Sense of Shelf

Hi friends. Thanks for joining me in another meeting of our Banned Book Club. In this meeting I will discuss Gender Queer by Maya Kobabe. This wasn't one of my favorite banned books, but a great story none the less. Diverse voices are important to literature and our world as a whole, so I fully support this book and hope more people will read it. You can purchase the book, support indie bookshops, and support my delightful little podcast all in one purchase. Super convenient and philanthropic! Click here to get that book. If you don't want to purchase the book like a close minded person, go to my Buy Me A Coffee or my Ko-fi to support this show. You can donate, commission, subscribe, or any other of the options I don't even remember are available. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Hi friends. This one took a while because spoiler, I didn't care for volume 5. But here are volumes 5 and 6 combined. Just some quick chats about the two volumes. Neil Gaiman is a master story teller and this series is spectacular. Shout out to Okie Bookcast podcast. Listen to the book news segment for exciting news about the host, my friend J Hall. To purchase the books, support indie bookshops, and also support this podcast all in one purchase follow these links to Bookshop.org Volume 5 and Volume 6. To support the podcast by tipping, donating, or commission an episode about your book or a book you want me to read go to my Ko-fi or Buy Me A Coffee pages. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

What's better than an episode with my humble opinions about one book? Probably a lot of things, but for the sake of this caption, the answer is an episode with my humble opinions about TWO books!! Insert DJ horn noise here. I talk about Wakanda Forever by one of my favorite authors Nnedi Okorafor and I talk about Babel by R.F. Kuang....finallly. You can purchase both books from Bookshop.org and help support indie bookshops and this podcast.. Use these links to do it Wakanda Forever and Babel. You can also support your local library by going there to borrow them. You can also go to my Ko-fi or Buy Me A Coffee pages if you would like to donate or commission an episode about a book you want me to read. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I finally found the energy and drive to come back. Thank you for your patience. I read and review the wonderful collection of short stories The Memory Librarian by Janelle Monáe and other authors. This book has so much queer love and representation it is only a matter of time before someone tries to ban it. It is a great book though with some lovely stories and characters. Support indie bookshops and this podcast by purchasing the book here You can also donate, tip, force me to read a book I wouldn't read otherwise, or subscribe for exclusive nonsense, by going to my Ko-Fi or Buy Me A Coffee pages. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The newest installment tackles All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brandon Kiely. This is an important story about police brutality and its' effects on a community. It is told as 2 stories in one from the point of view of the victim, a black teenage boy, and the other from a witness, a white teenage boy that attends the same school as the victim. It is an important story, and Jason Reynolds voice is one that I will always say needs to be heard. You can purchase the book, as well as support indie bookshops and this fantastic podcast that I highly recommend (granted I host it, but ignore that) from Bookshop.org.

