Between The Covers

In this episode of Between the Covers, Jay and Stacey dive into Ian McEwan’s novel, Atonement. They explore the complex themes of guilt, love, and redemption that permeate the story, discussing why it deserves a spot on the “100 Lovable Books” list. Join Jay and Stacey as they uncover the emotional depth of McEwan’s characters, and reflect on the lasting impact of a single lie. Share this episode with your fellow book lovers and please give us a rating.

Links 

JayRuud.com 

StaceyMargaretJones.com 

Amazon 

Treasure of Sherwood book

Mr. Catherine book

Publishers

Encircle Publications

Creators Publishing 

BIOS

Jay Ruud is a retired professor of English at the University of Central Arkansas, now devoting much of his time to fiction writing. He earned a Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and taught college literature courses for 40 years. He chaired the English department at the University of Central Arkansas for 13 years, prior to which he was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern State University in South Dakota. He published scholarly books on Chaucer, Dante, and Tolkien, and has retold the traditional legend of King Arthur for modern readers as a series of Merlin Mysteries. He is currently in the midst of a series of Robin Hood mysteries, the most recent of which, Treasure of Sherwood, has just been published by Encircle Press. 

Stacey Margaret Jones is an Arkansas writer, whose novel MR. CATHERINE was a finalist for the Eric Hoffer New Horizons Debut Novel Award. She's also a Pushcart-Prize-nominated poet, essayist and literature and creative writing instructor. She lives with her husband author Jay Ruud and their four literarily named dogs, Gwenhyfar, Lavinia, Gareth and Sylvia. You can find her on Instagram at @sharkushka and TikTok at @normfluencers.  

Jay and Stacey travel back in time to discuss Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall. From the cunning charm of Thomas Cromwell to the intricate politics of Henry VIII’s court, they reveal why this historical fiction masterpiece is a must-read and why it belongs on the 100 most lovable books list. Plus, CHAOS READER returns with another random read! Please give us a rating and share this episode with your fellow book lovers.

Links 

JayRuud.com 

StaceyMargaretJones.com 

Amazon 

Treasure of Sherwood book

Mr. Catherine book

Encircle Publications

https://encirclepub.com/encircle-author/jay-ruud/

Creators Publishing 

https://www.creators.com/books/mr-catherine

BIOS

Jay Ruud is a retired professor of English at the University of Central Arkansas, now devoting much of his time to fiction writing. He earned a Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and taught college literature courses for 40 years. He chaired the English department at the University of Central Arkansas for 13 years, prior to which he was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern State University in South Dakota. He published scholarly books on Chaucer, Dante, and Tolkien, and has retold the traditional legend of King Arthur for modern readers as a series of Merlin Mysteries. He is currently in the midst of a series of Robin Hood mysteries, the most recent of which, Treasure of Sherwood, has just been published by Encircle Press. 

Stacey Margaret Jones is an Arkansas writer, whose novel MR. CATHERINE was a finalist for the Eric Hoffer New Horizons Debut Novel Award. She's also a Pushcart-Prize-nominated poet, essayist and literature and creative writing instructor. She lives with her husband author Jay Ruud and their four literarily named dogs, Gwenhyfar, Lavinia, Gareth and Sylvia. You can find her on Instagram at @sharkushka and TikTok at @normfluencers.  

“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy… That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

Coming up next on Between The Covers, racism, prejudice, and the loss of innocence take center stage in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Join Jay and Stacey as they dive deep into this beloved novel and discuss where it ranks on the 100 Loveable Book list. This week’s CHAOS READER takes us near Stacey’s childhood home. If you’re enjoying our show, please give us a rating and tell your friends.

Links

JayRuud.com

StaceyMargaretJones.com

Amazon 

Treasure of Sherwood book

Mr. Catherine book

Encircle Publications

https://encirclepub.com/encircle-author/jay-ruud/

Creators Publishing 

https://www.creators.com/books/mr-catherine

BIOS

Jay Ruud is a retired professor of English at the University of Central Arkansas, now devoting much of his time to fiction writing. He earned a Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and taught college literature courses for 40 years. He chaired the English department at the University of Central Arkansas for 13 years, prior to which he was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern State University in South Dakota. He published scholarly books on Chaucer, Dante, and Tolkien, and has retold the traditional legend of King Arthur for modern readers as a series of Merlin Mysteries. He is currently in the midst of a series of Robin Hood mysteries, the most recent of which, Treasure of Sherwood, has just been published by Encircle Press.

