Bookish Flights: Books, Author Interviews & Must-Read Recommendations
Books & Literature
About
Bookish Flights is the place to talk books and reading. This podcast focuses on connection, storytelling and the transformative power of books. Each episode invites guests to share the three books that have influenced them, unlocking their wisdom and how it changed their lives. Books are a bridge that connects us, a remedy for loneliness, and the best conversational currency to be the most interesting person in the room! Rooted in the belief that stories shape who we are, this podcast brings people together through a shared love of literature. Perfect for book lovers, Bookish Flights inspires listeners to discover the books that can shape their own lives. You will love this show If you have ever asked: What are the best fiction and non-fiction books to read? Which books should I add to my reading list? How can I find more time to read? What are the best books for exploring new genres? What books are perfect for my kids? What is the publishing journey like for authors? What books do my favorite authors love to read? Discover book recommendations across a wide range of genres, including historical fiction, romantasy, rom-coms, mysteries, thrillers and personal development. Check out the website www.bookishflights.com to see book club picks and the wide range of book flights.
Episodes
- Large Casts, Found Family, & Fantasy Worlds with Chawna Schroeder (E214)
Chawna Schroeder joins the podcast to discuss her fantasy writing, focusing on her book Perplexity from the Sceptre & the Stylus series. She also talks about creating large casts of characters and integrating themes of faith and purpose in…
- BFF Book Club - The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake with Rachel Linden (E213)
Rachel Linden joins the BFF Book Club to discuss her novel, The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake. She shares the inspiration for the story, her use of food in writing, and the book's themes of healing and second chances. Additionally, she off…
- More Than Rescue Animals: Writing, Connection, and Purpose with Holly Gutwillinger (E212)
Holly Gutwillinger, author of "North of Broken and Furever Home," discusses her writing process and connection to animals. She shares her journey of finding her passion in writing and the inspiration behind her anthropomorphic characters.
- From Headlines to Plot Twists: Jennifer van der Kleut on The Better Mother (E211)
Jennifer van der Kleut discusses her debut psychological thriller, The Better Mother. She shares insights into how her journalism background influenced her writing and her attraction to crafting stories from a villain's perspective.
- History, Mystery & Hidden Manuscripts: The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton w/ Jennifer N. Brown (E210)
Jennifer N. Brown discusses her novel, "The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton," covering the real history of Elizabeth Barton, writing as both a historian and novelist, and balancing historical accuracy with compelling storytelling. Episode hi…
- The Scorpion Thief: A Cold War Heist, Egyptian Myth, & Family Secrets with Janyre Tromp (E209)
Janyre Tromp discusses her novel, "The Scorpion Thief," which combines a Cold War heist with Egyptian myth. The author shares insights into her writing process and the historical inspirations behind the book.
- A Deal with a Debutante, 90s Rom-Com Energy, and Why We Love Love Stories with Chelsea Bobulski (E208)
In this episode, Chelsea Bobulski discusses her novel "A Deal with a Debutante." She also talks about historical research, bringing Edwardian England to life, and the role of romance novels in shaping real-life relationships.
