S7 E1: The Launch of the Letters to Vincent PodcastWelcome to The Book Dialogue!In this special episode, we open the first letter in a new series that invites quiet contemplation and creative connection: Letters to Vincent. Inspired by the life and art of Vincent van Gogh, this project uses his profound, deeply emotional paintings as a form of meditation—a visual gateway to introspection, beauty, and the enduring human spirit.This journey begins not alone, but together. We have come together in the launch of “Letters to Vincent” to reflect on Vincent’s world and open the door to a new way of reading, seeing, and feeling. Through these letters, we step into the colours and textures of Vincent’s canvases and ask: What would we say to him now? And what might he be saying to us?Join us as we begin Letters to Vincent, a shared meditation across time, guided by brushstrokes and spirit.Thank you for joining us on The Book Dialogue. We are so pleased that you are here!Sarah and RebeccaMusic by Epidemic SoundFriend of Mine By Johannes Bornlöfhttps://www.epidemicsound.com/track/W63NlXY6F3/

S6 E10: Into the Unknown: A Book Dialogue on Mystery, Wilderness, and WonderFeaturing “The Whisper on the Night Wind” by Adam Shoalts and “In the Valleys of the Noble Beyond” by John ZadaWhat draws us into the forest, beyond the last known path? Why do we seek the places where maps grow vague and stories grow strange?In this episode of The Book Dialogue, we delve into two compelling narratives that explore our human longing for the unknown: Adam Shoalts’s The Whisper on the Night Wind, a chilling true tale of an eerie legend deep in Labrador’s wilds, and John Zada’s In the Valleys of the Noble Beyond, an evocative exploration of the Sasquatch mystery in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.At the heart of both books lies a profound question: Do we need the unexplained in our lives? Might mystery itself be a kind of nourishment for the imagination—and a compass for the soul?Join us as we journey through landscapes where myth and reality blur, where silence is thick with possibility, and where the search for truth often reveals more about ourselves than the world we wander.Sarah and RebeccaMusic by Epidemic SoundForest Trekking By Adriel Fair https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/M...

S6 E9: Faster: The Acceleration of Just About Everything by James GleickWelcome to The Book Dialogue, where thoughtful reading meets lively conversation.In this episode, we dive into Faster: The Acceleration of Just About Everything by James Gleick, bestselling author of Genius and Chaos. With his signature wit and clarity, Gleick invites us to explore what it means to live in an age defined by speed.“When every moment is measured, time seems to vanish.” James Gleick, FasterWe’ve entered what he calls the “epoch of the nanosecond”—a world where time-saving devices multiply and yet somehow, we feel we have less and less time. Hurry sickness, microwave moments, and the quiet erosion of simple pleasures all come under the microscope.Sarah brings her brilliant perspective to this conversation, offering a thoughtful lens on how Gleick’s insights connect to our everyday lives—how we eat, relate, love, and slow down (or don’t).Whether you’ve read Faster or are simply feeling the rush of modern life, we invite you to pause with us for a while. Take a deep breath, settle in, and listen. The pace may be accelerating, but here, reflection still matters.It seems that we are in a rush without knowing why—saving seconds only to lose whole seasons.Thank you for listening in,Sarah and RebeccaMusic by Epidemic SoundSolitude in Motion By Golden Age Radiohttps://www.epidemicsound.com/track/L1wFapK56R/

