The podcast all about Anne of Green Gables, kindred spirits, and the books that make us who we are! Two grown ladies geek out about Anne of Green Gables. We explore the themes and characters of this enduring classic. Follow us as we discuss all the books by L.M. Montgomery as well as other favorite novels.
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Episode 50: The Maudcast x KSBC: LMM Podcasters Unite!
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We are excited to share this very special crossover episode with the Maudacst and Kindred Spirits Book Club! The Maudcast, hosted by today's guest Brenton Dickieson, is the official podcast of the L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island. Brenton, Ragon, and Kelly sat down in the church L.M. Montgomery attended for a joyf…
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Episode 49: Recapping the Perfect Pilgrimage to Prince Edward Island
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Come along to Prince Edward Island and the 2024 biennial L.M. Montgomery conference with Kelly and Ragon! First we raved about our first conference experience and reflected on the brilliant presentations and new perspectives we heard. Then we shared all about our trip to LM Montgomery historical sites, Green Gables Heritage Place, the musicals insp…
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Y’all, this book is wild. Join Ragon and Kelly as they discuss one of LM Montgomery’s lesser-known novella Kilmeny of the Orchard. It’s a sweet, somewhat simplistic summer romance that takes some truly unexpected twists and turns. Although Kilmeny hasn’t stood the test of time like Anne of Green Gables, there are glimmers of L.M. Montgomery’s later…
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Join Kelly, Ragon, and returning special guest Katie Stewart to discuss summer reads! They discuss books that remind them of summer as well as favorite summer reads for middle grade readers, romance and romantasy readers, the best books to survive a long flight, and of course, our ultimate recommendations for fun, breezy books to occupy your lazy s…
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Episode 46: Planning A Perfect Pilgrimage to Prince Edward Island
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Kindred Spirits Book Club is going on the road! Kelly and Ragon are joined by Brenna Clarke Gray to plan for their upcoming trip to Prince Edward Island. We discuss all things PEI, from the award-winning cheese at COWS Creamery to the cheesy souvenirs aimed at Anne of Green Gables tourists. Side chats include Brenna’s survival guide for an academic…
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Episode 45: Friendships and Found Family: Community in Anne's House of Dreams
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In today’s episode, Kelly and Ragon wind up their discussion of Anne’s House of Dreams. In a book that encompasses many emotional highs and lows, we discuss friendship and family as the foundation of a happy life. Ragon explains psychological protective factors, which can help determine how well someone weathers a crisis, and we share our favorite …
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Episode 44: Part II: Lullabies and Loss: Anne's Journey to Motherhood
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Rejoin Ragon, Kelly, and guest Dr. Brenna Clarke Gray for their discussion about motherhood in Anne’s House of Dreams. Ragon and Kelly are joined by Dr. Brenna Clarke Gray, Canadian literature expert, to discuss the joys and sorrows of Anne’s journey to motherhood in Anne’s House of Dreams. We discuss everything from baby talk to our favorite books…
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Episode 43: Part I Lullabies and Loss: Anne's Journey to Motherhood
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Ragon and Kelly are joined by Dr. Brenna Clarke Gray, Canadian literature expert, to discuss the joys and sorrows of Anne’s journey to motherhood in Anne’s House of Dreams. We discuss Victorian attitudes to pregnancy and birth, and we share our own journeys around motherhood. We had so much to say that we are actually making this a two-part episode…
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Episode 42: Heartache and Hope: Romance in Anne's House of Dreams
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Ragon and Kelly are joined by audiobook narrator and voice actor Kelli Tager to discuss the beautiful romance threaded through Anne’s House of Dreams. From Anne and Gilbert’s wedding day to Leslie and Owen’s happily ever after, join us to celebrate all the delicious romance. Kelli also discusses what it’s like to narrate audiobooks and her favorite…
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Episode 41: Wisdom and Whimsy: Captain Jim Tells The Tales
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In this episode, we are setting sail with Captain Jim! Kelly and Ragon talk about the lighthouse keeper’s gentle guidance, how he embodies and subverts the theme of cleverness, and his deep wisdom, earned over many years of seafaring. Sidebars and digressions include whether Captain Jim is a stealth matchmaker, life at sea in the 1800s, and recomme…
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Episode 40: Sorrow and Splendor: Leslie Moore Lives Happily Ever After
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The mysterious beauty Leslie Moore is the subject of this Anne’s House of Dreams character study. Ragon and Kelly discuss the myths and metaphors surrounding Leslie, and whether she is properly humanized in the text. Digressions include Favorite Things parties, how to talk to kids about stereotypes in media, and the tragic beauty trope. Inspired By…
