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Bookish Flights: Books, Author Interviews & Must-Read Recommendations
Bookish Flights is the place to talk books and reading. This podcast focuses on connection, storytelling and the transformative power of books. Each episode invites guests to share the three books that have influenced them, unlocking their wisdom and how it changed their lives. Books are a bridge that connects us, a remedy for loneliness, and the best conversational currency to be the most interesting person in the room! Rooted in the belief that stories shape who we are, this podcast brings people together through a shared love of literature. Perfect for book lovers, Bookish Flights inspires listeners to discover the books that can shape their own lives.
You will love this show If you have ever asked:
- What are the best fiction and non-fiction books to read?
- Which books should I add to my reading list?
- How can I find more time to read?
- What are the best books for exploring new genres?
- What books are perfect for my kids?
- What is the publishing journey like for authors?
- What books do my favorite authors love to read?
Discover book recommendations across a wide range of genres, including historical fiction, romantasy, rom-coms, mysteries, thrillers and personal development. Check out the website www.bookishflights.com to see book club picks and the wide range of book flights.
Bookish Flights: Books, Author Interviews & Must-Read Recommendations
Strong Women in Harsh Climates with Denise Smith Cline (E176)
In today’s episode, I am chatting with Denise Smith Cline. Denise grew up in a textile town in Upstate South Carolina before the world got so complicated. The youngest of 5 spirited siblings, Denise realized early on to survive, she’d need to master the dual arts of watchfulness and eavesdropping. A shy kid, she buried her face in books and found a few fine friends for company. Denise started her writing career as a newspaper reporter fresh out of Davidson College. Denise still practices employment law in the firm she founded in Raleigh, North Carolina. She reads constantly and has an abiding interest in people from big families and small places. When she’s not working, reading or writing, she loves good conversations with her beloved family and friends. We are here today to discuss her latest novel, The Resettlement of Vesta Blonik.
Episode Highlights:
- Denise shares how her day job as a lawyer and her night job as a novelist complement each other.
- Why her legal background helps her craft compelling, character-driven stories.
- The surprising history behind New Deal resettlement programs and mental health institutions that inspired parts of her novel.
- The humorous (and humbling!) amount of research she did to accurately portray farm life and livestock.
- Her book flight features novels with strong female protagonists set in harsh climates.
Connect with Denise:
Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
- Elizabeth Strout books
- Jane Austen books
- Wellness by Nathan Hill
- Claire Keegan books
- Tana French books
- Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
- Peace Like a River by Scott Gould
Book Flight
- The House of Doors by Tan Twan Ing
- The Last Whaler by Cynthia Reeves
- The Resettlement of Vesta Blonik by Denise Smith Cline
Dessert Pairing
- Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
Explore it here → www.bookishflights.com/read/roadmap
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