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Welcome to today’s episode of Bookish Flights! This is a special one—our second BFF Book Club Meeting! The BFF Book Club is a monthly literary adventure where you read the book, join the club, and meet the author. I am beyond excited to welcome Hazel Prior to the show today to discuss, How the Penguins Saved Veronica. 

Hazel is the author of Ellie and the Harp Maker and Richard & Judy Book Club number one bestseller How the Penguins Saved Veronica. Her third book in the series, Gone with the Penguins, came out in the UK yesterday (congratulations Hazel!)! As well as writing, Hazel is a freelance harpist. She lives in Exmoor, in England, with her husband and a huge ginger cat. Happy listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Hazel’s Writing Journey: Hazel never anticipated becoming a writer. After facing a challenging illness that took her out for years, a transformative surgery made her realize life was too short to delay her dreams. Writing became her way to seize the moment. We also talked about leisuring well—embracing hobbies for their joy without the pressure to be “productive.”
• Themes from How the Penguins Saved Veronica: We delved into the themes of found family, the ability to change at any age, and forgiveness that run through Hazel’s work. 
• Hazel’s Book Flight: Hazel curated a selection of character-driven, book club-style novels for her book flight today. They all have the theme of bees or animals as well. 

Join us for this heartwarming conversation and get ready to add some new favorites to your reading list!

Connect with Hazel Prior:

• Instagram
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• Philippa Gregory books
•  Bookish Flights Episodes 19 & 20 with Jacqui Lents - Books that Spark Joy
• Shady Hollow by Juneau Black (discussed in the Anthropomorphic Book Flight episode as well)
• C.J. Sansom books
• Royal Spyness Mysteries by Rhys Bowen

Book Flight

• The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
• The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
• The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon

📚 Looking for your next great read?
I’ve rounded up the books I can’t stop talking about — the ones I’ve recommended over and over again.

Download the list here: bookishflights.com/read/25books

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