Sense of Shelf

John Westley

1 Creator

My name is John Westley and I'm going to be talking to people about the books that left an impression on them. Their favorite book. An acclaimed novel that they dislike. A book that inspired them. A book that made them become obsessed with a certain author(I’m talking about you 1776). I will also be talking about different book related topics that I feel like discussing. So please join me for some lovely book related conversations.

#7 in the Top 100 Indie books All time chart

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31 Listeners

2 Comments

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Top 10 Sense of Shelf Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Sense of Shelf episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Sense of Shelf for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Sense of Shelf episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Banned Book Club - The Hate U Give

Sense of Shelf

08/30/22 • 22 min

On this episode of Banned Book Club I hide from The Mechanical Hound and talk to you about The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas. This book was incredible and so important for teenagers in today's society. Have a listen and go out immediately to get your hands on a copy and read it.

You can purchase the book here to support independent bookstores and this podcast.

You can also support the show by donating, subscribing, commissioning, etc. on my Ko-Fi or Buy Me a Coffee pages.

10 Listeners

1 Comment

The Pen Made Mightier By The Sword: J.R.R. Tolkien

Sense of Shelf

06/10/22 • 17 min

In this installment of The Pen Made Mightier By the Sword, I discuss the incomparable J.R.R. Tolkien and the ways war influenced and inspired his works. My admiration for this man would reach from The Shire to The Undying Lands. So go on this brief adventure with me as we talk about the Father of High Fantasy. Shout out to Wrestling World Podcast host @AustinBoyer25 for the drop at the start of the show.

9 Listeners

3 Comments

Banned Book Club - So You Want To Talk About Race

Sense of Shelf

10/12/22 • 19 min

This book, So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, was recommended to me by the wonderful Red Dove Podcast. Their show is a must listen and this book is a must read. This is a how to guide for helping to combat racism and micro aggressions and have meaningful conversations about the topic. I also discuss a troubling incident that happened with my family and I and ignorant racist people.

Find Red Dove Podcast and their talks about activism focusing on Black woman, advocacy, and mental health at their website here.

You can support indie bookshops and my podcast by purchasing the book here.

You can also support my podcast by going to Ko-fi and Buy Me A Coffee. You can subscribe, donate, tip, or commission an episode.

9 Listeners

2 Comments

The Princess Bride with Mr. Richardson of The Fandalorians Podcast.

Sense of Shelf

06/15/22 • 62 min

Join me as I talk with my special guest Mr Richardson from The Fandalorians Podcast. We talk about our mutual love of a great story and he shares his great experiences reading it to his students. Even if you are mostly dead, you will enjoy our talk as much as I did. I also finally debut my book news segment. Shout out to Cartoon Dumpster Dive podcast for their ad drop at the start of the show.

8 Listeners

1 Comment

State of The Pod

Sense of Shelf

05/25/22 • 20 min

Just a little update. I had a little hiatus and wanted to just talk and catch up with you listeners with things that have been happening and what should be happening soon. I hope you enjoy and go support the other shows and people I mentioned in this episode.

7 Listeners

4 Comments

Banned Book Club - Maus with Special Guest J Hall of The Okie Bookcast

Sense of Shelf

08/16/22 • 63 min

This is a very special episode of Banned Book Club. Jay, host of one of my favorite shows The Okie Bookcast, joins me to discuss Maus. The story as a whole, our love for the story, and the recent challenges to the book.

You can learn about Jay, The Okie Bookcast, and all the great things he does for readers on his website here.

You can help support independent bookshops and this podcast by purchasing Maus here.

Would you like to torture me by making me read a trashy romance novel? You can commission that and other tasks, as well as donate or subscribe, by going to my Ko-fi page.

7 Listeners

The Pen Made Mightier by The Sword: C.S. Lewis

Sense of Shelf

05/04/22 • 11 min

In this installment of The Pen Made Mightier by The Sword I discuss CS Lewis and how events in his life, including serving in WW1, caused him to abandon and then emphatically return to his Christian faith and how this influences his writing. Go follow my friend @BeerInFront and subscribe to his show Beer In Front wherever you get your podcasts.

7 Listeners

2 Comments

Book Review - Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Sense of Shelf

09/28/22 • 17 min

I had to wait a couple weeks to get this from my library, but it was worth the wait. I highly recommend this wonderful book. It is a sweeping novel about the ups and downs of decades long friendship. Please do yourself a favor and read this.

Get the book here and support indie bookshops.

Go to my Ko-fi or Buy Me A Coffee page to donate, subscribe for top secret stuff, or commission me to read a book you want to hear me talk about.

6 Listeners

1 Comment

Interview With Debra Fredette, Author of My Refuge: Finding Peace and Strength in Uncertainty

Sense of Shelf

07/11/22 • 36 min

I had the privilege of speaking with author Debra Fredette about her book My Refuge: Finding Peace and Strength in Uncertainty. A story about her missionary trip to Uganda in 2014 and how her faith, and specifically Psalm 91 helped her through her experience. The website for the non-profit, Hear His Voice Uganda, that was started in part due to Debra's efforts can be found here Debra's publisher is Briley & Baxter Publications and you can find them here You can purchase the books through my affiliate link on Bookshop.org. This will help support this podcast and independent bookstores. or on Barnes & Noble and Amazon

6 Listeners

Interview with author and publisher Stacy Padula.

Sense of Shelf

07/18/22 • 48 min

I have the esteemed pleasure of talking with Stacy Padula. She is an author, publisher, and tutor. Stacy was named “Top Inspirational Author of the Year” for 2022 by the International Association of Top Professionals (New York, NY). In June of 2021, she was broadcast on the famous Reuters Building in Times Square as “Empowered Woman of the Year.” Her “Gripped” book series is currently being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman. (from Stacy's website) Listen to a delightful conversation with someone I've known a long time and find her work at the links below.

Stacy Padula's website here

Stacy's publication house, Briley & Baxter Books here

Buy Part 1 of the Gripped series and start the series now! You can buy it here to support indie bookshops and this podcast, or using the links above to Stacy's websites.

You can also go to my Ko-fi page here and support the podcast buy subscribing, donating, or commissioning an episode!!

6 Listeners

1 Comment

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