S6 E8: Celebrating Helen Hoyt: A Summer Conversation between Sarah and RebeccaIt was a golden afternoon in the heart of summer when we met to celebrate a quiet but powerful voice in American poetry—Helen Hoyt. As sisters and co-hosts of The Book Dialogue, we’ve often found ourselves drawn to poets who speak across time, whose words seem to reach out and take our hands. Helen Hoyt is one of those voices.Our connection began months earlier on Rebecca’s Reading Room, where we recorded a joint recitation of Annunciation—a poem that shimmered with quiet awe and grace. That reading opened a door into Helen’s poetic world, one marked by restraint, dignity, and deep interior vision.What followed was something we never expected.Rebecca received a handwritten letter from Helen Hoyt’s granddaughter, Lulii Lyman, who had listened to our reading. Enclosed with her note was a rare copy of A Girl in the City, a collection of Hoyt’s poems written between 1912 and 1919 during her years in Chicago, and published decades later in 1970. Lulii’s words have stayed with us.“Rebecca, I know my Grandmother would love for you to have one of her poetry books. She would also appreciate that you have kept her name and writings alive. Love, Lulii.”That generous act became the seed of a new conversation. On a sunlit day, we gathered again—this time to read Ellis Park, one of the poems from A Girl in the City. It was a deeply personal moment for Rebecca. She was living in Edmonton at the same age Helen was when she wrote this poem, and she found herself walking the same emotional terrain described in the poem. Helen’s voice, so clear and interior, mirrored feelings Remember remembered from that time in her life.Our conversation, captured in this latest episode of The Book Dialogue, is not only about poetry—it’s about memory, legacy, and the invisible threads that connect us across generations and geography.This post marks the beginning of a new series where we’ll continue to explore Helen Hoyt’s work. Through her poems, we are reminded that even quiet voices carry forward, shaping lives and lighting paths long after they are written.Stay tuned for more reflections and episodes. We are honoured to walk alongside Helen Hoyt’s voice, one poem at a time.Ellis ParkLittle park that I pass through,I carry off a piece of youEvery morning hurrying downTo my work-day in the town;Carry you for country thereTo make the city ways more fair.I take your trees,And your breeze,Your greenness,Your cleanness,Some of your shade, some of your sky,Some of your calm as I go by;Your flowers to trimThe pavements grim;Your space for room in the jostled streetAnd grass for carpet to my feet.Your fountains take and sweet bird callsTo sing me from my office walls.All that I can seeI carry off with me.But you never miss my theft,So much treasure you have left.As I find you, fresh at morning,So I find you, home returning —Nothing lacking from your grace.All your riches wait in placeFor me to borrowOn the morrow.Do you hear this praise of you,Little park that I pass through?Sarah & RebeccaMusic by Epidemic SoundOur New Home By Sleeping Vineshttps://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ReJuTi457q/Smell of Morning Coffee By Franz Gordon https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/f1gXJ8DevC/

S6 E7: Sarah and Rebecca on Exploring the Depths of PoetryWelcome to another episode of The Book Dialogue Podcast!Poetry, with its rhythmic cadences and vivid imagery, speaks to the very essence of human experience. It captures our joys, sorrows, hopes, and dreams. When we read poetic words, we are moving beyond absorbing text. We are being energized by a melody of emotions, a symphony of thoughts that resonate deep within our souls.Join us as we share two favorite poems and explore the layers of meaning that make poetry a captivating force in our lives. From the delicate whispers of nature to the loud echoes of our inner battles, poetry weaves the fabric of our shared human story. How easy it is to get lost in the beauty and depth that poetic words provide. In so doing, we find a little piece of ourselves along the way.Sarah & RebeccaA Grain of Sandby Robert W ServiceIf starry space no limit knows And sun succeeds to sun,There is no reason to suppose Our earth the only one.‘Mid countless constellations cast A million worlds may be,With each a God to bless or blast And steer to destiny.Just think! A million gods or so To guide each vital stream,With over all to boss the show A Deity supreme.Such magnitudes oppress my mind; From cosmic space it swings;So ultimately glad to find Relief in little things.For look! Within my hollow hand, While round the earth careens,I hold a single grain of sand And wonder what it means.Ah! If I had the eyes to see, And brain to understand,I think Life’s mystery might be Solved in this grain of sand.April Songby Sara TeasdaleWillow in your April gownDelicate and gleaming,Do you mind in years gone byAll my dreaming?Spring was like a call to meThat I could not answer,I was chained to loneliness,I, the dancer.Willow, twinkling in the sun,Still your leaves and hear me,I can answer spring at last,Love is near me!Music by Epidemic Sound“In This Moment” by Gavin Luke https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/dzkDVIYmbC/“We Live On” by Gavin Lukehttps://www.epidemicsound.com/track/etnNrkEl7I/

S6 E6: Embrace the Magic: Why Fantasy Literature Inspires UsWelcome to our latest discussion on The Book Dialogue where we dive into the enchanting world of fantasy! From mystical realms filled with dragons and wizards to epic quests that captivate the imagination, fantasy literature and media have a remarkable way of transporting us to extraordinary places.Reading fantasy offers a unique escape from reality, allowing us to venture into worlds where the impossible becomes possible. This genre stimulates our imagination, encouraging creativity and critical thinking as we navigate complex narratives filled with rich characters and intricate storylines. Fantasy often addresses universal themes such as good versus evil, friendship, and personal growth, which resonate deeply with our own experiences and struggles. By immersing ourselves in fantastical tales, we not only find solace and adventure but also gain new perspectives on our lives and the world around us. In the end, fantasy literature expands our understanding of what it means to be human, making it a vital addition to our reading repertoire.Thank you for joining us on The Book Dialogue,Sarah and Rebecca“Faërie contains many things besides elves and fays, and besides dwarfs, witches, trolls, giants, or dragons; it holds the seas, the sun, the moon, the sky; and the earth, and all things that are in it: tree and bird, water and stone, wine and bread, and ourselves, mortal men, when we are enchanted.” J.R.R. TOLKIEN, TOLKIEN ON FAIRY-STORIESMusic by Epidemic SoundReunited We'll Prevail By Kikoruhttps://www.epidemicsound.com/track/GP9JmaEeQ3/

