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.
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This week, I’m joined by Erin Kirschenmann—lifelong reader, wine educator, and founder of Novel Pairings, an online book and wine membership that brings together thoughtfully curated books, wine pairings, playlists, community, and in-person events.
Whether you're a wine enthusiast or someone who has no idea what to order, Erin makes wine feel approachable and fun. We talk about why books and wine pair so naturally and how to take the intimidation out of choosing a bottle. Erin and I also issued a challenge for all of us: a few times each day, reach for your book instead of your phone. Slow down. Be intentional. And maybe even pour yourself a glass of wine while you're at it.
Special Offer
Erin is generously offering Bookish Flights listeners their first month of Novel Pairings completely free. Use the code BOOKISHFLIGHTS when you join.
Whether you're looking for your next great read, your next favorite bottle of wine, or simply an excuse to slow down and enjoy both, I think you're going to love this conversation.
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
This week, I'm joined by Julie Carrick Dalton, journalist, former organic farmer and beekeeper, and author of The Forest Becomes Her. Julie's novels are deeply rooted in the natural world, exploring the relationship between people, place, and the communities we build together.
Inspired by her own experience watching a beloved forest disappear to development, The Forest Becomes Her is ultimately a story about what a community loses when a forest is gone. Through the lives of three women navigating grief, motherhood, and identity, Julie invites readers to consider our connection to the land beneath our feet and the lasting impact of the choices we make.
In this episode, we talk about how Julie's years running an organic farm shaped every one of her novels, the decision to purchase a 220-acre forest to preserve it, why fiction allows her to explore life's biggest truths, and the joy of listening to audiobooks while tending her garden
Episode Highlights:
How Julie's years running an organic farm continue to inspire her writing & real-life experience behind The Forest Becomes Her
Parenting, motherhood, and raising children with a connection to nature
How fiction helps us understand the world in ways journalism sometimes cannot
Julie's love of gardening with an audiobook playing in the background
Julie's Book Flight and fictional books that help us see the world differently
This week on Bookish Flights, I'm joined by beloved children's author Kate DiCamillo for a conversation about something much bigger than writing. We explore what it means to be a reader, why stories shape us long after childhood, and how a love of books can become one of the greatest gifts we pass from one generation to the next.
Kate's stories, including Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and Flora & Ulysses, have become treasured companions for millions of readers and families. As The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane celebrates its 20th anniversary with a beautiful collector's edition this fall, Kate reflects on the enduring power of children's literature and the stories that continue to find us at every stage of life.
Together, we talk about reading aloud, protecting time to read in a busy world, why literature helps us tell and bear the truth, and how simply showing up each day can transform both our reading lives and our creative lives.
Whether you've loved Kate's books since childhood, are discovering them with your own children, or simply want to rekindle your love of reading, this conversation is a beautiful reminder of why stories matter at every age.
Episode Highlights:
Why Kate has always identified first and foremost as a reader.
The magic of reading aloud and why it allows us to meet one another without our armor.
The children's books every adult should revisit.
Kate's daily reading habit, including putting her phone on Airplane Mode.
The surprising lesson she's learned from showing up to write every day.
Kate's Book Flight includes books she routinely re-reads and she wants everyone to read
What If? The Magic of Middle Grade Stories and Raising Readers with Becca Wierwille (E225)
In this episode of Bookish Flights, I’m joined by middle grade author and podcaster Becca Wierwille. She is the author of the Road Trip Rescue series and the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries. Becca writes stories that help kids embrace what makes them unique and discover the adventures waiting for them. Together, we discuss the power of children's books, how stories help build empathy, the importance of reading aloud, and why the middle grade years are such a pivotal time in a reader's life. We also chat about her podcast, Ice Cream with Authors, and the books that helped shape her journey from young reader to published author.
Episode Highlights:
Why “work-life harmony” matters more than work-life balance
The power of small actions and intentional pauses
Career reinvention and starting over in different seasons of life
How burnout often disconnects us from our own needs
Recognizing the through-lines in your personal and professional journey
Building a life that prioritizes flexibility, family, and fulfillment
This week on Bookish Flights, I’m joined by award-winning author Martha Engber for a thoughtful conversation about storytelling, curiosity, and the power of fiction to help us better understand ourselves and others. We chat about her Mary Donahue Chronicles, including Winter Light and Scattered Light, and explore themes of trauma, healing, self-worth, and the experiences that shape us throughout our lives. Drawing from her background in journalism, Martha shares how observation and asking questions have shaped her writing, why curiosity matters more than judgment, and how stories can offer readers a safe space to explore difficult topics.
Episode Highlights:
Martha's journey from journalism to novelist and screenwriter
How journalism taught her the art of observation and asking better questions
Why curiosity is essential for both writers and readers
The role fiction plays in helping us understand our own lives and experiences
Writing about trauma, healing, and the hard things we face as humans
The conversation around trigger warnings in books
Giving ourselves grace and letting go of unrealistic expectations
Reading what you love instead of what you think you should read
Martha's book flight featuring small press books and authentic human stories
In this episode of Bookish Flights, I am joined by author and podcaster Landis Wade. A recovering trial lawyer, Landis is the author of the award-winning Indie Retirement Mystery series, including his newest release, Deadly Gold Rush. He is also the founder of the Charlotte Readers Podcast, where he has interviewed more than 500 authors.
Our conversation goes beyond mystery writing as we discuss finding a meaningful "third act" after a successful career, the surprising similarities between law and storytelling, the value of writing communities, and why it's never too late to learn something new. Landis shares wisdom from both sides of the microphone and offers encouragement for writers at every stage of the journey.
Episode Highlights:
Transitioning from trial lawyer to author and podcaster
Building a creative "third act" after a successful career
Why lawyers often make strong writers
Lessons learned from interviewing more than 500 authors
The importance of finding a writing group and literary community
Why rejection is a shared experience among all writers
How persistence can help writers navigate setbacks
Embracing lifelong learning and new challenges
A look at Deadly Gold Rush and the history that inspired the novel
This week on Bookish Flights, I'm joined by Joanna Davidson Politano to discuss her latest novel, The Life She Forgot. Known for her atmospheric historical fiction and layered mysteries, Joanna shares the inspiration behind the novel, the first in a new series set around a house built into the cliffs of Cornwall. We talk about her love of creating immersive settings and why she believes there's a difference between a romance and a true love story.
We also talk about writing while raising young children, the twists and turns of crafting a mystery, and how books allow us to travel the world without ever leaving home.
Episode Highlights:
Why Joanna believes "it is fun to travel through fiction"
The difference between a romance and a love story
What it means to truly love someone well
How she builds twists and surprises into her novels
Becoming a "naptime novelist" while raising young children
This romantic suspense novel is packed with danger, secrets, second chances, and plenty of twists. We'll be reading it together and then welcoming Natalie Walters for a live author conversation. Register Here.
Old Hollywood, Glamour, & Jane Eyre: Inside The Chateau on Sunset with Natasha Lester (E221)
This week on Bookish Flights, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author Natasha Lester to discuss her latest novel, The Chateau on Sunset, a feminist reimagining of Jane Eyre set within the legendary walls of the Chateau Marmont.
Natasha shares the fascinating history behind one of Hollywood’s most infamous hotels, where generations of actors, musicians, writers, and dreamers have lived, worked, and occasionally gotten into trouble. We talk about her research process, what it was like staying at the Chateau herself, and how the hotel's rich history inspired the atmosphere of the novel.
Episode Highlights:
The fascinating history of the Chateau Marmont and its connection to Hollywood legends and why it makes the perfect summer read
The enduring appeal of Gothic storytelling and Jane Eyre
The themes of ambition, identity, and independence woven throughout Natasha's novels
Why women should never feel the need to make themselves smaller to get ahead
The importance of turning dreams into action
Natasha's book flight includes some of her favorite reads
In this latest installment of our Year of the Military Spouse series, Kara sits down with Kirst, co-founder of Wives of the Armed Forces (WAF), a community created to help military significant others feel less alone in the unpredictability of military life.
What began as a small Air Force spouse community built by Kirst and her co-founder Jen has grown into a welcoming space for military spouses across all branches — one centered on encouragement, resilience, and meaningful connection. Together, Kara and Kirst discuss the realities of military spouse life, including the career sacrifices and overqualification many spouses experience while constantly rebuilding community and identity through moves and transitions.
They also explore the role online spaces can play in helping military spouses feel seen and supported, while encouraging people to turn those digital connections into lasting, in-person friendships and local community. Kirst also shares how reading has become a meaningful way for her to step away from screen time and create household rhythms in everyday life.
Episode Highlights:
Why military spouses are often incredibly overqualified yet underrecognized professionally
The fast and deeply rooted nature of military friendships
How WAF was created to foster positive, solution-oriented community for military spouses
Replacing screen time with reading time and building healthier daily habits
Why meaningful in-person relationships still matter deeply in military life
This week on Bookish Flights, I’m joined by Virginia Pye, author of Marriage and Other Monuments, to discuss writing stories set in what she calls “the recent past” and why she’s drawn to exploring moments of cultural and personal change through fiction. We talked about the emotional balance of writing difficult subjects while still leaving space for hope, the surprising role the river played while shaping the novel, and her path to becoming a novelist after raising young children. Virginia also shares a book flight featuring three recent reads she’s loved lately.
Episode Highlights:
Why twists and surprises matter in her storytelling
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
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