Hello libration nation! This week's book is The Gunslinger by Stephen King a dark twisted fantasy novel and the first book in King’s The Dark Tower series. It follows the journey of Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, as he traverses a desolate and mysterious landscape in pursuit of the enigmatic Man in Black. The story blends elements of fantasy, horror, and Western, exploring themes of destiny, obsession, and the nature of good and evil, as Roland confronts both external foes and his own inner demons on his quest to reach the Dark Tower, the nexus of all universes.

Guest

Bill Blume was determined to be a writer from a young age, often taking the lead in crafting adventures during childhood games in South Carolina. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, he worked as a TV news producer before transitioning to a dispatcher role for Henrico County Police in 2001. In Richmond, he and his wife became active in the local writing community, contributing to James River Writers, where he served on the board and continues to engage with fellow writers and industry professionals.He is the author of several books, and has an upcoming novel, To Hell and Back coming out January 20th, 2026.

Our drink this week was a Dark & Stormy, the perfect dark and spicy drink to pair with an anti-hero like Roland Deschain.

In This Episode

Sh*tty First Draft - Anne Lamott

George Lucas Star Wars changes

Original Gunslinger vs. Revised Edition

Shiver by Maggie Steifvater

James River Writers

Books by Stephen King

Battle of the Planets Series

Malinda Lo Books

NK Jemison Books

Erin Bowman Books

West of Apocalypse by Bill Blume

Richmond SPCA

Richmond Animal League

Sarah Glenn Marsh

This week’s book is Kindred by Octavia Butler, a time-traveling story about Dana, who goes back in time to ensure the survival of her ancestors: an enslaved woman named Alice and her enslaver, Rufus. This complicated yet entrancing narrative is multifaceted, and my guest this week, Alethea McCollin, and I had a great conversation about the ways Butler challenges her readers to think about the implications of our actions and how they shape the future.

Alethea McCollin is a multifaceted artist as a playwright, director, producer, actor, and founder of Orange Stilettos Productions, llc, known for her award-winning production of The Stilettos Monologues at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival. She has produced various works, including her play Renaming Shaim at Theatre Row, New York City, and directed her first short film, The Next Great Writer, showcased at the Virginia Screenwriters Forum. Additionally, Alethea serves as Executive Secretary on the Board of Directors of James River Writers and is an English instructor at Virginia State University.

Our drink this week is one of Alethea’s favorite’s: Blackberry Citrus Tea, which is perfect for sitting by the fire curling up with a good book!

In this Episode

Drinks in the Library Merch

Kindred by Octavia Butler

James River Writers

Virginia State UniversityBooks by Toni Morrison

Books by Gabrielle García Márquez

Books by Isabel Allende

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, an American Slave by Frederick Douglas

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Happy Thanksgiving! I’m taking the week to relax with family. Please enjoy the re-airing of this recording, which originally aired December 17, 2024.

Hello Libration Nation! This week we are discussing the classic series Animorphsby K.A. Applegate. Animorphs is a collection of 54 middle-grade books in which five young adults are gifted the power to morph into animals. It was a bit of a cult phenomenon when it was originally published in the late '90s and has recently seen a resurgence online.

My guest is Fiona Fenn. Fiona is an author of fantasy novels that put complicated “heroes” front and center. A fan of villains, redemption arcs, and intense explorations of healing in all its forms, her debut novel, The Crack at the Heart of Everything, is a love letter to every villain who wanted to do better but never got the chance.

I so enjoyed this conversation with Fiona, talking about the Animorphs series and her love for it, as well as her experience writing and publishing her first novel and everything that goes into this process.

Our drink this week is a Flying Saucer, as the Animorphs series begins with the kids meeting an alien who has flown to Earth

Flying Saucer Recipe (from Bevvy.com)

INGREDIENTS

1 oz Amaretto Di Saronno liqueur

1 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur

3 oz cream

3 oz ice

Combine in blender until smooth and creamy, serve with cinnamon stick for garnish!

In this Episode

Fiona Fenn’s Website

Buy The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn

Michael Grant Gone series

Tiny Fox Press

Animorphs Aloud

Queer Liberation Library

KA Applegate Website

Free Animorphs PDFs

Fiona Fenn’s Substack