Once upon a time…Cinderella wore a six-inch stiletto heel and the position of her fairy godmother was filled by a small roid-raging bird. It’s true! In week two of Folk & Fairy Tale Month, Jon and Candice discuss the various stories within The Revenge & Reward of Neglected Daughters collection (or as most audiences know it to be: Cinderella). Join them as they discover the underlying themes, symbols, and oftentimes humor that can be found within these stories.As always, listener discretion is advised.

Once upon a time…Sleeping Beauty gave birth during her slumber and had an ogre for a mother-in-law. It’s true! March is Folk & Fairy Tale Month at Cracking Spines and today Jon and Candice will kick things off with The Fruitful Sleep (or as most audiences now call it: Sleeping Beauty). Join them as they discuss three different versions of this story, the symbols and themes that run throughout, and the shocking differences from the Disney version we all grew up with. As always, listener discretion is advised.  (TW: Sexual assault is discussed)

This week, Jon & Candice crack open Stephen King’s Misery and climb inside the minds of writer Paul Sheldon and ‘nurse’ Annie Wilkes. Despite her age and stature, the unpredictable Annie is arguably one of the more formidable villains in King’s repertoire. Tune in as Jon & Candice surprise even themselves as they uncover the themes driving the underlying fear of this story.As always, listener discretion is advised.  (TW: Addiction and violence are discussed)

STEP RIGHT UP, FOLKS! On display this week, in all their horror and glory, are the compelling oddities of the Binewski family. A National Book Award Finalist, as well as a cult classic in the city of Portland, Geek Love tells the story of this traveling carny family and the cultish following they inspire. Join Jon & Candice as they discuss the themes and symbols that run throughout this circus of a book. Listener discretion is advised.

This week’s book up for dissection and discussion is Bryn Greenwood’s All the Ugly & Wonderful Things. A New York Times Bestseller heralded as, “a beautiful and provocative love story,” this story follows the child of a meth dealer, as she develops an unbreakable bond with a thug who possesses a heart of gold. Tune in to hear Jon & Candice’s thoughts and if they find Ms. Greenwood’s book to be movingly wonderful, or just a hot mess of ugly.