Chapter One
By Jennifer Seals
Just a taste of a book. Find out if you would be intrigued by popular juvenile and young adult book series, classics, my personal favorites, and new hits.
Chapter OneOct 25, 2023
00:00
07:55
Banned Book: More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark - RT by Alvin Schwartz drawings Stephen Gammell
These books are where the nightmares of my childhood and probably where I started really getting into scary things. If you were in elementary school in the 90s you know these books.
Oct 25, 202307:55
Banned Book: Goosebumps: Monster Blood by R.L. Stine
Starting off spooky week right. One of my favorite series from childhood. This is just one of the books in two series from this author that have been banned or challenged.
Oct 24, 202316:11
Banned Book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
This one is a wild ride, and it starts off strong. It gets right to the point as to why it is a book people worry about in chapter one. You also get to hear me put a tune to the anthem of the farm animals. I wonder if there's actually sheet music somewhere 🤔
Oct 09, 202321:54
Banned Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry
Another Newbury Award book. This is geared to slightly older children than what we have been reading. This one is weird, and I do not care for it. However, I do think people need to read it. At the end you will need to turn it up and listen closely. There is a recording from when I went to hear Mrs. Lowry speak back on August 18, 2023.
Oct 09, 202331:50
Banned Book: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Children's fantasy series classic. I've read at least two of the books in this series. People who love this series really love it. Those that hate it hate it passionately!
Oct 07, 202318:06
Banned Book: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Yet another Newbury Award winner. A movie was made in 2018 and I pllan to do this one with a book club soon.
Oct 06, 202342:01
Banned Book: Crispin by Avi
Newbery Award book banned for...? If you find out, let me know.
Oct 05, 202311:48
Banned Book: Sounder by William H. Armstrong
Warning: Language - Another Juvenile Newbury Award winner. There is a dog on the cover. He will probably die. I do not plan to finish one.
Oct 05, 202331:02
Banned Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Another required reading. Be warned ⚠️ there is harsh language in chapter one ⚠️ This is more YA. If you read it as a child/teen I highly recommend you reread it as an adult.
Oct 03, 202357:13
Banned Book: Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Another juvenile or middle grade book that was a required school reading. It won a Newbury. Books are supposed to help you see the world through others' eyes. In BTT you see it through another's eyes that is starting to see the world through another's eyes.
Oct 02, 202317:29
Banned Book: Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Classic children's book written in 1952. Easy read that will make you question eating porkchops. I think you should read it.
Oct 01, 202315:36
Girl Out of Time by Clyde Boyer
Juvenile/Teen science fiction. I won this in a GoodReads giveaway. Young girl, parents die tragically, sent to live with a relative, everything seems fine, until...ALIENS!!! Time travel, wormholes, this book has it all. I plan to read it. Let me know if you do, too.
Sep 20, 202316:12
Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane
This is an Adult Fiction book that I won in a GoodReads' giveaway. It is a RomCom and not my traditional read. I will finish this one.
Sep 13, 202314:01
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Very popular Adult Fantasy. This chapter is pretty ok for everyone, but future chapters can be rough. Check for trigger warnings. By the time I'm scheduling this to post, I am on book 4 (3.5) in the series.
Sep 06, 202322:55
All My Rage
Check all yhr trigger warnings. So far favorite book of 2023
Aug 30, 202309:37
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
WARNING ⚠️ LANGUAGE; SEXUALLY SUGGESTIVE LANGUAGE AND SITUATIONS
Aug 23, 202301:02:11
Green Rider by Kristen Britain
There are some slightly gruesome depictions of how ghosts became unalived. All in all, this seems like a straightforward YA fantasy. Idk if I will read it. It seems like something I would enjoy. I hope that the hubby really gets into this one.
Aug 16, 202314:58
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Very popular, YA, high fantasy series. This is book one of a trilogy and the first full book of the 24 book Grishaverse.
Aug 09, 202338:58
Tropic of Stupid by Tim Dorsey
WARNING: NOT FOR CHILDREN - DRUGS & ALCOHOL ABUSE, UNALIVING, LANGUAGE.
This is definitely not my typical read. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. The different parts are definitely disjointed.
Aug 02, 202334:38
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
WARNING: THIS ONE IS NOT FOR KIDS! LANGUAGE, SEXUAL CONTENT, DESCRIPTION OF DEATH.
