41 episodes

Two sisters in conversation about books, how they change lives, enrich our communities and allow us to grow and evolve as people.

Sarah Ahmadi and Rebecca Budd

The Book Dialogue The Book Dialogue

    • Arts

Two sisters in conversation about books, how they change lives, enrich our communities and allow us to grow and evolve as people.

Sarah Ahmadi and Rebecca Budd

    Sarah’s Musings on Katherine Mansfield and her poem, “The Meeting”.

    Sarah’s Musings on Katherine Mansfield and her poem, “The Meeting”.

    S4 E13: Sarah’s Musings on Katherine Mansfield and her poem, “The Meeting”.



    The Meeting by Katherine Mansfield



    We started speaking,

    Looked at each other, then turned away.

    The tears kept rising to my eyes.

    But I could not weep.

    I wanted to take your hand

    But my hand trembled.

    You kept counting the days

    Before we should meet again.

    But both of us felt in our hearts

    That we parted for ever and ever.

    The ticking of the little clock filled the quiet room.

    "Listen," I said. "It is so loud,

    Like a horse galloping on a lonely road,

    As loud as a horse galloping past in the night."

    You shut me up in your arms.

    But the sound of the clock stifled our hearts' beating.

    You said, "I cannot go: all that is living of me

    Is here for ever and ever."

    Then you went.

    The world changed. The sound of the clock grew fainter,

    Dwindled away, became a minute thing.

    I whispered in the darkness. "If it stops, I shall die."



    Voice by Sarah Ahmadi

    Photography by Rebecca Budd

    Music by Sight of Wonders “A Shade of Steam” Epidemic Sound

    www.epidemicsound.com/track/eU5T5zuehK/

    • 4 min
    Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

    Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

    S4 E12: Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson


    Welcome to The Book Dialogue!

    Thank you for listening in!

    Sarah and Rebecca take you into the fascinating world of Thomas Erikson’s book, “Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior and How to Effectively Communicate with Each in Business (and in Life) “.

    Thomas Erikson is a communication expert and bestselling author. Surrounded by Idiots is a revolutionary book that delves into the challenges of understanding and connecting with different personality types. With over 1.5 million copies sold worldwide, this international phenomenon offers valuable insights and a practical method for improving communication.

    Erikson shares his personal experiences of a disastrous meeting with a successful entrepreneur who believed he was “surrounded by idiots.” This encounter prompted Erikson to embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries of human behavior and discover why we struggle to connect with certain individuals.

    Until next time we meet, keep reading and join us again for another book discussion on The Book Dialogue!

    Music by Mid Knight "Chilling in the Sun" Epidemic Soung
    https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Q4jNu5ml9Y/

    • 14 min
    The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

    The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

    S4 E11: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion


    Welcome to the Book Dialogue!

    Thank you for listening in!

    Join Sarah and Rebecca for a captivating discussion on “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion. In this thought-provoking book, Joan Didion takes us on a deeply personal journey through grief and loss, grappling with the sudden death of her husband and the grave illness of her daughter.



    Joan Didion’s courageous exploration of grief is compelling. She uses storytelling to highlight the universal nature of grief and the human instinct to find meaning in tragedy, drawing parallels and sharing anecdotes from her first year of living without her husband.



    “We are not idealized wild things.We are imperfect mortal beings, aware of that mortality even as we push it away, failed by our very complication, so wired that when we mourn our losses we also mourn, for better or for worse, ourselves. As we were. As we are no longer. As we will one day not be at all.” JOAN DIDION, THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING










    Music by Claude Signet "A Love That Once Belonged" Epidemic Sound

    https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/LheuAHImwW/

    • 15 min
    Learning French, Reading French

    Learning French, Reading French

    S4 E10: Learning French, Reading French


    Welcome to The Book Dialogue.

    Thank you for listening in!

    Join Sarah and Rebecca in a discussion of reading a book in a second language.

    Reading books in the language that they were written allows a reader to fully experience the author’s intended meaning and style. Translations can often lose the nuances and cultural references that are present in the original language.

    Sarah and Rebecca believe that learning a second language improves our language skills, provides a deeper connection to the author and subject matter, and enhances our understanding of the cultural and historical significance of the language.



    Music by Trabant 33 "Paris in Spring" Epidemic Sound

    https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/YkFrBEAsCj/

    • 13 min
    Metropolitan Stories: A Novel by Christine Coulson

    Metropolitan Stories: A Novel by Christine Coulson

    S4 E9: Metropolitan Stories: A Novel by Christine Coulson




    Thank you for listening in!

    Today, Rebecca will be sharing her thoughts on Metropolitan Stories: A Novel by Christine Coulson


    Metropolitan Stories: A Novel by Christine Coulson is a captivating read that will transport you into the world of the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art. The author’s background working at the museum comes through in the vivid imagery and whimsical characters. The stories are interconnected and provide glimpses into the museum’s history and culture. Christine Coulson’s writing style is elegant and atmospheric, creating a rich and immersive reading experience. Overall, this novel is highly recommended to anyone who loves art, history, or simply a good story.

    Rebecca has it on her “to read again” stack of books.

    We would love to hear your thoughts.

    Thank you for joining us on The Book Dialogue.

    Sarah & Rebecca


    Music by Epidemic Sound:


    L.M. Styles "Wait on You (Instrumental Version)" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/KDFiOzAlqs/

    Bonne Fields "Mother's Mother" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/KAc5WqxiZE/

    • 16 min
    Books, Movies and Perceptions

    Books, Movies and Perceptions

    S4 E8: Books, Movies and Perceptions


    Welcome to The Book Dialogue!

    Thank you for listening in!

    In today's episode, Sarah and Rebecca discuss the influence of the books we read, the movies we watch, and the stories we hear.

    This conversation explores the relationship between books and movies and how they shape our perceptions of the world around us. So sit back, relax and become involved in the discussion.


    Music by The Fly Guy Five "Extra Fries" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/LFmOjKTPLo/

    • 11 min

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