Reality Raincheck
Episodes
James by Percival Everett with Professor Bryan Banker
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Professor Bryan Banker to unpack the literary and historical weight of James by Percival Everett, a bold revisiting ...
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain with Dr. Kerry Soper
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our deep dive into Mark Twain's literary masterpiece, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In this discussion, we unravel the layers of come...
Bonus Episode: The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
31 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Embracing Abundance: Insights from "The Serviceberry" by Robin Wall Kimmerer In this engaging bonus episode of our book club, we delve into Robin W...
All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings with author Gayle Boss
13 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We had a beautiful conversation with author Gayle Boss about her book All Creation Waits. This book invites you to slow down and pay attention, both t...
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King with guest Dr. Carl Sederholm
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner with guest Amanda Frost
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're diving into Wallace Stegner's Crossing to Safety, a novel that captures the rare, sustaining friendships between two couples, Sid and Char...
The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow with guest Paula Byrne
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Would you like to escape into a companion story to Pride and Prejudice? Look no further than Janice Hadlow's wonderful novel The Other Bennet Sister. ...
Speaker For the Dead with author Orson Scott Card
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This book club chat is truly monumental. We had the privilege of hearing from author and legend Orson Scott Card, whose contributions to the world of ...
Circe by Madeline Miller
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this book club chat, we explore Greek Mythology through the story of the witch Circe. Madeline Miller has offered us a beautiful retelling of a cha...
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Come join us for a good laugh and a good cry as we explore the joys and pitfalls of mothering. This conversation centers on Soldier Sailor, a novel by...
The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy with guest John Bennion
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's just start off by saying we love Thomas Hardy with an ardent fervor. The man can write landscapes that are at once transportive and captivating....
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever been hounded to continue writing books? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has! In fact, were it not for his ardent fans, we wouldn't have as many S...
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-centered Planet by John Green
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, you'll discover why The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green resonates so deeply with readers. Through a series of insightful, nostalg...
West with the Night by Beryl Markham with guest Lola Reid Allin
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever met a female commercial pilot? It's a rare experience and one that we were able to have as we discussed Beryl Markham's memoir West With...
Emily of New Moon By L.M. Montgomery with guest Diana Smith
01 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever wanted to talk about L.M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon series, but have lacked the proper bosom friends, fret no longer! Listen to th...
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you're searching for a meaningful Christmas read, this episode is just for you. Join us as we dive into Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These, a ...
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach with guest Dr. Darin Johnston
30 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into the macabre yet enlightening world of cadavers with Stiff by Mary Roach, a book that reveals the many unexpected ways ca...
The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne with guest Dr. Carl Sederholm
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we welcome back Dr. Carl Sederholm, a professor of horror and early American studies at BYU, to explore the haunting world of Nathaniel Haw...
My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead with guest John Bennion
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead is a captivating blend of memoir and biography that invites readers to explore the enduring impact of George El...
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera with guest Azul Uribe
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Last Cuentista is a winner of the Newberry Medal award, and is the second book by author Donna Barba Higuera. It is a fast paced, middle-grade dys...
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in this book club chat as we discuss Susan Cain's work of non-fiction Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. This ...
A Passage To India by E.M. Forster, with guest Mike Bunnell
01 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we discuss a classic that still has modern relevance. Air Force attorney, Mike Bunnell will provide his unique perspective as he specialize...
Bel Canto By Ann Patchett with bonus aria performed by Mary Ann Claros
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On the plots surface, Bel Canto details a hostage situation that takes place at an embassy in Peru. But when one delves deeper, it is a meditation on ...
Zion Earth Zen Sky: A Memoir, with author Dr. Charles Inouye
30 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for this book club chat as we interview author Dr. Charles Inouye about his beautiful memoir, Zion Earth Zen Sky. He details the experiences f...
The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot with guest John Bennion
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
George Eliot, who's actual name is Mary Ann Evans, was one of the best Victorian authors to have emerged from England. Join us in this book club chat ...
Bonus Episode: A selection of poems by Mary Oliver with guest Jessie Scoville
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you want a glimpse into beautiful nature poetry, look no further than the poems of Mary Oliver. She was considered to be one of America's finest po...
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey with guest Lizzie Jones
31 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Eowyn Ivey's debut novel The Snow Child is a beautiful journey into the imagination and the wilds of Alaska. Incorporating the Russian fairytale, th...
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson with guest Dr. Carl Sederholm
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you're curious about the origin story of the haunted house, look no further than Shirley Jackson's classic horror novel, The Haunting of Hill House...
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Barbara Kingsolver's best selling novel The Poisonwood Bible is a masterful historical fiction about the Price family. While their story is fictional,...
