Bookish Flights: Themed Book Recommendations for Busy Readers
by Kara Infante
Your reading time is precious. Let’s find a book worthy of it! Bookish Flights is the podcast helping busy readers discover their next great read through book recommendations from their favorite authors. Every Wednesday, we share three thoughtfully paired books connected by theme, genre or topic. Think of it as a wine flight of books! Along the way, we get to know the authors behind the stories, discover new favorites and celebrate our shared love of reading. Whether you’re looking for your next five-star read, exploring a new genre or simply love talking about books, there’s a place for you here. We’re not literary critics. We’re book lovers who believe reading should be enjoyable, not another thing on your to-do list. Book friends welcome here!
Episodes
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Keeping Love Alive Through Storytelling with Tiffany Chu (E250)
Send us Fan Mail What 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…
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Literary Mysteries with a Supernatural Twist and The Jewel of Corlivo with Kathleen Carr Foster (E249)
Send us Fan Mail Do 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....
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Growing Up Before Screens: Free Range Girl & the Power of Reading Aloud with Meghan Cox Gurdon (E248)
Send us Fan Mail What 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…
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How to Get Booked on Podcasts: What I've Seen After 250+ Interviews (E247)
Send us Fan Mail Want 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...
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Finding Hope, Overcoming Rejection, and Dramatic, Emotional Romances with Deborah Clack (E246)
Send us Fan Mail Today 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…
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BFF Book Club - Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh (E245)
Send us Fan Mail What 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…
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Cold War Spies, Historical Fiction & Classic British Mysteries with Katherine Reay (E244)
Send us Fan Mail In 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...
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Writing for Kids, Loving Your Readers & the Magic of a Good Book with Annie Barrows (E243)
Send us Fan Mail Today, 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…
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How to Build Deeper Friendships & Meaningful Connection with Alex Alexander (E242)
Send us Fan Mail Today’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...
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Zibby Owens on Between Chapters, Reinvention & What 2,300 Author Interviews Taught Her (E241)
Send us Fan Mail This week, I’m joined by Zibby Owens—bestselling author, host of Totally Booked with Zibby, and founder of Zibby Media—to talk about her new memoir, Between Chapters. We talk about motherhood, reinvention, the emotions that come with telling your own story, and what she…
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Finding Humor, Fighting Loneliness & Unlikely Friendships with Gordon Jack (E240)
Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode features Gordon Jack, author of Poppy Montgomery Gets Even. After 30 years as a high school librarian and writing two young adult novels, Gordon is turning his attention to adult fiction with a cozy mystery featuring an unforgettable octogenarian crime fighter. He...
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Romantasy, Hybrid Publishing & the Influence of Readers with Penn Cole (E239)
Send us Fan Mail New York Times bestselling author Penn Cole joins me to celebrate Burn of the Everflame, the fourth book in her Kindred’s Curse Saga. We talk about her journey from self-publishing to hybrid publishing, building her community one reader at a time, and the growing influence…
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Truth, Crime & Fiction: Hank Phillippi Ryan on Journalism, Family Secrets & Writing Thrillers (E238)
Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Hank Phillipi Ryan, the USA Today bestselling author of seventeen thrillers, including the Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning All This Could Be Yours. A true powerhouse in the mystery and suspense world, she won every major award in the genre and has captivated...
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From the NFL to Crime Fiction: Andre Hardy on Tear the City Down (E237)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Andre Hardy, a former NFL player turned writer and author of the debut crime novel Tear the City Down. Set in San Diego against the high-stakes world of professional football, the novel draws on Andre’s own experiences in the NFL while...
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BFF Book Club - Spies, Lies & Alibis with Natalie Walters (E236)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s BFF Book Club episode, I’m chatting with romantic suspense author Natalie Walters about our August pick, Spies, Lies, and Alibis. Natalie takes us behind the scenes of this Mr. & Mrs. Smith-inspired story and shares how she found her way to romantic suspense, what…
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Motherhood, Sobriety & Writing Complex Women in Book Club Fiction w/ Jessica Guerrieri (E235)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I am chatting with Jessica Guerrieri, an award-winning novelist and essayist whose literary fiction explores the complexities of motherhood, identity, family, and the ways our past continues to shape us. She is the author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue...
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Alli Dyer on Night Songs, Family Legacy & the Magic of Audiobooks (E234)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I am chatting with Alli Dyer. Alli was born in Tennessee and raised in the mountains of Virginia. Alli is the author of Strange Folk and her latest novel, Night Songs. For the last decade, she worked in the entertainment and book publishing, bringing a unique...
