Shows
Trial & ErrorEpisode 6: Eye on the Sparrow - Jan 16, 2025 Court hearing with defense attorney Jennifer ThompsonJoin Dr. Katie Spirko and Dana McLendon on a trip to Savannah, TN, for a court hearing and a stop by Zach Adams’ ransacked family home. They are joined by Jennifer Thompson, Zach’s former defense trial attorney, who pulls back the curtain on the flawed investigation and court proceedings leading to his wrongful conviction in 2017. Zach Adams was sent to prison, along with his brother Dylan, without a shred of physical evidence to back the co-defendant’s since-recanted testimony falsely implicating Zach for the 2011 disappearance and death of Holly Bobo, a 20-year-old nursing student from Dardin, TN, who vanish...
2025-04-2331 min
My Favorite CharacterSlippery Jim diGrizLibrarian and raconteur Bill Householder has read a lot of books, but the ones he read as a nerdy teen have stuck with him all along, and the dashing, roguish hero of some of those books is "Slippery" Jim diGriz, aka the Stainless Steel Rat. Revisit the silver age of SFF with Bill and Jenn, and for the love of everything shiny, don't soil your caftan! Connect with Bill on Twitter @dobidox Connect with us on Instagram: @RJSpirko Buy the Stainless Steel Rat books via our Bookshop.org List! Intro and O...
2023-01-1427 minMy Favorite CharacterBonus! The Year Without a Santa ClausIt's' a holiday bonus episode! Before they were (formally) RJ Spirko, Rob and Jenn made a short-lived podcast called "Are We Too Old For This?" And this, the debut of that podcast, has a special theme. Enjoy this break from our format and hear the Spirkos extol the virtues of Jenn's favorite Christmas show, "The Year Without a Santa Claus." (And yes, there will be singing. Sort of.) Intro and Outro music by PunchDeck. Find them on SoundCloud.
2022-12-2123 minMy Favorite CharacterThe FoolArtist John Moses introduces us to his favorite character, The Fool, from Robin Hobb's Seven Duchies books. The Fool is also one of Jenn's favorite characters, too! He's complicated and fascinating, sometimes charming and sometimes difficult. Please stay out of his private room, please don't question him too severely, but please let him into your heart nonetheless. John Moses on Instagram: @john__moses Buy Robin Hobb's books via our Bookshop.org List! Intro and Outro music by PunchDeck. Find them on SoundCloud. Special thanks to Scott Rust for our intro and o...
2022-11-2839 min
Solo Nerd BirdInterview w/ Jennifer Spirko - Be Gay Do Piracy PodcastMy interview with writer and co-host of the Be Gay Do Piracy podcast, Jennifer Spirko, promoting her creative endeavors, providing advice to fellow writers, and converting as many people as possible to the Our Flag Means Death fandom before the start of the second season. Original theme music The City Above composed by Tim Roven on www.tabletaopaudio.com. All rights reserved to Jennifer Spirko, Lea, show creator/producer David Jenkins; producers Garrett Basch, Dan Halsted, Taika Waititi, Todd King, Allen Marshall Palmer, and original background photo by Aaron Epstein.
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Be Gay Do Piracy Link: https://sites.libsyn.com/410318
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2022-11-2254 minMy Favorite CharacterChildren's Book WeekIn celebration of Children's Book Week, Jenn asked a bunch of children (ranging in age from 4 to 12) about their favorite characters! Thanks to Cora, Graham, Annalise, Julian, Dominic, Lilliana and Barbara, and to Youth Services Librarian Chelsea Tarwater. Find Pippi, Agatha, Ivy, Junie, Frowley, Moonwatcher, Alcatraz and more in our Bookshop.org affiliate shop, along with all the other characters we've heard about! bookshop.org/shop/rjspirko Intro and Outro music by PunchDeck. Find them on SoundCloud. Special thanks to Scott Rust for our intro and outro.