- Building Tiny Troops: Amy Schweizer on Raising Healthy Kids in Military Life (E207)
Amy Schweizer, a military spouse and founder of Tiny Troops Soccer, discusses raising healthy children in military life, the importance of early childhood physical activity, and advocating for military spouse employment. She also shares de…
- BFF Book Club - A Murder Most Fowl with Carmela Dutra (E206)
In this episode, Carmela Dutra discusses her cozy mystery novel, "A Murder Most Fowl," which features a food truck-centered mystery. She also talks about writing sibling dynamics and balancing humor with suspense in a murder mystery. Addit…
- Loving Someone Through Mental Illness: Grief, Resilience, & the Stories We Tell Ourselves with Sheila Hamilton (E205)
This episode of Bookish Flights features an interview with Sheila Hamilton, author of "All the Things We Never Knew." She discusses her memoir about navigating her late husband's mental illness, focusing on themes of grief, resilience, and…
- From Military Spouse to Entrepreneur: Building Community & Women Empowering Women with Wendy Hively (E204)
Wendy Hively, a Navy spouse and entrepreneur, shares her journey of building businesses, Charliemadison Originals and Charliemadison Labs, to support military families and empower women entrepreneurs. She discusses the employment challenge…
- Historical Fiction: Remarkable Women and the Rich History of the South with Katherine Scott Crawford (E203)
Katherine Scott Crawford joins "Bookish Flights" to discuss historical fiction, with a focus on her novel "The Miniaturist's Assistant" and the rich history of the American South. She shares insights into her writing process and the concep…
- Faith, History, and Forgiveness: Inside Historical Christian Romance with Tracie Peterson (E202)
This episode features an interview with author Tracie Peterson, known for her historical Christian fiction. She discusses her writing process, the themes in her books, and her latest novel, Faithful of Heart.
- That’s What Friends Are For: Aging, Authenticity, & Found Family with Wade Rouse (E201)
In this episode, Wade Rouse discusses his novel "That's What Friends Are For," published under his own name. He shares insights into the book's themes, including aging, authenticity, and the power of found family, inspired by "The Golden G…
- An Invitation to Slow Down: The Sacred Work of Showing Up in Everyday Conversations with Matt Mattson (E200)
On this episode of Bookish Flights, Matt Mattson discusses his new book, "Cathedrals of Connection." He also discusses cultivating sacred human connection and blending ancient wisdom with modern insight.
- BFF Book Club - The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (E199)
Annie Hartnett, author of "The Road to Tender Hearts," talks about her book, her writing approach, and using humor to address weighty subjects. She also discusses how her background as a bookseller influenced her work.
- Remembering Sicily: War, Family, and Forgotten Italian American History with Lindsay Marie Morris (E198)
Lindsay Marie Morris, a novelist and journalist, discusses her work, which is rooted in her Sicilian-American heritage. Her novels, "The Last Letter from Sicily" and "Beneath the Sicilian Stars," explore themes of love, resilience, family…
- Building Something That Is Ours: Creativity, Community, and Military Life with Ashlee Sullivan (E197)
In this episode, Ashlee Sullivan discusses her experiences as a military spouse, including starting her apparel brand, using creativity and humor to cope with challenges, and building community within a transient military lifestyle. She al…
- Writing Courageous Women into History: Saving Vincent, A Novel of Jo van Gogh (E196)
Joan Fernandez, author of "Saving Vincent, A Novel of Jo van Gogh," discusses her writing journey and the inspiration behind her historical fiction focused on courageous women. She shares how her previous career influenced her writing and…
- Scary, Funny Books and Finding Light in Hard Seasons with Theory Knight (E195)
In this episode, Theory Knight discusses her book "Jingle Bells, Sasquatch Smells" and her preference for "scary, funny" books. She talks about finding humor in difficult situations and how it helps to navigate challenging times.
- Writing the Stories We Carry: Leadership, Legacy, and a Lifetime of Dad-isms with Susan L. Combs (E194)
Susan L. Combs, President of Combs & Company, discusses her book "Pancakes for Roger," which shares her late father's wisdom and lessons learned from her career. She talks about leadership, legacy, and the importance of creative outlets.
- The Not-So-Secret Writing Life: Second Careers & Secret Societies with Karen Winn (E193)
Karen Winn, author of "The Society" and "Our Little World," talks about her journey from nursing to writing and how her medical background informs her character development. She also discusses the influence of setting on her creativity and…
- The Rhythm of a Creative Life: Music, Motherhood, & Stories from the Midwest with Amanda Wen (E192)
Amanda Wen, author of "Echoes of a Silent Song," discusses her creative life, including her experiences as a musician and mother, and how these aspects influence her writing. She also shares insights into her latest novel.