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How Art Keeps History Alive: Thao Thai on The Seekers of Deer Creek (E233)
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode features Thao Thai, bestselling author of Banyan Moon. She joins us to discuss her latest novel, The Seekers of Deer Creek, a captivating story of two estranged sisters whose search for a lost painting uncovers long-buried family secrets stretching across...
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Rhys Bowen on The Castle in the Glen, Dual Timelines & Writing Historical Mysteries (E232)
Send us Fan Mail This week on Bookish Flights, I'm joined by New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen to discuss her latest novel, The Castle in the Glen. We explore the inspiration behind the story, why the Isle of Skye was the perfect setting, and how Rhys layers mysteries "like peeling…
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Writing Hope, Humor, and Older Characters: Anna Johnston on When Lemons Give You Life (E231)
Send us Fan Mail This week on Bookish Flights, internationally bestselling author Anna Johnston of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife and she returns to discuss her heartfelt new novel, When Lemons Give You Life. Inspired by her years working in aged care, Anna shares why she loves writing older...
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Neurodivergent Parenting: Faith, Grace, and Practical Strategies with Ginny Kochis (E230)
Send us Fan Mail This week on Bookish Flights, I'm joined by Ginny Kochis, author of Quirky Catholic Kids. Ginny shares what inspired her to write a practical guide for parents raising neurodivergent children through the lens of faith, while reminding us that many of these lessons apply to...
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What Actually Makes Someone a Reader? It's Simpler Than You Think (E229)
Send us Fan Mail As a physical therapist, I spent years helping people build habits that would improve their lives long after they left the clinic. Those experiences taught me that lasting change doesn't happen in one big moment—it happens through small, consistent choices. Lately, I've found...
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Books and Wine: The Novel Pairing with Erin Kirschenmann (E228)
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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The Big Truths Fiction Can Tell with Julie Carrick Dalton (E227)
Send us Fan Mail 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....
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Why Stories Matter at Every Age: The Gift of a Reading Life with Kate DiCamillo (E226)
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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What If? The Magic of Middle Grade Stories and Raising Readers with Becca Wierwille (E225)
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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Exploring the Hard Parts of Being Human Through Small Press Books with Martha Engber (E224)
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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Finding Your Third Act: Writing, Podcasting, & Lifelong Learning with Landis Wade (E223)
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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BFF Book Club - The Life She Forgot with Joanna Davidson Politano (E222)
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Old Hollywood, Glamour, & Jane Eyre: Inside The Chateau on Sunset with Natasha Lester (E221)
Send us Fan Mail 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…
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How to Build Community When You're Constantly Starting Over with Kirst of Wives of the Armed Forces (E220)
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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Virginia Pye on Historical Fiction of the Recent Past & Infusing Joy into Tough Topics (E219)
Send us Fan Mail 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...
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The Power of the Pause: Creating a Life Beyond Work with Lindsay Barnett (E218)
Send us Fan Mail This week on Bookish Flights, I’m joined by Lindsay Barnett, workplace experience strategist, coach, speaker, and author of Working Hell to Working Well: Making Your Company Work For You. We talk about career reinvention, burnout, identity, and what it looks like to create a life...
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Why Speculative Fiction Lets Us Explore the Hardest Parts of Being Human with Michelle Maryk (E217)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m joined by Michelle Maryk to discuss her debut novel, The Found Object Society—an atmospheric speculative suspense story that blends grief, curiosity, addiction, and the supernatural into a wholly original reading experience. Michelle shares her journey…
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Writing The Revenge Party, Unlikeable Characters & Polished Online Lives with Emily Lynn Paulson (E216)
Send us Fan Mail Emily Lynn Paulson joins us on Bookish Flights to talk about her latest novel, The Revenge Party, a dark and twisty psychological thriller about power, manipulation, revenge, and the masks people wear behind polished lives. Known for exploring the tension between image and…
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A Love Letter to Libraries (and Readers) with Gigi Howard (E215)
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Bookish Flights, where we tell our stories through the books that shape us. Today’s episode is a celebration of libraries and the magic that happens inside them. I’m joined by Gigi Howard — librarian of 15 years and host of Drinks in the Library, the only library...
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Large Casts, Found Family, & Fantasy Worlds with Chawna Schroeder (E214)
Send us Fan Mail Today I’m joined by author Chawna Schroeder, a fantasy writer who describes herself as a “boundary stretcher,” someone who explores what it means to live beyond the boxes we often place around ourselves, our faith, and even our imagination. After more than two decades studying…
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BFF Book Club - The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake with Rachel Linden (E213)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Rachel Linden for the latest installment of the BFF Book Club, all about her novel The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake. This was such a fun conversation. Rachel shares the inspiration behind the story, why she loves weaving food into her…
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More Than Rescue Animals: Writing, Connection, and Purpose with Holly Gutwillinger (E212)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Holly Gutwillinger, a heartfelt writer born and raised in a small town in northern Ontario. Holly is a proud dog mom to two rescue dogs and one cat, and her love for animals shines through in both her life and her storytelling. We talk about...