2022-11-1612 minMy Favorite CharacterToadGraphic Designer Beth Hall introduces us to her favorite amphibian, er, character: Toad, from the delightful Arnold Lobel "Frog and Toad" stories. Toad is chaotic; he's irascible; he is all of us. Bird in a Hat on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdinahat_branding/ Shop Bird in a Hat designs: https://www.redbubble.com/people/BirdinaHat/shop Buy Arnold Lobel's books via our Bookshop list! Intro and Outro music by PunchDeck. Find them on SoundCloud. Special thanks to Scott Rust for our intro and outro.
2022-06-1522 minMy Favorite CharacterOberonActor and model Gray Casterline whisks us away to Faerie in pursuit of their favorite character, Oberon, from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Gray's website: https://www.graycasterline.com/ Connect with Gray on TikTok: @going_batty https://www.tiktok.com/@going_batty Buy "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and related books via our Bookshop list bookshop.org/shop/rjspirko! Intro and Outro music by PunchDeck. Find them on SoundCloud. Special thanks to Scott Rust for our intro and outro.
2022-06-0123 minMy Favorite CharacterAlicePoet, editor and educator Erin Elizabeth Smith takes us down the original rabbit hole after Alice, her favorite character. Buy Erin's book, "Down": https://books-by-erin-elizabeth-smith.square.site/product/down/3?cs=true&cst=custom Erin's website: http://www.sundresspublications.com/erin/ Erin's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sundresserin/ Buy "Alice's Acventures in Wonderland" and related books via our Bookshop list! bookshop.org/shop/rjspirko Intro and Outro music by PunchDeck. Find them on SoundCloud. Special thanks to Scott Rust for our intro and outro.
2022-05-1822 minMy Favorite CharacterDraculaJenn chats with writer S.A. Blodgett, author of "Shadewalker," book 1 of The Sundered Series, about his favorite character, Count Dracula, from "Dracula" by Bram Stoker. Steve's website: https://sablodgett.com/ Steve's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sablodgett/ Buy "Dracula" via our Bookshop list! Intro and Outro music by PunchDeck. Find them on SoundCloud. Special thanks to Scott Rust for our intro and outro.
2022-05-0418 minMy Favorite CharacterSusannah DeanJenn chats with esthetician and podcaster Lea Yoder about her favorite character, Susannah Dean from "The Dark Tower." Get the book series in our Bookshop lists! Find Lea: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leawhymua/ As co-host of "Be Gay Do Piracy," an "Our Flag Means Death" fancast: https://sites.libsyn.com/410318 Connect with us on Instagram: RJ Spirko Intro and Outro music by Punch Deck: Find them on Sound Cloud Special thanks to Scott Rust for the spoken intro and outro!
2022-04-2018 minMy Favorite CharacterShen QingqiuJenn chats with Minish Maid, a variety streamer, about their favorite character, Shen Qingqiu, the title character of Scum Villain's Self-Saving System, by MXTX. Get the English translation graphic novels in our Bookshop lists! Find Minish Maid! On You Tube (Minish Maid) On Twitch: minish_maid On Twitter: @minish_maid Connect with us on Instagram: RJ Spirko Intro and Outro music by Punch Deck: Find them on Sound Cloud Special thanks to Scott Rust for the spoken intro and outro!
2022-04-0621 minMy Favorite CharacterCorwin of AmberJenn chats with her co-author, Rob Spirko, about his favorite character, Corwin of Amber, from the Chronicles of Amber series by Roger Zelazny. Find the book on our Bookshop.org lists! https://bookshop.org/shop/RJSpirko Find us on Instagram: RJSpirko Intro and Outro music by Punch Deck Special thanks to Scott Rust for the Intro and Outro!
2022-03-2322 min
Beyond the Shelves PodcastBooks and The Night Marauder ProjectOn this special episode, Lea and Savannah go to our Facebook to talk about books that Blount County and we couldn’t finish. After, Lea sits down with Dr. Nancy Locklin, a history professor from Maryville College, to talk about her new project- The Night Marauder Project. Dive into this sneak peek about local true crime. Check out updates on the project: thenightmarauderproject.com. 00:26 — What Book Could You Not Finish? 14:00 – Interview with Dr. Nancy Locklin – The Night Marauder Project Theme song "Organic to Synthetic" by PunchDeck PunchDeck on SoundCloud Blount Cou...
