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Unabridged Podcast You want opinions on books? We've got them! We talk each week about books, YA lit, and classroom connections. Join us!

Join us for our December book club episode of Unabridged. This month, Ashley and Jen discuss Cynthia Hand's The Afterlif...
11/12/2024

Join us for our December book club episode of Unabridged. This month, Ashley and Jen discuss Cynthia Hand's The Afterlife of Holly Chase, a modern YA retelling of A Christmas Carol. This story is perfect for the season!

In addition to the book discussion, Ashley and Jen share their book pairings to complement your reading experience. This festive conversation is not to be missed.

Want more? Join us on Patreon for exclusive resources, access to our back catalog, and our new shop featuring book discussion guides and more. Your support means so much to us.

Links to all books are available in the show notes, over at https://buff.ly/49zbdzV.

Happy reading . . . and listening!

11/12/2024

For our December book club episode of Unabridged, join Ashley and Jen as we discuss Cynthia Hand's The Afterlife of Holly Chase. This modern young adult retelling of A Christmas Carol is packed with holiday spirit, humor, and poignant themes. Alongside our book discussion, Ashley and Jen also share our book pairings to complement your reading experience. Don’t miss this festive conversation!

Join us on Patreon to have access to our back catalog of recordings and resources. Also, just a reminder that this season, we now have a shop on Patreon where you can purchase book discussion guides and other resources. We appreciate your support so much.

Visit the Unabridged website for our full show notes and links to the books mentioned in the episode. Interested in what else we're reading? Check out our Featured Books page.


Want to support Unabridged?


Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | Join our Unabridged Podcast Reading Challenge. | Visit our curated list of books at Bookshop.org. | Become a patron on Patreon. | Check out our Merch Store. | Visit the resources available in our Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Happy Weekend! Today, I (Jen) am reading Nadia Hashimi's Sparks Like Stars—it's this month's   buddy read pick, and I've...
07/12/2024

Happy Weekend! Today, I (Jen) am reading Nadia Hashimi's Sparks Like Stars—it's this month's buddy read pick, and I've been captivated so far. (I'll put the synopsis below.)

What are you reading this weekend?
"Kabul, 1978: The daughter of a prominent family, Sitara Zamani lives a privileged life in Afghanistan’s thriving cosmopolitan capital. The 1970s are a time of remarkable promise under the leadership of people like Sardar Daoud, Afghanistan’s progressive president, and Sitara’s beloved father, his right-hand man. But the ten-year-old Sitara’s world is shattered when communists stage a coup, assassinating the president and Sitara’s entire family. Only she survives.

"Smuggled out of the palace by a guard named Shair, Sitara finds her way to the home of a female American diplomat, who adopts her and raises her in America. In her new country, Sitara takes on a new name—Aryana Shepherd—and throws herself into her studies, eventually becoming a renowned surgeon. A survivor, Aryana has refused to look back, choosing instead to bury the trauma and devastating loss she endured.

"New York, 2008: Forty years after that fatal night in Kabul, Aryana’s world is rocked again when an elderly patient appears in her examination room—a man she never expected to see again. It is Shair, the soldier who saved her, yet may have murdered her entire family. Seeing him awakens Aryana’s fury and desire for answers—and, perhaps, revenge. Realizing that she cannot go on without finding the truth, Aryana embarks on a quest that takes her back to Kabul—a battleground between the corrupt government and the fundamentalist Taliban—and through shadowy memories of the world she loved and lost."

During this holiday season, we're sharing some holiday books that we've loved and reviewed on the blog. I (Ashley) am pr...
06/12/2024

During this holiday season, we're sharing some holiday books that we've loved and reviewed on the blog. I (Ashley) am pretty selective when it comes to holiday reads, but I've found over the last couple of years that I do enjoy reading some holiday-specific books as we approach different seasons.

Maybe I'll try a couple of the ones below that I haven't read yet! Check out the post to find one that would work for you: https://buff.ly/3D157fx

As I (Ashley) was looking over my reading the second half of this year to choose some favorites, I realized my reading l...
04/12/2024

As I (Ashley) was looking over my reading the second half of this year to choose some favorites, I realized my reading life has been suffering recently! I've gone back to school to get a master's degree at Furman, and I'm loving the program I'm doing (in Innovation and Leadership - fascinating!), but it is keeping my schedule very full for the time being.

I did have a few favorites that I've loved over the past few months. I've written about those favorites on the blog today: https://buff.ly/3Zl0PXJ

Do you see any that we share? What is a book you've absolutely loved this year? Let us know!

