The Reference Desk

In this episode, Katie is bewitched by three women of the Dutch Resistance: Hannie Schaft and Truus and Freddie Oversteegen. 
When the German Nazis invaded the Netherlands in 1940, local resistance groups and everyday Dutch folks organized ingenious ways to fight back against their occupiers. From distributing illegal newspapers to bombing supply lines to killing Nazis, the Dutch resistance was a powerful example of how even against the biggest forces of evil, everyone can do something to fight back. Hannie Schaft, who once dreamed of using her law degree to fight fascism with the League of Nations, gave up her ambitions to save her two best friends and join the Haarlem resistance. Hannie worked alongside sisters Truus and Freddie Overstegeen, who’d been involved in resistance work since childhood. The young women were able to infiltrate spaces the men could not, and this skill made them invaluable to the resistance. The trio saved countless lives by moving Jewish families to safe houses, collecting intelligence on German missile sites, and luring Nazis to their death with a wink and a smile. 
All books shared in this episode can be purchased at our Bookshop!
Staff picks:
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
The Dollhouse by Charis Cotter
The Mystery of the Haunted Dance Hall by Charis Cotter
Recommended Reading:
Fiction:
To Die Beautiful by Buzzy Jackson
The Assault by Harry Mulisch
Non-fiction:
Now Then, Not Now, Not Ever by Truus Menger- Oversteegen
Three Ordinary Girls  by Tim Brady
Seducing and Killing Nazis by Sophie Poldermans
The Light of Days by Judy Batalian
Sources:
Three Ordinary Girls by Tim Brady
Seducing and Killing Nazis by Sophie Poldermans
National Hannie Schaft Foundation
Seducing and Killing Nazis
Holland vs. Netherlands: What's the Difference?
The Most Wanted Woman in WWII Netherlands: Hannie Schaft 
The Netherlands: the greatest number of Jewish victims in Western Europe 
Hitler's rise and fall: Timeline
This Teenager Killed Nazis With Her Sister During WWII 
THE RESISTANCE Truus and Freddie Oversteegen 

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In this episode, we are bewitched by Dolly Patron (again!)

After leaving the Porter Wagoner Show and striking it big on her own as a solo country artist, Dolly turned to yet another industry: the movies. The commercial and critical success of 9 to 5 (and the award-winning single of the same name Dolly wrote for the film) propelled her to superstardom. Since then, Dolly has been featured in over a dozen films, including classics like The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias along with some flops (like when she tried to turn Sylvester Stallone into a country star in Rhinestone). 

Meanwhile, Dolly continued to produce chart-topping, award-winning albums, revived a theme park with a very problematic past, and became a best-selling author. But despite all her commercial success, Dolly's true legacy is her philanthropy, including providing 2 million free books every month to children around the world with her Imagination Library, rebuilding her hometown following devastating wildfires, and funding research that led to the creation of the COVID vaccine. All hail Dolly, Patron Saint of Appalachia!

All books shared in this episode are available in our bookshop!

Staff picks:
All the Dead Lie Down and We Can Be Heroes by Kyrie McCauley
Butterfly in the Sky (Netflix) 
LeVar Burton Reads (Stitcher)

Recommended Reading:
Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton with Robert K. Oermann
Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones by Dolly Parton with Holly George-Warren, curated by Rebecca Seaver
Billy the Kid Makes it Big by Dolly Parton, MacKenzie Haley, and Erica S. Perl
I Am Dolly Patron by Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos
Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
Good Lookin' Cookin' by Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton George

Sources:
Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton with Robert K. Oermann
Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones by Dolly Parton with Holly George-Warren, curated by Rebecca Seaver
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In this episode, we are bewitched by Dolly Parton. 

Dolly Parton came from very humble beginnings but turned herself into a star. In this first part of a two-part series, we cover Dolly's childhood, spent in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Though Dolly's family lived in poverty, they never lacked love, and her early life remains a source of inspiration for her music. After teaching herself how to play guitar and compose music, Dolly earned a spot singing on a local radio show and was featured on the Grand Ole Opry.

