Kindred Spirits Book Club

Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner
  • 4.9 (79)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

  1. MAR 20

    Susan Baker: Loyalty and Main Character Energy

    Susan Baker, the unsung heroine of Rilla of Ingleside, gets her due in today's episode. Dr. Kate Scarth of the University of Prince Edward Island and the L.M. Montgomery Institute joins Ragon and Kelly to chat about Ingleside's faithful, fearless housekeeper, and how Susan's domestic skills and homely philosophies support Rilla and the Blythes during The Great War. Kate also shares biographical information about Montgomery's own reactions to the war, and how those views came to life in this novel. Want to hear more from our awesome guest, Kate Scarth?   Her Audible book is The Life and Works of L.M. Montgomery , a great listen!  Her book Romantic Suburbs comes out on April 21, 2026.  You can find her on Instagram or at The L.M. Montgomery Institute.  Registration for the 2026 L.M. Montgomery Conference is now open so come join us there! Inspired by: Kelly is inspired by the  University of Guelph digital exhibit about life on the Canadian home front in the context of Rilla of Ingleside. There’s a great section about Susan specifically!   Ragon is inspired by her favorite recipe blog, Smitten Kitchen and her newest cookbook, Smitten Kitchen Keepers.   Kate is inspired by a recipe for Monkey Face Cookies and by the book Irish Chain by Barbara Haworth-Attard. You can support the pod by shopping through our Bookshop link for any books we’ve recommended!   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 media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram.

    1h 25m

  2. MAR 6

    Prophecy, Providence and Public Opinion in Rilla of Ingleside

    Kelly and Ragon are diving into prophecy, patriotism, and porch-debate energy in Rilla of Ingleside. From Miss Oliver’s eerie dreams to Norman Douglas’s keyboard-warrior vibes, we unpack all the different ways the Glen justifies — and questions — the war. Is it fate? A moral necessity? A cosmic inevitability? As we start wrapping up our Rilla season, we zoom out to listen to the full chorus of opinions shaping wartime life at Ingleside. Inspired by: Kelly is inspired by Heated Rivalry!  Whether you watch the show on HBO/Crave or read the book by Rachel Reid, enjoy some fun, romantic, spicy distraction.  Kelly especially recommends the third book in the series, Tough Guy, for some Anne of Green Gables references! Ragon is inspired by the game, Let's Hit Each Other With Fake Swords for some silly family fun. You can support the pod by shopping through our Bookshop link for any books we’ve recommended!   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 media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram.

    1h 17m

  3. FEB 20

    The Girls of Glen St. Mary: Part 2

    Our fascinating discussion with Dr. Andrea McKenzie continues in this episode. We returned to making connections between living through war and living through the Covid-19 pandemic. We discussed the extraordinary Red Cross and nursing work taken on by the young women of Rilla of Ingleside, and Andrea teaches us about what would have happened to the young women who took on so many new roles during the war once the men returned home.  If you want even more of Andrea’s expertise, check out the absolute goldmine of information on the L.M. Montgomery Readathon Facebook Page.   Inspired by: Kelly is inspired by the Red Cross and recommends donating to either the International Red Cross or your national chapter like the American Red Cross or the Canadian Red Cross. Ragon is inspired by the war-time fantasy duology Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross.  Andrea is inspired by the community care in Rilla of Ingleside and recommends finding community in your area! You can support the pod by shopping through our Bookshop link for any books we’ve recommended!   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 media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram.

    51 min

  4. FEB 6

    The Girls of Glen St. Mary: Part 1

    What were Faith Meredith, Nan and Di Blythe and Mary Vance doing while Rilla was raising a war baby and running the Junior Reds?  We get some expert knowledge from Dr. Andrea McKenzie as she  joins the Kindred Spirits to discuss the remarkable young women of Rilla of Ingleside, and the causes they took up to support a nation at war.  We are discussing the parallels between the homefront experience of WWI and our own experiences of Covid-19 and how Andrea’s founding of the L.M. Montgomery Readathon on Facebook during lockdown became a runaway hit.  We learned so much from Andrea about that we couldn’t bear to cut our conversation short, so this is only Part 1! Stay tuned for Part 2! If you want even more of Andrea’s expertise, check out the absolute goldmine of information on the L.M. Montgomery Readathon Facebook Page.   You can support the pod by shopping through our Bookshop link for any books we’ve recommended!   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 media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram.