- A Prolific Writing Life: Craft, Consistency, and Track of Courage with Susan May Warren (E191)
Susan May Warren, a USA bestselling and award-winning novelist, discusses her prolific writing career, including insights into craft, consistency, and her book "Track of Courage." She shares how she uses structure and story blueprints to s…
- Inside a Beloved Story: Little Women Retellings, Creativity, & Sisterhood with Katie Bernet (E190)
In this episode, Katie Bernet discusses her debut novel, "Beth is Dead", and explores themes of "Little Women" retellings, creativity, and sisterhood. She shares insights into her writing process and the influence of classic literature.
- Jumping Between Genres: Making Reading Work in a Busy Life with Sami Young (E189)
In this episode, Sami Young discusses her reading habits as a busy mom and teacher. She shares strategies for making time to read, such as keeping a book handy and switching genres between reads, and reflects on reading aloud to her son.
- The Niche Between: Teaching, Writing Lower YA, & a Debut Novel with Connie Richardson (E188)
Connie Richardson, author of Rapid City Summer, discusses her debut novel and her work as an English teacher. She shares her insights on writing for the "lower YA" genre and her love for niche topics in literature.
- Putting Yourself Back on the List: Midlife, Motherhood, & Reclaiming Your Purpose with Shari Biery (E187)
In this episode, Shari Biery, a Purpose and Well-Being coach, discusses empowering midlife women to reclaim their identities and live with purpose. She shares insights on motherhood, listening to intuition, and the importance of self-prior…
- Victorian Whimsy & Wonder: Angela Bell on Imagination, Faith, and Quirky Characters (E186)
Angela Bell joins "Bookish Flights" to discuss her historical romance novels, "A Lady's Guide to Marvel and Misadventure" and "A Lady's Handbook to Gadgets and Guile." She shares insights into her characters and storytelling style, highlig…
- Writing California’s Past: Ginny Kubitz Moyer on WWII, San Francisco and The Nutcracker (E185)
Ginny Kubitz Moyer, a California native and author, discusses her historical fiction which is rooted in California history. She also talks about her evolution from nonfiction to fiction writing.
- “Tangles” & the Hidden History of Hanford Nuclear Site with Kay Smith-Blum (E184)
Kay Smith-Blum discusses her book "Tangles", a historical fiction novel, and the extensive research behind it. She also explores the history and ethical concerns surrounding the Hanford Nuclear Site.
- Proof That Your TBR Might Actually Help You Live Longer (E183)
This episode explores research on how reading may support a longer life, including a Yale study on daily reading and its impact on longevity. It also examines the cognitive benefits of book-length reading and discusses the science behind p…
- Finding Home in Fiction: Arlon Jay Staggs on Magical Realism & Southern Storytelling (E182)
Arlon Jay Staggs, a native of Florence, Alabama, and Southern storyteller, is interviewed about his debut novel, "Leta Pearl's Love Biscuits." He discusses the challenges and joys of weaving magical realism into contemporary Southern ficti…
- Libraries, Representation, & Life on the Move: Chatting with Author Sarah Monzon (E180)
Sarah Monzon, author of "Hearts in Circulation," discusses her book, the importance of representation in fiction, and her experiences as a military spouse. She also shares insights on collecting library cards and utilizing library resource…
- Complex Relationships & The Art of the Short Story with Marina Rubin (E180)
In this episode, Marina Rubin discusses her work, including themes of relationships and friendships. She shares insights into her creative process, her experiences growing up in the former Soviet Union, and her perspectives on writing and…
- Bringing the Bible to Life Through Story: Tessa Afshar on The Royal Artisan and Writing Biblical Fiction (E179)
Tessa Afshar joins "Bookish Flights" to discuss her novel, "The Royal Artisan," and the process of writing biblical fiction. She shares how recreating biblical recipes helps bring her stories to life and makes scripture relatable.
