Kindred Spirits Book Club (Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner)

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.  

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Today’s episode features an interview with an extraordinary L.M. Montgomery scholar, Dr. Laura Robinson. We discuss Robinson's background, her favorite Montgomery books and characters, and her work with the L.M. Montgomery Institute. Then we dive deep into the untold stories of Anne of Ingleside – why this book feels a little darker, and the storytelling risks L.M. Montgomery was able to take in writing this book.  You absolutely do not want to miss this fascinating conversation with a leading Montgomery expert!

We got a lot of wonderful resources from our conversation with Dr. Laura Robinson, if you’d like to check those out here!

L.M. Montgomery Institute is a wonderful hub for so many resources!

The Anne Manuscript lets you view a virtual copy of the original manuscript, and you can see all the edits, notes and annotations.  

The Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies lets you read wonderful scholarship and other writings related to all of L.M. Montgomery’s books.

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. 

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

What is a bosom friend, exactly? In this episode, we take on that question and talk all about the wonderful girl who became Anne’s dearest friend and most ardent supporter. Come for the raspberry cordial, stay for our thoughts on long-standing childhood friendships, Diana’s “dark side,” and whether Anne and Diana’s intimacy can be read as something more.

How do you educate a whole village of children in one room? Why was Mr. Phillips such a creep and Miss Stacy so wonderful? We ask these questions and share some embarrassingly hilarious stories from our own school days in this episode.

We briefly leave the Anne series to discuss one of our very favorite LM Montgomery books, The Blue Castle! Many of the elements we love in the Anne series – romance, selfhood, family, and community – play out differently but just as satisfyingly in this book. Come along as we recap this gorgeous fairy tale of a book.

Inspired By:

Kelly and Ragon are inspired by the Muskoka area  of Canada and recommend checking it out for a Blue Castle vacation of your own!

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. 

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.  

Upsets, accidents, and apologies – how do the adult ladies of Avonlea respond to Anne’s escapades, and what does that tell us about who Anne is becoming? We discuss busybodies, eating medicine flavored cake to be polite, and politics in Avonlea.

Our discussion of Anne of Ingleside continues, focusing on Anne and the Blythe family as they relate to the Glen St. Mary community. We also chat about Anne revisiting old hobbies like writing and matchmaking, and her marriage to Gilbert. This book opens the door to conversations about class, women’s labor, and finding your place in the world.    

Inspired by:

Kelly is inspired by the beautiful quilts of Gees Bend Quilts and matching prints from Souls Grown Deep.

Ragon is inspired by dancing the night away at the Broadway Rave with all the  theater kids!

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. 

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. 

Whether it’s a fairy picnic or a fairytale prince, Anne sees romance everywhere she looks – except, of course, in her own life! Kelly and Ragon explore the romantic side of Anne of Avonlea, from Hester Grey’s garden to Miss Lavendar’s wedding, and they also discuss those rare coming of age books for girls that don’t include romance. 

Inspired by:

Kelly recommends:  Seven Days In June by Tia Williams and Not Quite A Husband by Sherry Thomas.

Ragon recommends: The art of Karen Hallion

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. 

Anne has a special gift for winning over misfits and misanthropes, but in Anne of Windy Poplars, even her skills are put to the test! Ragon and Kelly discuss how Anne won over the Pringles and Katherine Brook, Kelly teaches us about comedies of manners, and they both marvel at the miracle of buttermilk and pumpkin preserves.

Inspired by:

Kelly is inspired by the kids baking on the spin-off of The Great British Bake Off,  Junior Bake Off.

Ragon is inspired by Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte.

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. 

We are kicking off Season Four with a recap of Anne of Ingleside! We'll walk you through the highlights of the sixth Anne book to set up our conversations in the next episodes. We also chat about Ragon's birthday and our favorite dog items. 

Inspired by:  We are inspired by our dogs this week!

Kelly is inspired by a dog water bowl that keeps her floors at least semi-dry, the dripless dog water bowl.

