BFF Book Club - The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County with Claire Swinarski (E146)
This 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 it
The importance of loving your neighbor and embracing community
Real-life “funeral ladies” and the comforting food traditions of the Midwest
Why Claire reads—and how reading enriches her craft
Her 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 PST
We’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:
Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin Van Draanen
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
Book Flight
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradahl
Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!
