Bookish Flights: Themed Book Recommendations & Author Interviews

Latest Episodes:

The Magic of Childhood Wonder: Karen Foxlee on The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe (E252) Nov 11, 2026

Show notes

Award-winning Australian author Karen Foxlee joins me on Bookish Flights to discuss her latest middle grade novel, The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe, an epic adventure filled with magic and wonder! Karen shares her journey from a career in nursing to recently becoming a full-time author, the childhood fascination with magic that continues to inspire her storytelling, and her desire to give young readers that same thrilling sense of possibility.

Episode Highlights:

Karen's transition from nursing to becoming a full-time author.
The inspiration behind The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe and the adventure she would have loved reading as a child.
How her childhood love of magic influences the stories she creates today.
Trusting the creative process and allowing a story to unfold naturally.
Why writers need to find joy in their own writing process.
The comforting ritual of reading in bed at the end of the day.
Her book flight includes children’s literature by Australian authors

Connect with Karen:

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Strange Stories, Amazing Facts: Stories That are Bizarre, Unusual, Odd, Astonishing, and Often Incredible by Reader’s Digest editors
Hamnet / The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

Book Flight

The Making of Martha Mayfield by Jo Dabroski
Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer by Bethany Loveridge
The Prime Minister Problemby Brenton Cullen

The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.

Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with:

One chapter book for growing readers
One picture book for our littlest readers
A few family conversation starters + a simple activity

Three books. One common theme.

→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamily

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

Celebrating Indigenous Women Writers & the Stories They Tell with Vanessa Lillie (E251) Nov 04, 2026

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Today on Bookish Flights, I’m joined by USA Today bestselling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Vanessa Lillie to discuss her latest thriller, The Bone Thief. Vanessa takes us beyond the pages of her novel to explore Native American history, the power of storytelling and why understanding the past matters today.

Episode Highlights:

The real history behind The Bone Thief, including the Great Swamp Massacre
How thrillers can help readers explore difficult topics with an open mind
The role of archaeology and museums in preserving and interpreting Native history
Recognizing Native American cultures as living, thriving communities
Connecting with the land through storytelling, reading outdoors and eco-walks
Why supporting Indigenous authors matters and how readers can make a difference
Finding balance with social media and reconnecting with the world around us
Vanessa's Book Flight featuring books by Indigenous women writers to add to your reading list

Connect with Vanessa:

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

Blood Sisters by Vanessa Lillie
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Jane Austen books
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthologyedited by Shane West & Theodore C. Van Elst Jr.
Jar of Hearts / Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier

Book Flight

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Shutterby Ramona Emerson (thriller)
To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage

Dessert Pairing

Love is a War Song by Danica Nava

A Word From Our Sponsor: Creepy Book Retreat

Calling all thriller, mystery, and suspense lovers! The 2027 Creepy Book Retreat is coming to beautiful San Diego! Meet 13 headlining authors, including bestselling author Lucinda Berry, enjoy an incredible Author Expo, get your books signed, and connect with fellow readers who love a good twist. It’s the perfect opportunity to make new bookish besties and create memories that last long after the final chapter.

Learn More and Grab Your Tickets

The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.

Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with:

One chapter book for growing readers
One picture book for our littlest readers
A few family conversation starters + a simple activity

Three books. One common theme.

→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamily

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

Keeping Love Alive Through Storytelling with Tiffany Chu (E250) Oct 30, 2026

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What happens when storytelling becomes a way to keep someone's memory alive? Today on Bookish Flights, I'm joined by literary fantasy author Tiffany Chu to discuss The Constellation of Forgotten Things, a grief memoir told through short stories. Tiffany began writing the book with Ren, a teenage boy she and her family were in the process of adopting when he passed away. Through stories exploring grief, loss and the memories that keep love alive, Tiffany hopes readers will find connection and feel a little less alone in their own experiences.

Episode Highlights:

The deeply personal story behind The Constellation of Forgotten Things and writing the book with Ren, the teenage son Tiffany was in the process of adopting when he passed away.
Exploring grief and healing through storytelling
Caring for memories as a way to keep love alive
Rediscovering the importance of community and allowing ourselves to need others
How books help us experience different perspectives and understand one another
Finding the extraordinary in seemingly ordinary people
How Tiffany makes room for reading and writing in her everyday life

Connect with Tiffany:

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Jane Austen books
Charles Dickens books
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Maggie O’Farrell books
Ann Patchett books
Piranesi by Susanna Clark
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Book Flight

Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Lee
The Buried Giant / Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Linghun by Ai Jiang

The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.

Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with:

One chapter book for growing readers
One picture book for our littlest readers
A few family conversation starters + a simple activity

Three books. One common theme.

