Bookish Flights: Themed Book Recommendations & Author Interviews

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Clémence Michallon. Clémence is an author and a journalist. Her debut thriller The Quiet Tenant was published in June 2023 and is an international bestseller. Blumhouse TV has acquired the adaptation rights. Her next thriller, Our Last Resort, came out yesterday. She was a staff writer at The Independent for five years, and is now a freelance journalist. 

Clémence was such a delight to interview. She talks about including a bit of herself in her characters including studying Latin and Roman civilizations and how it shows up in her novels. She chatted about how marathon running and writing went hand in hand, by teaching her patience. 

Episode Highlights:

• The spark behind Our Last Resort and what she learned while writing it.
• How studying Latin and Roman civilizations shows up in her character development.
• Why a touch of naïveté is necessary to begin any creative work.
• The surprising connection between marathon running and writing—and how it taught her patience.
• How giving a character a trait she shares opens a door into their psyche.
• Why patience is the most underrated but essential tool in a writer’s life.
• A behind-the-scenes peek at the upcoming adaptation of The Quiet Tenant.

Connect with Clémence Michallon:

• Instagram
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
• Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
• Agatha Christie books
• The Fever by Megan Abbott
• Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson
• Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

Book Flight

• The Girls by Emma Cline
• Talking to the Dead by Helen Dunmore
• My Brother by Karin Smirnoff

Dessert Pairing

• Piglet by Lottie Hazell

Support the show

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

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with KyLee Woodley. KyLee teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas where she lives with her husband of 18 years and their three teenage children. Having been raised in the Pacific Northwest and spent part of her adult life in Texas, she has a deep respect for American values. She grew up in an impoverished area and began ministering to homeless, drug addicted, and desperate people while in her teens. As a result, she feels a deep sense of concern for society’s unloved. This comes through in her stories, enriched with historical detail that shows how loving the unlovely is a timeless need. 

Episode Highlights:

• KyLee’s inspiration behind the Outlaw Hearts series and her newest book, The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender.
• Balancing writing with being a preschool teacher and mom of three.
• Recognizing burnout and learning to ask for help.
• How reading excellent books sharpens her writing.
• Her book flight features historical romance series.
• Behind the scenes of cohosting the Historical Bookworm Show.

Connect with KyLee:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

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:

• Jodie Hedlund’s books
• Tamara Lee’s books
• Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep
• The Curator’s Daughter by Melanie Dobson
• Whispers of Fortune by Mary Connealy

Book Flight

• A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M. White
• Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep
• To Kiss a Knight by Grace Hitchcock

Dessert Pairing

• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower

Support the show

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

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• Website

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by Lisa Vailencour, founder of The Handbook Club and a seasoned brand & communications strategist with over 20 years in the tech industry. Her debut book, The Mom Handbook, was written as a love letter to her daughters and to anyone navigating the complexities of motherhood and identity. We talk about how movement fuels her creativity, the emotional release that came with publishing her book, and her unique editing process using voice memos to capture rhythm and pacing before putting words to the page.

Episode Highlights:

• How physical activity helps her tap into creativity.
• The emotional freedom of sharing hard-earned lessons through writing.
• Embracing imperfection and simply doing your best.
• The challenge and importance of reconciliation and rebuilding trust.
• Using voice memos as a tool to shape narrative flow.

Connect with Lisa Vailencour:

• TikTok
• Website
• LinkedIn

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:

• Daniel H. Pink books
• Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler and Emily Gregory
• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert Sapolsky
• The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski

Book Flight

• The Babysitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin
• East of Eden by John Steinbeck
• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish

Support the show

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

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• Facebook
• Website

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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Sara Brunvsold. Sara is Christy Award-winning author of The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip and The Divine Proverb of Streusel. She creates stories that boldly engage contemporary issues through the lens of hope and unshakable faith. Her passion is to connect with readers first through books, then through meaningful conversation. Today we are hear to discuss her latest novel, The Atlas of Untold Stories. What a joy it was to have her back on the show, you can listen to her previously on Ep. 61! Sara’s books are truly food for the soul, and today’s conversation is no exception.

