Archives: Book Excerpts 2024-2025
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EXCERPTS 2025
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Excerpt from Chocolate Cake is the Best Medicine (Aurora Corialis Publishing) by Maria Duthie. Life builds our resilience, shaping us through hardships we never imagined we could face. Maria Duthie had already met many challenges head-on. When a near-fatal equestrian accident almost left her paralyzed, she leaned on the strength forged through a lifetime of adversity. Maria focused forward, counting the days until she could ride again. Bolstered by her husband, friends, and the animals she holds dear, her comeback was powered by love, grit, and an unwavering spirit. Maria's story is one of perseverance, heart, and a deep love for animals, reminding us that even the darkest moments can lead to something bright.
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Excerpt from Your Midlife Body Code (Aurora Corialis Publishing) by Claudine Francois. Your Midlife Body Code helps you crack the code on what's really going on with your weight, energy, sleep, and mood so you can stop second-guessing yourself and finally feel like you again. Drawing from years of clinical work, functional lab testing, and her own midlife detour through exhaustion, stubborn weight, and feeling slightly insane, Claudine walks you step-by-step through a personalized, root-cause roadmap that actually works for women like you. This isn't about pushing through. It's about getting your fire back - with a guide who gets it.
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Excerpt from Aikido: The Art of Transformation (Park Street Press) by Susan Spence, Teja Bell, Laurin Herr, Richard Moon, Bob Noha, and Elaine Yoder. A widely influential figure in the development of Aikido in America, Robert Nadeau is known as one of the few American direct disciples of Aikido’s founder Morihei Ueshiba Osensei. Now an 8th dan Aikido master teacher, Nadeau has taught generations of students, and several have become prominent teachers in their own right. Bringing the story of Robert Nadeau’s life into focus, this book presents, for the first time, the profound lessons and deep impact of a pioneering teacher who’s been central to the spread of Aikido in the West.
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Excerpt from The Best We Could Hope For (Little A) by Nicola Kraus. As adults, children try to reassemble the pieces of their lives and solve the mysteries that have always haunted them. Who were their parents? What really happened between them? And who is ultimately to blame for the destruction? But will the answers they seek set them free — or lead to something far more damaging than anyone imagined? “Nicola Kraus deftly shows how the fog of generational trauma can finally give way to clarity and understanding when the grown children in a uniquely blended family learn how their mothers’ painful pasts shaped them all.” ~ Laura Zigman, author
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Excerpt from She Journeys (She Writes Press) by Sarah May. This memoir is a testament to the transformative power of healing. From darkness to light, from a marriage ended to a life reclaimed, we are reminded that it never matters how we begin. Only that we do. From wounds to wisdom, 'She' is every woman who must find her way from heartbreak to homecoming. The author shows how the undoing of her expectations left her on her knees, fighting for her life. When everything we “expect” crumbles like ash after a fire, how do we reconcile what was lost? One courageous step at a time.
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Excerpt from I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms (Regalo Press) by Nancy Shear. This memoir takes readers into the homes, studios, and minds of legendary artists with whom Shear shared close personal relationships, including Stokowski, Mstislav Rostropovich, Eugene Ormandy, and members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. A literary welcome mat to the beautiful world of classical music, this memoir is accessible and engaging for all. It brings readers into rehearsals and concert halls, revealing the choices musicians must consider, and what conductors, players, and composers really do.
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Excerpt from Hello? Who Is This? Margaret? (River Grove Books) by Dani Alpert. This book of essays delivers tales of universally awkward, misunderstood, and human failings through wit, pop culture, and Dani’s losses and wins (mostly losses). Her humor — sometimes dark and distorted but always self-aware — is a salve for the messiness and absurdities of life. Dani’s candid essays speak to the hopeful in all of us. Whether she’s describing her bumpy road trying to get a foothold in Hollywood or her retail adventures shopping for gas masks during COVID, Dani offers inspiration wrapped in cautionary tales for anyone still chasing their dreams but feeling stuck.
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Excerpt from Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness (She Writes Press) by Deb Miller. In this uplifting debut memoir, Deb Miller discards the myth of Prince Charming once she realizes he can’t get her to happily ever after. This empowering story challenges societal expectations for women and encourages readers to rewrite their happily ever after and be their own hero. Whether you're navigating single parenting, pursuing your own transformation, or simply craving an inspiring story of self-help and second chances, Forget the Fairy Tale is your permission slip to take control of your narrative—and find joy on your own terms.
