In Chapter Two of Ayn Rand’s Anthem, Equality 7-2521’s secret rebellion takes a deeply personal turn when he encounters Liberty 5-3000, the young woman he privately names the Golden One.

In a world where personal preference, desire and even individual identity are forbidden, their growing connection becomes a quiet but powerful act of defiance. Join Autumn as she continues this haunting dystopian tale of awakening, freedom and the discovery of the self.

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📩 Reach out with feedback, suggestions, or just to say hello at autumnreads4ya@gmail.com

🎧 Podcast soundtrack by Kina Ellis, check out more of their work on soundcloud

In this episode of Autumn Reads, Autumn opens the pages of Ayn Rand’s dystopian novella Anthem, beginning with Chapter 1.

Set in a future where individuality has been erased and even the word “I” has disappeared, Anthem follows Equality 7-2521, a young man living in a world that demands total obedience to the collective. But beneath the silence of this rigid society, a dangerous spark begins to glow: curiosity, thought, and the forbidden desire to be oneself.

With her warm, atmospheric narration, Autumn invites listeners into the stark, haunting world of Rand’s novella, where a single mind awakening can become an act of rebellion.

Perfect for fans of classic literature, dystopian fiction, and stories about identity, freedom, and the quiet thunder of discovering your own voice.

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📩 Reach out with feedback, suggestions, or just to say hello at autumnreads4ya@gmail.com

🎧 Podcast soundtrack by Kina Ellis, check out more of their work on soundcloud

In our latest episode, Autumn sits down with writer Dorothy Howls to talk about her beautiful and thoughtful new book The Magic We Create: The Book of Spells.

This isn’t a spellbook in the traditional sense. It’s something gentler and perhaps more powerful: a guide for the dreamers and the doers, for anyone carrying too much yet still moving forward.

Inside the book are 101 “spells” that blend evidence-based mental health practices with poetry and storytelling. Each one is a pause, a breath, a moment of quiet reflection designed to help readers reconnect with themselves and rediscover their own inner magic. These kinds of modern “spells” draw on the long tradition of personal rituals and practices meant to focus the mind and invite positive change in everyday life.

In this conversation, Autumn and Dorothy explore creativity, resilience, and the small daily rituals that help us come back home to ourselves.

Listen to the episode now and discover a little everyday magic.

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📩 Reach out with feedback, suggestions, or just to say hello at autumnreads4ya@gmail.com

🎧 Podcast soundtrack by Kina Ellis, check out more of their work on soundcloud

“The Star” by H. G. Wells

Season Two of Autumn Reads begins beneath a darkening sky.

In this premiere episode, Autumn reads “The Star”, a haunting and prophetic short story by H. G. Wells, first published in 1897. As a mysterious celestial object draws closer to Earth, Wells shifts the focus away from spectacle and toward perspective, reminding us how small human concerns can become when viewed against the vast machinery of the cosmos.

Calm, atmospheric, and quietly devastating, The Star blends early science fiction with philosophical reflection, capturing Wells at his most elegant and unsettling. Autumn’s intimate narration invites listeners to slow down, listen closely, and experience the story as it was meant to be heard: one voice, one text, one moment suspended in time.

Welcome back to Autumn Reads. Season Two begins now, with our eyes turned upward.

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📩 Reach out with feedback, suggestions, or just to say hello at autumnreads4ya@gmail.com

🎧 Podcast soundtrack by Kina Ellis, check out more of their work on soundcloud

In the final episode of our first season, "Autumn Reads" turns to a short story that lingers long after the last line is spoken.

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman begins quietly. A woman, a room, a pattern on the wall. But beneath its calm surface, the story unravels into something deeply unsettling, exploring isolation, control, creativity, and the cost of being unheard.

As we close the year together, this episode is an invitation to listen closely, not just to the story, but to yourself. If the holidays feel heavy or lonely, know that you’re not alone, and that reaching out for connection or guidance can be a powerful first step.

Thank you for spending this season with us. Wherever you’re listening from, we’re glad you’re here.

🎙️📚🍂 New episodes coming soon, subscribe to never miss a chapter!

📩 Reach out with feedback, suggestions, or just to say hello at autumnreads4ya@gmail.com

🎧 Podcast soundtrack by Kina Ellis, check out more of their work on soundcloud

We are back from our summer hiatus! In this special return episode, Autumn sits down with children’s author and educator Margarita Vassilopoulou to talk about her enchanting book, Your Own Little Dragon.

This heartfelt tale follows two young friends whose fiery emotions take the form of a little dragon - guiding young listeners through the ups and downs of anger and disappointment, while gently teaching the importance of forgiveness.

Margarita shares the inspiration behind her story, the value of nurturing emotional awareness in children, and how books can open the door to meaningful conversations for families and classrooms alike.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or simply a lover of children’s literature, this episode marks a warm and inspiring start to our new season.

🎙️📚🍂 New episodes coming soon, subscribe to never miss a chapter!

📩 Reach out with feedback, suggestions, or just to say hello at autumnreads4ya@gmail.com

🎧 Podcast soundtrack by Kina Ellis, check out more of their work on soundcloud

Join us as Autumn reads for ya, "Your Own Little Dragon", by Margarita Vassilopoulou. A tale of two young friends whose fiery emotions take shape in the form of a little dragon. Through their story, young listeners are gently guided to understand feelings like anger, disappointment; and most importantly, forgiveness.

Written with love and insight by a sociologist and educator, this story encourages emotional awareness and empathy in a way that’s both playful and deeply meaningful. Whether your little one is dealing with a tough day or just loves dragons, this is a story they won’t want to miss.

🎙️📚🍂 New episodes coming soon—subscribe to never miss a chapter!

📩 Reach out with feedback, suggestions, or just to say hello at autumnreads4ya@gmail.com

🎧 Podcast soundtrack by Kina Ellis, check out more of their work on soundcloud

🖌️ Cover illustration by Konstantinos Pissourios

In this charming new episode of Autumn Reads, we dust off another timeless tale from the Brothers Grimm, "The Travelling Musicians". Join us as a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster, each cast aside by the world, set out to forge a new life as musicians in Bremen. But along the way, their journey takes an unexpected turn filled with wit, wonder, and a dash of mischief. Cozy up and let this classic fable carry you away...

🎙️📚🍂 New episodes coming soon—subscribe to never miss a chapter!

📩 Reach out with feedback, suggestions, or just to say hello at autumnreads4ya@gmail.com

🎧 Podcast soundtrack by Kina Ellis, check out more of their work on soundcloud

🖌️ Classic illustration by Hans Fisher (1955)