2021-10-2934 minBeyond the Shelves PodcastCat Names and Seed SavingLea and Savannah take an adventure away from the Whiteboard to the Land of Facebook to talk about some of Blount County's cat's names (they also talk a lot about their own cats, and no: they are not apologizing for it). Lea sits down with reference Librarian Sheila Pennycuff, creator of the Seed Library at BCPL, to talk about fall seed saving. 0:26: What's on Facebook? (Drop Your Cat Names/Photos) 6:19: Interview with Sheila Pennycuff about Seed Saving Theme song "Organic to Synthetic" by PunchDeck PunchDeck on SoundCloud Blount County F...
2021-09-2018 minBeyond the Shelves PodcastSummer Playlists and A Place to StayLea and Savannah sort through some amazing songs to chose our summer playlists (including a spicy controversial take). Lea interviews Mary Moreland, the Executive Director of A Place to Stay- a nonprofit that has an office in the library. Finally, Lea and Savannah decide what life is really like... There's a lot of singing in this episode, we apologize in advance. 0:26: What’s on the Whiteboard? (What song is on your summer playlist?) 5:46: Interview with Mary from A Place to Stay 12:50: What's on the Whiteboard? (Life is like a *blank*) Theme song...
2021-08-1119 min
Stay TunedEpisode-150-Cup of joe with JoeToday is wed August 4th 2021Today’s sponsor Tina Tattoos@tattoosfromtina@tinastattoos on facebooksca.hurlbert@gmail.comHappy Little Trees Smoke Shopwww.happylittletreespa.comBirthdaysbelatedJack SpirkoJennifer Montminy KrempaWednesdayThursdayRoy RupertFridayLeo SammisBobbie OwensSat...
2021-08-0432 minBeyond the Shelves PodcastThe Lost Episode IVIn this lost episode, Jennifer and Lea talk about fictional pets. Jennifer talks about The Boneless Mercies and a little about Beuwolf. 0:31: What's on the Whiteboard? "What fictional pet would you want to adopt?" 11:10: Book talk The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke. Theme song "Organic to Synthetic" by PunchDeck PunchDeck on SoundCloud Blount County Friends of the Library
2021-07-2224 minBeyond the Shelves PodcastA Bittersweet Farewell, Rule of Wolves, and Who'd We Like to MeetLea and Savannah say a very sad goodbye to Jennifer that somehow included AMSR Girl Scout Cookie eating. Teen Librarian Carrie and Youth Force Teen Sydnie talk about the book Rule of Wolves from the King of Scars Duology by Leigh Bardugo. Then Lea and Savannah dive into some chaos from the Whiteboard. 3:43: Rule of Wolves book talk 16:09: What’s on the Whiteboard? (What Fictional Character Would You Most Like to Meet in the Library Today?) Theme song "Organic to Synthetic" by PunchDeck PunchDeck on SoundCloud Blount County Friends of th...
2021-06-2820 minBeyond the Shelves PodcastMusic and Mayhem with Sarah PirkleJennifer interviews East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame Inductee Sarah Pirkle about how she got started in music and what she loves about it. Then Jennifer and Lea venture into what may be the wildest Whiteboard ever. 0:31 Sarah Pirkle (Song, "Labor," used by permission) 15:01 What's on the Whiteboard? "What would you plant in your fantasy garden?" Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle, official website East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame Theme song "Organic to Synthetic" by PunchDeck PunchDeck on SoundCloud Blount County Friends of the Library
2021-05-0326 minBeyond the Shelves PodcastBittersweet Stuff but Also Avatar: The Last AirbenderThe library lost one of our family, and we're recording around the anniversary of the COVID oubreak and shutdown. The only remedy is to talk about the Rise of Kyoshi and how much we love the Avatar universe. 0:31 In memoriam James Gentry 1:36 Book Talk: "Avatar: The Last Airbender -- The Rise of Kyoshi" by F.C. Yee 17:39 What's on the Whiteboard? "What are you looking forward to about spring?" (from March 2020) Theme song: "Organic to Synthetic" by PunchDeck PunchDeck on SoundCloud Blount County Friends of the Library
2021-03-2022 minBeyond the Shelves PodcastVietnam Voices and Desert Island BooksWe interviewed one of our favorite people about one of his favorite projects and contemplated a deep, philosophical question from the Whiteboard archives. 0:32 Interview with Jim Stovall, author and co-creator of "Vietnam Voices" book project and podcast 12:18 What's on the Whiteboard? "What book would you take to a desert island?" Theme song: "Organic to Synthetic" by PunchDeck PunchDeck on SoundCloud Blount County Friends of the Library Jim Stovall's homepage Books by Jim Stovall on Amazon "Vietnam Voices" podcast
2021-03-0119 minBeyond the Shelves PodcastMurder and MandalibrariansOur Whiteboards take us to a galaxy far, far away and to the Antarctic Circle as we explore The Mandalorian and penguins-as-pets. Teen Librarian Carrie Godfrey tells us about a cool book, one of the top YA picks of 2020, #MurderFunding. 00:31 What's on the Whiteboard? "What do you think about The Mandalorian?" 05:17 Book talk: #MurderFunding, by Gretchen McNeil 13:18 What's on the Whiteboard? "Where would you keep your pet penguin?" Theme song: "Organic to Synthetic" by PunchDeck PunchDeck on SoundCloud Blount County Friends of the Library "How...
2021-02-1520 minBeyond the Shelves PodcastThe RebootWelcome to our newly reimagined podcast, now shorter but more frequent for your listening pleasure! 00:29 Intro 01:05: What's on the Whiteboard? "What do you think about snow?" 04:45 Interview with Brennan Lequire, author of "Maryville 1920" 18:00 What's on the Whiteboard? "What is the best thing about Blount County?" Theme song: "Organic to Synthetic" by Punch_Deck Links: Punch Deck on Soundcloud Blount County Friends of the Library Maryville 1920 on Amazon Maryville 1920 on Barnes & Noble
2021-01-2923 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast15 - It's All Write:01: Local author, pastor, and lecturer William J. Carl discusses his forthcoming novel: The Assassin's Manuscript :19: What's on the Whiteboard? "Share something that makes you happy.":25: Local author Asterin Meyer: Winner of the 2020 "Imagine Your Story" contest for her short-story: Hybrids:33: Friends of the Library Promotion:37: Book Review w/Jennifer: Geekerella by Ashley Poston :46: What's on the Whiteboard? "What needs to be made into a Lego set?" (Correction: The information about The Princess Bride "LEGO Ideas" set is incorrect; if the set gets 10K likes, LEGO will consider making it, but it's not guaranteed.)
2020-10-0554 min
Stay TunedEpisode-108-Cup of Joe with JoeToday is July 29th 2020 and it's “A Cup of joe with Joe” live from The IngleBean Coffee House in Millheim, PA. A weekly what's up in the valley so nice they named it twice, Penns Valley.Today’s sponsorIngleblend.cominglebean.comship and sip it!BirthdaysTodayWalt WhitmerTHURSDAYLoarina GonzalezJerry EgelhoffSat Aug 1stAmanda WernerSunJack SpirkoMonCyndi CorganC...
2020-07-2932 min
2020-07-2401 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast14 - The Lost Episode IIYep, the majority of this was recorded in early 2020 (before the pandemic), but you can listen now! :01: Interview with author, blogger, and nutritionist Chef Angela-Michelle of Culinary Kisses :20: What's on the Whiteboard? "Where would you like to travel? How?":25: Friends of the Library Promotion:33: Interview with local youth technology instructor: Sarah Jo Miller :37: What's on the Whiteboard? "Desert Island Book?":40: Game Review w/Clay: Choose Your Own Adventure: House of Danger :49: Book Review w/Jennifer: The Seventh Voyage : Star Diaries / by Stanislaw Lem ; illustrated by Jon J Muth Other...
