Bookish Flights: Themed Book Recommendations & Author Interviews

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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:

• Facebook
• Instagram 

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:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Website

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

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

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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:

• Instagram
• Website
• To purchase You are Something New

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

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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 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:

• Instagram
• Website
• To purchase That Pinson Girl

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

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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. 

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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 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:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website
• To purchase The Offenders

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 Lovers by Emily Henry

Book Flight

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
• A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
• The Offenders by Ainsley Billings

Support the show

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

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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 Kid by Dav Pilkey (graphic novel)
• Minecraft: The Shipwreck by 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!

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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 Letters by C.S. Lewis
• The Bible 
• Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Stephen King books
• Sweep of Stars by Maurice Broaddus

Book Flight

• The Man He Never Was by James L. Rubart
• The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
• Iscariot by Tosca Lee

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 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 Wrath by John Steinbeck
• East of Eden by 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 Cafe by Fannie Flagg

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 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:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website
• To purchase Divine Detour

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 Bunny by Beatrix Potter
• Busting Barriers: Overcoming Barriers and Unleash Fruitful Living by Dr. Gladys Child

Book Flight

• Buechner 101 by Frederick Buechner
• You Are Special by Max Lucado
• The Last Ordinary Hour by Kathy Izard

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 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:

• Instagram
• Aurora Corialis Publishing website

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:

• H. Rider Haggard books
• Christina Lauren books
• Anita Hughes books
• Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
• The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Book Flight

• The Treasures We Seek by Cori Wamsley
• Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
• Braving the Shore by Cori Wamsley

Support the show

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

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