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Excerpt from Facing the Jaguar (She Writes Press) by Babs Walters. Beginning at the age of 11, Babs suffered childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Desperate to be loved and seeking approval, the good little girl absorbed both the responsibility and the shame that was not hers to begin with. Now, decades later, Babs shows us how uncovering the truth is a critical step to healing. This memoir is an inspirational story of resilience and courage, proving anything is possible when we claim our truth and shine a light in even the darkest of places.
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Excerpt from The Herbal Dog (Healing Arts Press) by Rita Hogan, C.H. In this comprehensive guide to holistic care for dogs, clinical canine herbalist Rita Hogan explains that by looking at dogs as individual ecosystems with unique personalities, physiology, and needs, we can select effective and personalized herbal remedies to support their constitutions and provide relief from many different ailments. Presenting safe, clinically proven, and effective protocols for common canine conditions — from acid reflux to allergies to itching, scratching, and yeast — Rita presents a wide variety of holistic and herbal remedies.
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Excerpt from Property of the Revolution (She Writes Press) by Ana Hebra Flaster. Ana Hebra Flaster was six years old when her working-class family was kicked out of their Havana barrio for opposing communism. Once devoted revolutionaries themselves but disillusioned by the Castro government’s repressive tactics, they fled to the US. The permanent losses they suffered—of home, country, and loved ones, all within forty-eight hours—haunted her multigenerational family as they reclaimed their lives and freedom in 1967 New Hampshire. This memoir celebrates the indomitable spirit and wisdom of the women warriors who led the family out of Cuba and shaped its rebirth as Cuban Americans.
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Excerpt from Gitel's Freedom (She Writes Press) by Iris Mitlin Lav. During the Depression and at an early age, Gitel questions the expected roles of women in society and in Judaism. When her husband Shmuel is disabled due to a stroke, Gitel is challenged to combine caring for him, being the breadwinner at a time when women face salary discrimination, and being present for their second daughter. Offering an illuminating look at Jewish immigrant life in early-1900s America, Gitel’s Freedom is a compelling tale of women’s resourcefulness and resilience in the face of limiting and often oppressive expectations.
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Excerpt from Girl, Groomed (She Writes Press) by Carol Odell, LICSW. Psychotherapist Carol Odell’s memoir tells the evolving story of coming to terms with the impacts of her own history of sexual abuse and violence at the hands of a predatory horse trainer who, for far too much of her young life, held all the reins. Using her own journey as an example, Carol demonstrates how unintegrated trauma limits us and our connection with others and how the work of uncovering and reintegrating “what we do with what happens to us” can become the very source of our liberation.
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Excerpt from Good in Theory (Aurora Corialis Publishing) by Cori Wamsley. This is a heartfelt and funny exploration of family, love, and the unexpected turns that shape our lives. “Good in Theory is a well-crafted, rollicking story filled with humor and romance. It is especially sure to please mystery-lovers, readers who appreciate a strong female protagonist, and anyone who laughs at science jokes," writes Ann K. Howley, author. Cori is an award-winning author of best friend stories with a side of romance.
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Excerpt from Deliberately Different (Amplify Publishing) by Judith M. von Seldeneck and Aileen K. Alexander. Two women leaders from two generations share their inspiring leadership journeys. From Judee launching the firm early in the women’s movement to Aileen steering it through this transformational era, they share tough decisions, personal memories, and observations about both the timeless qualities and essential traits for modern leaders. Presented as an open and engaging dialogue between the authors, this book is full of entertaining and uplifting anecdotes that will be useful for executives in any industry, any generation, and any context.
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Excerpt from From Perfectionist to Empowered (LPK Coaching Publishing) by Lindsay Pfister-Kerr. This guide offers a framework to help you manage stress, calm anxiety, and live a life of balance and purpose. Learn how to: discover effective techniques for managing stress and anxiety; build emotional resilience; live intentionally; enhance your self-awareness and practice self-compassion; develop tools to sustain personal growth and handle setbacks effectively. This book includes practical exercises and relatable anecdotes that will help you shift from overwhelm to intentional living, to live with greater purpose and confidence.
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Excerpt from Street Walker (EYESHOT) by Meryl Meisler. This book is a stunning exploration of social change, cultural diversity, and creative expression, from serene suburban curbs to the iconic nightlife of clubs. It's a vivid narrative of an era, capturing the essence of American life with humor, empathy, and a keen observational eye. Known for her ability to blend street photography with documentary, Meisler’s photography provides an intimate glimpse into the dynamic cultural landscape of late 20th-century America.
