Between The Covers
Author Jay Ruud has read every ”100 Best Book” list there is, so it’s only natural that he would create his own. Listen to each episode as he and his wife, author Stacey Margaret Jones discuss a book from his carefully cultivated ”100 Lovable Books” list. Stacey interviews Jay on what makes the book ”lovable” and where it ranks on the master list. They’ll also discuss current books in the CHAOS READER segment.
Author Jay Ruud has read every ”100 Best Book” list there is, so it’s only natural that he would create his own. Listen to each episode as he and his wife, author Stacey Margaret Jones discuss a book from his carefully cultivated ”100 Lovable Books” list. Stacey interviews Jay on what makes the book ”lovable” and where it ranks on the master list. They’ll also discuss current books in the CHAOS READER segment.
Episodes

Feb 4, 2025
Feb 4, 2025
32 min
Billy Pilgrim is unstuck in time. He survives the firebombing of Dresden and goes to the planet Tralfamador. But don't worry: Death is only in your imagination.
#SlaughterhouseFive #KurtVonnegut #BookPodcast #Podcast #SciFiBooks #SoItGoes #Tralfamadore #ClassicBooks #BookTube #BetweenTheCovers #BookTok #BookLovers
https://linktr.ee/betweenthecoverspodcast

Dec 24, 2024
Dec 24, 2024
18 min
It’s the most read-able time of the year! In this festive episode of Between the Covers with Jay and Stacey, we’re diving into the books that have made our holidays brighter—whether they were wrapped under the tree, gifted in a pinch, or devoured by the fireplace. Tune in to hear stories of favorite books, favorite gifted books, and a whole lot of last minute gift ideas.
All the Links
https://linktr.ee/betweenthecoverspodcast
#ilovebooks #betweenthecovers #bestbooks #bestbookstoread #catcherintherye #jdsalinger #podcast #classicliterature #booktok #booklover #books #booktube #bookreview #bookrecommendations

Dec 17, 2024
Dec 17, 2024
35 min
Pack your bags because we’re heading to Victorian England with David Copperfield—no, not the magician, the original hero of Charles Dickens’s masterpiece! This isn’t just another coming-of-age story; it’s a rollercoaster of life’s highs, lows, and all the colorful characters in between. In this episode of Between the Covers, we spill the tea on Dickens’s most personal novel, from slimy villains like Uriah Heep, to the ever-lovable Aunt Betsey. Dickens called this book his “favorite child.” Spoiler: It’s packed with drama, heart, and life lessons that still hit hard today. Don’t miss it!
All the Links
https://linktr.ee/betweenthecoverspodcast
#ilovebooks #betweenthecovers #bestbooks #bestbookstoread #catcherintherye #jdsalinger #podcast #classicliterature #booktok #booklover #books #booktube #bookreview #bookrecommendations #dickens #davidcopperfield #charlesdickens

Dec 10, 2024
Decoding the Mystique of The Catcher in the Rye
Dec 10, 2024
Dec 10, 2024
28 min
Holden Caulfield is calling—and we’re answering! This week, we’re diving into J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Why does this angsty teenager’s story still resonate? Join us as Between The Covers looks at what makes this book unforgettable and where it belongs on the 100 most loveable books!
https://linktr.ee/betweenthecoverspodcast
#ilovebooks #betweenthecovers #bestbooks #bestbookstoread #catcherintherye #jdsalinger #podcast #classicliterature #booktok #booklover #books #booktube #bookreview #bookrecommendations

Dec 3, 2024
Dec 3, 2024
29 min
In this episode, we journey into the heart of Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children,” a novel that masterfully blends history with magical realism. We explore Rushdie’s rich prose, the novel’s profound themes, and its enduring impact on literature. Join us for an engaging discussion that will inspire you to experience this Booker Prize-winning masterpiece firsthand.
Links
https://linktr.ee/betweenthecoverspodcast

