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Bookish Flights: Themed Book Recommendations & Author Interviews

Discover your next great read with themed book recommendations, author interviews, and books you won’t want to miss.

Hosted by Kara Infante, Bookish Flights is a weekly book podcast featuring conversations with authors and storytellers about books, writing, reading, and life. Every episode features a book flight: three book recommendations paired by theme, topic, or genre. Think of it as a wine flight of books! From historical fiction and mysteries to memoirs, romance, fantasy, and classics, there’s always something new to discover.

We’re not literary critics, and you certainly don’t need to be one to join the conversation. We’re simply people who love books and love talking about them. Whether you’re a lifelong reader, exploring a new genre, or just getting back into reading, you’re welcome here.

I started Bookish Flights to explore books outside my usual reading habits. Along the way, I’ve discovered that books do so much more than entertain us. They introduce us to new perspectives, help us understand one another, and bring people together. I believe books can be both a bridge and a balm for loneliness.

Tune in every Wednesday for a new conversation and a fresh book flight! Find more book recommendations, our free BFF Book Club, and Family Book Flights at www.bookishflights.com.

Latest Episodes:

Books That Have Impacted You - Story Share | Part B Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

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In today’s episode I am chatting with Jacqui Lents of the Jacqui Just Chatters podcast. Jacqui and I have teamed up to do a two-part story share. You can find Part A over at Jacqui Just Chatters. We asked for submissions on “Books That Have Impacted You.” We got many lovely submissions and I am beyond excited to share the stories of books that have impacted Sue Pritchard and Shirley Hay.

Sue Pritchard

Although Sue has over 30 years’ experience as a trade journalist, she’s never had the confidence to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming an author. Sue believed she lacked the creativity to come up with a book-worthy idea, until a psychic told her that her dad, who died in 2009, would guide her towards fulfilling that dream. And he has!

Sue is now working towards publication of her first book that takes an honest, amusing, and open-minded look at life. It shows how, as ordinary people, we all have extraordinary stories to share. Sue has completed marathons; survived cycling mishaps; fought a lifelong battle with self-belief; marvelled at the juggle and struggle of being a woman; unearthed unusual family history; built the foundations of her life upon the books she’s read; and realized that the love of a parent knows no bounds. Sue lived in Kent in the southeast of England for most of her life. She is married with two daughters and Sophie the Labrador.

Connect with Sue on:

Shirley Hay

Shirley Hay is an emerging author from the flatlands of the Canadian prairies. Her writing is informed by a background in psychology and family support, including neurodiverse children and those with mental health concerns. She writes stories about survival and strength and love; always aiming to honour women, children and families of all kinds, and at all stages. She has been previously published in "Suddenly and Without Warning" and "Creation Magazine", and will soon have her micro-fiction appear in "50 Give or Take" from Vine Leaves Press. Shirley is currently seeking a publication home for her debut novel, Fault Lines.

You can connect with Shirley at:

You can connect with my lovely co-host today, Jacqui Lents at:

Support the show

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

Book Flight | Magic to Make You Think Differently with Author Meg Seitz (E67) Feb 21, 2024

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In today’s episode I am chatting with Meg Seitz. Meg is the founder and CEO of toth shop, a communications agency that focuses on a human, holistic approach to branding, marketing, and communications. Her book '“You are Something New: Life lessons to radically change how you show up in your business” was published in November 2023.

We chatted all about starting with a really good question to determine where to start, writing being a team sport and what she has learned about life through moving a lot in her childhood. I love her book flight of “digestible books” that leave you with an “aha’ moment and how she refers to books as interesting currency in conversation. Happy listening!

You can connect with Meg at the links below:

You can find the show notes for this episode with links to the books mentioned in the episode right HERE.

Support the show

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

A Mississippi Sisterhood of Writers with Author Gerry Wilson (E66) Feb 14, 2024

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Gerry Wilson. A seventh generation Mississippian, Gerry Wilson grew up in the red clay hills of the north. Her novel, That Pinson Girl, was released on February 6, 2024. Gerry has a Substack publication, “Stories I’m Old Enough to Tell,” where she writes about her journey to publication and reveals tidbits about That Pinson Girl.