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Excerpt from Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors (Amplify Publishing) by Erica Rooney. Have you ever struggled with impostor syndrome, perfectionism, fear, or burnout? Success and fulfillment have always been the goal, but you find yourself stuck, making it impossible to move forward. Erica is a sticky floor survivor. As a high-achieving ceiling breaker and C-level leader, she masked her struggles to everyone around her — even herself. Ultimately, Erica was able to snap out of her sticky floors and find fulfillment, and uses her stories to help other women navigate their paths to success.
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EXCERPTS 2024
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Excerpt from Dancing Between the Raindrops (Sea Crow Press) by Lisa Braxton. This is a memoir-in-essays, a powerful meditation on grief and a deeply personal mosaic of a daughter's remembrances of beautiful, challenging and heartbreaking moments of life with her family. It speaks to anyone who has lost a loved one and is trying to navigate the world without them while coming to terms with complicated emotions. Lisa's story extends a lifeline of comfort to anyone who needs to be reminded that in their grief they are not alone.
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Excerpt from The Nutcracker Chronicles: A Fairytale Memoir (She Writes Press) by Janine Kovac. This modern twist on the beloved holiday ballet intertwines the story of Clara and her nutcracker prince with the true-life stories that unfold backstage. Eventually, she is relegated to watching other people dance — her husband, her children, her students — and her claim to the spotlight is replaced by the quest to find joy in her new roles. This book will give readers a glimpse into the world of a working dancer.
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Excerpt from Mattie, Milo, and Me (She Writes Press) by Anne Abel. Anne grew up in an abusive home, leading to severe depression and a determination to do better as a mother. She buys a dog for her son, and they name her Mattie. After this dog dies, Anne adopts Milo. She doesn't realize that this new dog has already been returned to the rescue by several families because of his aggressive behavior. But Anne is committed to giving Milo a chance at a good life. Working with Milo strengthens Anne and expands her ability to love. Ten years later, when Milo dies, Anne faces another choice: Should she risk loving another dog after two tragic losses?
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Excerpt from A Wolff in the Family (She Writes Press) by Francine Falk-Allen. Like other lower-middle-class women in the early 1900s, Naomi’s life was consumed with caring for her brood, who became helpers as soon as they could fold a diaper. Affection and struggle endured within the family, crowded into a humble house. Despite the respite of occasional family train trips across the plains, the marriage ultimately faced exceptional challenges, just before the Depression era began. What scandals led Frank Wolff to abandon his younger children at an orphanage far from home? And why did his elder children keep this a secret for eighty years? Based on true family history, this gripping saga is permeated with misogyny, prejudice, and passion.
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Excerpt from The Reset Mindset (Amplify Publishing) by Penny Zenker. Productivity expert Penny Zenker (a.k.a. The Focusologist) draws on more than two decades of experience founding, running, and scaling multimillion-dollar organizations to reveal a proven method that not only ensures that you never get “stuck” again but can also unlock new levels of performance personally and collectively. Regardless of your job title or situation, the simple three-step Reset Practice--1: Step Back; 2: Get Perspective; 3: Realign. Penny's TEDx talk, “The Energy of Thought,” has had over 1 million views worldwide
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Excerpt from Fall and Recovery: Raising Children with Disabilities Through Lessons Learned in Dance (She Writes Press) by Joanne De Simone. Over time, Joanne discovers that surviving motherhood isn’t a matter of strength, bravery, or faith. It’s a matter of linking your past experiences and creating your own purpose. It’s realizing that we live simultaneously in love and grief. In the end, dance teaches Joanne not only how to move freely through pain but also how to fall and recover. The struggle to balance her sons’ medical and educational challenges drives Joanne to reconnect with the lessons she learned as a modern dancer—and there she finds enlightenment.
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Excerpt from Bright Eyes: Surviving Our Monsters and Learning to Live Without Them (She Writes Press) by Bridey Thelen-Heidel. Raised to be her mother’s keeper, rescuer, and punching bag, Bridey gets used to stuffing her life into black trash bags, hauling them between Alaska and California, and changing schools every time her mom moves in with a new monster — or runs away from one. This is a memoir about the indomitable spirit of a young girl forced to be brave, required to be resilient, and conditioned to be optimistic, and how she ultimately uses the same traits that helped her to survive her mother’s chaos to create her own "happily ever after."
