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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
Exploring the Hard Parts of Being Human Through Small Press Books with Martha Engber (E224)
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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 Light and Scattered Light, and explore themes of trauma, healing, self-worth, and the experiences that shape us throughout our lives. Drawing from her background in journalism, Martha shares how observation and asking questions have shaped her writing, why curiosity matters more than judgment, and how stories can offer readers a safe space to explore difficult topics.
Episode Highlights:
- Martha's journey from journalism to novelist and screenwriter
- How journalism taught her the art of observation and asking better questions
- Why curiosity is essential for both writers and readers
- The role fiction plays in helping us understand our own lives and experiences
- Writing about trauma, healing, and the hard things we face as humans
- The conversation around trigger warnings in books
- Giving ourselves grace and letting go of unrealistic expectations
- Reading what you love instead of what you think you should read
- Martha's book flight featuring small press books and authentic human stories
Connect with Martha:
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Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Book Flight
- Perfect Little Worlds by Clifford Mae Henderson
- A Little Lifeby Hanya Yanagihara
- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Dessert Pairing
- The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
✨ 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
Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!