After becoming the first person in her family to finish high school, Dolly moved to Nashville to launch her career. While Dolly found work as a songwriter, she struggled to make a name for herself as a recording artist. That all changed when she was offered a job on the biggest country music stage of all: The Porter Wagoner Show. 

All books shared in this episode can be purchased at our Bookshop!

Staff picks:
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien
Uncultured: A Memoir  by Danielle Mestyanek Young

Sources:
Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton with Robert K. Oermann
Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones by Dolly Parton with Holly George-Warren, curated by Rebecca Seaver
Dolly's Parton's America [podcast] from WNYC Studios, Jad Abumrad, and Shima Oliaee
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Sometimes, we all need a vacation! For us, that meant being together in person for the first time in two years and chatting about our favorite weird topics.

In this episode, Katie and Hailee are bewitched by the legend that is Reesa Teesa, the absurdity of medieval animals on trial, and the Dave Matthews Band tour bus incident.  Plus, we share some of our favorite feel-good books and media for self-care when our mental health is on the rocks.

Staff picks (available in our bookshop!)
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
The City Baker's Guide to Country Living  by Louise Miller
The Late Bloomers' Club by Louise Miller
Act Your Age,  Eve Brown  by Talia Hibbert
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
My Roommate is a Vampire  by Jenna Levine
Remarkably Bright Creatures  by Shelby Van Pelt
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
Anything by Jenny Colgan
Heartstopper (graphic novel by Alice Oseman and TV series on Netflix)
Ted Lasso on Apple TV +
Derry Girls on Netflix

Sources:
Who TF Did I Marry Summary
'Who TF Did I Marry': How Reesa Teesa's viral story on ex-husband turned into online fame
TikTok Villain Legion Speaks
"Who TF Did I Marry?" Husband Jerome McCoy’s Ex-Wife Speaks
BMW Blasted for Seemingly Going Back on Their Promise to Gift ‘Who TF Did I Marry’ TikToker Reesa Teesa Her Dream Car
Who TF Is Reesa Teesa Now?
Reesa Teesa on TikTok Fame and What's Next
19 years ago today, a Dave Matthews Band tour bus dumped human waste on a tour boat in the Chicago River.
15 years after the Dave Matthews Band let loose over the Chicago River, we survey the damages and uncover a new victim
Brilliant bridge sign is an important reminder of Dave Matthews Band’s infamous poop dump.
A Plaque Appeared On The Kinzie Street Bridge This Week Dedicated To The Infamous Dave Matthews Band Incident
Prince's Former Tour Bus Driver Explains Why That DNC Bus Dumped Sewage

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Come on down! You’ve been accused of cheating on The Price is Right!

In this episode, Katie is bewitched by Terry Kneiss’ perfect showcase bid. 
In 2008, a man named Terry Kneiss had a perfect bid on his showcase. But he was robbed of his celebratory moment when new host Drew Carey and tPIR producers assumed the historical bid was the result of cheating. While Kneiss maintained that his perfect bid was a combination of careful studying and a bit of sheer luck, producers thought he’d been given the winning number from audience member Ted Slauson, a lifelong PIR superfan. The scandal that ensued changed the way the beloved TV game show was played forever. 

Recommended Reading:
The Running Man by Stephen King
The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Priceless Memories by Bob Barker
Backstage at The Price is Right: Memoirs of a Barker Beauty by Kathleen Bradley
Game Show Confidential: The Story of an American Obsession by Boze Hadleigh

Documentary film: Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much by CJ Wallis. 

Sources:
How one San Antonio man’s obsession with ‘The Price is Right’ almost destroyed the show
This Guy's Victory On "The Price Is Right" Made Them Change Their Entire System - Urbo
15 Showcased Facts About The Price is Right | Mental Floss
The Price Is Right Secrets That Will Leave You Jumping For Joy
15 Showcased Facts About The Price is Right | Mental Floss
 
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