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Excerpt from Your Tiger Inside (Mind and Heart Coaching LLC) by Sherry Kelly, Ph.D. and illustrations by Kathleen Keifer. This book helps guide children into a journey of emotional discovery through the story of two little kitties, Toby & Tabby. The kitties learn that emotions are not to be judged or to fear. Rather, emotions serve special purposes. By listening to their own tiger inside, they learn that the power of emotions can help better understand what they may need, seek, or fear. Their emotions can be understood as if they were similar to a little tiger inside them that rings an alarm, telling them when to pounce and telling them to hide. With enchanting illustrations, the book provides practical strategies in emotional communication for children, parents, and educators.
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Excerpt from Thought Snob: The Modern Spiritual Playbook for a Better Life (Better Than That Publishing) by Paula Swope. Paula coined the term "Thought Snob" and developed her leading-edge THOUGHT S.N.O.B. process [Seeing New Objective Beliefs] designed to help people move out of havoc and into happiness. Written in her trademark down-to-earth style and filled with humor, compassion, and plenty of personal life stories, Paula shows each of us how to create the life we truly deserve through the amazing power that dwells within everyone: our thoughts. Paula is a Chopra-certified meditation instructor, Ayurveda specialist, and Total Well-Being Life Coach. Everything she did to escape scarcity and achieve abundance is embedded in each chapter.
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Excerpt from Cancer Moon: How I Survived the Best Years of My Life (She Writes Press) by Jenna Tico. In this book filled with personal humor essays and a collection of poetry, Jenna vulnerably and jovially guides readers through the turbulent twenties -- a.k.a. the “age of wallowing.” Jenna invites women to embrace this necessary phase of life, helping them understand their self-worth and sexuality, empowering them to become who they want to be in the world. "Own your weird!" She validates the experiences of women who feel like they have been abandoned by the generation that came before them. Her self-reflective stories encourage healthy life choices for young women without telling them where, what, or how to live their lives — and always with a healthy dash of humor on the side.
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Excerpt from Reedemed: A Memoir of Stolen Childhood (She Writes Press) by Penny Lane. Penny is just four years old when she is snatched away from her all-American home by the Hungarian father who abandoned her when she was a baby. After facing isolation and neglect in a strange, dysfunctional household where heartache, rejection, and physical abuse rule her life, she escapes—only to find herself in a relationship with a man who’s just converted to fundamentalist Christianity. A rise-from-the-ashes hero’s story of overcoming abuse, trauma, and unbearable odds, this memoir offers a rare window into Eastern European immigrant culture and serves as an inspiration to women everywhere, encouraging them to overcome their obstacles and go after their dreams.
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Excerpt from Almost Family (She Writes Press) by Ann Bancroft. Liz has stage four cancer, a grown daughter who doesn’t speak to her, and obsessive memories of a relationship that tore apart her marriage. She thinks of herself as someone who’d rather die than sit through a support group, but she finds friendship and strength with two other patients. The three unlikely friends decide to ditch the regular support group and meet on their own. Their goal is to enjoy life while they can. They joined forces to have a good time — but what they wind up doing is helping one another come to grips with terminal cancer and resolve the unfinished business in their lives.
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Excerpt from The Black Family's Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds (Nvision Solutions) by Nijiama Smalls and Shamon Smalls. Most of our individual and family problems can be attributed to an unhealed place inside each of us. Filled with vivid examples, tools, and interactive exercises, this book is designed to help every member of the Black Family heal so they can enjoy lives filled with success, love, and purpose and heal in order to show up as their best selves. Topics include self-sabotage, abandonment and trauma.
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Excerpt from All I Know (Buckberg Mountain Books) by Holly C. LaBarbera. Despite childhood trauma and tragedy, protagonist Kai Martin has never given up, rising from devastation to rebuild her life over and over again. Yet reality is more complicated than any childhood fantasy, and when painful family patterns are reenacted, Kai must decide how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice for Josh, the man she planned to marry. Ultimately, Kai must confront the heartbreaking truth that as much as we try to help the people we love, we can only truly save ourselves. This story of strength and resilience is Holly LaBarbera's first novel.