Ragon is inspired by the Tricky Treat Ball to keep her dog occupied!

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. 

We are back with Season 4!  Join us as we talk about where we are going this season, where we’ve been, our favorite episodes so far, and a detour into the rebirth of 90’s fashion!  

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. 

Ragon and Kelly kick off season two of Kindred Spirits Book Club with a breezy recap of Anne of Avonlea. Kelly admits she likes Davy Keith after all, and Ragon wants the ladies from The Home Edit to help Green Gables organize. Come along as we discuss the enchanted picnics, fairytale romances, and childhood mischief that make Anne of Avonlea so much fun.

Inspired by:

Kelly is inspired by Enchantment by Katherine May.

Ragon is inspired by botanical gardens in the spring!

Now engaged to be married, romantic Anne can’t help but get involved in other people’s love lives, and her meddling has hilarious results! Join Ragon and Kelly as they discuss matchmaking – and matchbreaking! – gone wrong, Anne’s love letters to Gilbert, epistolary novels, and our favorite advice column. 

Inspired by:

Kelly is inspired by The Jolly Postman by Allan Ahlberg and by  This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.

Ragon is inspired by  Griffin and Sabine by Nick Bantock and by Captain Awkward's Advice Column.

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. 

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.  

L.M. Montgomery scholar Maryam Khorasani joins us for a discussion of Rainbow Valley itself as both a physical place and a state of mind, drawing on our own childhood experiences and analyzing the characters' interactions with the natural world. We also discuss themes of childhood, imagination, friendship, and the transition to adulthood and are inspired by books with strong senses of place and third spaces.  

Inspired by:

Ragon is inspired by A Kind Of Paradise by Amy Rebecca Tan and by The Whalebone Theater by Joanna Quinn.

Kelly is inspired by The Eyes And The Impossible by Dave Eggers.

Maryam is inspired by The Fall Of The House Of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe.

You can find our guest, Maryam Khorasani on instagram as Maryam9756 or through her email at ma.khorasani@ufl.edu 

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. 

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 loves a thrilling tale, and there are a few in Anne of Windy Poplars that are perfect for a very spooky Halloween episode of Kindred Spirits Book Club. Ragon and Kelly examine Anne's years on Spook's Lane through the lens of graveyard stories and haunted mansions. Highlights include Kelly's discussion of Gothic literature, and Ragon's upcoming Halloween party!

Inspired by:

Ragon is inspired by spooky games like Betrayal At House On The Hill and  Gloom.

Kelly is inspired to make decisions about the end of life with Five Wishes.

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. 

Surprise! In honor of L.M. Montgomery’s 150 birthday, we are releasing a special bonus mini-episode today to share our tribute to Maud. Be sure to check out the other tributes over at the Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies!  

Links:

Find all the tributes to L.M. Montgomery here at the Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies 150 Tributes  

And  Maud's Electronic Birthday Card

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. 

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. 

Avonlea itself, full of big personalities and hilarious happenings, is practically a character in the Anne books. In this episode, we explore how Anne grows into becoming an active member of her community and all the different ways "goodness" looks in a small town. Topics include the Avonlea Village Improvement Society, Davy and Dora Keith, and how Anne of Avonlea fits into the North American regionalist literary tradition. 

Inspired By:

Kelly is inspired by local activities, like farmer’s markets so check out what’s happening in your neighborhood!  If you’re in the U.S. you can use National Farmers Market Directory to find a local one near you!

Ragon is inspired by the book Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree for a cozy fantasy read!

School may be out in your neighborhood, but it’s back in session in Avonlea with Anne at the front of the classroom. Anne continues on her path to becoming “dazzlingly clever” by embarking on her career as a teacher, and today’s discussion ranges from our own career aspirations to Avonlea school stories to the ambitious heroines of Little Women. 

Inspired by:

Ragon is inspired by:  the movie Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret

Kelly is inspired by celebrity memoirs written by women including:  We're Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union,  You Got Anything Stronger? By Gabrielle Union,  Just Kids by Patti Smith, Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein, Open Book by Jessica Simpson, and Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton.