Gerry taught us all about the literary traditions of Mississippi and her perspective as a teacher on how we teach our children to write. Her book flight focuses on the women writers of Mississippi, including generations of writers. The book flight also focuses on themes of family and motherhood. This is a delightful episode, I hope you enjoy it as well. Happy listening!

You can connect with Gerry at the links below:

You can find the show notes for this episode with links to the books mentioned in the episode right HERE.

Support the show

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

Kristin Hannah and The Women: On Writing, Motherhood and Friendships (E65) Feb 07, 2024

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Have you ever wondered what your favorite authors are reading? Or what books influenced their writing lives? Today, we are on a mission to find out what the award-winning and bestselling author, Kristin Hannah, is reading.

Kristin Hannah is well-loved here at Bookish Flights, by listeners and host alike. It was an absolute honor to have her on the show. In this episode, we talked about motherhood and friends who meet you in the trenches. She discussed the research she does for her novels, finding your voice in writing and her latest novel, The Women. Tune into to hear her favorite characters and books to write as well as a book flight of books that influenced her writing life.

You can find the show notes for this episode with links to the books mentioned in the episode right HERE.

Support the show

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

Finding Acceptance and Belonging through Books with Author Ainsley Billings (E64) Jan 31, 2024

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In today’s episode I am chatting with Ainsley Billings. Ainsley is a first-time author, hoping to always create new worlds and characters. She is currently studying psychology with the goal of becoming a forensic psychologist. She has always loved reading and writing, and this book is a dream come true for her. When she is not studying or writing, Ainsley enjoys playing with her two golden doodles and watching way too much TV with her family.

Ainsley takes the prize for being our youngest published author on the show to date! She is the author of a dystopian/urban fantasy, The Offenders, and I loved it last year! We talked all about getting vulnerable amongst the pages and what writing has done for processing big events in her life. It is a delightful episode and one you will not want to miss! Happy listening!

You can connect with Ainsley at the links below:

If you want more Bookish Flights, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon! Stay tuned for more member exclusive content to come!

Show Notes
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:

Megan Quinn books
Book Loversby Emily Henry

Book Flight

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueby V.E. Schwab
A Court of Silver Flamesby Sarah J. Maas
The Offendersby Ainsley Billings

Support the show

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

Funny and Adventurous Books from the Kids (E63) Jan 26, 2024

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Today we are leaning in to another episode from the kids. We had so much success with our first kid episode, that we will be doing one every month for the foreseeable future. If you have a kiddo who loves to read, I’d love to bring them on. Fill out the Guest Inquiry Form on www.bookishflights.com.

In today’s episode, we are chatting with Jarek and his Mom, Sami. Jarek is 8, so the books shared are early chapter books or middle grade novels. Hope you enjoy this short and sweet episode with Jarek. Happy listening!

If you want more Bookish Flights, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon! Stay tuned for more member exclusive content to come!

Show Notes

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

Books mentioned in the episode

Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

Book Flight

Dog Man and Cat Kidby Dav Pilkey (graphic novel)
Minecraft: The Shipwreckby C.B. Lee
Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney

Support the show

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

Epic Fantasies with Author Bryan Mitchell (E62) Jan 24, 2024

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Bryan Mitchell. Bryan is an award-winning author of epic fantasies living in Archdale, NC. His writing is inspired by his Christian faith, and is filled with relevant themes that can be identified in today's society even though they are written into fantastical worlds. He is the author of Infernal Fall and Almost Paradise, which just released on October 24th, 2023.

I loved how Bryan described reading as a writer as active reading. We had such a great conversation about what makes epic novels, pitfalls of everyday life and how easy it is to sink into the binary decision of choosing death over life. He talks about weaving characters stories to help relate with humanity and starting from a place of hope. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. Happy listening!

You can connect with Bryan at the links below:

Instagram
Facebook
Website
Purchase:
- Infernal Fall (Book 1)
- Almost Paradise (Book 2)

If you want more Bookish Flights, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon! Stay tuned for more member exclusive content to come!

