We dedicate this episode to Jenny Colvin, host of the Reading Envy podcast. We were stunned and deeply saddened to learn of her sudden death. Jenny will be deeply missed by the book community. Our thoughts are with her loved ones and family.

On this episode we recap our biblioadventure to Manchester, VT for Booktopia at the Northshire Bookstore, which included stops at a charming library and several bookstores on the way there and back. Chris also attended two online events — one through the Maine Women Writers Collection featuring Dawn Potter, Elizabeth De Wolfe, and Carol A. Dana. The other online event was Mondays at Beinecke presentation by Gabrielle Colangelo about her exhibition, “We Are Everywhere: Lesbians in the Archive.”

Our second quarter readalong pick was a hit with listeners — TWO OLD WOMEN by Velma Wallis. Thumbs up all around. Emily also read Wallis’ memoir, RAISING OURSELVES: A GWITCH’IN COMING OF AGE STORY FROM THE YUKON RIVER and Chris dipped into BIRD GIRL AND THE MAN WHO FOLLOWED THE SUN. We’ll announce our third quarter readalong on episode 159.

Chris enjoyed THE FERVOR by Alma Katsu. We also read two forthcoming novels that we couldn’t wait to get to! Emily read THE LIES I TELL by Julie Clark (release date 6/21/22) and Chris SHUTTER by Ramona Emerson (release date 8/2/22).

Are you ready for the Big Book Summer Challenge? We are! It’s the 10th anniversary of this popular reading challenge and we had the pleasure of sitting down with creator and host, Sue Jackson.

We know half of the world is easing into winter, but here in the US we’re gearing up for summer. The Big Book Summer Challenge runs from Memorial day (May 27) to Labor Day (September 5, 2022). Emily is going to read Kent Haruf’s PLAINSONG SERIES and Chris will read THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS by Isabel Wilkerson. If you’d like to do buddy reads with either (or both!) of us, we’ll have discussion threads up on Goodreads on May 27th.

As for what we’re currently reading, listen and find out!