- Grace, Love, and Second Chances: Chatting Christian Romance with Kelly Jo Wilson (E178)
Kelly Jo Wilson, a Christian romance author, joins the podcast to discuss her writing journey and her debut novel, "Finding Forevermore." She shares insights into incorporating faith and grace into her love stories.
- BFF Book Club - The Bitter End Birding Society with Amanda Cox (E177)
This episode features the BFF Book Club discussing "The Bitter End Birding Society" with author Amanda Cox. The discussion covers the book's inspiration, Amanda's writing process, and the themes of connection and second chances throughout…
- Strong Women in Harsh Climates with Denise Smith Cline (E176)
Denise Smith Cline talks about her novel, "The Resettlement of Vesta Blonik," and her writing process. She shares insights into her research and recommends books featuring strong female characters in harsh climates.
- Motherhood, Military Life, and the Oregon Trail: A Chat with Kaci Curtis (E175)
Kaci Curtis, a military spouse and mother of two, is interviewed about her debut novel, "Along the Trail." She discusses balancing motherhood with her writing life, the inspirations behind her book, and the realities of military life. The…
- How to Feel Your Feelings (and Teach Your Kids to Do the Same) with Hilary Jacobs Hendel and Juli Fraga (E174)
This episode features Hilary Jacobs Hendel and Juli Fraga, co-authors of "Parents Have Feelings, Too." They discuss how to understand and process emotions, and how to teach emotional intelligence to children. The conversation includes topi…
- Exploring Fathers, Sons, and the Lowcountry: Author Scott Gould on Peace Like a River (E173)
This episode features an interview with author Scott Gould about his novel Peace Like a River. The discussion covers themes of fathers and sons, the South Carolina Lowcountry, and the importance of setting in storytelling.
- BFF Book Club - What the Silent Say with Emerson Ford (E172)
The BFF Book Club discusses "What the Silent Say" with author Emerson Ford. This episode explores the author's research process and how she crafted her book with family history at its core.
- Why Adults Love Younger YA (12+): Exploring The Concealed with Author S.K. Horton (E171)
This episode features author S.K. Horton, who discusses her YA series "Heir of Earth and Sky," beginning with "The Concealed." She also talks about balancing her medical career with writing and the growing adult readership of YA fiction.
- Not Broken Beyond Repair: Kate Angelo on Relationships and Face-to-Face Conversations (E170)
In this episode, Kate Angelo discusses her novel, Girl Lost, and the importance of face-to-face conversations in relationships. She also shares insights on mentorship for young people and building healthy connections.
- Julie Berry on Why We Need Myth and Building Lifelong Readers (E169)
Julie Berry, a New York Times bestselling author, discusses the role of myth and how to cultivate lifelong readers. She also talks about her independent bookstore and her new YA novel, If Looks Could Kill.
- Owning an Indie Bookstore | How Karmen Somers Builds Community at Court Street Books (E168)
Karmen Somers, owner of Court Street Books, shares her experiences and insights on owning and operating an independent bookstore, covering topics such as managing both online and physical stores, organizing community events, and navigating…
- Crafting Cozy Mysteries with Humor and Heart: An Egg-citing Episode with Carmela Dutra (E167)
Carmela Dutra, author of cozy mysteries, is featured in this episode. She discusses her writing process, including how she incorporates humor and emotion into her work, and her debut novel, "A Murder Most Fowl."
- Regency Balls, Modern Life & Whimsical Romance with Mollie Rushmeyer (E166)
Mollie Rushmeyer, author of whimsical romance, discusses her novels and inspirations. She explores themes of regency balls, modern life, and happily ever afters, including her latest book, "The Rules of Falling for You."
- Between Heaven and Earth: Le Ly Hayslip on Vietnam, War, Healing and Hope (E165)
Le Ly Hayslip, author and humanitarian, discusses her life growing up in Vietnam during the war, her bestselling memoirs, and her work with humanitarian organizations. She also shares insights on her book and its film adaptation.