Episode Highlights:

• The inspiration behind The Atlas of Untold Stories and the real-life road trip possibilities.
• Why she gravitates toward writing older characters.
• How growing up in an intergenerational household shaped her storytelling.
• Her love for author events and connecting with readers in real life.
• Her thoughtfully curated book flight for this episode:
  • An American classic, a road trip novel and a story centered on a mother-daughter relationship.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Sara’s work, this conversation will leave you inspired and encouraged. Tune in for a heartwarming look at storytelling, legacy, and the untold stories that shape our lives.

Connect with Sara Brunvold:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
• Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom
• My Antonia by Willa Cather
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
• Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See

Book Flight

• The Memory Library by Kate Storey
• The Road Before Us by Janine Rosche
• O Pioneers by Willa Cather

Support the show

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

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In today’s episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Courtney Walsh, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming, low-spice romance and contemporary women’s fiction. A Carol Award winner and Christy Award finalist, Courtney is a storyteller devoted to crafting light-hearted yet poignant, character-driven novels that offer a safe and joyful escape.

We’re here to talk about her newest novel, Everything’s Coming Up Rosie, but as always, our conversation touches much deeper themes—life, creativity and how we show up for the people and passions that matter most.

Courtney shares what she’s learned through writing: about staying present in the story, parenting through different seasons and redefining priorities as life evolves. We talk about saying no with confidence, the comfort of rom-coms over thrillers and the kind of books that soothe rather than stir anxiety. Her goal? To be the writer readers turn to in their heaviest seasons—for warmth, laughter and a little bit of swoon.

Episode Highlights:

• Why setting boundaries is essential to honoring your priorities.
• The comfort of reading books that don’t trigger your anxiety.
• The evolution of priorities through the stages of life and motherhood.
• Writing older characters as a way to bring wisdom into fiction.
• The value of writing joyful stories in a heavy world.

Connect with Courtney:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh (mentioned in Ep. 95 with Amanda Cox)
• Cross Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh
• Alex - The Life of a Child by Frank DeFord
• Rocky Road by Becky Wade

Book Flight

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
• The Good Part by Sophie Cousens

Support the show

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

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• Facebook
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This episode marks the latest gathering of our BFF Book Club. This month, we’re discussing The Dressmakers of London with the author, Julia Kelly. Julia is the international bestselling author of emotional historical fiction about extraordinary women and intriguing historical whodunnit mystery novels. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and  a tea waitress. Julia called LA, IA and NYC home before settling in London with her husband.

Highlights:

• A meaningful literary gift idea Julia’s mom gives every year.
• Revisiting the classics and why she recommends I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith to aspiring writers.
• The joys and challenges of writing emotional historical fiction.
• Behind-the-scenes insight into the women’s auxiliary branches during WWII and the realities of clothing rationing.

📚 Next BFF Book Club - Meet the Author
🗓️ Sept. 28th | 🕓 4 pm PST

We’re thrilled to welcome Emerson Ford, author of What the Silent Say! Inspired by a remarkable true story and brought to life with cinematic detail, this unforgettable WWII novel explores courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Set in the Pacific, it follows the journey of two brothers on the frontlines and the family waiting for them back home. 👉 Register Here.

Connect with Julia:

• Instagram
• Website
• Julia’s books

Books mentioned:

• The Light Over London by Julia Kelly
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
• Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
• New Grub Street by George Gissing
• The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope
• Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
• Dracula by Bram Stoker
• The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

Book Flight

• I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
• Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

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!

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• Facebook
• Website

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by author Phyllis Gobbell, who brings a rich blend of literary insight and Southern storytelling charm. A retired college English professor, Phyllis has written across genres—from gripping true crime (An Unfinished Canvas, A Season of Darkness) to immersive mystery fiction. Her latest novel, Prodigal, released in November 2024, is a contemporary retelling of the biblical parable The Prodigal Son. Set in a small Southern town much like the one she grew up in, Prodigal explores themes of homecoming, community and forgiveness—not only of others, but of oneself. Phyllis speaks about the importance of place as a character and how community shapes story. We also discuss her book flight—stories that inspired Prodigal—and how her background in true crime shaped her fiction writing in unexpected ways.