Nov 26, 2024
Nov 26, 2024
26 min
Get ready to relive the emotional rollercoaster of Ian McEwan’s “Atonement”! In this special rerun, Jay and Stacey dive deep into this unforgettable story of love, betrayal, and the power of forgiveness. We’ll explore the twists and turns that make this novel a must-read and why it has secured a spot on our list of the 100 most lovable books. Whether it’s your first listen or you’re joining us again, this episode will reignite your passion for one of literature’s modern masterpieces. Don’t miss out—tune in and discover (or rediscover) why “Atonement” is a book that stays with you long after the final page!
Link
https://linktr.ee/betweenthecoverspodcast

Nov 19, 2024
Nov 19, 2024
26 min
Hold onto your carrots, folks! This week on Between the Covers, Jay and Stacey tumble down the rabbit hole into the wacky and wild world of Richard Adams’ Watership Down! We’re talking high-stakes bunny drama—think Game of Thrones but with more fur and fewer betrayals (well, maybe the same amount of betrayals). Join us as we discuss how a band of fluffy fugitives turned a quiet meadow into the setting for an epic adventure. If you’ve ever wanted to read rabbits as action heroes—this is the episode for you.

Nov 12, 2024
Nov 12, 2024
23 min
Ready to dive into a world where magic, art, and superheroes collide?
In this episode of Between the Covers with Jay and Stacey, we’re unmasking the brilliance of Michael Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. Join us as we explore the thrilling escapades of two Jewish cousins in 1930s New York City who create a comic book superhero that takes the world by storm. From daring escapes and hidden magic tricks to the golden age of comics and the shadows of World War II, this novel is a rollercoaster of adventure, creativity, and heart. We’ll share why this Pulitzer Prize-winning tale has leapt into our list of the 100 most lovable books and why it deserves a spot on your reading list. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this incredible journey!
https://linktr.ee/betweenthecoverspodcast

Nov 5, 2024
Nov 5, 2024
25 min
🌟 An adventure packed with mystery, magic, and unforgettable characters. We unravel Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. Jay and Stacey take you on Milkman Dead’s epic journey—filled with family secrets, quests for identity, and the mystical allure of flight. We’ll break down why this novel is a must-read with its unforgettable characters and poetic prose that stay with you long after the final page. Plus Chaos Reader goes for the birds!
Have a favorite book with a quest? Drop it in the comments!
✨Rate, review, and share this episode with fellow book lovers ! 📚
All the links!
https://linktr.ee/betweenthecoverspodcast

Oct 29, 2024
Oct 29, 2024
35 min
Just in time for Halloween, step into the dark, eerie world of Edgar Allan Poe! In this episode, Jay and Stacey crack open The Complete Short Stories of Edgar Allan Poe and dive into tales that blend horror, mystery, and the bizarre like only Poe can do. Why do these stories still have people sleeping with the lights on? Tune in to find out!
Links
JayRuud.com
StaceyMargaretJones.com
Amazon
Treasure of Sherwood book
https://a.co/d/2MRNdd8
Mr. Catherine book
https://a.co/d/3bPVBMG
Publishers
Encircle Publications
https://encirclepub.com/encircle-author/jay-ruud/
Creators Publishing
https://www.creators.com/books/mr-catherine
BIOS
Jay Ruud is a retired professor of English at the University of Central Arkansas, now devoting much of his time to fiction writing. He earned a Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and taught college literature courses for 40 years. He chaired the English department at the University of Central Arkansas for 13 years, prior to which he was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern State University in South Dakota. He published scholarly books on Chaucer, Dante, and Tolkien, and has retold the traditional legend of King Arthur for modern readers as a series of Merlin Mysteries. He is currently in the midst of a series of Robin Hood mysteries, the most recent of which, Treasure of Sherwood, has just been published by Encircle Press.
Stacey Margaret Jones is an Arkansas writer, whose novel MR. CATHERINE was a finalist for the Eric Hoffer New Horizons Debut Novel Award. She's also a Pushcart-Prize-nominated poet, essayist and literature and creative writing instructor. She lives with her husband author Jay Ruud and their four literarily named dogs, Gwenhyfar, Lavinia, Gareth and Sylvia. You can find her on Instagram at @sharkushka and TikTok at @normfluencers.