So I went about this strangely. I started by planning to read, review, and publish an episode for each volume. I changed my mind and just saved each review to publish as this longer episode. I also only wrote a script for volumes 1-3. Volumes 4 and 5 I recorded live with no notes or script. I tend to ramble. Regardless, I loved this series and am excited to see what happens in future issues. So please enjoy my review(s) of the first 5 volumes, the only ones published right now, of Something is Killing the Children, by James Tynion IV. Go to one convenient place to purchase the books, support indie bookshops, and support this podcast. How great is that!? Purchasing them using this link to Bookshop.org will do those things! Also feel free to support this podcast by donating, tipping, subscribing, or commissioning me to read a book. Want me to read your favorite book? Want to torture me and make me read a book you hated? Do that at my Ko-fi page or my Buy Me a Coffee page. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I read the fantastic book Binti The Complete Trilogy. It is a series of novellas by Nnedi Okorafor all compiled into one book now. Listen to me rave about this imaginative, emotional, suspenseful, riveting set of stories. I truly loved this book and will definitely be reading more of this author's work. Check out Nnedi Okorafor and all of her great work on her website www.nnedi.com. You can purchase the book, support indie bookshops, and support this podcast all in one convenient purchase right here, thank you to the wonderful Bookshop.org. You can also go to ko-fi or buy me a coffee to support my show or any other great indie podcasters you may listen to. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I read and loved this wonderful graphic novel adaptation of a short story by Nnedi Okorafor titled On The Road. It is a short read hence the short episode. I loved it though. It can be read in one sitting. The art and story are fantastic and culture absolutely stuns with its' vibrance. Whether you like fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, or graphic novels, you will enjoy this book. Go pick it up today from your local library. To see this wonderful authors information and other works (Binti was amazing!!) go to her website at www.nnedi.com. If you'd like to buy the book, support indie bookshops, and support this podcast all in one convenient place, click these words!!! For other ways to support this podcast you can go to my Ko-fi page or my Buy Me A Coffee page to donate, subscribe, tip, commission, do whatever you want, anything is appreciated. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's been a few weeks since I've discussed The Sandman, but here are my thoughts on Volume 4. Long story short, I really loved it. It's got some great stories and the scenes with The Endless are delightful. You can purchase the book here, while also supporting indie bookshops and this podcast! How great and convenient is that? You can also help support the podcast by going to my Ko-fi or Buy Me A Coffee pages. On these pages you can subscribe for more content, make a donation, or commission an episode! I know, all 3 of those sound fantastic, you can choose just one if you want though. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This book, So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, was recommended to me by the wonderful Red Dove Podcast. Their show is a must listen and this book is a must read. This is a how to guide for helping to combat racism and micro aggressions and have meaningful conversations about the topic. I also discuss a troubling incident that happened with my family and I and ignorant racist people. Find Red Dove Podcast and their talks about activism focusing on Black woman, advocacy, and mental health at their website here. You can support indie bookshops and my podcast by purchasing the book here. You can also support my podcast by going to Ko-fi and Buy Me A Coffee. You can subscribe, donate, tip, or commission an episode. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I had to wait a couple weeks to get this from my library, but it was worth the wait. I highly recommend this wonderful book. It is a sweeping novel about the ups and downs of decades long friendship. Please do yourself a favor and read this. Get the book here and support indie bookshops. Go to my Ko-fi or Buy Me A Coffee page to donate, subscribe for top secret stuff, or commission me to read a book you want to hear me talk about. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Hey friends. I was lucky enough to talk with author and illustrator Ryan Estrada. I've been releasing episodes about banned books called Banned Book Club, it is currently Banned Book Week, and him and his wife wrote a fantastic graphic novel titled Banned Book Club. Did I say banned book enough? Their book is based on his wife, Kim Hyun Sook's, real experiences with banned books in South Korea in the early 80's. I loved this book and am honored that Ryan was willing to talk to me for a little while. He also gives us top secret information about his upcoming releases. Ok, not really top secret, he was more than willing to share the info. Find Ryan on his Twitter and ryanestrada.com to keep up with him and his fantastic work. Find Banned Book Club here at Bookshop to support indie bookshops. Go to Ko-fi or Buy Me A Coffee to support this podcast. You can donate, commission, or subscribe if you want cool benefits that the others won't get. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I read and loved They Called Us Enemy by George Takei. Here is my review that was not asked for but I recorded anyways. This book has been challenged in at least one town in Pennsylvania so I'm counting it for Banned Book Club!! Go to the websites linked below for ideas, resources, and information about fighting book banning. https://www.glaad.org/schoolbookbans https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks?utm_source=ala&utm_medium=slideshow&utm_campaign=redesign Go to Bookshop.org and use checkout code BannedBooks22 by the end of 9/24/22 to receive 10% off of banned books. Go to Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee to support the show and get cool benefits that those other non subscribers don't get to enjoy. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