S6 E5: Sarah and Rebecca are in the StudioWelcome to The Book Dialogue Video Podcast!We are thrilled to welcome you to The Book Dialogue “Studio”. We are now embracing a vibrant new chapter as we launch our video podcast series! This initiative enhances our commitment to bringing you deeper insights into the world of literature.In each episode, we will explore the pages of our favourite books and engage in meaningful conversations about our reading adventures. Our hope is to illuminate the unique perspectives that make books a profound part of our lives.Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to our community, we invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the visual journey as we celebrate the power of books. Thank you for tuning in to The Book Dialogue podcast, where every book tells a story, and every dialogue opens new horizons!Sarah and RebeccaMusic by Epidemic SoundWe Need Air By Sleeping Vineshttps://www.epidemicsound.com/track/8Bbwx1vMdK/

S6 E4: Reading Helen Hoyt, Poet and VisionarySarah and Rebecca invite you to join them as they explore the poetry of Helen Hoyt through her poem Annunciation.Poet Helen Hoyt (1887-1972), born in Norwalk, Connecticut, was the daughter of former Pennsylvania governor Henry Hoyt.  Educated at Barnard College, she lived in Chicago and worked as an associate editor for Poetry.  In 1916, she edited an issue of Others: A Magazine of the New Verse, an American literary magazine founded by Alfred Kreymborg in July 1915. As editor of the 1916 issue, Hoyt addressed her interest in poetry as a space for women’s voices: “At present most of what we know, or think we know, of women has been found out by men. We have yet to hear what woman will tell of herself, and where can she tell more intimately than in poetry?”Helen Hoyt‘s poetry spoke of gender, the body, and nature. She married William Whittingham Lyman Jr, a writer and academic, primarily in the field of Celtic studies, and moved to St. Helena, California, where she spent her later years. She was the aunt of poet Elinor (Hoyt) Wylie who wrote “Velvet Shoes”.Helen Hoyt's poetry provides a unique window into the early 20th century, capturing the spirit of social change and the burgeoning feminist movement. Her work is characterized by its intimate and personal tone, exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for individual identity. Reading Helen Hoyt allows us to connect with a pivotal era and gain insight into the experiences of women navigating a rapidly changing world. Her poems offer a blend of emotional depth and intellectual engagement, making them both accessible and thought-provoking. Helen Hoyt’s contribution to American literature deserves recognition, and her poetry continues to resonate with contemporary readers interested in exploring the complexities of human experience.Recitation by Sarah Ahmadi & Rebecca BuddPhotography by Rebecca Budd#TheBookDialogueMusic by Storm “Vintergartan” https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/pomymHDcWb/#EpidemicSound

S6 E3: Should We Journal?Welcome to The Book DialogueThank you for listening in!Welcome to another episode of The Book Dialogue! Today, we’re diving into a topic that has sparked much debate among creatives and thinkers alike: Should we journal?Join us as we explore the transformative practice of journaling and its potential benefits for personal and creative growth. We’ll be referencing influential works, including Julia Cameron’s bestselling book, The Artist’s Way, which emphasizes the importance of nurturing one’s creative self through morning pages—an exercise that encourages free-flow writing to unlock inner thoughts.We’ll also discuss Ryder Carroll’s The Bullet Journal Method, a system designed to help you organize your thoughts, tasks, and reflections in a way that promotes clarity and focus.Whether you’re a seasoned journaling enthusiast or someone curious about starting, this episode will provide insights, tips, and inspiration to help you decide if journaling is the right practice for you.So, grab your pens and notebooks and join us as we discuss the question: Should we journal?Sarah & RebeccaMusic by Epidemic SoundBuilding Bridges by Table Etiquette https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/dNRGleu5Mg/

S6 E2: How Should One Read a Book by Virginia Woolf Welcome to The Book Dialogue Thank you for listening in! We are excited to share our conversation on Virginia Woolf’s thought-provoking article, “⁠How should one read a book⁠.” We explore her perspective on the reading process, highlighting the transformative nature of engaging deeply with literature. Virginia Woolf highlights the interplay between reader and text and the emotional resonance of connecting with the writer. Virginia Woolf reminds us that reading is a multifaceted experience that goes beyond mere comprehension. She prompts us to appreciate the beauty of language and the depth of thought that literature can offer.  This is your invitation to join us in considering the complexities of reading and the profound connections that can be forged through the written word. Sarah & Rebecca Music by Epidemic Sound "Trying to Remember" By Riverworn https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Ly6rKyNehY/