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! C...
Mar 13, 2023•14 min•Ep. 41
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 Vo...
Mar 02, 2023•18 min•Ep. 40
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 . Y...
Jan 26, 2023•26 min•Ep. 39
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 wou...
Jan 07, 2023•22 min•Ep. 38
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 i...
Nov 24, 2022•24 min•Ep. 37
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 K...
Nov 17, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 36
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...
Nov 10, 2022•27 min•Ep. 35
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 wa...
Oct 26, 2022•11 min•Ep. 34
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 ...
Oct 20, 2022•17 min•Ep. 33
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 heal...
Oct 12, 2022•20 min•Ep. 32
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....
Sep 28, 2022•17 min•Ep. 31
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 wh...
Sep 24, 2022•56 min•Ep. 30
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 checko...
Sep 21, 2022•20 min•Ep. 29
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...
Sep 13, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 28
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.thetrevorp...
Sep 07, 2022•22 min•Ep. 27
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....
Aug 30, 2022•23 min•Ep. 26
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.c...
Aug 23, 2022•44 min•Ep. 25
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...
Aug 19, 2022•15 min•Ep. 24
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 comm...
Aug 16, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 23
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 ...
Aug 09, 2022•31 min•Ep. 22
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.
Aug 03, 2022•17 min•Ep. 21
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.
Jul 28, 2022•29 min•Ep. 20
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 conver...
Jul 18, 2022•48 min•Ep. 19
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 ...
Jul 11, 2022•37 min•Ep. 18
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 beginn...
Jun 29, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 17
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.
Jun 15, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 16
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.
Jun 10, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 15
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.
May 25, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 14
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.
May 04, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 13
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.
Apr 27, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 12