You guys, I finally got to chat with Willie from The Thing About Us podcast (go listen now.....well, after this). I've loved the show since I discovered this podcast community and I was happy to finally get to record with him. We talked about The Sandman volumes 1-3 and a bit about the Netflix series obviously.  Go check out The Thing About Us podcast on twitter and Apple podcasts  Buy The Sandman graphic novels here to support indie bookshops and my show.  Like what you hear? Go to my Ko-fi or Buy Me A Coffee pages to subscribe, donate, or commission me to read something for a future episode.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I read this delightful book that was banned for being educational. No that is not a typo. This fantastic little instruction manual for either coming to terms with your own sexuality or learning more about what a loved one is going through is great. Written by Juno Dawson, I recommend it to anyone looking to be a better ally to the Queer community. There is a list of organizations to donate to located in the back of the book. These places help the community in so many ways. https://www.thetrevorproject.org and https://www.glaad.org are just a couple that could put a donation to good use. You can support indie bookshops and this podcast by purchasing the book here You can also support the podcast by going to Ko-fi or Buy Me A Coffee to donate, commission, or subscribe for extra benefits and content. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On this episode of Banned Book Club I hide from The Mechanical Hound and talk to you about The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas. This book was incredible and so important for teenagers in today's society. Have a listen and go out immediately to get your hands on a copy and read it. You can purchase the book here to support independent bookstores and this podcast. You can also support the show by donating, subscribing, commissioning, etc. on my Ko-Fi or Buy Me a Coffee pages. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I have the privilege of speaking with Justine AP Louis in this episode. She is the author of wonderful children's books that she writes to bring the Haitian culture to children and families. Some of you know I have a strong connection to Haitian culture, so this was a great joy for me. Justine is also the founder of VivLiv Books, her publishing company. Which she uses as a way to help get other underrepresented authors and cultures published. You can go to Justine's company website Vivlivbooks.com to see all about her and her work. Check out her IG as well. It is very Caribbean and book focused and it's delightful to follow. You can purchase her books through her website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and everywhere else. You can also purchase her book Dalia Explores The Haitian Creole Alphabet and find her other books on Bookshop.org which would support independent bookshops and this podcast. Lastly, you can support this podcast by donating whatever you would like, commissioning special episodes, or subscribing for exclusive content and goodies, at Ko-fi or Buy Me A Coffee. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I finally read and now will discuss this legendary work written by Neil Gaiman, and illustrated by Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, and Malcolm Jones III. I'm so excited to finally do this. I genuinely loved this book even though Gaiman feels the series starts off awkwardly. You can support independent bookshops and this podcast by purchasing the book here If you'd like to donate or subscribe to my podcast for different benefits and exclusives, you do that on Ko-fi or on Buy Me A Coffee --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This is a very special episode of Banned Book Club. Jay, host of one of my favorite shows The Okie Bookcast, joins me to discuss Maus. The story as a whole, our love for the story, and the recent challenges to the book. You can learn about Jay, The Okie Bookcast, and all the great things he does for readers on his website here. You can help support independent bookshops and this podcast by purchasing Maus here. Would you like to torture me by making me read a trashy romance novel? You can commission that and other tasks, as well as donate or subscribe, by going to my Ko-fi page. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode I review Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison. I'll be honest, there are things about this book I did not care for. With that being said, it still should not be banned. Don't ban books and silence voices! Special shoutout to @SophisticatePod for their promo. Go listen and subscribe to their wonderful show! You can purchase Lawn Boy here to support my show and independent bookshops. You can also go to my Buy Me A Coffee or Ko-fi pages to support me. Donate, commission, subscribe for bonus content, or torture me by making me read a trashy romance novel. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

