Books and reading can make our lives better in so many ways and we’ve explored a lot of them on this podcast: how to find more time to read, how to choose books to help us grow through what we go through, how to enhance the reading experience with the five senses and writing and much, much more. 

But today, I’m talking about something I’ve never mentioned on the podcast before: how fictional characters can become real-life life coaches. I have the perfect guest to talk through this with, too: Gail Ward Olmsted.

Gail is the author of multiple books I’ve loved and I cannot stop talking about her newest book because it has truly given me a fictional life coach that is helping me look at my actual life in a different light. 

Come listen as Gail talks about her philosophy of writing, her newest book and helps me explore the idea that fictional characters can be real-life guides. 

Here are the books mentioned in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!

Katharine’s Remarkable Road Trip by Gail Ward Olmsted (Amazon / Bookshop)

Miranda Writes by Gail Ward Olmsted (Amazon / Bookshop)

Miranda Nights by Gail Ward Olmsted (Amazon / Bookshop)

Now, it’s your turn!

What are your favorite books with fictional characters that could act as mentors for the kind of life we want to live?

Share all of your suggestions in the comments below so I can add them to my stack, too!