Happy Weekend! Today, I (Jen) am reading Ann-Helén Laestadius's Stolen, translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles. This one i...
30/11/2024

Happy Weekend! Today, I (Jen) am reading Ann-Helén Laestadius's Stolen, translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles. This one is worth checking out and contains a fascinating mystery (I'll put the synopsis below).

What are you reading this weekend?
"On a winter day north of the Arctic Circle, nine-year-old Elsa—daughter of Sámi reindeer herders—sees a man brutally kill her beloved reindeer calf and threaten her into silence. When her father takes her to report the crime, local police tell them that there is nothing they can do about these “stolen” animals. Killings like these are classified as theft in the reports that continue to pile up, uninvestigated. But reindeer are not just the Sámi’s livelihood, they also hold spiritual significance; attacking a reindeer is an attack on the culture itself.

"Ten years later, hatred and threats against the Sámi keep escalating, and more reindeer are tortured and killed in Elsa’s community. Finally, she’s had enough and decides to push back on the apathetic police force. The hunter comes after her this time, leading to a catastrophic final confrontation.

"Based on real events, Ann-Helén Laestadius’s award-winning novel Stolen is part coming-of-age story, part love song to a disappearing natural world, and part electrifying countdown to a dramatic resolution—a searing depiction of a forgotten part of Sweden."

**November Book Club: Moon of the Crusted Snow**In this month’s Book Club episode, Jen and Ashley delve into Waubgeshig ...
27/11/2024

**November Book Club: Moon of the Crusted Snow**

In this month’s Book Club episode, Jen and Ashley delve into Waubgeshig Rice’s Moon of the Crusted Snow. This haunting post-apocalyptic novel, set in a remote Anishinaabe community, examines survival, identity, and resilience as the modern world collapses and traditional ways of life are rediscovered. The tension rises with the arrival of unsettling outsiders—don’t miss our discussion and pairing recommendations.

Join us on Patreon for access to our full back catalog, discussion guides, and more. Your support means the world to us!

Find the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts! https://buff.ly/495yA3M

27/11/2024

In our November Book Club episode, Jen and Ashley are discussing Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice (Bookshop.org | Libro.fm). Join Ashley and Jen as we explore this haunting post-apocalyptic novel set in a remote Anishinaabe community and as we share our thoughts and pairing recommendations.


As the outside world descends into chaos and communication cuts off, the community must grapple with the collapse of modern systems, rediscover traditional ways of life, and confront the arrival of unsettling outsiders. Filled with tension and resilience, Rice’s novel offers a compelling exploration of survival, identity, and the strength of community.


Join us on Patreon to have access to our back catalog of recordings and resources. Also, just a reminder that this season, we now have a shop on Patreon where you can purchase book discussion guides and other resources. We appreciate your support so much.

Visit the Unabridged website for our full show notes and links to the books mentioned in the episode. Interested in what else we're reading? Check out our Featured Books page.


Want to support Unabridged?


Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | Join our Unabridged Podcast Reading Challenge. | Visit our curated list of books at Bookshop.org. | Become a patron on Patreon. | Check out our Merch Store. | Visit the resources available in our Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Happy Weekend! Today, I (Jen) just started C. J. Tudor's The Gathering, a vampire novel that has received some great rev...
23/11/2024

Happy Weekend! Today, I (Jen) just started C. J. Tudor's The Gathering, a vampire novel that has received some great reviews.

What are you reading this weekend?

Pop culture fans, this one’s for you. Today on the blog, I’m diving into five books that celebrate, critique, and explor...
22/11/2024

Pop culture fans, this one’s for you. Today on the blog, I’m diving into five books that celebrate, critique, and explore the media we love. From memoirs to essays, these books offer behind-the-scenes insight and fresh perspectives on TV, movies, and more.

Highlights include:
- Jen Sookfong Lee’s *Superfan*, a deeply personal memoir about pop culture and identity.
- Seth Rogen’s *Yearbook*, a laugh-out-loud collection of celebrity stories.
- Stanley Tucci’s *Taste*, a food-centered memoir by the beloved actor.

Many of these are audiobooks read by the authors, adding an extra layer of connection to their stories.

Check out the post for excerpts and links to our full reviews. Let’s celebrate the art that inspires, entertains, and challenges us.

Read it here: https://buff.ly/3CGUiPu

With just 41 days left in 2024, I'm diving into an ambitious end-of-year reading list! From thrilling mysteries to heart...
20/11/2024

With just 41 days left in 2024, I'm diving into an ambitious end-of-year reading list! From thrilling mysteries to heartfelt memoirs, my TBR is all over the place (as usual 😅).

