Why am I passionate about this?

A sense of adventure is what gets me out of bed every morning. What will the day hold? I have no idea, but some of it is within my realm of control. Will I let myself get sucked into the Doldrums, or will I courageously reach out to a friend to say that I need help? I believe deeply in the interconnectedness of all things, and that part of my personal destiny is to be a part of that connection for others. Even in the daily struggles that come with using a power wheelchair, I keep working hard and following my vision and see where the adventure takes me.


I wrote

Rough Waters: From Surviving to Thriving with a Progressive Muscular Dystrophy

By Heather C. Markham,

Book cover of Rough Waters: From Surviving to Thriving with a Progressive Muscular Dystrophy

What is my book about?

At age 34, Heather received a life-changing diagnosis: she had a progressive muscular dystrophy and would eventually need a wheelchair.…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Alchemist

Heather C. Markham Why did I love this book?

Coelho’s book is an allegorical adventure of a young shepherd who dreams of buried treasure in a far-off land. The predominant themes are having a destiny, the idea of a universal plan, the interconnectedness of all things, the value of simplicity, and that fear is an obstacle.

As I read through, I had to decide who I was: the dreaming shepherd, the interpreting gypsy fortune teller, the fearful crystal merchant, the intellectual Englishman, the wise alchemist, or the beautiful Fatima who simply believes the shepherd will return and does not put conditions on him.

At the core of the book is the advice given to our shepherd hero that, "when you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that your wish comes true.” I choose daily to see life as a grand adventure, to believe the whole universe is conspiring on my behalf, and to have the simple faith that people will behave as they say.

I am profoundly grateful for those around me. I have reread the book multiple times to be immersed in the far-off lands and revisit the characters who live there.

By Paulo Coelho,

Why should I read it?

27 authors picked The Alchemist as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A global phenomenon, The Alchemist has been read and loved by over 62 million readers, topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. Now this magical fable is beautifully repackaged in an edition that lovers of Paulo Coelho will want to treasure forever.

Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. This is such a book - a beautiful parable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life's path and, above all, follow your dreams.

Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, feels that there is…


Book cover of The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

Heather C. Markham Why did I love this book?

What’s not to love? Most people may be familiar with Rob Reiner’s version of this story filled with “fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…” But William Goldman’s writing is richer and more satirical.

I laughed when Goldman wrote about the boring parts that he left out of this rewriting. He encouraged me to write, and rewrite to cut out the boring parts of my own story and share my own adventures.

Is this one too obvious? Inconceivable!

By William Goldman,

Why should I read it?

19 authors picked The Princess Bride as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

William Goldman’s beloved story of Buttercup, Westley, and their fellow adventurers.

This tale of true love, high adventure, pirates, princesses, giants, miracles, fencing, and a frightening assortment of wild beasts was unforgettably depicted in the 1987 film directed by Rob Reiner and starring Fred Savage, Robin Wright, and others. But, rich in character and satire, the novel boasts even more layers of ingenious storytelling. Set in 1941 and framed cleverly as an “abridged” retelling of a centuries-old tale set in the fabled country of Florin, home to “Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest…


Book cover of Compete to Create: An Approach to Living and Leading Authentically

Heather C. Markham Why did I love this book?

Two quotes stand out for me from this book: “Through relationships, we become.” And “No one does it alone. It’s the fabric of our relationships with those in the thin herd that allow us to go the distance.”

This book helped me outline the vision of what I wanted my life to be and understand that it also takes resources, skills, and relationships with others. For me, the vision sparked the adventure of becoming a competitive Para Surfer.

By Michael Gervais, Pete Carroll,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Compete to Create as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The modern world bombards us with messages that we are not enough and need something outside ourselves to be fulfilled.

The truth is everything we need is already inside us. We just need to uncover it. Based on the ground-breaking mindset training and culture building platform co-founded by Dr. Michael Gervais and NFL coach Pete Carroll, Compete to Create provides a blueprint to unlock your authentic self, explore the edges of your potential, and live a life of purpose and meaning.

In this Audible Original you’ll get an in-depth look at how world-class athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs organize their inner…


Book cover of Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Heather C. Markham Why did I love this book?