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From Headlines to Plot Twists: Jennifer van der Kleut on The Better Mother (E211)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Jennifer van der Kleut (née McBride). Jennifer is an award-winning former journalist of both print and digital publications, including the D.C. affiliate of ABC7 News. A graduate of San Jose State University, she spent most of her life in the...
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History, Mystery & Hidden Manuscripts: The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton w/ Jennifer N. Brown (E210)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Jennifer N. Brown. Jennifer is the Dean of Arts & Sciences at Bentley University, where she is also Professor of English and Media Studies, with a specialization in medieval literature written for and by women. She has published a lot on this...
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The Scorpion Thief: A Cold War Heist, Egyptian Myth, & Family Secrets with Janyre Tromp (E209)
Send us Fan Mail Today I’m thrilled to welcome back Janyre Tromp. If her name sounds familiar, that’s because she previously joined us on Episode 106, where we talked about her novel Darkness Calls the Tiger. Janyre is an award-winning, bestselling historical suspense novelist known for weaving...
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A Deal with a Debutante, 90s Rom-Com Energy, and Why We Love Love Stories with Chelsea Bobulski (E208)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Chelsea Bobulski, author of A Deal with a Debutante, her latest release with Haven Fiction and the first book in her London’s Most Eligible series. Chelsea is also the author of the YA fantasy novels The Wood and Remember Me, and brings her...
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Building Tiny Troops: Amy Schweizer on Raising Healthy Kids in Military Life (E207)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Amy Schweizer. Amy is a USMC military spouse of 15 years, mom to three boys, and an expert in youth sports development. She has played soccer for over 20 years, culminating with being a member of the Cincinnati Ladyhawks of the USL. She is…
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BFF Book Club - A Murder Most Fowl with Carmela Dutra (E206)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Carmela Dutra, a Bay Area–based writer who loves food trucks, family, and cozy mysteries. With a love for quirky characters and humor-filled storytelling, Carmela draws inspiration from everyday life, farmers’ markets, and the unexpected...
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Loving Someone Through Mental Illness: Grief, Resilience, & the Stories We Tell Ourselves with Sheila Hamilton (E205)
Send us Fan Mail Today’s conversation is a tender one. I’m joined by Sheila Hamilton — journalist, speaker, and author of All the Things We Never Knew, a memoir she wrote in the aftermath of her late husband’s descent into mental illness. This book is part story, part resource — and it captures…
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From Military Spouse to Entrepreneur: Building Community & Women Empowering Women with Wendy Hively (E204)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Wendy Hively—a Navy spouse, retired scientist, and entrepreneur who has spent more than a decade building a business that supports military families. After giving up two jobs in her career field during her husband’s service, Wendy experienced...
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Historical Fiction: Remarkable Women and the Rich History of the South with Katherine Scott Crawford (E203)
Send us Fan Mail Today on Bookish Flights, I’m joined by Katherine Scott Crawford, award-winning author of The Miniaturist’s Assistant and Keowee Valley, history enthusiast, and self-proclaimed recovering academic. An eleventh-generation Southerner, Katherine directs writing retreats at a remote...
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Faith, History, and Forgiveness: Inside Historical Christian Romance with Tracie Peterson (E202)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Tracie Peterson, often called the Queen of Historical Christian Fiction. An ECPA, CBA, and USA Today bestselling author of more than 110 books, Tracie has spent decades weaving together faith, history, and romance for readers around the…
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That’s What Friends Are For: Aging, Authenticity, & Found Family with Wade Rouse (E201)
Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I sit down with USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and internationally bestselling author Wade Rouse. Many readers know Wade by his pen name, Viola Shipman, his grandmother’s name chosen to honor the woman whose stories and heirlooms inspire his fiction. But this...
About this show
Your reading time is precious. Let’s find a book worthy of it! Bookish Flights is the podcast helping busy readers discover their next great read through book recommendations from their favorite authors.
Every Wednesday, we share three thoughtfully paired books connected by theme, genre or topic. Think of it as a wine flight of books! Along the way, we get to know the authors behind the stories, discover new favorites and celebrate our shared love of reading.
Whether you’re looking for your next five-star read, exploring a new genre or simply love talking about books, there’s a place for you here.
We’re not literary critics. We’re book lovers who believe reading should be enjoyable, not another thing on your to-do list.
Book friends welcome here!
Hosted by
Kara Infante