    1h 4m

  5. JAN 23

    Anne Of A Different Island Author Talk with Virginia Kantra

    New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra joins the Kindred Spirits today to discuss her new book, Anne of a Different Island. We talk Anne of Green Gables, adaptation vs. homage, and idyllic summers on Mackinac Island. With digressions covering everything from book bans to ADHD representation to the inspiring power of Jonathan Crombie, this is a discussion you won’t want to miss. Want more from Virginia Kantra? You can find her on her website, on instagram, on Facebook or on her substack.  And of course you can find Anne of a Different Island anywhere you buy books, but especially at the KSBC bookshop.   Inspired by: Ragon is inspired by the candy shop in Anne of Different Island and recommends the Smitten Kitchen Apple Cider Caramels to make at home.   Virginia is also inspired by that candy shop and her substack offers a Chocolate Fudge Cookie Recipe created just to celebrate the book by her amazing husband!   Kelly is inspired by the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for summer vacation! You can support the pod by shopping through our Bookshop link for any books we’ve recommended!   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 media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram.

    53 min

  6. JAN 9

    Walter Blythe: Conscience and Courage

    Walter Blythe stands as the moral conscience of Rilla of Ingleside. In this episode, Dr. Corey McEleney joins us to examine Walter’s transformation from a conflict-averse college student into a celebrated war hero, and how his empathetic reflections on war allowed L.M. Montgomery to to wrestle with her own doubts. We also turn to WWI battlefield poetry, tracing its evolution from  patriotic fervor to some of the most searing critiques of the war. The poems mentioned or discussed by Corey McEleney are here: In Flanders Fields by John McCrae The Poet As Hero by Siegfried Sassoon Glory of Women by Siegfried Sassoon They by Siegfried Sassoon The General by Siegfried Sassoon Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen You can find more about Corey McEleney at Fordham University. Inspired by: Corey is inspired by the novel Regeneration by Pat Barker for a fictionalized account of the WWI poet/soldier Siegried Sassoon. Kelly is inspired by the movie 1917 directed by Sam Mendes for a realistic portrayal of WWI inspired by Sam Mendes’ own grandfather. Ragon is inspired by the novel The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow for a fantastical time travel love story that’s also a reflection on war, heroism and propaganda. You can support the pod by shopping through our Bookshop link for any books we’ve recommended!   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 media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram.

    1h 27m

  7. 12/26/2025

    Jem Blythe: Chivalry and Devotion

    Youthful idealism, the horror of war, the power of propaganda, and the unbreakable bond between a young man and his faithful dog – that’s right, we are discussing brave Jem Blythe and loyal Dog Monday on Kindred Spirits Book Club. And because it’s the perfect time of year to do it, we also tell the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914. We can’t promise you won’t cry, but we are here for you with tissues!  Inspired by: Kelly is inspired by some incredible fanfic that imagines some of the letters the older Blythes write to each other throughout the war.  It’s called Dispatches by elizasky over on Archive Of Our Own.  And, you guys, it’s so good. Ragon is inspired by Doctors Without Borders and International Rescue Committee, both organizations that help victims of wars and disasters. You can support the pod by shopping through our Bookshop link for any books we’ve recommended!   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 media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram.

    1h 13m

  8. 12/12/2025

    Anne and Gilbert: Parenting and Perseverence

    Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe are a love story for the ages, but what does that love story look like 24 years later? Today's episode is all about the challenges of parenting teen and young adult children in a time of crisis, and Anne and Gilbert's shared commitment to their values and to each other. Digressions include a Muppet Anne of Green Gables and our foolproof holiday gifts.   Inspired by: Ragon is inspired by the parenting books The Emotional Lives of Teenagers by Lisa Damour and Hello Cruel World by Melinda Wenner Moyer.  And for teen approved holiday gifts, her daughter and friends recommend super fuzzy blankets and oversized sweatshirts. Kelly is inspired by the party game, Wavelength and for some holiday spirit she recommends helping others by adopting a family in need through a local organization or doing an Angel Tree gift in your community.   You can support the pod by shopping through our Bookshop link for any books we’ve recommended!   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 media!  Send us a photo of your share or review at either our email: kindredspirits.bookclub@gmail.com or on our KindredSpirits.BookClub Instagram.

    1h 16m
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4.9
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Kindred Spirits Book Club

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