It’s our last episode of Season 2 and the last episode of 2023!  Editor Katie Stewart comes back to debate the most important of issues:  who is the best romantic hero: Barney Snaith or Gilbert Blythe?  We had a blast discussing the way the themes in The Blue Castle compare with Anne’s themes, as well as discussing Hallmark movies and holiday traditions!  Inspired by:

Kelly is inspired by the perfumes of Imaginary Authors, especially Cape Heartache for a perfect Blue Castle scent.

Katie is inspired by the Boundary Waters area of Minnesota and Wisconsin for vacationing, canoeing and finding your own Barney Snaith. 

Ragon is inspired by the books of Bill Bryson, especially A Walk In The Woods.  

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. 

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. 

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.  

Welcome back, Kindred Spirits! Ragon and Kelly kick off a third podcast season by re-introducing themselves and the podcast, giving a behind the scenes look at how we make the pod, and discussing some of what’s to come in Season Three. This is a great place to dive in if you’re new to the podcast, and for longtime listeners, enjoy the deep friendship lore!

Inspired by:

Both Ragon and Kelly are inspired by podcasts this week.  Most of the podcasts are available on a variety of podcast players but we’ve included links here to their main sites. 

Ragon is inspired by Normal Gossip by Kelsey McKinney for fun, low stakes stories that will have you invested in real life anonymous gossip.  And is inspired by Binge Mode: Harry Potter by Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion on The Ringer.  Binge Mode is only available in its entirety on Spotify at the moment but here’s a Playlist that is only their Harry Potter series. 

Kelly is inspired by Feeling Seen by Jordan Crucchiola for thoughtful interviews discussing movie characters that made the guests feel seen.  And she is inspired by the podcast Worlds Beyond Number, a role playing podcast where talented voice actors play out the adventures of a hedge witch, a haughty wizard and the son of a demigod.  

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. 

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.

In preparation for our Rainbow Valley mini-arc, we are recapping this lovely book on today’s episode. We’ll introduce you to the Blythe children’s new friends, the Meredith children and Mary Vance, and tell you all about their adventures and hijinks. We also touch on the historical context of the book, which is set in the years leading up to World War I, wonder where Shirley Blythe is in all this, and share some of our favorite easy recipes! 

Inspired by:

Ragon is inspired by Smitten Kitchen's Pizza Beans for a comforting hearty meal.

Kelly is inspired by Crispy Gnocchi with Burst Tomatoes for an easy Italian dinner.

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. 

It might be summer where you are, but in Anne of the Island, it’s always September, and we are headed back to school with Anne. In this episode, Ragon and Kelly explore Anne’s ambitions as a writer and a scholar – including, of course, her embarrassing first experience as a published author! Kelly and Ragon also share stories from their own college years and talk about the history of women in higher education. 

Inspired by:

Kelly is inspired by the pretty stationary of Felix Doolittle | Stationery & Gifts | Shop and Open Sea Design Co.

Ragon is inspired by the Big Dipper and Little Dipper rings at Bryan Anthonys.  

Just dropping in to let you know that we are hard at work on season 4! Today Kelly and Ragon will be previewing the season ahead and revealing the books we will be discussing, so get your library holds ready!

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!

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. 

Meet Miss Cornelia and her signature phrase “Just like a man!” Miss Cornelia is the great comic relief in Anne’s House of Dreams, an otherwise serious and emotional book. Ragon and Kelly do a deep dive into the contradictions that make up this memorable woman: she’s charitable, loving, and neighborly; and she’s judgmental, prejudiced, dogmatic and an unapologetic gossip. Sidebars include the Oscars, Methodists versus Presbyterians, and one of our favorite sitcoms. 

Inspired By:

Ragon is inspired by the fantastic TV show, The Good Place, starring Kristen Bell and Ted Danson, if you want to go all in on the exploration of what makes someone a “good” person.  