Episode Highlights:

• What compelled her to write Prodigal.
• The small-town dynamics that breathe life into the novel.
• How “place” can become its own character.
• The emotional complexity of forgiveness and redemption.
• A book flight inspired by Prodigal’s themes and tone.

Connect with Phyllis:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Website

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:

• Agatha Christie books
• The River We Remember by William Kent Kreuger
• This Tender Land by William Kent Kreuger
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Gray Wolf  by Louise Penny

Book Flight

• Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kreuger
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Dessert Pairing

• Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler

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!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode, I am chatting with Alison Beder Solway. Alison lives in Toronto, Canada, with her family and starts every day with a strong cup of coffee. She is passionate about fitness and reading and believes that there is nothing powerful than sharing our experiences. Her memoir, The Miles We Run: Lessons From the Arena of Resilience, marks her debut as an author. Alison’s story is a testament to the strength and resilience that lies in us all. 

Episode Highlights:

• Alison’s memoir centers around resilience and her personal journey through infertility and surrogacy.
• She shares the resources she wishes had existed 25 years ago, offering guidance and hope to others on a similar path.
• The book uses marathon running as a powerful metaphor for enduring and overcoming life’s challenges.
• While rooted in her specific experiences, Alison’s story resonates with anyone who has faced obstacles in life.
• We discuss the evolving journey of motherhood, including its joys and challenges. Including pivoting careers and finding renewed purpose.
• We explore the importance of establishing boundaries to be fully present with our children—what she calls “the most important work we will ever do.”
• Her book flight includes rereadable favorites and books she’s loved throughout her life.

Connect with Alison:

• Instagram
• Website
• Facebook
• Purchase The Miles We Run

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:

• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
• Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
• A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
• The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger
• The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Book Flight

• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
• Lessons in Chemisty by Bonnie Garmus
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

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!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode, I am chatting with Caitlin Miller, represented by The Steve Laube Agency. Caitlin has been writing stories for nearly a decade and self-published two books in 2022. She has also been an English teacher to Japanese students for six years and a freelance editor for two years. When she’s not writing or editing, Caitlin loves frequenting bookstores and coffee shops, and you’ll often find her with her nose in a book or a pen in hand as she jots down storyline ideas. Caitlin is an award-winning author and poet. We discussed both of her novels within this episode, The Memories We Painted and Our Yellow Tape Letters.  

Episode Highlights:

• Her experience moving around the world with her family as English teachers, including her favorite place to have lived.
• Writing an epistolary novel inspired by her love of letter writing and how she keeps up a penpal relationship to this day.
• Using fiction as a tool for empathy, healing and self-discovery. 
• Crafting stories with representation of physical disabilities and mental health. Her book flight includes books representing this theme.

Connect with Caitlin Miller:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
• Air by Monica Roe (Ep. 94)
• Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes
• The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

Book Flight

• An Hour Unspent by Rosanna M. White
• He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox
• The Memories We Painted by Caitlin Miller

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!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Send us Fan Mail

Jennifer’s S. Brown's debut novel, Modern Girls, was a USA Today bestseller, a Massachusetts Book Award “Must Read,” and a 2016 Goodreads Choice semifinalist for Historical Fiction. She teaches writing, both in-person in the Boston area and online through the Loft Literary Center. She holds a BFA in film and television from NYU and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Washington. The Whisper Sister is her second novel. 

Highlights:

• How Jennifer’s background in film influences her approach to writing fiction.
• The significance of cultural and familial traditions in storytelling.
• Why research is one of her favorite parts of the writing process.
• The importance of being honest about what you don’t enjoy in a book.
• A book flight of historical fiction novels set in the 1920s

Connect with Jennifer:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Website

Books and authors mentioned:

• Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
• Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
• Ep. 73 with Huda Al-Marashi
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
• Iona Iverson’s Guide to Commuting by Clare Pooley
• Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
• Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
• Matrix by Lauren Groff
• The Liar’s Gospel by Naomi Alderman
• At the Wolf’s Table by Rosella Postorino
• The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gillman
• Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
• The Love Songs of W.E.B. Dubois by Honore Fanonne Jeffers
• The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

Book Flight

• The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve 
• Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
• The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

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!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website