Bookish Flights: Themed Book Recommendations for Busy Readers

Send us Fan MailToday 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 MassacreHow thrillers can help readers explore difficult topics with an open mindThe role of archaeology and museums in preserving and interpreting Native historyRecognizing Native American cultures as living, thriving communitiesConnecting with the land through storytelling, reading outdoors and eco-walksWhy supporting Indigenous authors matters and how readers can make a differenceFinding balance with social media and reconnecting with the world around usVanessa's Book Flight featuring books by Indigenous women writers to add to your reading listConnect with Vanessa:InstagramFacebookWebsiteBooks and authors mentioned in the episode:Blood Sisters by Vanessa LillieYesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeJane Austen booksNever Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology edited by Shane West & Theodore C. Van Elst Jr. Jar of Hearts / Heart of Glass by Jennifer HillierBook FlightBraiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall KimmererShutter by Ramona Emerson (thriller)To the Moon and Back by Eliana RamageDessert PairingLove is a War Song by Danica NavaA Word From Our Sponsor: Creepy Book RetreatCalling 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 TicketsThe 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 readersOne picture book for our littlest readersA few family conversation starters + a simple activityThree books. One common theme.→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamilySupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite

Send us Fan MailWhat 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 storytellingCaring for memories as a way to keep love aliveRediscovering the importance of community and allowing ourselves to need othersHow books help us experience different perspectives and understand one anotherFinding the extraordinary in seemingly ordinary peopleHow Tiffany makes room for reading and writing in her everyday lifeConnect with Tiffany:InstagramWebsiteKickstarterSome 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 BronteJane Austen booksCharles Dickens booksGulliver’s Travels by Jonathan SwiftThe Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre DumasMaggie O’Farrell booksAnn Patchett booksPiranesi by Susanna ClarkThe Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienBook Flight Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun LeeThe Buried Giant / Never Let Me Go by Kazuo IshiguroLinghun by Ai JiangThe 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 readersOne picture book for our littlest readersA few family conversation starters + a simple activityThree books. One common theme.→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamilySupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite

Send us Fan MailDo 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:InstagramWebsiteSome 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 BrownThe Poet Empress by Shen TaoBook FlightA Discovery of Witches by Deborah HarknessThe Historian by Elizabeth KostovaPossession by A.S. ByattDessert PairingThe Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton by Jennifer N. BrownThe 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 readersOne picture book for our littlest readersA few family conversation starters + a simple activityThree books. One common theme.→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamilySupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite

Send us Fan MailWhat 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 memoriesGrowing up in rural Maine without modern conveniences and how childhood has changedWhat Meghan learned about herself and the importance of extending grace to the people we loveWhy deep reading has become increasingly difficult, even for devoted readersThe power of reading aloud and how it helps children develop a love of literatureHow 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 readerA Book Flight featuring memoirs written with tenderness of heart and a deep appreciation for those we loveConnect with Meghan:WebsiteInstagramSome 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 AlighieriThe Aeneid by VirgilReading Magic by Mem FoxEdith Wharton booksA Perfect Coincidence by Jim RasenbergerThe Watch Tower by Elizabeth HarrowerStation Eleven by Emily St. John MandelTrue Grit by Charles PortisOf Human Bondage by W. Somerset MaughamBook FlightGrowing Up by Russell BakerFarmer Boy by Laura Ingalls WilderThe Glass Castle by Jeannette WallsThe 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 readersOne picture book for our littlest readersA few family conversation starters + a simple activityThree books. One common theme.→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamilySupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite

Send us Fan MailWant 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 readersOne picture book for our littlest readersA few family conversation starters + a simple activityThree books. One common theme.→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamilySupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite

Send us Fan MailToday 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 storytellingGoing from teaching history to writing romanceBelieving in your stories while still learning the craftNavigating rejection and the road to publicationMaking time for creativity and letting go of mom guiltWriting about grief, hope, and learning to live againWhy the Shelter & Sky books can stand alone, but are even better read in orderA Book Flight featuring three dramatic, emotional romancesConnect with Deborah:InstagramWebsiteSome 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:Lynne Gentry booksBecky Wade booksThe Water Keeper by Charles MartinOur Perfect Storm by Carley FortuneJohn Le Carre booksLynn H. Blackburn booksBook FlightThe Bodyguard by Katherine CenterDream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth PhillipsLong Way Gone by Charles MartinThe 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 readersOne picture book for our littlest readersA few family conversation starters + a simple activityThree books. One common theme.→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamilySupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite

Send us Fan MailWhat 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 moveWhy the smallest everyday interactions can make such a differenceThe value of spending time alone and getting into your own headWhy female friendships can be so difficult—and so important—to find as an adultThe courage it takes to start over and Cclebrating the bravery and strength of womenConnect with Courtney:InstagramWebsite📚 Next Meet the Author Book Club - The Brunswick with Callie Murray🗓️ Nov 3rd | 🕓 5 pm PST / 7 pm CST / 8 pm ESTAfter 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 booksKatherine Center booksAs Luck Would Have It by Courtney Walsh (Pre-order for 03/02/27 pub date)Anne of Green Gables by L.M. MontgomeryHarry Potter - Full-Cast Audio by J.K. RowlingBook FlightBecky Wade booksCover Story by Mhairi McFarlaneThe Blonde Identity by Ally CarterDessert PairingSpies, Lies and Alibis by Natalie WaltersThe 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 readersOne picture book for our littlest readersA few family conversation starters + a simple activityThree books. One common theme.→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamilySupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite

Send us Fan MailIn 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 quietHow moving gave Katherine a chance to recalibrate her life and routinesWriting spy novels—and why she says she would “crumble like an old biscuit” as a real spyThe roles women played during the Cold WarDigging into the true history behind The Undercover BookshopChoosing fact over fiction when the real story is already unbelievableThe luxury of sneaking in an hour of reading during the dayKatherine’s Book Flight of Classic British MysteriesConnect with Katherine:InstagramFacebookWebsiteSome 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 ReayThe Berlin Letters by Katherine ReayThe Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha ChristieWhat’s Didn’t The Ask Evans by Agatha ChristieJohn Le Carre booksFrederick Forsyth booksDaniel Silva booksPride and Prejudice by Jane AustenThe Astral Library by Kate QuinnBook FlightA Shilling for Candles by Josephine TayStrong Poison by Dorothy L. SayersThe Murder of Roger Ackroydby Agatha ChristieThe 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 readersOne picture book for our littlest readersA few family conversation starters + a simple activityThree books. One common theme.→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamilySupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite

Send us Fan MailToday, 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 funWhy 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 readersWhy Annie believes a writer’s first loyalty should be to the readerThe pleasure of slowing down with a book and how reading can make us better writersThe joy of stepping outside yourself and living in someone else’s world through a storyThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and why Annie believes the book continues to connect so deeply with readersConnect with Annie:WebsiteInstagramFacebookSome 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 BarrowsThe Best of Iggy for Annie Barrows (series for boys)Like by Annie BarrowsThe Magic Half by Annie BarrowsIndigo’s Star by Hilary KayBook FlightThe 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:One chapter book for growing readersOne picture book for our littlest readersA few family conversation starters + a simple activityThree books. One common theme.→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamilySupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite

Send us Fan MailToday’s episode features Alex Alexander, author of Are We Friends Yet: How to Deepen Your Relationships and Create the Community You Need and host of the Friendship IRL podcast. Alex and I talk about writing her first book, what surprised her about the process, and her experience navigating self-publishing versus traditional publishing. We also explore the ideas at the heart of her work: how reframing the way we think about friendship can make connection feel much more accessible. Her book flight features books about friendship and connection.Episode Highlights:How Friendship IRL and Are We Friends Yet? complement each otherWhat surprised Alex most about writing her first bookSelf-publishing versus traditional publishingWhy continuing to “put in the reps” matters as a writerReframing what friendship and community can look likeSimple ways to connect with the people already in our livesHow sharing something as simple as a favorite book can build connectionConnect with Alex:InstagramWebsiteFriendship IRL PodcastSome 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:Good Friends by Priya VulchiBook FlightModern Friendship by Anna GoldfarbHow We Show Up by Mia BirdsongThe Art of Gathering by Priya ParkerThe 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 readersOne picture book for our littlest readersA few family conversation starters + a simple activityThree books. One common theme.→ Join us here: https://bookishflights.kit.com/bfffamilySupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!InstagramFacebookWebsite