Read Between the Spines: Recent Episodes
Alexis Schefka
Five friends. Five states. Five perspectives. Welcome to book club! Join us as we read books, talk and ponder them, summarize them, and altogether, enjoy them and each other's company. BUT! We encourage YOU to read them with us! Each season will be a different book. Each season will have episodes breaking down sections of the book. The tough part for us? We can't read ahead until we have recorded our episode covering the corresponding chapters. This means you'll only hear our opinions, thoughts, and predictions UP UNTIL that point in the book. For example, Season 1 Episode 2 covers Chapters 9-16 of The Eye of the World. If you're reading The Eye of the World, listen to Episode 2 after you finish Chapter 16! Eventually we want our listeners to finish their chapters in time for the next episode to air. Already read the book? So what! Reminisce on your favorite stories with us! Read away and get lost in your favorite book!
We discuss the role selfishness plays in humanity's perpetuation, the Taumoeba demonstrate there is no end goal to evolution, and we experience the implications of adaptability by any means necessary.
Our final episode of Season Two answers the one question we have been wondering since day one - will Rocky and Ryland succeed in their mission? Rachel and Michael join me in discussing Chapters 27 - 30 of Andy Weir's, Project Hail Mary.
00:00 Intro
03:07 Ch. 28
12:03 Ch. 29
24:12 Ch. 30
41:01 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
Michael and I are joined by his brother, Rafael, who we learn is a fan of Ryland Grace! I guess people like that do exist.
Ryan Gosling is mentioned, and what would this podcast's identity be if we didn't discuss Stormlight Archives. We even talk a little bit about Project Hail Mary! (Twas an episode of side tangents).
Chapters 25 - 27 are summarized in our penultimate episode of our reading of Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:22 Welcome, second Sears!
00:12:37 Ch. 25
00:25:37 Ch. 26
00:58:11 Ch. 27
01:00:45 Outro
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
The lights are out, and we are neck deep in Taumoeba waste. Certain characters demonstrate the dangers of dating coworkers (who knew it could be that explosive?), and I discover Michael Sears may be even more intense than Stratt...
Rachel Schutes joins Michael and I through Chapters 22 - 24 of Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:58 Errors
00:04:07 Ch. 22
00:18:35 Ch. 23
00:45:03 Ch. 24
01:15:43 Concluding Thoughts
01:20:25 Outro
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
Finally! Someone to explain time dilation! Our guest host, Rahul, illuminates us on some of the more complicated sciences of space travel, and Lex enjoys the soapbox tangent she embarks on regarding her favorite subject, evolution.
Rahul Bhakta joins Rachel and I in discussing Chapters 19 - 21 of Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir. We find Rocky and Ryland planning their visit to Adrian's atmosphere, searching for yet another alien life form... astrophage's predator.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:58 Introducing, Rahul!
00:04:56 Ch. 19
00:26:43 Ch. 20
00:44:44 Ch. 21
01:15:20 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
We struggle to understand time and Mom points out how fast Ryland is running out of it. Pressured with the weight of his mission, Rocky and Ryland set out for a new planet - Adriaaaaaan!
Haley, Shelly, and I (with a few guest appearances from our Episode 1 guest host!) grasp at straws during the science bits and rip on the story at the rest. Although Haley can barely stand the flashbacks, all in all, we enjoyed Chapters 16 - 18 of Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:59 Softball Mom/Daughter Reunion
00:09:20 Ch. 16
00:30:25 Ch. 17
01:00:18 Ch. 18
01:16:40 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
While Michael and I are joined by guest host, Trinity Hardy Stukey, Ryland Grace is busy getting a new roommate. As we continually follow Ryland's journey into the stars and into his past, we attempt to understand neutrinos and recognize this story's ode to companionship, in our discussion of Chapters 13 - 15 of Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir.
Though guessing at future plotlines can be as probable as Ryland and Lokken's friendship, Trinity points out that some predictions, prove true.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:55 Half-Time Reminisces
00:05:39 Ch. 13
00:33:29 Ch. 14
01:20:10 Ch. 15
01:45:17 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
Is there anything creepier than hearing a knock when you are convinced no one should be near you? Our brave Dr. Grace answers the door nevertheless, and we are introduced to another hero. It is also evident that sleep is necessary even in the midst of extraterrestrial meet and greets.
Rachel, Chris, and I discuss the relationship between music, math, and human emotion, ponder the meaning of art without vision, and reflect on our own aging. Episode 4 covers Ch. 10-12 of Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir.
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:00 Opening Thoughts
00:06:04 Ch. 10
00:30:33 Ch. 11
00:50:54 Ch. 12
01:25:56 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
I'm sure none of us were shocked to discover aliens, this is a space book after all! But twice?! Join Keagan, Gabi, and I in uncovering just what Ryland saw when he encountered ANOTHER spaceship...12 lightyears from home. We also play, quite possibly, the most epic game of catch in the universe.
Episode 3 covers Ch. 7 - 9 of Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir.
00:00 Intro
01:51 Opening Thoughts
05:48 Ch. 7
24:17 Ch. 8
37:31 Ch. 9
56:24 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
Welcome back, Michael, our beloved host from Season 1! Kim Campbell graces us with her bubbly and inquisitive nature as our second guest host of the season. This episode, Ryland's memory continues to return and shares the heart of his mission with us. Michael relates to Ryland through teaching, Kim questions the size of a cubic meter, and we all contemplate the true size of our galaxy, in our second episode covering Chapters 4-6 of Project Hail Mary.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:55 Thoughts So Far
00:11:25 Ch. 4
00:36:48 Ch. 5
01:04:23 Ch. 6
01:45:28 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
We're back for a second season! What are we reading? Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir. You'll hear a familiar voice, Haley, joined by our first guest host of the season, Jack McCrary! We find ourselves disoriented, undergoing flashbacks, and...in space? Discussions and predictions abound in our first episode covering Chapters 1-3.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:04 Welcome back!
00:07:55 Ch. 1
00:25:51 Ch. 2
00:45:35 Ch. 3
01:12:13 Concluding Thoughts
01:28:07 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
SPOILER WARNING: Skip minutes 10:00-13:00 to avoid spoilers from the novel, The Rhythm of War, the fourth installment of The Stormlight Archives.*"
After finishing all recordings for Season 1, Michael, Haley, and I discuss what we did, or did not, enjoy about The Eye of the World,the differences between listening to the audiobook versus reading the story, and discover how often the importance of stories is a reigning theme throughout our favorite books.
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Follow and message us at readbetweenthespines_podcast on Instagram.
Our hero may fight Darkfriends, Trollocs, even the Forsaken, but can he fight his destiny? In our finale, we find lost relics, meet a mystical being, and enter an uncertain and dangerous future.
Haley, Michael, and I discuss our differing preparation methods for recordings, as well as finally finish, The Eye of the World, covering Ch. 50 - 53.
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:28 Lessons from the Year
00:06:32 Ch. 50 Meetings at the Eye
00:22:18 Ch. 51 Against the Shadow
00:53:48 Ch. 52 There Is Neither Beginning Nor End
01:24:35 Ch. 53 The Wheel Turns
01:38:38 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
Long anticipated answers are revealed about our favorite stone-faced warder hero, as well as a look into his heart. Michael, Haley, and I travel into the fringe of the Dark One's realm and experience no shortage of monsters. The penultimate episode of season one covers Chapters 47 - 49 of The Eye of the World.
00:00:12 Intro
00:00:27 Ch. 47 More Tales of the Wheel
00:23:12 Ch. 48 The Blight
00:45:10 Ch. 49 The Dark One Stirs
01:03:41 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
We take a magical portal to a hero's homeland, identify the group's stalker, and enter the realm of our sworn enemy.
We were shown how terrible and fearsome darkness can be, but were reminded how beauty, hope, and nature can be found in all landscapes using one of the world's most effective weapons - perspective.
Haley gets her horror fix and predicts one of more potentially accurate theories to date while discussing Chapters 43 - 46 in The Eye of the World.
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:33 Ch. 43 Decisions and Apparitions
00:20:14 Ch. 44 The Dark Along the Ways
00:37:02 Ch. 45 What Follows in Shadow
00:54:32 Ch. 46 Fal Dara
01:17:30 Outro + Credits
Want to support? Become a member at patreon.com/readbetweenthespines !
We encounter an entirely different sort of Power from the True Source - politics. Threatened with a growing number of enemies, our reunited friends plan for the challenges ahead.
Leave it to Michael, the middle school teacher, to remind Haley and I that these, are in fact, still kids, as we theorize the nature of the Eye of the World while discussing Chapters 40 - 42.
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:58 Ch. 40 The Web Tightens
00:32:30 Ch. 41 Old Friends and New Threats
00:54:56 Ch. 42 Remembrance of Dreams
01:13:55 Outro + Credits
Our situation gets better for some, but questionably worse for others...future chapters will tell (which MOST of our hosts have not read during this recording, ahem!).
Michael, Haley, and I experience one of the many anticipated reunions and finally set eyes upon the legendary False Dragon in The Eye of the World, covering Ch. 37 - 39.
00:00 Intro
00:38 Ch. 37 The Long Chase
11:12 Ch. 38 Rescue
23:57 Ch. 39 Weaving of the Web
41:51 Outro + Credits
We meet more Darkfriends than we care to but more friends that we do, earn Loial-ties, and finally, reach our destination... Caemlyn.
Michael, Haley, and I reach the half-way point of The Eye of the World, covering Ch. 33 - 36.