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Episode 39: Chats and Charity: Miss Cornelia Spills The Tea
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Meet Miss Cornelia and her signature phrase “Just like a man!” Miss Cornelia is the great comic relief in Anne’s House of Dreams, an otherwise serious and emotional book. Ragon and Kelly do a deep dive into the contradictions that make up this memorable woman: she’s charitable, loving, and neighborly; and she’s judgmental, prejudiced, dogmatic and …
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Episode 38: Anne's House of Dreams Recap
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Anne’s House of Dreams is one of L.M. Montgomery’s most mature and emotional books, and Ragon and Kelly are thrilled to devote season three of Kindred Spirits Book Club to it. In this episode, we recap Anne’s House of Dreams, discuss what we’ve been reading lately, revisit our own weddings, and brainstorm Miss Cornelia-inspired fanfic. We didn’t do…
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Welcome back, Kindred Spirits! Ragon and Kelly kick off a third podcast season by re-introducing themselves and the podcast, giving a behind the scenes look at how we make the pod, and discussing some of what’s to come in Season Three. This is a great place to dive in if you’re new to the podcast, and for longtime listeners, enjoy the deep friendsh…
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Episode 36: Season 2 Finale: Queens Of The Blue Castle
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It’s our last episode of Season 2 and the last episode of 2023! Editor Katie Stewart comes back to debate the most important of issues: who is the best romantic hero: Barney Snaith or Gilbert Blythe? We had a blast discussing the way the themes in The Blue Castle compare with Anne’s themes, as well as discussing Hallmark movies and holiday traditio…
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We briefly leave the Anne series to discuss one of our very favorite LM Montgomery books, The Blue Castle! Many of the elements we love in the Anne series – romance, selfhood, family, and community – play out differently but just as satisfyingly in this book. Come along as we recap this gorgeous fairy tale of a book. Inspired By: Kelly and Ragon ar…
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Episode 34: Anne Adaptations: The Sequel (1987 Miniseries)
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Canadian literature expert Brenna Clarke Gray joins Ragon and Kelly to recap the bonkers 1987 miniseries: Anne of Green Gables, the Sequel! Are we making the best use of Dr. Gray’s expertise and insight into Anne? Probably not, but we sure had fun. Join us for an irreverent look at Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel – and stick around for a very spec…
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Episode 33: Anne’s Meddling Era: How To Write A Love Letter
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Now engaged to be married, romantic Anne can’t help but get involved in other people’s love lives, and her meddling has hilarious results! Join Ragon and Kelly as they discuss matchmaking – and matchbreaking! – gone wrong, Anne’s love letters to Gilbert, epistolary novels, and our favorite advice column. Inspired by: Kelly is inspired by The Jolly …
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Episode 32: Anne’s Meddling Era: Spooky Edition!
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Anne loves a thrilling tale, and there are a few in Anne of Windy Poplars that are perfect for a very spooky Halloween episode of Kindred Spirits Book Club. Ragon and Kelly examine Anne's years on Spook's Lane through the lens of graveyard stories and haunted mansions. Highlights include Kelly's discussion of Gothic literature, and Ragon's upcoming…
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Episode 31: Anne’s Meddling Era: How To Win Friends And Influence People
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Anne has a special gift for winning over misfits and misanthropes, but in Anne of Windy Poplars, even her skills are put to the test! Ragon and Kelly discuss how Anne won over the Pringles and Katherine Brook, Kelly teaches us about comedies of manners, and they both marvel at the miracle of buttermilk and pumpkin preserves. Inspired by: Kelly is i…
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Episode 30: Anne’s Meddling Era: How NOT to parent
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From her unique vantage point as an engaged woman and a high school principal, Anne observes all kinds of interesting parent-child dynamics in and around Summerside. Ragon and Kelly discuss the takeaways from these relationships, and then Ragon gives us all an in depth parenting lesson – but not before we discuss Fourth Wing and all things dragons!…
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Episode 29: Anne’s Meddling Era: Anne of Windy Poplars Recap
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Ragon and Kelly boldly go where few podcasters have gone before – deep into Anne of Windy Poplars! Join us as we recap the 4th book in the Anne series--you probably missed this book or have forgotten it so let us help you find the humor and tragedy hidden in the pages. Listeners, be sure to count how many grumps Anne has to win over while presiding…
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Episode 28: One Year Anniversary Party!
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Happy Anniversary to US! To celebrate, Kelly and Ragon are throwing a podcast party, with special guests, games, trivia, and best of all, prizes. You’re invited to the Anne of Green Gables themed party of the year! If you want to get a free logo sticker from us, either leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your love for the pod on social med…
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Episode 27: Anne, The College Years: The One About The Boy
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After everything Gilbert has been through over the past three books, we knew he needed his own episode! Ragon and Kelly discuss the making of a classic romance hero, from the infamous “carrots” scene to the swoon-worthy final proposal. We round out the conversation with stories from our weddings and an exploration of Victorian courtship rituals. In…
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Episode 26: Anne, The College Years: The One With All The Proposals
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Anne’s childhood wish to become “divinely beautiful” is coming true - at least in the eyes of one particular gentleman. We love the romance in Anne of the Island, not just for Anne but for her friends Diana and Phillippa as well. Ragon and Kelly chat about all of Anne’s would-be beaux, and unpack why she doesn’t seem ready for any of them yet. We a…
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Episode 25: Anne, the College Years: The One With The Baking Soda Company
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It might be summer where you are, but in Anne of the Island, it’s always September, and we are headed back to school with Anne. In this episode, Ragon and Kelly explore Anne’s ambitions as a writer and a scholar – including, of course, her embarrassing first experience as a published author! Kelly and Ragon also share stories from their own college…
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Episode 24: Anne, The College Years: The One With All The Roommates
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Join us at Patty's Place, where Anne and her friends have "all the fun of homemaking and none of the bother of a husband." Kelly and Ragon discuss female-centered communities and spaces that make way for young women to become themselves, from Anne and her Redmond College chums to New York's famous Barbizon Hotel. We also share stories of our own co…
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Episode 23: Anne: The College Years, The One About Anne Of The Island
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Anne of the Island – or Anne, the College Years – is one of our very favorite books. With its stately collegiate setting, delightful celebration of female friendships, and deliciously slow burn romance, who can blame us? Join us as we recap Anne's four years at Redmond College, complete with baking soda company shenanigans, tomcat tomfoolery, and a…
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Episode 22: Anne of Avonlea Is A Romantic (but not ready for romance herself, thank you)
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Whether it’s a fairy picnic or a fairytale prince, Anne sees romance everywhere she looks – except, of course, in her own life! Kelly and Ragon explore the romantic side of Anne of Avonlea, from Hester Grey’s garden to Miss Lavendar’s wedding, and they also discuss those rare coming of age books for girls that don’t include romance. Inspired by: Ke…
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Episode 21: Anne of Avonlea is Dazzlingly Clever
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School may be out in your neighborhood, but it’s back in session in Avonlea with Anne at the front of the classroom. Anne continues on her path to becoming “dazzlingly clever” by embarking on her career as a teacher, and today’s discussion ranges from our own career aspirations to Avonlea school stories to the ambitious heroines of Little Women. In…
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Episode 20: Anne of Avonlea is Angelically Good
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Avonlea itself, full of big personalities and hilarious happenings, is practically a character in the Anne books. In this episode, we explore how Anne grows into becoming an active member of her community and all the different ways "goodness" looks in a small town. Topics include the Avonlea Village Improvement Society, Davy and Dora Keith, and how…
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Episode 19: Introducing Anne of Avonlea!
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Ragon and Kelly kick off season two of Kindred Spirits Book Club with a breezy recap of Anne of Avonlea. Kelly admits she likes Davy Keith after all, and Ragon wants the ladies from The Home Edit to help Green Gables organize. Come along as we discuss the enchanted picnics, fairytale romances, and childhood mischief that make Anne of Avonlea so muc…
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Episode 18: The Ultimate Anne Geek Out with Katie Stewart
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For the Season 1 Finale of Kindred Spirits Book Club, we are excited to introduce you to a new kindred spirit, Katie Stewart, co-founder of Owl’s Next Publishing. Katie, Ragon, and Kelly have the ultimate Anne geek out session, discussing everything from quoting the books in wedding vows to what can you do with an English degree? We rank all the An…
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Episode 17: Anne Adaptations: The Graphic Novels
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Some of the most exciting adaptations of Anne of Green Gables are illustrated! In this episode, we discuss three gorgeously illustrated graphic novels which bring Anne’s story to life, led by our graphic novel expert, Alice! Inspired by: Alice recommends hair chalk Kelly recommends Kindred Candle Company Ragon recommends donating to organizations t…
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Episode 16: Anne Adaptations: Anne With An E
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Anne With an E brought Anne of Green Gables to a new generation. Ragon and Kelly discuss how it differs from the source material, what they liked about the show, and where they thought it missed the mark. Come for the thoughtful discussions of childhood PTSD, stay for our dream adaptations of Anne! Inspired by: Kelly is inspired by Marilla’s belts:…
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Episode 15: Anne Adaptations: The 1985 Miniseries
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Anne of Green Gables has a long cinematic history but the adaptation we love best is the 1985 CBC miniseries starring Megan Follows and Colleen Dewhurst. We chat about our recent re-watch, how the movie strayed from the book, and the things we still love – the costumes! the scenery! Gilbert! Digressions include favorite movie musicals and how the k…
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Episode 14: ”Carrots” and Slates; Anne’s Pride
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Anne Shirley, “all spirit and fire and dew,” is notorious for her temper and her pride. Ragon and Kelly explore why this is such a challenging character trait for Anne, and how she overcomes it. Side quests include TikTok, duels of honor, and whether Jo March, Mary Lennox or Pippi Longstocking is Anne’s spiritual sister.…
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Episode 13: Dryads, Ghosts and Lily Maids: Anne’s Imagination
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Wherein our heroine invents ghosts and dryads, fairies and snow queens, and we discuss how her imaginings very likely saved her spirit. We talk about whether embellishments are the same as lies, which Romantic poets Anne was reading, and how Anne made Prince Edward Island iconic with her imaginative descriptions.…
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Episode 12: Red Hair and Puffed Sleeves: Anne’s Vanity
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New Year, New Anne! We discuss Anne’s preoccupation with her appearance – she’s perfect just the way she is and so are you, listener! – and why Marilla was so worried about Anne’s vanity. We discuss Victorian fashion as well as the terrible haircuts, skincare, and diets we tried in the name of vanity.…
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Episode 11: Gilbert Blythe, Everyone’s First Crush
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The podcast episode that is at least 20 years in the making . . . We gush about why Gilbert was our first imaginary boyfriend, what the heck was wrong with Anne, and contemporary successors to Gilbert’s true good guy prototype. We also discuss our year in reading and where we stand on the “rivals to lovers” trope.…
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It turns out that kids are kids even a century apart: opaque social hierarchies, dares gone wrong, mean-girl passive aggressive relationships, gossip and dramatics! We talk about Anne’s friends and their antics, what we all got wrong about The Lady Of Shalott and how we are coping with the holiday season.…
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Episode 9: Miss Josephine Barry, Rich Auntie Supreme
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Everyone knows that single, child-free, and mysteriously wealthy woman with immaculate clothes and a gorgeous home – and for Anne, it’s Diana’s Aunt Josephine! We tag along with Aunt Jo and the girls on a lavish trip to the big city and speculate about where her money came from. Bonus content includes Aunt Jo fan fic!…
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Upsets, accidents, and apologies – how do the adult ladies of Avonlea respond to Anne’s escapades, and what does that tell us about who Anne is becoming? We discuss busybodies, eating medicine flavored cake to be polite, and politics in Avonlea.By Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner
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Episode 7: Miss Stacy and Education
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How do you educate a whole village of children in one room? Why was Mr. Phillips such a creep and Miss Stacy so wonderful? We ask these questions and share some embarrassingly hilarious stories from our own school days in this episode.By Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner
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Do you love Matthew Cuthbert as much as we do? In this episode we celebrate this legend of gentle masculinity, and talk about how his capacity for unconditional love nourished and sustained Anne. Digressions include: why gifts are our favorite of the five love languages, fatherly pride, the delight of grubs in the cucumbers, and David Lynch.…
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What is a bosom friend, exactly? In this episode, we take on that question and talk all about the wonderful girl who became Anne’s dearest friend and most ardent supporter. Come for the raspberry cordial, stay for our thoughts on long-standing childhood friendships, Diana’s “dark side,” and whether Anne and Diana’s intimacy can be read as something…
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We start our series of character studies and dive deep into Marilla Cuthbert, her journey in non-traditional motherhood and how her sarcasm covers up her inner softness. We explore how Marilla's religion has shaped her parenting and give our own Marilla inspired recommendations!By Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner
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In this episode, Kelly and Ragon discuss the second half of the book, how Anne's hair dyeing incident affected them, and one of the saddest death's in children's literature.By Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner
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In Episode 2, Ragon and Kelly begin our plot recap of Anne of Green Gables, taking us through the first year of Anne's life in Avonlea, her many iconic scrapes and encounters, and share some "Inspired by Anne" recommendations!By Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner
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Welcome to Kindred Spirits Book Club! In this episode your hosts Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner introduce themselves, discuss why Anne of Green Gables is so influential in their lives, and talk about what makes a kindred spirit!By Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner
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