In this episode, we do a close reading of Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Mist and Fury. 

We discuss our personal histories with romance novels, the evolution of romantic tropes, and the implications of freedom and control in relationships as depicted in the book. We explore themes such as patriarchy, agency, empowerment, consent, and sexuality within the context of the story. 

In this episode, we discuss Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Mist and Fury. In addition to discussing why the book has been banned, we touch on some history of the Romance Novel, and the new hybrid genre Romantasy.   

Today’s Banned Bit, comes to us from School Library Journal in their article Librarians and Allies Must Act to Secure the Future of Libraries and Intellectual Freedom |”

The resources we reference in this episode include:

• State and local governments | USAGov 
• List of U.S. state library associations - Wikipedia
• Material Girls Season 1, Episode 6: Bridgerton X Reading the Romance with Vanessa Zoltan 
• Hot & Bothered 
• Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
  

In this episode, we delve into part two of our discussion on Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. We share some school bus hijinx and the transformative power of love. The 

conversation highlights themes of bullying, body image, and the importance of consent in young relationships, all while emphasizing the emotional depth and relatability of the characters' experiences. 

In this episode, we discuss Rainbow Rowell’s book Eleanor & Park, why it’s banned, and the controversy over Korean-American representation in the novel. 

Our banned bit today is about the Department of Education’s Press Release entitled, “U.S. Department of Education Ends Biden’s Book Ban Hoax.”  

Other articles referenced during our discussion include: 

• “The importance of representation,” by Krystal Jagoo from Verywellmind.com

• “The Problem with Eleanor & Park,” by Chantal Cheung from the Northeastern University Political Review

• “Is 'Eleanor & Park' racist? Movie announcement renews criticism” by Saul Marquez from bookstacked.com

• “What’s your opinion on Eleanor & Park”, Lisa Maxwell’s response to Ellen Oh.

In this episode we do a close reading of Fahrenheit 451, tracing Montag’s journey from book burner to hunted dissident and reader.  We had so much fun digging into the nuance of Bradbury’s timeless classic.  We hope you enjoy our conversation.

In this episode we discuss Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. We discuss when and why it has been banned, its historical significance, and why we think it’s worth reading.  We explore the benefits of reading challenging literature for adolescents, the historical context of the book's reception, and the irony of its censorship. 

Today’s Banned Bit:  “How teens benefit from being able to read 'disturbing' books that some want to ban,” by Gay Ivy

Show Notes:

In this conversation, Sam Helmick discusses the upcoming Lib Learn X conference, the evolving role of AI in libraries, and the importance of libraries as community anchor institutions. 

Links:

Info on LibLearnX 2025

Sam Helmick’s Socials

Blue Sky:  @samhelmic.bsky.social

Instagram and Twitter:  @GeometricRabbit

In this episode of the Rogue Librarians we do a close reading and discussion of  the graphic memoir 'Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic,' by Alison Bechdel. 

We explore personal reflections on death, the complexities of family relationships, and the themes of sexuality and identity as portrayed in the book. We highlight significant scenes and the emotional depth of Bechdel's storytelling, emphasizing the interplay between tragedy and comedy in her narrative. 

Fun Home Part 1: Why It's Banned

In this episode of the Rogue Librarians we discuss the graphic memoir 'Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic,' by Alison Bechdel.  We look at why the book has been banned and discuss the pros and cons.  For a full discussion of the book, listen to the next episode. 

Our new segment, Banned Bits: News Bits from the Ban-o-sphere discusses the article 

“Re-inventing the book ban” by Victoria Sutton  and Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) and the book “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story,”  by Linda Coombs.

We also thought you might like to know more about the Broadway Musical “Fun Home”,  and its accompanying soundtrack.  

Sound Effect by Vlad Krotov from Pixabay

In this engaging conversation, Bethanie Finger discusses her journey as a writer and librarian, sharing insights into her book 'More Than Life,' the first book in her debut trilogy. Bethanie discusses her writing process, particularly the extensive research involved in creating historical fantasy worlds. She delves into the themes of class structures, gender roles, and the influence of mythology on her work. 

You can find out more about Bethanie Finger and her projects here:

Website:  https://www.bethaniefingerauthor.com/home 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethaniefingerauthor/?ref=1der1 

Podcast: https://princekaifanpod.podbean.com/