Curious about what made the cut? Check out my latest blog post featuring 7 must-reads, including:
*Games Untold* by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
*The Birchbark House* by Louise Erdrich
*Solito* by Javier Zamora

Get inspired to tackle your own TBR before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve! 🕛✨

Read the full post here: https://buff.ly/4hPTlEN

🌟BOOK CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT🌟Unabridged Podcast has chosen its next Book Club book! In December, we hope you’ll join us in re...
16/11/2024

🌟BOOK CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT🌟

Unabridged Podcast has chosen its next Book Club book! In December, we hope you’ll join us in reading Cynthia Hand's The Afterlife of Holly Chase. We'll have a rolling chat on December 16, and watch for the episode on the 11th.

Please share with others who might be interested, and let us know if you’d like to join by responding here or DMing us.

Here’s the publisher’s synopsis:

"On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she'd become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways.

"She didn't.

"And then she died.

"Now she's stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge--as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past.

"Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly's afterlife has been miserable.

"But this year, everything is about to change. . . ."

Happy Weekend! Today, I (Jen) am reading Cherie Dimaline's Funeral Songs for Dying Girls, our   pick for this month. We'...
16/11/2024

Happy Weekend! Today, I (Jen) am reading Cherie Dimaline's Funeral Songs for Dying Girls, our pick for this month. We'll be chatting about this one on Monday if anyone wants to join!

What are you reading this weekend?

New Episode Alert: Greta Gerwig's *Little Women* - A Fresh Take on a ClassicThis month on Unabridged, we’re excited to s...
13/11/2024

New Episode Alert: Greta Gerwig's *Little Women* - A Fresh Take on a Classic

This month on Unabridged, we’re excited to share our Patreon episode exploring Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women. In this unique take on Louisa May Alcott's cherished novel, Gerwig brings depth and modern relevance to the journeys of the March sisters, beautifully highlighting themes of independence, ambition, and sisterhood. Whether you're a longtime Little Women fan or experiencing Gerwig's version for the first time, our discussion offers fresh insights that will deepen your appreciation of this film.

Join us on Patreon for access to our back catalog, where we dive into more adaptations like this. Also, visit our Patreon shop for book discussion guides and other resources. Your support means the world to us.

Listen in to hear Jen and Ashley tackle Book Riot's Lit Chat game question!

13/11/2024

This month on Unabridged, we’re thrilled to share our Patreon discussion about Greta Gerwig’s Little Women with you all. In this beloved adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, Gerwig brings a fresh, nuanced perspective to the March sisters' journeys, exploring themes of independence, ambition, and sisterhood in ways that resonate with today’s audiences. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Little Women or discovering Gerwig’s take for the first time, this episode is full of insights that will deepen your appreciation for the film.

Join us on Patreon to have access to our back catalog of more film adaptation discussions like this one! Also, just a reminder that this season, we now have a shop on Patreon where you can purchase book discussion guides and other resources. We appreciate your support so much.

Visit the Unabridged website for our full show notes and links to the books mentioned in the episode. Interested in what else we're reading? Check out our Featured Books page.


Want to support Unabridged?


Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | Join our Unabridged Podcast Reading Challenge. | Visit our curated list of books at Bookshop.org. | Become a patron on Patreon. | Check out our Merch Store. | Visit the resources available in our Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Happy Weekend! Today, I (Jen) am re-reading Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disast...
09/11/2024

Happy Weekend! Today, I (Jen) am re-reading Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster. Krakauer is one of my favorite nonfiction authors, and I'm so excited to be revisiting this one with and the buddy read group.

What are you reading this weekend?

I (Ashley) am sharing some of my favorite comfort reads on the blog today. Hope you find a rec that works for you. https...
08/11/2024

I (Ashley) am sharing some of my favorite comfort reads on the blog today. Hope you find a rec that works for you.

https://buff.ly/3CdrNsv

To celebrate National Native American Heritage Month, we're highlighting five incredible books by Indigenous authors on ...
06/11/2024

To celebrate National Native American Heritage Month, we're highlighting five incredible books by Indigenous authors on the blog. From Angeline Boulley's Firekeeper's Daughter, a powerful YA thriller, to Katherena Vermette's The Break, a moving family saga, these stories offer rich perspectives on culture, community, and resilience.

Check out our curated reviews to find your next read, and support Indigenous voices. Read the full post to dive into each book and discover the depth of these unique narratives. https://buff.ly/3UFuRE9

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