I grew up with five brothers in the 1950-60s and never felt that I could not do whatever they desired to do. Later, I developed a heart for women and children’s rights and a desire for real-life stories about authentic people and their struggles. As I watch the news, television, and observe my daughters and granddaughters, I am intrigued by women’s ever-evolving roles and the courage and perseverance it took for progress. Mary Meier, in Thou Shalt Not, did not change the world; however, she did give her community much to think about when only the town blacksmith seemed to take an interest in her dire situation—which ultimately leads to a murder.
Did you know that a husband could commit his wife to an insane asylum, without a doctor’s diagnosis, in the late 1800s? Elizabeth Packard was one of them. Her courage and deep desire to help others and herself escape unfair and inhumane treatment in the Illinois State Hospital and the reality that a woman was often viewed as a servant is an insight into women’s ever-changing roles. Growing up as a baby-boomer and experiencing the hippie generation, I felt a tug in two directions—freedom to be who I was created to be and growing up under my mother’s mentorship where Dad was head of the house. Elizabeth’s story could have been mine.
From the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Radium Girls comes another dark and dramatic but ultimately uplifting tale of a forgotten woman hero whose inspirational journey sparked lasting change for women's rights and exposed injustices that still resonate today. 1860: As the clash between the states rolls slowly to a boil, Elizabeth Packard, housewife and mother of six, is facing her own battle. The enemy sits across the table and sleeps in the next room. Her husband of twenty-one years is plotting against her because he feels increasingly threatened-by Elizabeth's intellect, independence,…
Is it any wonder that
Einstein’s wife, Maric, and he drifted apart as the years passed when we learn
the story behind the story? His wife was a brilliant physicist in her own
right. In fact, the theory of relativity may have been inspired by her profound
intellect. It is my impression that in a relationship, one is more outgoing
than the other. Relationships where partnerships co-exist and each person’s
skills and intellect are validated and appreciated may be outside the norm. Maric’s
story encourages me to affirm my own gifts.
From beloved New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Benedict comes the story of a not-so-famous scientist who not only loved Albert Einstein, but also shaped the theories that brought him lasting renown. In the tradition of Beatriz Williams and Paula McClain, Marie Benedict's The Other Einstein offers us a window into a brilliant, fascinating woman whose light was lost in Einstein's enormous shadow. This novel resurrects Einstein's wife, a brilliant physicist in her own right, whose contribution to the special theory of relativity is hotly debated. Was she simply Einstein's sounding board, an assistant performing complex mathematical…
I was inspired by the strong women in this book about Kentucky women who risked their lives to see that everyone had an opportunity to learn to read and have books in their hands. Plus, there is an additional theme which surprised me, and who doesn’t like a surprise. As a writer, avid reader, and retired teacher, I appreciate being able to connect with what I’m reading. This, also, was an eye-opening read into our history. Understanding history, I feel, is an important part of understanding who I am.
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A USA TODAY BESTSELLER A LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER AN OKRA PICK The bestselling historical fiction from Kim Michele Richardson, this is a novel following Cussy Mary, a packhorse librarian and her quest to bring books to the Appalachian community she loves, perfect for readers of Lee Smith and Lisa Wingate. The perfect addition to your next book club! The hardscrabble folks of Troublesome Creek have to scrap for everything-everything except books, that is. Thanks to Roosevelt's Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project, Troublesome's got its very own traveling librarian, Cussy Mary Carter. Cussy's not only…
Lydia, who lived in Acapulco, finds
herself on the run with her only child, Lucas, due to the recent murder of her
husband and feeling threatened herself. It is a timely book considering the
countless number of people trying to enter the US—some of them fearing for
their very lives. Although fiction, it was inspired by real-life people with
real-life issues and how a mother will do anything to protect her child. As a
mother of four, I understood I would do anything to protect my children. It was
easy and yet painful to put myself in Lydia’s position as she suffered abuse,
weather, hunger, and extreme fear to save her son and herself for a better
life. It reminds me that sometimes we end up basically on our own in very
tenuous situations. Would I be able to plan as Lydia did and then have the
courage to carry it out?
*NOW A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK AT BEDTIME* 'Breathtaking... I haven't been so entirely consumed by a book for years' Telegraph 'I'll never stop thinking about it' Ann Patchett
FEAR KEEPS THEM RUNNING. HOPE KEEPS THEM ALIVE.
Vivid, visceral, utterly compelling, AMERICAN DIRT is an unforgettable story of a mother and son's attempt to cross the US-Mexico border. Described as 'impossible to put down' (Saturday Review) and 'essential reading' (Tracy Chevalier), it is a story that will leave you utterly changed.
Yesterday, Lydia had a bookshop. Yesterday, Lydia was married to a journalist. Yesterday, she was with everyone she loved…
Inspired by an Oprah episode, Lisa Shannon starts to run
for Congo Women—literally. Beginning with a 30-mile run and a deep desire to
make a difference, it’s an inspiration as to women’s ever-changing roles, and
how one person can start a movement that can impact many. In the Congo, she
learns it is the worst place on earth for women to live. Instead of driving her
away, her life evolves into something bigger than she could have imagined. My daughter, who had
been to Africa herself many years ago, recommended this book. The stamina and
courage it took to survive was beyond admiration; it was miraculous. I, at
times, wonder how God’s divine plan will playout when I read of such
circumstances. But when I read of Lisa’s calling, I am reminded that we are
each called to be the hands and feet of Jesus—something bigger than who we are
alone.
Lisa J. Shannon had a good life-a successful business, a fiance, a home, and security. Then, one day in 2005, an episode of Oprah changed all that. The show focused on women in Congo, the worst place on earth to be a woman. She was awakened to the atrocities there-millions dead, women raped and tortured daily, and children dying in shocking numbers. Shannon felt called to do something. And she did. A Thousand Sisters is her inspiring memoir. She raised money to sponsor Congolese women, beginning with one solo 30-mile run, and then founded a national organization, Run for Congo…
Typically, historical fiction tells a story set in the past with characters tending to be fictional. Thou Shalt Not, with Mary Meier, the hotel proprietor with her husband in a small community, is the exception. The characters existed, the setting was real, and many of the incidents are authentic. Conversations were taken from court documents as printed in the area newspapers. I felt compelled to tell Mary Meier’s story. It provided an insight into women’s limitations during the late 1800s. If Mary had been allowed a stronger voice, a murder could have been prevented.
A fast-paced literary thriller with a strong sci-fi element and loaded with existential questions. Beyond the entertainment value, this book takes a hard look at the perilous world of publishing, which is on a crash course to meet the nascent, no-holds-barred world of AI. Could these worlds co-exist, or will they destroy each other? And more importantly, how will humans tolerate their own creations, the robots, on this planet?
In this, his latest speculative fiction novel, Shane Joseph, returns to the “what if” questions facing humanity that he raised in After the Flood, a book that won him the…
With Chatbots and Large Language Models changing the world of writing and publishing dramatically, what happens when we introduce a sentient robot capable of feelings into the mix?
Phil Kruger, inventor, and serial womanizer, believes he has the answer in his creation, Victoria, the first sentient robot in the world, imbued with beauty, knowledge, and strength and on a crash course to acquire human feelings through massive infusions of data. Arrayed against him are independent trade publisher Artemius (Art) Jones and his rebellious and sexually starved daughter, Paula, an editor herself, who is determined to take her father's failing press,…