2020-07-1158 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast13 - The Family Quarantine:01: Interview with coach, author, and podcaster, Chuck Kriese :28: What's on the Whiteboard? "What seed would you plant?:30: Friends of the Library Promotion:33: Book Review w/Angela: Franklin Pierce by Michael Holt :50: What's on the Whiteboard? "If you had to throw away...?":52: Book Review w/Miles: Dog Man by Dav Pilkey Other Featured Links: BCPL Friends of the Library Intro and Outro Music by Punch Deck Additional Music by Damokles
2020-04-0659 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast12 - Love Again (Live at the Bird & the Book):00: Dumb Romance Intro :04: Interview: Joseph Woods (aka Black Atticus) :27: What's on the Whiteboard? What will you do on Feb. 29? :31: Interview: Jason Smart of The Dungeon :40: More Dumb Romance Lines :42: What's Up at the Library? with Dick Burgess :54: The Brennan List :58: Even More Dumb Romance Outro Featured Links The Bird & the Book Facebook Page Intro and Outro Music by Punch Deck
2020-02-281h 02Beyond the Shelves Podcast11 - Cryptids and Accounting:00: Intro :01: Interview w/Library Business Manager Lea Yoder :11: Lea Yoder Discusses Her Podcast: If You're Listening It's Too Late:26: What's on the Whiteboard? "A Spooky Story?" :29: Friends of the Library Promotion:31: Book Review w/Hannah Spirko: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer :45: Book Review w/Jennifer: The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz :59: What's on the Whiteboard? "If you had a superpower...?" Other Featured Links: BCPL Friends of the Library Intro and Outro Music by Punch Deck Additional Music by Damokles
2019-12-021h 03Beyond the Shelves Podcast10 - When You Assume... (Live at the Bird & the Book):00: Intro (with music by Ash McDaniel) :02: Weird Old Library Rules :04: Interview: Pirates! Capt. Blood & Tiny Minnow:15: What's On The White Board? Fictional Roommates:20: Trivia "Are You Smarter Than A Librarian?" :23: Interview: Denise Robertson on the Friends of the Library eBay Store :29: The Brennan List :34: Book Talk with Bill Householder: Staff Picks by George Singleton:41: What's On The White Board? Ninja Attack Featured Links BCPL Friends of the Library Intro and Outro Music by Punch Deck Additional Music by Damokles
2019-10-1147 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast09 - Kids Say:00: Intro :01: Interview: The Youth of Blount County :08: What's on the Whiteboard? "What Fictional Pet Would You Want to Adopt?":12: Friends of the Library Promo:13: Book Review w/Therese Lloyd: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck :25: Book Review w/Jennifer: Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynn Jones :34: The Brennan List :36: Youth of Blount County: Favorite Books Featured Links BCPL Friends of the Library Intro and Outro Music by Punch Deck Additional Music by Damokles
2019-09-1739 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast08 - Hot Music:00: Intro :01: Interview: Sarah Smith about August's "Hot Summer Nights" live music lineup at BCPL :08: What's on the Whiteboard? "Write a happy story." :11: Mystery Sound? Teaser:12: Wiki-Obscura: Pink Lady :22: Friends of the Library Book Sale Promo :23: Mystery Sound? Reveal :24: The Brennan List :26: Interview: XDJCK1: Creator & Co-Host of the 80 of the 80s Music Podcast :38: Book Review: Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins :45: Book Review: Autobiography by Morrissey Featured Links BCPL Friends of the Library Intro and Outro Music by Punch Deck Additional Music by...
2019-08-1452 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast07 - Monsters of Summer (Live at the Bird & the Book):00: Intro :02: Real Library Rules (Pt. 1) :02: Interview: Robyn Neil McCammonTerri Lyon, Author of Don't Fear Dawn :16: What's on the Whiteboard? (Pt. 1) :19: Interview: Ashten Royse, Volunteer Extraordinaire:27: Real Library Rules (Pt. 2) :22: The Brennan List :31: Interview: Sherry Crisp of the BCPL Friends of the Library :36: Real Library Rules (Pt. 3) :37: "Are You Smarter Than A Librarian?" with Sarah Smith :40: Real Library Rules (Pt. 3) :41: Booktalk with Sarah Horne: Basic Witches by Saxena & Zimmerman :44: Real Library Rules (Pt. 4):45: What's on the Whiteboard? (Pt. 2):48: Outro
2019-06-0651 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast06 - What's On Your Sign?:00: Intro :01: Interview: Terri Lyon, Author of What's On Your Sign :17: The Brennan List :20: What's on the Whiteboard? (Pt. 1):21: Sponsor: Friends of the Library :22: Book Review: The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton with Savannah McCarter :29: Book Review: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman with Jennifer Spirko :38: What's on the Whiteboard? (Pt. 2) :39: What's that Mystery Sound? Featured Links Life at the Intersection Blog BCPL Friends of the Library Intro and Outro Music by Punch Deck Additional Music by Damokles...
