we are transported to the life of Agnes (Anne) Shakespeare. Though little is known historically about Shakespeares life, so much can be gleaned from what is known. O'Farrell has captured beautifully the grief that comes from loving and then losing a child.…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Reality Raincheck—a book club that helps you escape into the best books and then come back feeling empowered by beautiful thoughts and words. We talk with authors, professors, and great thinkers about our favorite reads. For any of you who like to get lost in a good book, you've come to the right club. Cozy in while we get away!
HOSTED BY
Janelle M Morris
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Reality Raincheck have?
Reality Raincheck currently has 68 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Reality Raincheck about?
Welcome to Reality Raincheck—a book club that helps you escape into the best books and then come back feeling empowered by beautiful thoughts and words. We talk with authors, professors, and great thinkers about our favorite reads. For any of you who like to get lost in a good book, you've come to...
How often does Reality Raincheck release new episodes?
Reality Raincheck has 68 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Reality Raincheck?
You can listen to Reality Raincheck on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Reality Raincheck?
Reality Raincheck is created and hosted by Janelle M Morris.
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