S4 E3: The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

Italian landscape and the warmth of friendship.

“The Enchanted April”, a novel written by Elizabeth von Arnim, tells the story of four women from different walks of life who rent a villa in Italy for a month in an attempt to escape their mundane lives. The novel follows the women as they explore the beauty of their surroundings, learn to appreciate the simple things in life, and find joy in the company of each other.

Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim – The Book Dialogue

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

Through their journey, the women gain a newfound appreciation for life and friendship, and ultimately find a sense of peace and contentment. The Enchanted April is a story of self-discovery and the power of friendship. It is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by readers for generations.

Rebecca shares her thoughts The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Armin

S4 E2 Ultralearning by Scott H. Young

“Learning, at its core, is a broadening of horizons, of seeing things that were previously invisible and of recognizing capabilities within yourself that you didn’t know existed”

Scott H. Young, Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career

In Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career, Scott H. Young outlines his essential guide to future-proofing your career and maximizing your competitive advantage through self-education. He shares powerful strategies to break out of mental ruts, introduces new training methods to help you push through to higher levels of retention and documents the methods he and others have used to acquire knowledge. With ultralearning, you can become fluent in multiple languages, earn the equivalent of a college degree in a fraction of the time, or master multiple tools to build a product or business from the ground up.

Sarah shares her thoughts on Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career by Scott H. Young.

Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career by Scott H. Young – The Book Dialogue

S4 E1: Welcome to Season 4 of The Book Dialogue

Happy New Year from The Book Dialogue

As we enter 2023, we are grateful for all the amazing books we have had the chance to share and discuss with you, our listeners. We thank you for adding to the conversations of 2022 and look forward to many more coming in the new year.

Reading books expands our vocabulary, improves communication skills, builds resilience, reduces stress, and slows age-related cognitive decline. Reading increases empathy for others, stimulates our imagination, and reinforces memory. Reading provides entertainment and pleasure, as well as knowledge and information. Dave Astor says in best in his book, Fascinating Facts

“Literature can send our minds to another time and place, allowing us to forget our lives and troubles for a few precious hours. It can educate us about history, open our minds, increase our empathy, make us think, give us things to converse about, and/or provide plenty of excitement along with the escapism.” Dave Astor

Talking about books deepens our understanding of the text and the characters.  Sharing ideas stimulates creativity and encourages critical thinking. When we discuss books, we expand our knowledge when we encounter new perspectives and insights.  Best of all, contributing to book conversations strengthens relationships and fosters meaningful connections with others.

This is your invitation to join us on The Book Dialogue!

Our podcast is the perfect place for readers and book lovers to share their thoughts and ideas about books. Join us for lively and engaging book conversations, featuring a variety of genres, authors, and topics.

 Welcome to Season 4 of The Book Dialogue! We look forward to discussing books with you!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2023!

Sarah & Rebecca

Sarah & Rebecca

Welcome to Season 4 of The Book Dialogue – The Book Dialogue

S3 E13: Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Christmas Bells

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

This poem is in the public domain.

Thank you for joining us on The Book Dialogue in 2022. We look forward to entering Season 4 in 2023 and sharing the joy and adventure of reading.

All the very best of this festive season to you and yours.

Sarah & Rebecca

Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – The Book Dialogue

S3 E13: Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play,     And wild and sweet     The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom     Had rolled along     The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day,     A voice, a chime,     A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South,     And with the sound     The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent,     And made forlorn     The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said;     "For hate is strong,     And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;     The Wrong shall fail,     The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men." This poem is in the public domain. Thank you for joining us on The Book Dialogue in 2022. We look forward to entering Season 4 in 2023 and sharing the joy and adventure of reading. All the very best of this festive season to you and yours. Sarah & Rebecca Recitation by Sarah Ahmadi and Rebecca Budd Music by Howard Harper-Barnes “My Only Wish is Love” #EpidemicSound https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/zoCeMwvHLN/

S3 E12: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

Sarah shares her thoughts on “Silent Spring by Rachel Carson.

“Silent Spring inspired the modern environmental movement, which began in earnest a decade later. It is recognized as the environmental text that “changed the world.” She aimed at igniting a democratic activist movement that would not only question the direction of science and technology but would also demand answers and accountability. Rachel Carson was a prophetic voice and her “witness for nature” is even more relevant and needed if our planet is to survive into a 22nd century.” RachelCarson.org

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

““We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost’s familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road — the one less traveled by — offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth.”

Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim – The Book Dialogue

S3 E11 Fascinating Facts About Famous Fiction Authors and the Greatest Novels of All Time: The Book Lover’s Guide to Literary Trivia

Rebecca shares her thoughts on, “Fascinating Facts About Famous Fiction Authors and the Greatest Novels of All Time: The Book Lover’s Guide to Literary Trivia” by Dave Astor

“Literature can send our minds to another time and place, allowing us to forget our lives and troubles for a few precious hours. It can educate us about history, open our minds, increase our empathy, make us think, give us things to converse about, and/or provide plenty of excitement along with the escapism.” Dave Astor

Click on the Photograph below to read a sample!

Dave Astor and Fascinating Facts – The Book Dialogue