A sense of adventure takes vulnerability.

Brené Brown’s writings on courage and vulnerability have transformed how I interact with the people around me in asking for help with everything from the smallest of tasks, like getting dressed, to conquering the challenge of writing a memoir.

Come be courageous and get vulnerable. I’m right there with you.

By Brené Brown,

Why should I read it?

11 authors picked Daring Greatly as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

**Now on Netflix as The Call to Courage**

'She's so good, Brene Brown, at finding the language to articulate collective feeling' Dolly Alderton

Every time we are faced with change, no matter how great or small, we also face risk. We feel uncertain and exposed. We feel vulnerable. Most of us try to fight those feelings - or feel guilt for feeling them in the first place.

In a powerful new vision Dr Brene Brown challenges everything we think we know about vulnerability, and dispels the widely accepted myth that it's a weakness. She argues that, in truth, vulnerability is…


Book cover of The Phantom Tollbooth

Heather C. Markham Why did I love this book?

This children’s classic has been on my bookshelf for as long as I can remember. Back then, I had no idea what a tollbooth was but I was sucked into Milo’s adventure nonetheless.

This book resonates so deeply with me, that one year I gave it as a Christmas present to everyone on my list. I still return to this book every once in a while to get a refresher on what a true friend is [Tock], how to get out of the Doldrums or conquer the Terrible Trivium.

Rhyme and Reason rule on land, but Douglas Adam’s “Don’t Panic” is the watchword when surfing. 

By Norton Juster, Jules Feiffer (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

13 authors picked The Phantom Tollbooth as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

With almost 5 million copies sold 60 years after its original publication, generations of readers have now journeyed with Milo to the Lands Beyond in this beloved classic. Enriched by Jules Feiffer’s splendid illustrations, the wit, wisdom, and wordplay of Norton Juster’s offbeat fantasy are as beguiling as ever. 

“Comes up bright and new every time I read it . . . it will continue to charm and delight for a very long time yet. And teach us some wisdom, too.” --Phillip Pullman

For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only…


Explore my book 😀

Rough Waters: From Surviving to Thriving with a Progressive Muscular Dystrophy

By Heather C. Markham,

Book cover of Rough Waters: From Surviving to Thriving with a Progressive Muscular Dystrophy

What is my book about?

At age 34, Heather received a life-changing diagnosis: she had a progressive muscular dystrophy and would eventually need a wheelchair. Her walking days would end much sooner than expected. Despite her body’s betrayal, Heather fearlessly leaned into adventures—belly dancing, Para Surfing, winning a pageant, and pursuing her passion for photography.

With humor and candor, Heather chronicles her slow decline in mobility and her determination to live an extraordinary life—one full of laughter and joy, sand and salt water. This inspiring memoir is also a call for more empathy from medical professionals, care attendants, the travel industry, and anyone who knows someone with a disability. Limits are only in your mind, Heather says, and nearly anything is possible with the right team, tools, and perseverance.

You might also like...

Curiosity and the Cat

By Martin Treanor,

Book cover of Curiosity and the Cat

Martin Treanor Author Of The Logos Prophecy

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Illustrator Reader Jester Quantum physics buff

Martin's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Curiosity is certain she saw fairies at the bottom of the garden. Little does she know . . . they saw her first.

Emotionally abandoned by her mother and infatuated by a figurine of a fairy ballerina she discovers in an old toy shop, eight-year-old Curiosity Portland steals the figurine, unleashing strange and frightening happenings around her home, which, in turn, reveals a disturbing family history. 

An ominous tale of faerie folk.

Curiosity and the Cat

By Martin Treanor,

What is this book about?

Curiosity is certain she saw fairies at the bottom of the garden. Little does she know . . . they saw her first.

Emotionally abandoned by her mother and infatuated by a figurine of a fairy ballerina she discovers in an old toy shop, eight-year-old Curiosity Portland steals the figurine, unleashing strange and frightening happenings around her home, which, in turn, reveals a disturbing family history.

An ominous tale of faerie folk.



5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in risk, Pirates, and the NFL?

Risk 12 books
Pirates 90 books
The NFL 30 books