→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamily

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

Literary Mysteries with a Supernatural Twist and The Jewel of Corlivo with Kathleen Carr Foster (E249) Oct 28, 2026

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Do you love a good literary mystery with a touch of the supernatural? This week on Bookish Flights, I'm joined by Kathleen Carr Foster, author of The Jewel of Corlivo, for a conversation about storytelling, historical research, and her journey to becoming a published novelist. Kathleen shares what went into creating the world of her debut novel, what she's learned about herself through writing, and why sometimes the hardest part is simply getting started.

Episode Highlights:

Kathleen's decision to leave the corporate world and pursue writing.
The inspiration behind The Jewel of Corlivo and the historical research that brought its setting to life.
Why research can sometimes become a form of procrastination.
Learning to embrace criticism and discovering the joy of writing a book that others enjoy.
Why your first draft doesn't need to be perfect—you just need to start.
The importance of reading contemporary fiction and understanding today's publishing landscape.
Three literary mysteries with a supernatural twist in Kathleen's Book Flight.

Connect with Kathleen:

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
The Poet Empress by Shen Tao

Book Flight

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
The Historianby Elizabeth Kostova
Possession by A.S. Byatt

Dessert Pairing

The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton by Jennifer N. Brown

The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.

Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with:

One chapter book for growing readers
One picture book for our littlest readers
A few family conversation starters + a simple activity

Three books. One common theme.

→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamily

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

Growing Up Before Screens: Free Range Girl & the Power of Reading Aloud with Meghan Cox Gurdon (E248) Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

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What was childhood like before screens, constant supervision, and endless distractions? In this episode of Bookish Flights, I'm joined by Meghan Cox Gurdon, longtime Wall Street Journal book critic and author of Free Range Girl, a memoir about her unconventional childhood in rural Maine during the 1970s. We talk about the process of writing a memoir, the freedom of growing up in a different era, and what we can learn from looking back at our own stories. We also discuss her previous book, The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction, exploring the challenges of deep reading in today's distracted world and the importance of reading aloud to foster connection and a lifelong love of books.

Episode Highlights:

Meghan's experience writing a memoir and why she encourages everyone to write down their memories
Growing up in rural Maine without modern conveniences and how childhood has changed
What Meghan learned about herself and the importance of extending grace to the people we love
Why deep reading has become increasingly difficult, even for devoted readers
The power of reading aloud and how it helps children develop a love of literature
How reading aloud is even being used to help socialize traumatized animals at the ASPCA (and why dogs aren't picky about their literature!)
Meghan's childhood reading habits and why she still considers herself an indiscriminate reader
A Book Flight featuring memoirs written with tenderness of heart and a deep appreciation for those we love

Connect with Meghan:

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
The Aeneid by Virgil
Reading Magic by Mem Fox
Edith Wharton books
A Perfect Coincidence by Jim Rasenberger
The Watch Tower by Elizabeth Harrower
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
True Grit by Charles Portis
Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham

Book Flight

Growing Up by Russell Baker
Farmer Boyby Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.

Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with:

One chapter book for growing readers
One picture book for our littlest readers
A few family conversation starters + a simple activity

Three books. One common theme.

→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamily

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

How to Get Booked on Podcasts: What I've Seen After 250+ Interviews (E247) Oct 16, 2026

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Want to be a guest on more podcasts? After more than 250 interviews on Bookish Flights, I've seen what makes a podcast guest stand out and what can make a pitch fall flat.

In this solo episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of podcast hosting to share a few things I wish more potential guests knew. From getting a host's attention to making the most of your interview once it airs, there are some things you might not have considered!

Whether you're an author hoping to reach more readers or an entrepreneur looking to grow your audience, you'll want to tune in before sending your next pitch.

Ready to start pitching yourself to podcasts?

I created Pitch Perfect, a self-paced workbook to help authors, entrepreneurs and creatives navigate the podcast pitching process and put what they've learned into action.

The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.

Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with:

One chapter book for growing readers
One picture book for our littlest readers
A few family conversation starters + a simple activity

Three books. One common theme.

→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamily

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

Finding Hope, Overcoming Rejection, and Dramatic, Emotional Romances with Deborah Clack (E246) Oct 14, 2026

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Today on Bookish Flights, I'm joined by contemporary romance author Deborah Clack to talk about her journey from high school history teacher to published novelist. Deborah shares how she always viewed the world through the lens of storytelling, the steep learning curve of becoming an author, and the rejection she faced along the way. We also talk about making time for ourselves as moms, finding hope in difficult seasons, and her Shelter & Sky series, including her newest novel, After We Fall.

Episode Highlights:

Growing up with a love of storytelling
Going from teaching history to writing romance
Believing in your stories while still learning the craft
Navigating rejection and the road to publication
Making time for creativity and letting go of mom guilt
Writing about grief, hope, and learning to live again
Why the Shelter & Sky books can stand alone, but are even better read in order
A Book Flight featuring three dramatic, emotional romances

Connect with Deborah:

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

Book Flight

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Long Way Gone by Charles Martin

The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.

Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with:

One chapter book for growing readers
One picture book for our littlest readers
A few family conversation starters + a simple activity

Three books. One common theme.

→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamily

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

BFF Book Club - Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh (E245) Oct 09, 2026

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What happens when you step outside your comfort zone and make room for something new? Courtney Walsh joins the BFF Book Club to talk about her novel Brighter Than Before and the courage it takes to get out of your own way, build meaningful connections, and remember just how strong you really are.

Episode Highlights:

Getting outside your comfort zone (even when you’d really rather stay home!)
Finding friendship and community as an adult and making friends when you’re constantly on the move
Why the smallest everyday interactions can make such a difference
The value of spending time alone and getting into your own head
Why female friendships can be so difficult—and so important—to find as an adult
The courage it takes to start over and Cclebrating the bravery and strength of women

Connect with Courtney:

📚 Next Meet the Author Book Club - The Brunswick with Callie Murray

🗓️ Nov 3rd | 🕓 5 pm PST / 7 pm CST / 8 pm EST

After her seemingly perfect life falls apart, Claire takes a leap of faith into a fresh start in Chicago, discovering friendship, purpose, and the possibility of a brighter future along the way. Register Here.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

Crafting Sweet Escapes and Swoony Fiction with Courtney Walsh (E153)
Ashley Poston books
Katherine Center books
As Luck Would Have It by Courtney Walsh (Pre-order for 03/02/27 pub date)
Anne of Green Gablesby L.M. Montgomery
Harry Potter - Full-Cast Audio by J.K. Rowling

Book Flight

Becky Wade books
Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane
The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter

Dessert Pairing

Spies, Lies and Alibis by Natalie Walters

The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.

Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with:

One chapter book for growing readers
One picture book for our littlest readers
A few family conversation starters + a simple activity

Three books. One common theme.

→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamily

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

Cold War Spies, Historical Fiction & Classic British Mysteries with Katherine Reay (E244) Oct 07, 2026

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In this episode of Bookish Flights, I’m joined by national bestselling and award-winning author Katherine Reay to talk about her latest novel, The Undercover Bookshop. We chat about life on a Montana ranch, writing spy novels, the fascinating true history behind her fiction, and why sometimes the facts are far more unbelievable than anything she could make up. Katherine also brings us a Book Flight of Classic British Mysteries.

Episode Highlights:

Life on a Montana ranch and finding creativity in the quiet
How moving gave Katherine a chance to recalibrate her life and routines
Writing spy novels—and why she says she would “crumble like an old biscuit” as a real spy
The roles women played during the Cold War
Digging into the true history behind The Undercover Bookshop
Choosing fact over fiction when the real story is already unbelievable
The luxury of sneaking in an hour of reading during the day
Katherine’s Book Flight of Classic British Mysteries

Connect with Katherine:

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay
The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay
The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
What’s Didn’t The Ask Evans by Agatha Christie
John Le Carre books
Frederick Forsyth books
Daniel Silva books
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

Book Flight

A Shilling for Candlesby Josephine Tay
Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers
The Murder of Roger Ackroydby Agatha Christie

The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.

Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with:

One chapter book for growing readers
One picture book for our littlest readers
A few family conversation starters + a simple activity

Three books. One common theme.

→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamily

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

Writing for Kids, Loving Your Readers & the Magic of a Good Book with Annie Barrows (E243) Sep 30, 2026

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Today, I’m joined by bestselling author Annie Barrows to talk about her journey from editor to author, why she loves writing for children, and her Stella & Marigold series, including the newest book, Past and Presents. We also talk about the joy of getting lost in a story, writing with the reader in mind, and, of course, I couldn’t let Annie go without asking about one of my favorites, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Episode Highlights:

Annie’s journey from editor to author and the moment she realized the writers were having more fun
Why she loves writing for children and believes kids are “the most interesting people on earth”
The Stella & Marigold series and writing stories that entertain and respect young readers
Why Annie believes a writer’s first loyalty should be to the reader
The pleasure of slowing down with a book and how reading can make us better writers
The joy of stepping outside yourself and living in someone else’s world through a story
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and why Annie believes the book continues to connect so deeply with readers

Connect with Annie:

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
The Best of Iggy for Annie Barrows (series for boys)
Like by Annie Barrows
The Magic Half by Annie Barrows
Indigo’s Star by Hilary Kay

Book Flight

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall (Middle Grade)
Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Klan, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Picture book)
Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp (Fairy tale - early chapter book, read aloud)

The BFF Book Club is becoming a family affair! ❤️ This our FREE virtual book club, where we read together each month and have live author chats.

Each Family Book Flight pairs our BFF Book Club pick with: