Bookish Flights: Books, Author Interviews & Must-Read Recommendations

• Telling Her Story: Honoring a Life Through Memoir with Sandra Schnakenburg (E147)

  Send us a textIn today’s episode, I am chatting with Sandra Schnakenburg. She is a dual American/Australian citizen. Sandy earned a BS in finance and international business at Arizona State University and an MBA specializing in finance and accounting at the University of Southern California. She left a career in corporate finance in 2010 to sutdy creative nonfiction. She has completed writing courses at Rice University. Writespace, and The Writers University in Houston. When not writing, you will find Sandra enjoying her family, nature, hiking, skiing, biking, cooking, yoga and walking her dogs. She and her husband, Karl, currently split their time between Houston, TX and Park City, Utah.Episode Highlights:Sandy shares the deeply personal story behind The Housekeeper’s Secret, a memoir written from her point of view that uncovers the life of Lee, her beloved housekeeper and a guiding light in her youth.Reflections on childhood, identity and the privilege and responsibility of telling someone else’s story with care.A meaningful discussion on parenting and the importance of fostering a sense of purpose in our children’s lives.Insights into Sandy’s transition from a finance career to creative nonfiction writing and how she approaches the craft.Thoughts on perseverance in writing, including the staggering statistic that 97% of people who want to write a book don’t finish.Encouragement for aspiring writers about the ever-evolving journey of authorship and the humbling lessons each new project brings.Sandy’s book flight includes the books she devoured that influenced her voice and helped shape her memoir.Connect with Sandra Schnakenburg:InstagramWebsiteFacebookPurchase The Housekeeper’s SecretShow NotesSome 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 War of Art by Stephen PressfieldMan’s Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklThe Untethered Soul by Michael A. SingerThe Housemaid by Freida McFaddenBook FlightThe Silent Patient by Alex MichaelidesThe Fact of the Body by Alex Marzano-LesnevichReady for a monthly literary adventure? We now have the BFF Book Club. Join us each month to explore a new book. After reading, connect with fellow book lovers and meet the author in a live interview! Can’t make it live? Don’t worry—we’ll send you the recording. You can find all our upcoming book club selections HERE. Support the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening! Instagram Facebook Website

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• BFF Book Club - The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County with Claire Swinarski (E146)

  Send us a textThis episode marks the latest gathering of our BFF Book Club—a monthly celebration of reading, author conversations, and book-loving community. If you enjoy deep-dives into unforgettable stories and chatting with the minds behind them, you’re in the right place!This month, we’re discussing The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski, an Edgar Award-nominated author of multiple books for both kids and adults. Claire lives in small-town Wisconsin with her husband and three children, where she splits her time between writing and bread dough wrangling.Episode Highlights:How motherhood teaches us to value time and not waste itThe importance of loving your neighbor and embracing communityReal-life “funeral ladies” and the comforting food traditions of the MidwestWhy Claire reads—and how reading enriches her craftHer book flight includes the three books that influenced the writing of The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County.Whether you’ve read the book or just love great conversations about life, literature, and the magic that happens when they meet, this episode is for you.📚 Next BFF Book Club Meeting: June 1st at 11:30 AM PSTWe’ll be joined by Julia Kelly, author of The Dressmakers of London—a heartfelt novel about estranged sisters, a WWII-era dress shop, and the healing power of love, letters, and legacy. 👉 Register Here.Connect with Claire Swinarski:InstagramWebsitePurchase Claire’s booksBooks and authors mentioned in the episode:Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief  by Wendelin Van DraanenThe Mitford Affair by Marie BenedictI Cheerfully Refuse by Leif EngerBook FlightThe Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan StradahlMaine by J. Courtney SullivanCloud Cuckoo Landby Anthony DoerrReady for a monthly literary adventure? We now have the BFF Book Club. Join us each month to explore a new book. After reading, connect with fellow book lovers and meet the author in a live interview! Can’t make it live? Don’t worry—we’ll send you the recording. You can find all our upcoming book club selections HERE. Support the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening! Instagram Facebook Website

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• Where Fantasy Meets the American West: Writing and Editing for Young Readers with Lindsay Flanagan (E145)

  Send us a textToday’s guest is Lindsay Flanagan. Lindsay writes fantasy adventures that empower girls to embrace their unique traits and weave their own spells into the world. Her debut novel, AnnaGrey and the Constellation, is the first runner-up in the middle reader category of the Eric Hoffer Book Award and a First Horizon Medal Finalist. Her newest novel, Little Red Wraith, is her debut young adult book. She is also an award-winning editor and has edited fiction and nonfiction, and is currently a senior editor at Eschler Editing. Additionally, she took on the role as co-publisher of Mad Cat Books, the young adult Imprint at Roan and Weatherford Publishing.Highlights:The inspiration behind AnnaGrey and the Constellation and Little Red Wraith.What developmental and substantive editing really mean.Empowering young girls through storytelling.The importance of audiobooks in a reader’s lifeBehind the scenes in the world of publishingHer book flight features books with an alternate history set in the American West.Connect with Lindsay Flanagan:FacebookInstagramWebsitePurchase:AnnaGray and the ConstellationLittle Red WraithBooks and authors mentioned in the episode:Embrace the Beautiful Chaos of Motherhood by Stacey PereiraLuck of the Titanic by Stacy LeeThe Phoenix Crown by Kate QuinnHorseman by Christina HenryPride and Prejudice by Jane AustenHouse of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. CraigA Curse for True Love by Stephanie GarberBefore the Devil Breaks You by Libba BrayTantalize by Cynthia Leitich SmithBook FlightRed Rabbit by Alex GrecianUnder a Painted Sky by Stacey LeeElysium Girls by Kate PentecostReady for a monthly literary adventure? We now have the BFF Book Club. Join us each month to explore a new book. After reading, connect with fellow book lovers and meet the author in a live interview! Can’t make it live? Don’t worry—we’ll send you the recording. You can find all our upcoming book club selections HERE. Support the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening! Instagram Facebook Website

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• The Science of Reading with Dr. Irene Daria (E144)

  Send us a textToday’s guest is Dr. Irene Daria, a developmental psychologist and passionate literacy advocate who has helped hundreds of children learn to read—including the children of celebrities. She’s also trained teachers in the science of reading and created the Steps to Reading program for parents.Before entering the world of psychology, Dr. Daria worked as a journalist and editor, with bylines in The New York Times, Parents, Money, and more. She joins us to talk about what actually works when teaching kids to read—and what doesn’t.Highlights:Why balanced literacy and sight word learning often fall shortWhat the Science of Reading says really worksThe five key components of reading:Phonemic AwarenessPhonicsVocabularyFluencyComprehensionHow parents can advocate for change—and teach reading at home if neededReading myths debunkedThe power of parent advocacyTools to help your child become a confident readerConnect with Irene Daria:FacebookInstagramWebsitePurchase I Didn’t Believe HimShow NotesSome 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:Why Johnny Can’t Read by Rudolf FleschColleen Hoover booksThe Idea of You by Robinne LeeBook FlightThis is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann PatchettYear of Yes by Shonda RimesNinth Street Women by Mary GabrielDessert PairingSignal Fires by Dani ShapiroReady for a monthly literary adventure? We now have the BFF Book Club. Join us each month to explore a new book. After reading, connect with fellow book lovers and meet the author in a live interview! Can’t make it live? Don’t worry—we’ll send you the recording. You can find all our upcoming book club selections HERE. Support the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening! Instagram Facebook Website

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• The Art of Surrender and Storytelling with Joanna Davidson Politano (E143)

  Send us a textJoanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of 8 novels. She loves tales that capture the color, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone’s story. She lives with her husband and children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. Her latest novel, The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House, was released yesterday.Key Highlights:Joanna’s experience as a writer, homeschool mom, and leader of a church writing groupCo-writing her latest novel with her husband—his engineering skills, her storytelling flairThe power of surrender in creativity and how it shapes her writing journeyHer surprising approach to writing endings before beginningsFitting reading into a full life and nurturing a love of books at homeEncouraging young writers and fostering creativity in her communityConnect with Joanna:WebsiteInstagramFacebookBooks and authors mentioned:Mo Willems booksNancy Drew series by Carolyn KeeneThe Love Note by Joanna Davidson PolitanoLady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson PolitanoMary Higgins Clark booksJohn Grisham booksThe Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. LewisVienna Prelude by Bodie and Brock ThoeneThe Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler YountsKristy Cambron booksAll the Lost Places by Amanda DykesBook FlightRebecca by Daphne du MaurierEmily of New Moon by L.M. MontgomeryRoald Dahl booksEpisode SponsorThis episode was sponsored by Bethany House with a Suspense Book Flight, head over to their website and get a generous 30% off, as well as free shipping. The Indigo Heiress by Laura FrantzMidnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah SundinReady for a monthly literary adventure? We now have the BFF Book Club. Join us each month to explore a new book. After reading, connect with fellow book lovers and meet the author in a live interview! Can’t make it live? Don’t worry—we’ll send you the recording. You can find all our upcoming book club selections HERE. Support the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening! Instagram Facebook Website

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