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen with guest John Bennion
01 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for this book club chat about Austen's first novel Sense and Sensibility. Former BYU professor and author, John Bennion, will discuss the meri...
The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Joanna Quinn's debut novel, The Whalebone Theatre, is historical fiction at its finest. We are transported to southern England off the coast of Dorse...
All Things New by Fiona and Terryl Givens with guest Fiona Givens
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation with author, mother, grandmother, scholar, and kind soul Fiona Givens, was healing. If you have not read the books she co-authored w...
The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in our book club chat as we discuss Jonathan Haidt's work of social psychology, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Religion an...
Silence By Shusaku Endo with guest Van Gessel
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we discuss Shusaku Endo's novel of historical fiction Silence, where he confronts the age old question of "Where is God during human suffer...
How to have fun adventures with Sarah Cole
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Cole joins me in this interview about the great escape of creating adventures. Find and follow her on instagram at hatgirladventures for some re...
Possession by A.S. Byatt
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I can't sufficiently sum up what this book accomplishes, but sufficeth to say that Dame Antonia Byatt won the Booker prize (England's most prestigious...
The Great Escape of Music
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you find yourself in a quaundry over how to best appreciate music, join me as I discuss some creative ideas for playlists, and how to surround your...
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for this book club chat about Alexandre Dumas classic adventure tale of revenge, The Count of Monte Cristo. It is clear why this book has with...
The Box of Delights by John Masefield
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We loved reading and discussing this Christmas classic, The Box of Delights. Author, John Masefield transports us to the wintery british world of the ...
Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we discuss Ray Bradbury's coming of age story Something Wicked This Way Comes. Bradbury uses the backdrop of a small town in Illinois with ...
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for this book club chat as we discuss the guilded age of New York, and the american author who shed so much light on the time, Edith Wharton. ...
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We thoroughly loved reading and discussing this exciting travel narrative, The Salt Path. Raynor Winn has captured a beautiful and harrowing memoir ab...
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer weaves a beautiful story, rich with both scientific and native american culture. She tells the story of our relationship ...
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In Maggie O'Farrell's novel, Hamnet, we are transported to the life of Agnes (Anne) Shakespeare. Though little is known historically about Shakespeare...
A House Full of Females by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Harvard Professor and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, is an extraordinary American Historian. She has woven together a work that...
Lovely War by Julie Berry
30 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for this discussion of Julie Berry's young adult novel Lovely War. A romance that takes place during WWI as told by the gods of olympus. Highl...
The Joys of Schadenfreudes and how to get through hard things
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Having a spouse deploy is hard. Having him deploy for 11 months straight is even harder. Having him away while managing to keep healthy and alive your...
Exhalation by Ted Chiang
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this book club chat, we discuss Ted Chiang's compilation of short stories titled Exhalation. Although a sci-fi writer, his ability to focus on the ...
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This book is a beautiful memoir that takes us on a journey through the cold months of the year. If you're looking for some ideas about how to better e...
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For those of us who love a good murder mystery, or 10 mysterious murders, consider reading Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None. Christie ...
The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for this book club chat in which we discuss Thomas Hardy's novel The Woodlanders. We have the privilege of reuniting with our dear, BYU profes...
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Eye of the World is a fantasy book written by Robert Jordan. It is the first book in a very epic series, and in this episode we discuss some of th...
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
28 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we discuss Sue Monk Kidd's most recent novel, The Book of Longings. It is the story of Ana, wife of Jesus, who gives voice to silenced wome...
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in this book club chat as we discuss James Herriot's bestselling novel All Creatures Great and Small. It transports us to the dales of England...
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy with guest Diana Smith
29 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There's a reason this book is known as the best novel ever written. In this book club chat, we discuss the Russian classic, War and Peace. Not a read ...
Underland by Robert McFarlane
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for this book club chat about a deep time journey that is mostly underground. Whether by caving, or exploring catacombs, or understanding the ...
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join us in our third book club as we discuss Leif Enger's bestselling novel, Peace Like a River.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is our second book club chat in which we discuss the inequalities in our justice system as detailed by Bryan Stevenson in his book Just Mercy. T...
Ghost Tours and Good Scares
28 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers the positive escape of going on a ghost tour or seeking out something that scares you (in a good way.) Listen in for some ideas on...
Two Old Women by Velma Wallis
01 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for our first book club discussion about Two Old Women by Velma Wallis. It's based on an Athabaskan legend passed along for many generations f...
Stargazing versus Gazingstock
01 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers the escape of Stargazing and details how it is a better choice than gazingstock, the practice of looking at others with scorn.
Escapism, for better or worse
07 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers escapism and the positive and negative ways in which we escape. I'll talk about two of my personal escapes--one good, one bad--and...