My first graphic novel review!! I discuss Death Deluxe Edition by Neil Gaiman. It is not a standalone story or volume in a series, but a compilation of stories featuring the Death character from his very popular The Sandman series. You can purchase the book here to support independent bookshops and this podcast. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In the first episode of Banned Book Club I discuss this raw and beautiful story. I love Toni Morrison's work. I give a brief review, not something I do often, and discuss why it has been banned, and why I disagree with banning books in general. Shoutout to The Fandalorians for their promo at the beginning.  You can purchase The Bluest Eye here to support independent bookstores and this podcast.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I have the esteemed pleasure of talking with Stacy Padula. She is an author, publisher, and tutor. Stacy was named “Top Inspirational Author of the Year” for 2022 by the International Association of Top Professionals (New York, NY). In June of 2021, she was broadcast on the famous Reuters Building in Times Square as “Empowered Woman of the Year.” Her “Gripped” book series is currently being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman. (from Stacy's website) Listen to a delightful conversation with someone I've known a long time and find her work at the links below. Stacy Padula's website here Stacy's publication house, Briley & Baxter Books here Buy Part 1 of the Gripped series and start the series now! You can buy it here to support indie bookshops and this podcast, or using the links above to Stacy's websites. You can also go to my Ko-fi page here and support the podcast buy subscribing, donating, or commissioning an episode!! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I had the privilege of speaking with author Debra Fredette about her book My Refuge: Finding Peace and Strength in Uncertainty. A story about her missionary trip to Uganda in 2014 and how her faith, and specifically Psalm 91 helped her through her experience.     The website for the non-profit, Hear His Voice Uganda, that was started in part due to Debra's efforts can be found here  Debra's publisher is Briley & Baxter Publications and you can find them here   You can purchase the books through my affiliate link on Bookshop.org. This will help support this podcast and independent bookstores.    or on Barnes & Noble and Amazon --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ben Hunt from The Enlightened Podcast joins me to discuss the final part of the LOTR trilogy, The Return of The King, and brings his great sometimes co-host Ellie. This was a lot of fun and more often than not I just sat back as a witness to their detailed debates. DECLARE YOUR SUPPORT FOR ABORTION FUNDS & COMMIT TO ACT FOR ABORTION ACCESS BY JOINING TODAY. Go to https://abortionfunds.org today to help.  Shout out to my friends at the Two Idiots And A Dog podcast for their promo at the beginning of the episode. Go subscribe and follow their social medias! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join me as I talk with my special guest Mr Richardson from The Fandalorians Podcast. We talk about our mutual love of a great story and he shares his great experiences reading it to his students. Even if you are mostly dead, you will enjoy our talk as much as I did. I also finally debut my book news segment.  Shout out to Cartoon Dumpster Dive podcast for their ad drop at the start of the show.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this installment of The Pen Made Mightier By the Sword, I discuss the incomparable J.R.R. Tolkien and the ways war influenced and inspired his works. My admiration for this man would reach from The Shire to The Undying Lands. So go on this brief adventure with me as we talk about the Father of High Fantasy.  Shout out to Wrestling World Podcast host @AustinBoyer25 for the drop at the start of the show.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Just a little update. I had a little hiatus and wanted to just talk and catch up with you listeners with things that have been happening and what should be happening soon. I hope you enjoy and go support the other shows and people I mentioned in this episode. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this installment of The Pen Made Mightier by The Sword I discuss CS Lewis and how events in his life, including serving in WW1, caused him to abandon and then emphatically return to his Christian faith and how this influences his writing. Go follow my friend @BeerInFront and subscribe to his show Beer In Front wherever you get your podcasts. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this installment of The Pen Made Mightier by The Sword, we talk about Sci-fi great, Isaac Asimov and how his works were influenced by political conflict. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This mini episode is about 1984 author George Orwell and how political conflict influenced his work. Listen and leave me a rating and review to let me know what you think. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On this episode of The Pen Made Mightier By The Sword we talk about Ian Fleming, the author and creator of the worlds most famous spy, Bond, James Bond. This one almost feels like cheating when it comes discussing war being an influence on an authors work. The man was a spy and then created one of the most timeless fictional characters ever…..a spy. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode chosen via Twitter poll, we discuss Kurt Vonnegut and the influence that war had on his writings. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode of The Pen Made Mightier By The Sword, we have a bit of a challenge in talking about how war influences the work of beloved children's author Roald Dahl. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Just a little mini episode by myself. An update on the show, a couple book reviews, what's upcoming to be discussed on the show and what I'll be reading outside of the show. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In my Pen Made Mightier By The Sword series, I'll be discussing authors that served in wars and authors who although may not have served in any military still were affected by global conflict and politics, and how these experiences influenced their work. This first installment is about the one and only Ernest Hemingway. I hope you enjoy. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

More solo ramblings from me. I talk with you about my favorite book to screen adaptations. I only talk about things I have consumed both versions of (book and show/movie). It's also just my opinion. It is not scientific research into the accuracy of the adaptations. I hope you enjoy. Thank you in advance for listening. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I ramble on about my favorite books published in the last 10(ish) years. I think it's a nice list of books, but of course I do, I chose them. This is not a list saying any are better than any others, just the books I enjoyed. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ben Hunt and I continue our journey to Mordor as we discuss The Lord of The Rings The Two Towers. We've got attacks on middle children for some reason, a lot of fun, and another round of high stakes trivia as we talk about Ben's least favorite, but one he obviously still loves, book out of the series. Give us a listens, nice hobbitses! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In my actual debut episode and the first of our episodes together, Ben Hunt, of The Enlightened Podcast, and I nerd out about our mutual love of J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of The Rings, specifically the novel of The Fellowship of The Ring. There are terrible puns, names we may not be pronouncing correctly, and a high stakes trivia round to wrap things up. Join our fellowship and travel with us on the beginning of our long trip to Mordor. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Hey everyone. This is the debut of the Sense of Shelf podcast. This episode is just a little introduction to me, your host John Westley, and what the podcast aims to do. Please pardon the occasional background noises as I am learning and will get better. Thanks for the listen. Enjoy. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

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