00:00 Intro
01:11 Ch. 33 The Dark Waits
10:46 Ch. 34 The Last Village
25:06 Ch. 35 Caemlyn
34.08 Ch. 36 Web of the Pattern
54:52 Outro + Credits + A Taste of Learning
We sing, we eat, we even fight...but we mainly run. Fast.
Michael, Haley, and I finish Episode 4 covering chapters 29 - 32.
00:00 Intro
00:58 Ch. 29 Eyes Without Pity
20:05 Ch. 30 Children of Shadow
35:51 Ch. 31 Play for Your Supper
41:07 Ch. 32 Four Kings in Shadow
56:20 Outro + Credits
We meet a nomadic group who lives by an interesting philosophy, say a few goodbyes (permanently?! surely not...), and hold out hope for a speedy reunion for our heroes. The danger is mounting...
Michael, Haley, and I learn we can easily take three hours to record an episode. Episode 4 Part II will cover the second half of our recording, covering Ch. 29 - 32.
00:00 Into
00:58 Ch. 25 The Traveling People
14:45 Ch. 26 Whitebridge
30:45 Ch. 27 Shelter From the Storm
46:07 Ch. 28 Footprints in Air
54:55 Outro + Credits
Michael, Rachel, and I summarize and discuss Chapters 17-24. We learn some Two Rivers history, travel to scary places, meet more frightening characters, all before the group unintentionally separates.
00:00:00 Intro + Podcast Adjustments
00:01:36 Ch. 17 Watchers and Hunters
00:07:44 Ch. 18 The Caemlyn Road
00:16:45 Ch. 19 Shadow's Waiting
00:27:15 Ch. 20 Dust on the Wind
00:35:30 Ch. 21 Listen to the Wind
00:42:52 Ch. 22 A Path Chosen
00:47:49 Ch. 23 Wolfbrother
00:59:33 Ch. 24 Flight Down the Arinelle
01:11:12 Outro + Credits
Haley, Michael, and I leave Two Rivers, head into Baerlon, and discuss the travels and characters encountered thus far.
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:35 9-16...Where are we?
00:02:30 Monsters
00:03:30 Rand...do we like him, or...?
00:05:45 Moiraine's Show at the Ferry
00:07:15 Nynaeve's Age
00:08:00 Rand is Jealous
00:09:20 Min
00:11:00 Dreams and Creeps
00:12:35 Meaning in Action
00:14:00 Rand and One Power
00:15:45 Dad I'm Leaving
00:17:10 Trusty or Trickster Thom?
00:21:00 Choice
00:22:13 False Dragons Through the Ages
00:25:30 Manetheren
00:26:30 More Dreams
00:29:40 Children of the Light
00:30:26 GOT References
00:32:09 Two Rivers Characteristics
00:35:20 Separation of the Genders
00:38:25 Audiobook Differences
00:40:10 Rand's Spaciness
00:41:45 Weapons
00:45:00 WOT Influences
00:47:10 Padan Fair? Or Traitor?
00:48:45 Warders
00:51:20 Rand's Impression of the World
00:52:30 Map
00:55:20 Manetheren's Role in the Ages
00:56:15 Lan and Moiraine
00:58:20 Nynaeve's Influence
01:00:46 Baerlon Alter Ego
01:03:30 The Kids Are Idiots
01:04:28 Darkfriends
01:07:00 Ba'alzamon's Motive
01:11:00 Back to Min and Her Predictions
01:12:35 Our Star-Crossed Lovers
Rachel, Haley, and I begin our journey into Book 1 of the Wheel of Time series, The Eye of the World. We ponder events and mispronounce names...a lot.
00:00:00 Episode 1 Intro
00:00:46 Wheel of Time History
00:02:15 Prologue(s)
00:07:15 Duality
00:11:05 Are we sure we're not reading LOTR?
00:11:38 Aes Sedai
00:13:52 Wind Personification
00:15:15 Power of Names
00:19:28 Two Rivers Folk
00:24:40 Eye Color Significance
00:25:00 Lan <3
00:28:26 Thom + Padan
00:32:03 The Village Council
00:32:33 New Curses
00:33:06 Monster Mash
00:36:10 Nynaeve
00:39:45 Spooky Quotes
00:42:00 Power of Stories
00:44:18 Egwene + Rand
00:48:15 Mat + Perrin
00:50:00 Tam
00:56:37 Gender
00:59:24 Predictions
01:02:10 What is Time!?
01:04:01 Outro + Credits
OPTIONAL EPISODEFive friends. Five states. Five perspectives.
Welcome to book club! This is Read Between the Spines. In this episode we talk about who we are and what we envision for this podcast.
- Host: Alexis Schefka
- Co-Host: Michael Sears
- Co-Host: Rachel Jezior
- Co-Host: Haley Thibeault
- Co-Host: Gabby Schefka
- Editing: Alexis Schefka
- Music: Jazzy Abstract Beat by Coma-Media, Downloaded from Pixabay
- Artwork: Alexis Schefka
Read away and get lost in a great story!