In a meta moment, Kelly is inspired by our Episode 9 about Miss Josephine Barry, another Rich Auntie Supreme like Miss Cornelia!  Give it a relisten!  

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. 

We are excited to share this very special crossover episode with the Maudacst and Kindred Spirits Book Club! The Maudcast, hosted by today's guest Brenton Dickieson, is the official podcast of the L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island. Brenton, Ragon, and Kelly sat down in the church L.M. Montgomery attended for a joyful conversation about Montgomery scholarship, tourism, and fandom, and we can't wait for you to listen. 

Inspired by:

Kelly is inspired by keeping cool with sweet treats with a Slushy Cup and by the delicious scent of hanni Shower Salve.Ragon is inspired by The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews and by A Love Song For Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams.

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. 

In this episode, Kelly and Ragon discuss the second half of the book, how Anne's hair dyeing incident affected them, and one of the saddest death's in children's literature.  

Welcome to Kindred Spirits Book Club!  In this episode your hosts Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner introduce themselves, discuss why Anne of Green Gables is so influential in their lives, and talk about what makes a kindred spirit!  

Anne’s House of Dreams is one of L.M. Montgomery’s most mature and emotional books, and Ragon and Kelly are thrilled to devote season three of Kindred Spirits Book Club to it. In this episode, we recap Anne’s House of Dreams, discuss what we’ve been reading lately, revisit our own weddings, and brainstorm Miss Cornelia-inspired fanfic. 

We didn’t do any inspired bys this episode but we did check in on what we are each reading these days!

Ragon is reading: A cozy witchy mystery,  In The Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace, the gothic fantasy Starling House by Alix E. Harrow, and the Myrtle Hardcastle middle grade mysteries by Elizabeth C. Bunce.

Kelly is reading:  The beautiful picture book Oona by Kelly Dipucchio and the non-fiction book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman.  

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. 

After everything Gilbert has been through over the past three books, we knew he needed his own episode! Ragon and Kelly discuss the making of a classic romance hero, from the infamous “carrots” scene to the swoon-worthy final proposal. We round out the conversation with stories from our weddings and an exploration of Victorian courtship rituals.  

Inspired by:  

Ragon is inspired by the songs: Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Feels Like Home by Randy Newman and Heads Carolina, Tails California by JoDee Messina.

Kelly is inspired by the songs: Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show and I'll Follow You Into The Dark by DeathCab for Cutie

Additionally, Kelly recommends the books Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld and Big Gay Wedding by Byron Lane.

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. 

Anne’s childhood wish to become “divinely beautiful” is coming true - at least in the eyes of one particular gentleman. We love the romance in Anne of the Island, not just for Anne but for her friends Diana and Phillippa as well. Ragon and Kelly chat about all of Anne’s would-be beaux, and unpack why she doesn’t seem ready for any of them yet. We also compare this book to one of our other all time favorite classics: Pride and Prejudice.

Inspired by:

Kelly is inspired by The New York Public Library Shop for bookish goodies.

Ragon is inspired by the movie  Roxanne (1987)  for some more fun romance.

Join us at Patty's Place, where Anne and her friends have "all the fun of homemaking and none of the bother of a husband." Kelly and Ragon discuss female-centered communities and spaces that make way for young women to become themselves, from Anne and her Redmond College chums to New York's famous Barbizon Hotel. We also share stories of our own college roommate days and some of our favorite bon mots from Aunt Jamesina. 

Inspired By:

Ragon recommends: The movie  Pitch Perfect and the book Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.

Kelly recommends:  The movie Legally Blonde and the book Check Please by Ngozi Ukazu

Do you love Matthew Cuthbert as much as we do? In this episode we celebrate this legend of gentle masculinity, and talk about how his capacity for unconditional love nourished and sustained Anne. Digressions include: why gifts are our favorite of the five love languages, fatherly pride, the delight of grubs in the cucumbers, and David Lynch.  