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Excerpt from The Sixth Level: Capitalize on the Power of Women's Psychology for Sustainable Leadership (Amplify Publishing) by Stacy Feiner, Psy.D., Kathy K. Overbeke, DBA, Jack D. Harris, Ph.D., and Rachel Wallis Andreasson, MBA. The Sixth Level is a model of leadership that emerges from the experience of successful leaders. Their narratives describe four core differentiators of mutuality, ingenuity, justness, and intrinsic motivation—this is a leadership model for the future. This book teaches leaders to build successful and profitable businesses, while fostering connection and innovation.
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Excerpt from Childless Mother: A Search for Son and Self (Vanguard Press) by Tracy Mayo. After becoming pregnant and giving birth to a child, Tracy was required to surrender her baby boy at birth and pretend it never happened. Twenty-two years later, her longing undiminished, Tracy set out to find him - and perhaps, through her search, to reclaim her self. Are we moving back to a world where women have no agency, stripped of control of their bodies and their futures? More than fifty years after one frightened, grief-stricken young mother was ordered to forget, Tracy's story is even more important to remember.
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Excerpt from Now, Near, Next: A Practical Guide for Mid-Career Women to Move from Professional Serendipity to Intentional Advancement (Amplify Publishing) by Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, Ph.D., and Kimberly K. Rath, MBA. This book debunks the myth that putting your head down and working hard is the best way to realize your fullest potential. Energizing self-agency means taking control of your path ahead. Instead of conforming to social norms or other people’s expectations, you look forward with intentionality, action, and reflection. This book will help you develop a roadmap to the next phase in your journey.
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Excerpt from From Struggle to Strength: A Father's Journey with Autism and the Power of Hope and Positivity (Aurora Corialis Publishing) by Harry Psaros. This excerpt is included as part of our special issue "Celebrating Autism Awareness & Acceptance." From practical advice for nurturing your child's growth to the mental attitudes and mindsets that parents of children with autism need to succeed, this book helps fathers step up and be the support for their children that they long to be. Harry believes there is a way to be informed, to be supportive, and to create a unified front as a family moving forward in their journey together.
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Excerpt from We Choose JOY: How 22 Women went Beyond Healing to Create Joyful Lives (Aurora Corialis Publishing) curated by Linda Laird Staszewski. The women of We Choose Joy went beyond healing to strive for joy, despite the struggles they have overcome. You'll discover stories of hope, healing, and open-heartedness within these pages that will inspire you to seek joy yourself everywhere you go. These women empower others with their stories of sorrows and triumphs to laugh longer, love harder, and live a life full of joy.
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Excerpt from The Joy of Imperfect Love: The Art of Creating Healthy, Securely Attached Relationships (Familius LLC) by Carla Marie Manly, Ph.D. Dr. Manly provides a roadmap for a transformative journey of compassionate, healthy love. With research-backed insights, captivating case studies, and empowering exercises, readers explore how attachment issues and unresolved personal issues negatively impact both self-love and the quality of our relationships. Dr. Manly offers sound solutions for creating the awareness and healthy habits that promote lasting love.
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Excerpt from My American Dream: A Journey from Fascism to Freedom (Five Star Press) by Barbara Sommer Feigin. After discovering that her Jewish father had kept a detailed journal that chronicled her family’s harrowing escape from Nazi Germany, one she has no recollection of, Barbara chose to write a memoir chronicling her family's life in America and their quest for The American Dream. This is a memoir of resilience, grit, and grace, one which tells the story of her life as a young German-speaking refugee who became a trailblazing executive in the advertising industry in the 1960s.
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NEW! Excerpt from The Music Was Just Getting Good (Andrews McMeel Publishing) by Alicia Cook. Following in the footsteps of her first two installments, Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately (2016) and Sorry I Haven’t Texted You Back (2020), Alicia is closing out her trilogy with a poignant and all too relatable look at the ebbs and flows of life and why, even during our most difficult seasons, a better day can appear just around the corner. This collection of poems/blackout poems explores the themes of mental health, hope, recovery and grief.
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Excerpt from The Politzer Saga (Bethesda Communications Group) by Linda Ambrus Broenniman. The contents of a box that survives a house fire in 2011 becomes the catalyst for a quest whose seeds were planted in 1983 - the day Linda Ambrus Broenniman learned that her Catholic father was Jewish and what little family history she knew was a lie. Searching for truth, Linda pieces together the astonishing story of her Jewish ancestors. Illuminating the destructive power of hatred, dehumanization, and injustice, this powerful story encompasses issues that still echo today.
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