Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties

In this episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties , we sit down with indie author Camilla Huffman for a fascinating conversation about writing fearlessly, embracing the unconventional, and creating unforgettable characters. From growing up on The Lord of the Rings to writing horror, LGBTQ+ romance, romantasy, and psychological thrillers, Camilla shares the inspiration behind her diverse stor...

In this episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties , we're joined by bestselling indie author Sarah Furlong Burr , the brilliant mind behind Evergreen —one of my favorite reads of 2025. We dive into her journey from writing stories as a child to becoming a published author, balancing life as a paralegal, wife, mom, and search-and-rescue dog handler while pursuing her passion for storytelling....

Step into another episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Bestie as we sit down with award-winning indie author Kristin Ward for an honest, inspiring conversation about storytelling, creativity, and the realities of being an independent author. From teaching science by day to building unforgettable worlds by night, Kristen shares the journey that led to publishing 11 novels, why she chooses origin...

In this special episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties , Amy sits down with her daughter Sophia—the creative mind behind the original YBB idea. Together they share the story of how Your Bookish Bestie began, discuss their favorite books and genres, swap reading recommendations, and reflect on the teachers, stories, and experiences that helped shape who they are today. Grab your favorite d...

In this inspiring episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties , Amy sits down with indie fantasy author Astrid Rose to discuss her publishing journey, the stories that shaped her life, and the empowering messages woven throughout her books. Astrid shares how a chance online gaming encounter led to meeting her husband, moving from the United Kingdom to New York, and eventually finding the coura...

In this heartfelt Mental Health Monday episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties , Amy sits down with indie author Elaine to discuss her debut novel, Across the Screen: A Remote Office Romance , the healing power of writing, and the courage it takes to share your story with the world. Together, they dive into topics such as childhood trauma, anxiety, self-discovery, creativity, therapy, and...

In this heartfelt episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties , Amy sits down with YBB Moderator of the Week, Aubrey —nurse, wife, mom, fantasy lover, and one of the most supportive members of the YBB community. Together, they dive into the power of friendship, finding connection through books, and why reading doesn't have to be a lonely hobby. From growing up with Harry Potter and The Hunger...

In this inspiring episode of Mental Health Monday , we sit down with neurodivergence coach Marie Donnelly to discuss ADHD, autism, executive functioning, confidence, and the power of embracing the way your brain is wired. Marie shares her personal journey from overcoming anxiety and self-doubt to helping neurodivergent individuals build structure, confidence, and systems that allow them to thrive....

Welcome back to Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties , the cozy podcast where readers, writers, and book lovers come together for heartfelt conversations and plenty of bookish fun. In this episode, Aims chats with debut author Chasity Lee about her journey from writing Harry Potter fan fiction on Wattpad as a teenager to publishing her own dark romance novels. Together, they discuss the realities...

This week, we're talking about one simple habit that has made a huge difference in my mental health: daily movement. For years, I told myself I wasn't an athletic person. That story kept me stuck and sedentary for far too long. Then one morning, I decided to take a walk with my son, Atticus. What started as a simple one-mile stroll turned into an 8-day movement streak that has already improved my...

Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties: Featuring Katelyn Cazeau This week on Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties , we're sitting down with our amazing moderator and reading challenge leader, Katelyn Cazeau —new mama, thriller lover, and one of the most generous hearts in the YBB community. Join us for a cozy conversation as we discuss her favorite read of 2026, With a Vengeance by Riley Sager, div...

In this heartfelt Mental Health Monday episode, we dive into the power of understanding ourselves through the lens of mental health, neurodivergence, healing, and growth. From receiving life-changing diagnoses and learning about AuDHD to exploring masking, attachment styles, neuroplasticity, and the beauty of therapy, this conversation is an honest reflection on what it means to become who you’re...

Grab your favorite drink and join host Amy for a cozy, heartfelt conversation with community member Dineka in this episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties . Together, they dive into current reads, favorite authors, and the stories that left a lasting impression — including The Ghostwriter , Daisy Jones & The Six , Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah, and more. From immersive storytelling to u...