From her unique vantage point as an engaged woman and a high school principal, Anne observes all kinds of interesting parent-child dynamics in and around Summerside. Ragon and Kelly discuss the takeaways from these relationships, and then Ragon gives us all an in depth parenting lesson – but not before we discuss Fourth Wing and all things dragons!

Inspired by:

Kelly is inspired by Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson and by Schitt's Creek.

Ragon is inspired by the podcast Mom and Dad Are Fighting but specifically the episodes between 2017 and 2019 with Carvell Wallace, Rebecca Lavoie and Gabriel Roth.

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. 

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.

Ragon and Kelly boldly go where few podcasters have gone before – deep into Anne of Windy Poplars! Join us as we recap the 4th book in the Anne series--you probably missed this book or have forgotten it so let us help you find the humor and tragedy hidden in the pages.   Listeners, be sure to count how many grumps Anne has to win over while presiding over Sunnyside High School.  Also, back-to-school vibes, Anne's meddling era and enough people with dysfunctional families to keep a whole practice of therapists busy for years.

Inspired By:

Ragon is inspired by the 2001 movie Amelie.

Kelly is inspired by Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

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. 

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. 

Canadian literature expert Brenna Clarke Gray joins Ragon and Kelly to recap the bonkers 1987 miniseries: Anne of Green Gables, the Sequel! Are we making the best use of Dr. Gray’s expertise and insight into Anne? Probably not, but we sure had fun. Join us for an irreverent look at Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel – and stick around for a very special KSBC Holiday Gift Guide!  

Holiday Gift Guide Inspiration:

• Plum Jam like from Sqirl LA or Bonne Maman
• Fancy dog treats from Polkadog
• Size inclusive bookish tees from Book Babe Designs and Chapter Catchers
• Custom bookshelf print or other bookish prints or swag by Jane Mount at Ideal Bookshelf
• A book tracker journal like at Novelly Yours
• A thrilling non-fiction book about shipwrecks and mutiny, The Wager by David Grann
• Book wine charms from EssenTiles
• Fancy simple syrups from Meadowlands Syrup
• Linen Celebration Crown
• Rainbow Wand
• Slackline kit
• Personalized charm bracelets from John Wind or Brooklyn Charm
• Anne, an Adaptation (sort of) graphic novel by Kathleen Gros

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. 

Happy Anniversary to US! To celebrate, Kelly and Ragon are throwing a podcast party, with special guests, games, trivia, and best of all, prizes. You’re invited to the Anne of Green Gables themed party of the year! 

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. 

Anne of the Island – or Anne, the College Years – is one of our very favorite books. With its stately collegiate setting, delightful celebration of female friendships, and deliciously slow burn romance, who can blame us? Join us as we recap Anne's four years at Redmond College, complete with baking soda company shenanigans, tomcat tomfoolery, and a happily ever after ending.

Inspired by:

Kelly recommends:  People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry

Ragon recommends:  Smitten Kitchen's Strawberry Summer Cake

Y’all, this book is wild. Join Ragon and Kelly as they discuss one of LM Montgomery’s lesser-known works, the 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. 

We start our series of character studies and dive deep into Marilla Cuthbert, her journey in non-traditional motherhood and how her sarcasm covers up her inner softness.  We explore how Marilla's religion has shaped her parenting and give our own Marilla inspired recommendations!

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. 

In Episode 2, Ragon and Kelly begin our plot recap of Anne of Green Gables, taking us through the first year of Anne's life in Avonlea, her many iconic scrapes and encounters, and share some "Inspired by Anne" recommendations!  

Home and family is the topic of this episode! Ingleside is a symbol of a happy and loving home and today we are discussing the ways that Anne is creating that for her own children. We speculate about whether Anne is the original TradWife, chat about unwanted houseguests, and share the ways that we've made our houses our homes. 

Inspired by:

Kelly is inspired by vintage shopping and estate sales to make your home unique!

Ragon is inspired by the Nolan Interior Magic Sofa Covers to keep her couch looking comfortable and inviting.

Kelly and Ragon recommend the Culture Study substack in the episode as well!

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.