Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties

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 unforgettable characters, they explore w...

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 families • Practical coping skills for neur...

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 personal inspiration that bring fa...

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 book recommendations, and funny ane...

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.

Question for this episode: are you a 2...

"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 career, and the importance of authentici...

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 like. Hosts share about the joys of r...

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 gained from her experiences. The host...

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 back into reading, sparked by titles ...

"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 that fuel her dedication. Whether you'...

"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 delves into Nico's creative process, in...

"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 reader reviews, the loneliness that...

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 effort it took for Katey to agree to her...

"The books are the rehab."

In this episode of Coffee Talk with the Besties, Aims, Katey, and Shiloh welcome Cassie, known as The Bibliophagist, to discuss her journey in the indie author space. Cassie shares her lifelong love for books, her experiences as a proofreader and reviewer, and her mission to support indie authors. The discussion touches on the challenges indie authors face, the importance of community support, and Cassie's...

"You belong, babe."

In this lively conversation, hosts Amy, Katey, and Shiloh engage with Your Bookish Bestie modmin, Courtney, in a warm and humorous discussion about their lives, current reads, and the importance of community among millennial moms. They share personal anecdotes and book recommendations. The conversation flows through various topics, including the challenges of parenting, the joy of reading, and the significance of...

"Books can bring people together and create lasting friendships."

This podcast episode is a lively and engaging conversation between Katey, Aims, and Jessica, where they discuss a variety of topics including their shared love for books, personal anecdotes, and the dynamics of their friendship. They delve into their experiences with reading, favorite genres, and the impact of certain books on their lives. The conversation also touche...

"Fear is the best teacher."

In this fun, authentic podcast episode, hosts Katey and Aims discuss various topics ranging from their love for chickens and pets to the importance of community and support in their lives with Chelsea, a key member of the Your Bookish Bestie team. Besties can find her behind the scenes, creating the incredible graphics and Elfster experiences everyone loves. Chelsea shares her journey of starting her own ...

"I do enjoy something that makes you feel."

In this engaging conversation, JL Vampa discusses her journey as an author, her writing process, and the inspiration behind her books with Katey. She shares insights into her favorite genres, the importance of mental health themes in her work, and her experiences with book releases. The discussion also touches on her personal life, including her mixed-race relationship and upcoming project...

"Crafting a world with intricate lore is a labor of love."

In this episode of Coffee Talk, hosts Katey and Amy welcome S.B. Ryazakhov, the brilliant mind behind the debut fantasy romance novel, "The Fabric of the Realm." S.B. shares her journey of crafting a world filled with intricate lore and compelling characters, inspired by her love for EDM, Sleep Token, and classic fairy tales. The conversation delves into the challenges and t...