Stacey Margaret Jones is an Arkansas writer, whose novel MR. CATHERINE was a finalist for the Eric Hoffer New Horizons Debut Novel Award. She's also a Pushcart-Prize-nominated poet, essayist and literature and creative writing instructor. She lives with her husband author Jay Ruud and their four literarily named dogs, Gwenhyfar, Lavinia, Gareth and Sylvia. You can find her on Instagram at @sharkushka and TikTok at @normfluencers.

"Impudent strumpet!" 

Up next on Between The Covers is Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. Listen in as Jay and Stacey delve into why this beloved yet controversial book deserves a spot on the 100 Lovable Books list and where it ranks. Plus, don’t miss the CHAOS READER segment! Please like, share, and subscribe!

Poem mentioned in the episode

Dover Beach by Mathew Arnold

Links 

JayRuud.com 

StaceyMargaretJones.com 

Amazon 

Treasure of Sherwood book

Mr. Catherine book

Encircle Publications

https://encirclepub.com/encircle-author/jay-ruud/

Creators Publishing 

https://www.creators.com/books/mr-catherine

BIOS

Jay Ruud is a retired professor of English at the University of Central Arkansas, now devoting much of his time to fiction writing. He earned a Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and taught college literature courses for 40 years. He chaired the English department at the University of Central Arkansas for 13 years, prior to which he was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern State University in South Dakota. He published scholarly books on Chaucer, Dante, and Tolkien, and has retold the traditional legend of King Arthur for modern readers as a series of Merlin Mysteries. He is currently in the midst of a series of Robin Hood mysteries, the most recent of which, Treasure of Sherwood, has just been published by Encircle Press.

Stacey Margaret Jones is an Arkansas writer, whose novel MR. CATHERINE was a finalist for the Eric Hoffer New Horizons Debut Novel Award. She's also a Pushcart-Prize-nominated poet, essayist and literature and creative writing instructor. She lives with her husband author Jay Ruud and their four literarily named dogs, Gwenhyfar, Lavinia, Gareth and Sylvia. You can find her on Instagram at @sharkushka and TikTok at @normfluencers.

"That's some catch, that CATCH-22"

Episode 2 of Between the Covers finds married authors Jay Ruud and Stacey Margaret Jones breaking down Joseph Heller's Catch 22 and why in belongs on the 100 Lovable Books list. Plus Chaos reader returns and it's not a Presidential biography. Like and subscribe to never miss an episode. Also, leave a review which helps other listeners find the show! 

Links 

Dover Beach by Mathew Arnold

JayRuud.com 

StaceyMargaretJones.com 

Amazon 

Treasure of Sherwood book

Mr. Catherine book

Encircle Publications

https://encirclepub.com/encircle-author/jay-ruud/

Creators Publishing 

https://www.creators.com/books/mr-catherine

BIOS

Jay Ruud is a retired professor of English at the University of Central Arkansas, now devoting much of his time to fiction writing. He earned a Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and taught college literature courses for 40 years. He chaired the English department at the University of Central Arkansas for 13 years, prior to which he was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern State University in South Dakota. He published scholarly books on Chaucer, Dante, and Tolkien, and has retold the traditional legend of King Arthur for modern readers as a series of Merlin Mysteries. He is currently in the midst of a series of Robin Hood mysteries, the most recent of which, Treasure of Sherwood, has just been published by Encircle Press. Website http://jayruud.com

Stacey Margaret Jones is an Arkansas writer, whose novel MR. CATHERINE was a finalist for the Eric Hoffer New Horizons Debut Novel Award. She's also a Pushcart-Prize-nominated poet, essayist and literature and creative writing instructor. She lives with her husband author Jay Ruud and their four literarily named dogs, Gwenhyfar, Lavinia, Gareth and Sylvia. You can find her on Instagram at @sharkushka on TikTok at @normfluencers or via her Website staceymargaretjones.com

It is a truth universally acknowledged that any list of lovable books must include Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and married authors Jay Ruud and Stacey Margaret Jones break down why they love the book, what's not to love and where it ranks on the master list of 100 Lovable Books so far.

Links 

JayRuud.com 

StaceyMargaretJones.com 

Amazon 

Treasure of Sherwood book 

Mr. Catherine book

Encircle Publications

https://encirclepub.com/encircle-author/jay-ruud/

It is a truth universally acknowledged that any list of lovable books must include Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and married authors Jay Ruud and Stacey Margaret Jones break down why they love the book, what's not to love and where it ranks on the master list of 100 Lovable Books so far.

There are hundreds of 100 Best Books list but none of them are curated by author Jay Ruud...until now. Get ready to dive into a world of delightful reads with Jay’s “100 Lovable Books” list! Each week, he and his wife, Author Stacey Margaret Jones, introduce and explore one lovable book per episode.