Show Notes

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:

Dante's Inferno by Dante Aligheri
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Lettersby C.S. Lewis
The Bible
Harry Potter seriesby J.K. Rowling
Stephen King books
Sweep of Stars by Maurice Broaddus

Book Flight

The Man He Never Wasby James L. Rubart
The Way of Kingsby Brandon Sanderson
Iscariotby Tosca Lee

Support the show

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

Author Sara Brunsvold and Intergenerational Family Novels (E61) Jan 17, 2024

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Sara Brunsvold. Sara creates stories that speak hope, truth and life. Influenced by humble women of God who find His fingerprints in the everyday, she does the same in her life and her storytelling. Sara is the author of The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip and her newest novel, The Divine Proverb of Streusel. Sara’s recognitions include the 2020 ACFW Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction and the 2023 Christy Award! She lives with her family in Kansas City, where she can often be spotted writing at a park or library.

Sara and I had a delightful conversation about books strongly set in the Midwest, small town magic and the wisdom and mutual advantage of intergenerational relationships. Sara even shares a sneak peek of the next novel she is working on, it sounds like a book lovers delight! Tune in to hear all about it!

You can connect with Sara at the links below:

Instagram
Facebook
Website
To purchase:
- The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip
- The Divine Proverb of Streusel

If you want more Bookish Flights, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon! Stay tuned for more member exclusive content to come!

Show Notes

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 Grapes of Wrathby John Steinbeck
East of Edenby John Steinbeck
Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

Book Flight

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafeby Fannie Flagg

Support the show

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

Having the Courage to Ask Hard Questions with Author Lori Ann Wood (E60) Jan 10, 2024

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Lori Ann Wood. Lori Ann lives with her husband in an empty nest in beautiful Bentonville, Arkansas. Having discovered a serious heart condition almost too late, Lori Ann writes to encourage others to explore their difficult faith questions along the detours of life. Lori Ann’s award-winning book released in February 2023 with CrossRiver Media, Divine Detour: The Path You’d Never Choose Can Lead to the Faith You’ve Always Wanted.

Lori Ann’s story is incredibly captivating, to the extent that I burnt a batch of pancakes, while editing because I was so engrossed in it again. Lori Ann talks to us about giving ourselves permission and courage to ask the hard questions, what to do when the unexpected happens and gives you a “Divine Detour.” This episode is filled with so much truth, wisdom and beauty. I hope it touches you as well!

You can connect with Lori at the links below:

If you want more Bookish Flights, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon! Stay tuned for more member exclusive content to come!

Show Notes

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 Tale of Benjamin Bunnyby Beatrix Potter
Busting Barriers: Overcoming Barriers and Unleash Fruitful Living by Dr. Gladys Child

Book Flight

Buechner 101by Frederick Buechner
You Are Specialby Max Lucado
The Last Ordinary Hourby Kathy Izard

Support the show

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

A Book Flight to Make You Feel Good with Author Cori Wamsley (E59) Jan 03, 2024

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Cori Wamsley. Cori is the CEO of Aurora Corialis Publishing and works with leaders who have a transformational story to share. She helps them quickly and easily write and publish a book for their brand that helps them create a legacy and be seen as an expert while building a relationship with the reader. Cori has 18 years experience as a professional writer and editor, including 10 years with the Deaprtments of Energy and Justice and 4 years as the executive editor of Inspiring Lives Magazine. She also wrote nine fiction books and one non-fiction book, “The SPARK Method: How to Write a Book for Your Business Fast,” and contributed to two anthologies. Her tenth book, The Treasures We Seek, was published in November of 2023.

Cori talks about how she develops her novels, the publishing process and about the different types of publishing, as well as creating characters that help us grow in empathy by allowing us to walk in someone else’s shoes for a bit. I hope you enjoy this episode!

You can connect with Cori at the links below:

If you want more Bookish Flights, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon! Stay tuned for more member exclusive content to come!

Show Notes

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 Treasures We Seekby Cori Wamsley
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Datingby Christina Lauren
Braving the Shoreby Cori Wamsley

Support the show

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

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