Russell Reads with the Rach(a)els

Russell Carter, Rachel Timm, Rachael Miller
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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.

  1. 5d ago

    What Did I Just Read? [October Challenge 2026]

    Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the October Reading Challenge, books with a surprising or thrilling twist. No spoilers! Choose Your Own Library Adventure: (OR CHOOSE BOTH!) Register for our Board Game Series to survive the “House of Danger”. Catch “The Mousetrap” at Smokestack Theatre Company October 2-4. Books/Authors we discuss include: “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart“The Wife Between Us” by Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen“Verity” by Coleen Hoover“Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke“Remain” by Nicholas Sparks, M. Night Shyamalan“Goosebumps” series by R.L. Stine“Monsterstreet” series by J.H. Reynolds“The Everlasting” by Alix E.Harrow“Japanese Gothic” by Kylie Lee Baker“Monster in the Moonlight” by Annelise Ryan“House of Danger: A Choose Your Own Adventure Book” by R.A. Montgomery“The Mousetrap: A Play” by Agatha Christie“If Something Happens To Me” by Alex Finlay“Zoo” by James Patterson“The Girl Behind the Red Rope” by Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker

  2. Sep 15

    The One with the Dog-Eared Dude [Special Guest Star Josh Cassell]

    Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Josh Cassell, the Dog-Eared Dude, co-owner and social media icon for The Dog-Eared Page bookshop. We discuss all the genres from classics to sci fi to classic sci fi. Visit the Dude himself at The Dog-Eared Page or catch him in “The Mousetrap” at Smokestack Theatre Company opening Thursday, September 24. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen“Up on Cove Mountain: Adventure, Tragedy, and a Quest for Meaning on the Appalachian Trail” by Earl Swift“Tusk Love” by Thea GuanzonFear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream” by Hunter S. Thompson, Illustrations Ralph Steadman“Bobiverse” series by Dennis E. Taylor“Dungeon Crawler Carl” series by Matt Dinnaman“Red Rising Saga” series by Pierce Brown“Catch-22” by Joseph Heller“Swamp thing” series by Alan Moor, Scott Snyder and more“Dungeon Crawler Carl” series by Matt Dinnaman“Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams“Silo” series by Hugh Howey“The Murderbot Diaries” by Martha Wells“The Walking Dead” series by Robert Kirkman, Illustrations Tony Moore“Dungeon Crawler Carl” series by Matt DinnamanDavid BaldacciDan Brown“Dungeon Crawler Carl” series by Matt Dinnaman“The Wandering Inn” series by Pirateaba“Discount Dan's Backroom Bargains” series by James A. Hunter“Dungeon Crawler Carl” series by Matt Dinnaman

  3. Sep 1

    Banned Camp [September Challenge 2026]

    Hop in, we're going to Banned Camp! In our September 1 episode, Russell and the Rach(a)els discuss books that have been challenged in the past 10 years and some of the reasons why those books have drawn attention. We discuss the importance of using your library, the way books can serve as a window into other experiences, and the rich internal lives of children. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Ban This Book” by Alan Gratz“Turtles All The Way Down” by John Green“Drama” by Raina Telgemeier“The Prince and the Dressmaker” by Jen Wang“This One Summer” by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki“Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds“Crank” by Ellen Hopkins“Sold” by Patricia McCormick“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky“Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe“Milo Imagines the World” by Matt de la Peña

  4. Aug 15

    Hobbit Day is Around the Corner [Special Guest Emily Campbell]

    Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Emily Campbell, Community Events Coordinator for Danville Parks and Recreation. We discuss the meaningful companionship of books, the simple joy of reading children’s literature, and the importance of whimsy in all stages of life. Books/Authors we discuss include: “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper“The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien“The Twilight Saga” series by Stephanie Meyer“The Guardians” series by William JoyceLewis Carrol“Kon-Tiki” by Thor Heyerdahl“The Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins“Into the Wild” and others by Jon Krakauer“Star Wars: The Dark Lord Trilogy” by James Luceno, Matthew Woodring Stover“Splinter of the Mind’s Eye” by Alan Dean Foster“Tress of the Emerald Sea” and others by Brandon Sanderson“The Chronicles of Narnia” and others by C.S. Lewis“The Kane Chronicles” series by Rick Riordan“Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” by Annie Dillard“Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi“Impossible Creatures” series by Katherine Rundell“Janitors” series by Tyler Whitesides **Join us for “There and Back Again: A Hobbit Day Celebration” at Riverfront Park on Tuesday, September 22 from 5:30-6:30PM. Register here!