I call this one a high fantasy but really it's more sci-fi with awesome world building.
Also, I get hid family members mixed up. What I read is right - minus the pronunciations - the family tree I talk about at the end is a jumble.
I call this one a high fantasy but really it's more sci-fi with awesome world building.
Also, I get hid family members mixed up. What I read is right - minus the pronunciations - the family tree I talk about at the end is a jumble.
Jul 26, 202325:51
The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees
Another book from my Book Outlet order. It gives spooky vibes. I bought it for its cover. If you want to have a look, hop on over to my Tiktok, jenny_ray_seals.
May 30, 202315:50
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
This recently came in the mail from a Book Outlet order. It is a beautiful copy. I've heard a lot about it on BookTok. If you want to see the unboxing head over to my Tiktok, jenny_ray_seals.
May 24, 202315:40
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
Just picked this up at the Book Rack, a used bookstore in Hattiesburg, MS. It was very popular about ten years ago. It seems like an easy, fun read.
May 17, 202318:38
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
What could be better than The Princess Bride movie? The book of course! I know I didn't believe it at first either, but listen as Allen joins me to share Chapter One with you.
May 02, 202301:15:27
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate & The Strange Library by Hatuki Murakami
Crenshaw - This is a quick, short, Juvenile read. Easy book, covering hard topics extremely well. I gave it four stars because I wanted it to be longer. The Strange Library - short, strange read. Gave it three stars. It was hard for me to follow.
Apr 26, 202312:15
Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp
YA murder mystery. Five friends playing a RPG in an isolated cabin in the mountains...where a serial killer is rumored to hide. It was a little choppy for me. I think it could have been better.
Apr 19, 202322:10
Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder by T.A. Willberge
Adult Fiction, murder mystery. Set in post war London. I think there is a lot of potential, it just didn't grab my attention. I gave it 3 stars.
Apr 12, 202320:01
Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
This book is...different. I don't want to give too much away but what starts off as a realistic fiction book quickly turns fantasy/science fiction. You don't really see that from chapter one and I don't want you to think you would be reading that. I gave it 4 stars. I makes you think, covers childhood trama and forgiveness, and still made me laugh. Try it out and let me kniw what you think.
Apr 05, 202317:15
The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong
This is giving real "shadowhunter" Cassandra Clare vibes. I'll come back to this one.
Mar 29, 202313:29
Lincoln In the Bardo by George Saunders
I'm not one to often read Adult Fiction. This is interesting. It seems to be told by the dead. It's written somewhat like a play. This is my husbands read but I might eventually get to it.
Mar 22, 202312:51
The Shadowhunter's Codex by Cassandra Clare & Joshua Lewis
I know I said I would only do the beginning of series, but this is different. Also, I actually have it on hand and it's pretty cool.
Mar 15, 202332:17
Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest by Matt Haig
I love this books setup. The character glossary in the front is extremely helpful. There's a table of contents, illustrations, and chapter names. Then the end of chapter one! I'm definitely returning to this one.
Mar 08, 202312:54
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
This book has brought unexpected joy. Cute, funny, and heartwarming. This is a Children's book but definitely one you would enjoy reading with the kiddos in your life.
Mar 01, 202318:54
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
What the heck did I just read! 😬 Unless someone out there can convince me otherwise, this one is going back to 2nd & Charles ASAP.
Jan 29, 202120:37
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
This one is different! I started this book but never took the time to finish. I plan to pick it up again soon
Jan 22, 202112:15
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Great historical fiction. I much preferred this book over the Giver, but they are two different horses.
Jan 15, 202119:06
1984 by George Orwell
The first book I really don't like! I want you to make your own decision. Let me know what you think.
Jan 08, 202101:04:25
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Book 1 in The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
I really enjoy this series. I haven't read this book in a long time, but reading it for the podcast made me realize the similarities between Lewis and Tolkien's writing styles.
Jan 01, 202116:06
Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone - Chapter 1
This is a book that we are in the middle of reading. We are enjoying it so far. It was recommended to us by a teen. Let us know if you have read it, plan to read it, or why you don't want to read this book.
Dec 02, 202011:08
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton - Chapter 1
This is a little about me, why I chose this book, and how (I think) this podcast will work. This is the first chapter of my favorite book. Hopefully you will enjoy not only this episode, but continue reading The Outsiders on your own.
Nov 02, 202045:02