Welcome to Mental Health Monday, besties! This week, Amy sits down with her dear friend, Shiloh — administrator, case manager, and CBRS worker at Ignite Idaho Family Resource Center — for an honest, heartfelt conversation about mental health, neurodivergence, and what it actually looks like to heal. They dive into: • What CBRS (Community-Based Rehabilitation Services) is and how it supports famili...

What happens when Greek gods, mythical bees, mood-changing pixies, and years of rewriting collide? In this episode, we dive into the behind-the-scenes journey of creating a mythological fantasy series inspired by Greek, Norse, Celtic, and Egyptian mythology. From surviving eight drafts to building unforgettable characters like Fottini and Elsa, this conversation explores the creativity, chaos, and...

In this episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, hosts Aims and Shiloh engage in a lively discussion with YBB member McKenzie about their favorite books, reading habits, and the joy of gifting books to others. McKenzie shares her journey back into reading, highlighting her love for romance and fantasy genres. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of book communities, the impact of...

In this authentic, heartwarming podcast episode, hosts Aims and Sophia welcome Your Bookish Bestie modmin, Paige. Paige shares about her literary experiences and studies, and the way her tastes have changed over time, as well as her favorite things about the YBB group, her most unhinged reads, and her favorite books of 2025. As always, tangents occur and cover topics like submarines in Mexico. Que...

"How weird can I do this? How weird can it get?" In this much-awaited episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, hosts Aims and Katey welcome author January Rayne to discuss her journey as a writer, her popular Monster Smut series, and the intricacies of her creative process. January shares insights into her writing inspirations, the challenges of balancing personal life with a writing caree...

In this wildly, wonderfully weird episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, author Molly Pereda shares about her writing journey with hosts Aims, Shiloh, and Katey (who was forced to abandon her current read to appear on the podcast). Molly's debut novel, Joy Ride, recently released and she shares insight from her writing journey, sources of inspiration, and a glimpse at what her life is li...

In this episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, hosts Aims and Katey welcome Gabrielle, affectionately known as Gabalicious, to share her journey with the Your Bookish Bestie (YBB) community. The conversation flows from light-hearted introductions to deeper discussions about Gabrielle's background in dance and law, her recent travels to Lisbon and Morocco, and the cultural insights she ga...

In this engaging episode, hosts Aims and Katey highlight Your Bookish Bestie modmin, Aubrey. They dive into favorite reads of 2025, with Aubrey sharing her love for books like The Knight and the Moth and Shield of Sparrows. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they discuss the quirks of book series naming conventions and the joys of reading with friends. Aubrey also reflects on her journey ba...

"Creativity is what fuels my role as an admin." Join hosts Aims and Katey for an inspiring conversation with Jodi, our featured admin, as she shares her journey from joining a local book club to co-founding a gemstone bracelet business with her daughter. Discover how Jodi's passion for community and creativity has shaped her role as an admin, and learn about the personal stories and connections th...

"Embrace your uniqueness." In this episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, hosts Aims and Shiloh join author Nico Harlakenden. Nico is an accomplished author, editor, and artist. They discuss Nico's latest anthology project, Forbidden Fruit, which explores themes of the forbidden through a collection of dark speculative fiction stories from eighteen different authors. The conversation del...

"I have always been a story maker in my head." In this engaging podcast episode, E.K. Dusk shares her journey as an indie author, discussing the challenges and triumphs of publishing her first book with hosts Aims and Katey. She reflects on her writing process, the inspiration behind her characters, and the emotional connections she has with her work. The conversation also touches on the impact of...

In this episode, hosts Aims and Shiloh highlight Katey, a Your Bookish Bestie Admin. Katey is dubbed the "backbone of YBB," and her behind-the-scenes work to keep the group organized and engaging are discussed at length. Together, they chat about some of their recent reads, explore podcast sound effects, compare the differences in geography and language across US regions, and share about the effor...