  5. Aug 1

    Saved by the Bell [August Challenge 2026]

    Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the August Reading Challenge, Saved by the Bell, reading books about a teacher or set in a school. We discuss a wide variety of genres through all age groups and explore the many nostalgic sensations associated with the back to school season. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Matilda” by Roald Dahl“The Fourth Stall” by Chris Rylander“Janitors” by Tyler Whitesides“Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir“My Teacher Is an Alien” by Bruce Coville“Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow” by Jessica Townsend“Educated” by Tara Westover“The Stranger Diaries” by Elly Griffiths“The Magicians” by Lev Grossman“A Deadly Education” by Naomi Novik“The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood“Girl Dinner” by Olivie Blake“The Secret History” by Donna Tartt“Dead Poets Society” by N.H. Kleinbaum“A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest J. Gaines“Under the Bayou Moon” by Valerie Fraser Luesse

  6. Jul 16

    Romantasy and Chaos Goblins [Special Guest Amber Pilkin]

    Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Amber Pilkin, Information Specialist at Danville Public Library and cofounder of Khaos Legacy Tabletop Gaming. We discuss the many reading moments of our lives, from romantasy to lady knights to sprayed edges and beyond. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Morrigan’s Cross” by Nora Roberts“Moonfall” series by Sarah A. Parker“Yumi and the Nightmare Painter” by Brandon Sanderson“The Lord of the Rings” series by J.R.R. Tolkien“It” by Stephen King“The Second Death of Locke” by V.L. Bovalino“The Everlasting” by Alix E. Harrow“Dawn” by Octavia Butler“The Lamb” by Lucy Rose“Arlo Finch” series by John August“Claus: Legend of the Fat Man” by Tony Bertauski“Cryptid chronicles: Mothman” by Cristin Bishara“Tusk Love” by Thea Guanzon

  7. Jul 1

    Virginia is for Readers [July Challenge 2026]

    Russell, Rachael, and Rachel discuss the July Reading Challenge, Virginia Is for Readers, reading books set in Virginia, by a Virginia author, or perhaps by an author named Virginia. We discuss the rich history of Virginia, the beauty of reading about tough topics, and of course, vampires. Books/Authors we discuss include: “A Princess of Mars” by Edgar Rice Burroughs“The Red Badge of Courage” by Stephen Crane“Big Stone Gap” by Adriana Trigiani“Bearskin” by James A. McLaughlinS.A. Cosby “The Jackal’s Mistress” by Chris Bohjalian“The Awakening” by L.J. Smith“Blood on the River” by Elisa Carbone“Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson“My Monticello” by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson“Children of the Wild” by Kevin Powers“The Book Club for Troublesome Women” by Marie Bostwick“Mrs. Murphy” series by Sneaky Pie Brown & Rita Mae BrownExtras: Jenna Elfman starred as Iva Lou, book mobile librarian, in Big Stone Gap (2015). Read more about her visit to my friends’ bookstore here.Locals in Crozet, Virginia do pronounce it Cro-zay, the French way, in honor of Colonel Claudius Crozet, the civil engineer who directed the construction of the Blue Ridge Tunnel.

  8. Jun 15

    Cozy Up to a Good Mystery [Guest Star Lori Merricks]

    Russell, Rachel, and Rachael chat with our guest Lori Merricks, Director of Marketing and Communications at Danville Regional Foundation. We discuss the simple pleasure of little golden books, the joys of a good cozy culinary mystery, and why sometimes you need a spreadsheet to keep up with all your reading. Books/Authors we discuss include: “Little House” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder“Fudge” series by Judy Blume“The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper“Elephant and Piggie” series by Mo Willems“Charlie & Lola” series by Lauren Child“Curious George” series by H.A. Rey, Margaret Rey“Secret, Book, & Scone Society” series by Ellery Adams“Library Lover’s Mystery” series by Jenn McKinlay“Bibliophile Mystery” series by Kate Carlisle“Monster Hunter” series by Annelise Ryan“‘Til Death” by Jason Anspach“Father Brown” series by G.K. Chesterton“Chief Inspector Armand Gamache” series by Louise Penny“Flavia de Luce” series by Alan Bradley“Golden Girls Cozy Mystery” series by Rachel Ekstrom Courage“Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens“Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maude Montgomery“Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes” by Edith Hamilton“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series by Rick Riordan“Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke“Bearskin” by James A. McLaughlin

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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Russell Carter, Rachel Timm, Rachael Miller
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Russell Reads with the Rach(a)els
  • Show Website
    Russell Reads with the Rach(a)els