2019-05-1041 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast05 - The Seed:00: Intro :01: Interview: Sheila Pennycuff, Reference Librarian and Curator of the BCPL Seed Library :11: What's on the Whiteboard? (Pt. 1) :12: Interview: John Coykendall, Master Gardener at Blackberry Farms :19: Sponsor: Friends of the Library :20: What's that Mystery Noise? :21: Book Review: Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood with Nikki Denton :28: Book Review: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik with Jennifer Spirko :35: What's on the Whiteboard? (Pt. 2) & Outro Featured Links The BCPL Seed Library BCPL Friends of the Library Intro and Outro Music by Punch Deck
2019-03-1138 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast04 - Love (Live at the Bird & the Book):00: Intro :04: Interview: Shirley Carr Clowney: Historian and Author :10: What's on the Whiteboard? Top 10 List :15: Book Talk: When A Monster Calls with Jason Nix :18: Interview: Carl Gombert: Maryville College Professor of Art :27: "Are You Smarter Than A Librarian" Trivia Preview with Nikki Denton :32: Book Talk: The Intimate Hour with Eliza Komisar :35: The Brennan List :39: What's Up at the Library? with Dick Burgess :45: More Dumb Romance Book Lines and Outro Featured Links The Bird & the Book Facebook Page Intro and Outro Music by Punch Deck
2019-02-0449 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast03 - The Game:00: Intro :01: Interview with Bryan and Emilee of "The Room Where It Happened" :14: The Brennan List (Pt. 1) :15: Other Duties as Assigned (Pt. 1) :17: What's on the Whiteboard? :18: What's Happening at the Library? with Kaleb & Garrett of the Blount Nerd Group :24: The Brennan List (Pt. 2) :26: Sponsor: Friends of the Library :27: Other Duties as Assigned (Pt. 2) :28: Clay’s Book Review: Uncle $crooge : Only a Poor Old Man by Carl Barks :37: Jennifer’s Book Review: The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins by McElroy, McElroy, McElroy, & Pietsch :45: Outro Featured Links The Ro...
2019-01-0946 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast02 - The Lost Episode:00: Intro :01: Actress Anne Van Curen on the life and portrayal of "Grandma" Gatewood (the first woman to solo hike the Appalachian Trail) :16: The Brennan List (Pt. 1) :17: Other Duties as Assigned :19: What's Happening at the Library? The Kittendemic :25: What's on the Whiteboard? :26: Sponsor: Friends of the Library Booksale :27: Clay’s Book Review: Choose Your Own Nightmare: Eight Grade Witch by CE Simpson :33: Jennifer’s Book Review: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard (Trilogy) by Rick Riordan :40: The Brennan List (Pt. 2) :42: Outro Featured Links Anne Van Curen's "Mo...
2018-12-0543 minBeyond the Shelves Podcast01 - Begin with Revelations:00: Intro :01: BCPL Writer in Residence Jim Stovall on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s Tennessee connections and the republishing of one of her forgotten books. :07: Jim Stovall on the library, his writings, and his art :16: What’s on the White Board? :17: What’s new at the Bookmark Café? :21: The Brennan List :23: Friends of the Library Booksale :24: What’s on the White Board? :26: Clay’s Book Review: The Mansion in the Mist by John Bellairs :33: Jennifer’s Book Review: The Diminished by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson. :40: What’s on the White Board? :41: Outro Fe...
2018-11-0739 min