Russell Reads with the Rach(a)els
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael discuss their favorite books, the library, and, without keeping their feet as Bilbo Baggins so wisely suggested, wherever they might be swept off to.
Episodes
61 episodes
Reading With Our Eyes Shut [Guest Star Adrian Nester]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Adrian Nester, English Department chair at Tunstall Highschool, and self-admitted library girlie. We discuss cutting edge reading technology such as audiobooks on cassette and magazines on sticks...
I MAY Have Read This Book [May Challenge 2026]
Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the May Reading Challenge to read books that we MAY or MAY NOT have read in the past. This could include books you lied about for an assignment in school, books you’ve been too embarrassed to read, or books ...
Meatballs, Murder, and the Audiobook [Guest Star Bailey Cline]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Bailey Cline, Program Coordinator at Ballou Recreation Center and our certified number one fan. We discuss finding your way back to reading despite the responsibilities of adult life, the joy of ...
I Love Big Brother [April Challenge 2026]
Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the April Reading Challenge to read a dystopian or alternate history novel. Oppressive governments, controlling factions, structured existence and more, we discuss the tropes and themes that define this ofte...
Panthers, Trees, and the City Manager [Guest Star Danville City Manager Ken Larking]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Ken Larking, Danville City Manager. In our first mini book club, we review “The Which Way Tree” by Elizabeth Crook and the deep themes it explores including love, kindness and absolution. We disc...
Found in Translation [March Challenge 2026]
Lost in Translation? We prefer Found in Translation! The reading challenge this month is to read a book that has been translated from another language. Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss some of their most recent reads and a few classics....
The Best Guest This Side of the Mississippi [Starring Michelle Larking]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Michelle Larking, Secondary ELA teacher at Galileo Magnet High School and enthusiastic supporter of reading and literature. Michelle shares her recent reading journey in pursuit of meeting her Go...
Cover Lovers [February Challenge 2026]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our February reading challenge, books based solely on loving the cover. Listen in as we delve into our personal aesthetic, poorly describe colors, and make a lot of fish puns. Books we discus...
Be Inspired in 2026 [January Week 5]
In this final installment of a special 5-episode weekly series, Russell, Rachael, Rachel, and Jess M. share meaningful quotes from favorite authors. Take just a few moments out of your day to "Be Inspired in 2026!"Quotes from:
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Be Inspired in 2026 [January Week 4]
In this fourth installment of a special 5-episode weekly series, Russell, Rachael, Rachel, and Chrislyn share meaningful quotes from favorite authors. Take just a few moments out of your day to "Be Inspired in 2026!"Quotes from:<...
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Be Inspired in 2026! [January Week 3]
In this third installment of a special 5-episode weekly series, Russell, Rachael, Rachel, and Jess Austin share meaningful quotes from favorite authors. Take just a few moments out of your day to "Be Inspired in 2026!""The Alchemist...
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More Mall Memories with Mr. Rogers [Guest Tim Rogers]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Tim Rogers, branch manager for Mount Hermon Public Library and former manager of B. Dalton bookstore at Piedmont Mall in Danville. We take a leisurely stroll down memory lane, go behind the scene...
Be Inspired in 2026! [January Week 2]
In the second episode of this special 5-episode series, Russell, Rachael, Rachel, and Brianna share inspiring quotes from favorite authors. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig“No Particular Night or Morning” by Ray Bra...
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Be Inspired in 2026! [January Week 1]
In the first episode of this special 5-episode series, Russell, Rachael, Rachel, and Riley share inspiring quotes from favorite authors. Brené Brown, “Atlas of the Heart”C.S. Lewis, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardro...
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Saddle Up and Read [January Challenge 2026]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our January reading challenge, books featuring a horse. They discuss the Chinese Zodiac which inspired the challenge, share a glimpse behind the scenes into the creative process and bond over the nostalgi...
Mall kids and the seven swans [Guest Katelyn Murray]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Katelyn Murray, one of the new owners of The Dog-eared Page bookshop on Main Street. We discuss finding that one perfect book for you, receiving letters of praise from your favorite author, and u...
Turkey Calls and Santa Jaws [December Reading Challenge]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our December reading challenge, books with a holiday theme, which it turns out cover a wide range of topics and genres. We discuss the magic of Santa, turkeys, and the 80s.Books we discuss include...
Shared stories from the country [Guest Bill Guerrant]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Bill Guerrant, local goatherd, Vice President of Pittsylvania Historical Society, and author of four books including “Jim Wrenn” and “Let a Pillar Arise”. We discuss reading in all its many varie...
Look for the Helpers [November Reading Challenge]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our November reading challenge, books about a historic event. We discuss the wide range of topics, genres and time periods this challenge encompasses and what history can teach us about the time we are li...
The BRO SHOW [Guests Charles Perkins, Scott Longerbeam]
Get hype! It’s the BRO SHOW! (air horn sounds)Russell, and also the Rach(a)els, chat with returning guests Scott Longerbeam and Charles Perkins about life, the universe, and every reading rabbit we could possibly chase. Books w...
Folklore, Fairytales, and Cryptids... Oh my! [October Reading Challenge]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our October reading challenge, Folklore, Fairytales, and Cryptids! We discuss the wide range of cultures and genres this topic overlaps. Russell gets very excited about every cryptid from Bigfoot to Nessi...
Putting pants on a chicken [Special Guest Angela Longerbeam]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Angela Longerbeam, Assistant Branch Manager at the Mount Hermon Branch Library in Pittsylvania County. We discuss cozy fall reading, experiencing other perspectives through novels in verse, and e...
Cats, Murder, and Cardigans [September Reading Challenge]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our September reading challenge, books set in a library! We discuss the wonders libraries can bring into your life and Russell’s library fever dreams.Books we discuss include:“The Grea...
We are trending! [Special Guest @JazzysReadingCorner]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with special guest and local bookfluencer Jasmine Sutton of @JazzysReadingCorner on Tiktok and Instagram. We discuss the wonders of the online reading community, #Booktok drama, and Russell admits to more crime...
True Crime; It's What Brings us Together Today [August Reading Challenge]
Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat about our August reading challenge, True Crime novels. We discuss ethical aspects of consuming true crime, what fascinates people about crime, and the wide variety of stories in this genre.Books we discu...