Welcome to Grace's Reading Corner! This podcast-within-a-podcast is a place where Grace will discuss Dragon Babies-adjacent books she's been reading. This mini episode takes a critical look at Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, a prequel to Ella Enchanted! We'll be back with our next full-length episode soon & hope you enjoy this in the meantime.

MUSIC - Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Things are looking apocalyptic around here, which makes it the perfect opportunity to cover Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman! We’re celebrating the release of the Amazon Prime adaptation by revisiting Crowley, Aziraphale, Agnes, Anathema and all our other impeccably named favorites as they do their best to stave off the end times. Madeleine and Grace discuss their own apocalypse anxiety, and wish for a couple of prophecies to guide us through our own troubled times. Learn more about Pratchett and Gaiman’s cowriting process, and witness a possible bad omen take place during this very recording session. Save the whales!!

If you’re a Pratchett and/or Gaiman fan, check out our other episodes covering their work:

Episode 8 - Mort, by Terry Pratchett

Episode 13 - The Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchett

Episode 35 - Thud!, by Terry Pratchett

Episode 38 - Hogfather, by Terry Pratchett

Episode 32 - Coraline, by Neil Gaiman

Episode 37 - Stardust, by Neil Gaiman

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We’re leaving Tortall and journeying to Emelan! Grace and Madeleine continue to explore the Tamora Pierce ouvre with Daja’s Book, number three in the Circle of Magic Quartet. Discussion ranges from the unique appeal of a slower-paced series to reasons why it’s so uncomfortable eating in front of strangers. Dive into Trader culture, narcissist mages and the deep bonds that form between young outcasts. Plus some parting words of wisdom: “this isn’t Captain Planet.”

Thanks to all our listeners who have requested the Circle of Magic!

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It’s time to revisit Austar IV’s brutal society and beautiful dragons! Madeleine and Grace discuss just how their perceptions of Dragon’s Blood have changed as adults - and why this is a great reread. Slavery and dragon battling may not make this the most YA-friendly material but maybe the pits are more like Pokémon than dog fighting?… Also: disgruntled audiobook listeners. Upsetting pretend food. Drakk are really gross.

Thanks for listening! If you would like to request a book for us to cover, please email us at [email protected].

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It’s finally time for the Dragon Babies to travel to Narnia! We follow Jill Pole and Eustace Scrubb through a shrub, over a cliff and into a serious adventure, aided by a wonderfully melancholy Marsh-wiggle and many muffed attempts at following instructions. Grace and Madeleine label Aslan the grumpy babysitter of Narnia and give Lewis’ non-Turkish delight pretend food its day in the sun. Listeners will also enjoy an extended comparison of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien’s works by two people who are just cobbling together garbled memories and are not in any way scholars on the subject. Join us in Underland - but don’t be seduced by Bism’s fiery caress!

Thank you to every listener who has requested The Chronicles of Narnia! If you’d like to make a request, leave a comment or send us an email at [email protected].

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We’re heading to the House to dive into Mister Monday, book one of The Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix! Reading Mister Monday for this episode was our introduction to the series, and though we think we need to explore additional books before we’re able to get a true feel for the series, we thoroughly enjoyed this wild ride. Our discussion ranges far and wide, with extended reflections on Arthur’s relatability, fantasy’s fixation on horrible gym class teachers and Garth Nix’s talent for creating truly terrifying monsters inside elaborate worlds.

This episode was a listener request - thanks, Marina! If you’d like to request a book or series, get in touch at [email protected].

EPISODE MEDIA

- Other Dragon Babies episodes mentioned:

Episode 1 - Sabriel, by Garth Nix

Episode 11 - So You Want to Be a Wizard, by Diane Duane

Episode 24 - A Tale of Time City, by Diana Wynne Jones

Episode 31 - Lirael, by Garth Nix

- Angel Sanctuary by Kaori Yuki

- Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

- The Works of Robin McKinley and Why Fantasy Should Seem Real, by Vivian Shaw

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This is a miniature episode in which we rewatch the film adaptation of The Princess Bride with our brother, Patrick! Check out our book episode for an in-depth discussion of William Goldman's source material.

We’re rereading The Princess Bride, by William Goldman! We tackle all the sweeping satire, unique literary devices and ultimately heartwarming friendships that make Florin such a weird, fun place to return to. This book showcases plenty of passions - but is it ultimately an earnest story? Grace does her best to convince Madeleine of its subtly heartfelt approach, and Madeleine identifies Fezzig and Inigo’s friendship as the true love story.

Mini episode covering the film adaptation coming out soon!

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Whether you’re one of the Mud Men or the People, there’s a whole lot to unpack with our rereading of Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer. We were both big fans of this book when young, and haven’t revisited it for quite a while - and we (and our world) are very different now! We engage in an extended comparison of the LEP & Terry Pratchett’s Thud!, break down why a female-fronted action story was so appealing to our young minds, and get seriously annoyed by Artemis’ character. Join us!

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

An epistolary novel set during the Regency with an established magical society, you say? And it has a CHOCOLATE POT on the cover?? It will come as a surprise to none of our listeners that we are big fans of Sorcery and Cecelia, by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. Join in as we discuss the joys of fictional letters, learn about gaslamp fantasy and revel in all the grumpy romance. Are you more of a Cecy or Kate? And can you tell which author wrote which character? Come on in, the chocolate is hot!

This episode was a listener request - thanks, Dan! If you’d like to request a book for coverage, email us at [email protected].

MUSIC - Pippin the Hunchback and Thatched Villagers by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) - Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/