THE BOOKWORM SEZ , LLC
By TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
2022
READING LIST
Fiction
Fans of thrillers will absolutely want to unwrap “ Bullet Train ” by Kotaro Isaka , the story of five assassins who find out that their respective assignments have a little too much in common for comfort . Give this book for a gift , along with two movie tickets , since it ’ s about to become a motion picture .
Those who love romantic happily-ever-after may enjoy an anti-HEA with “ Rock Paper Scissors ” by Alice Feeney , the story of a couple that ’ s struggling with their marriage . It ’ s nobody ’ s fault : he has an affliction and can ’ t recognize faces ; she ’ s tired of being ignored . When they win a vacation , it ’ s a chance to make things better . Or not .
Poe fans will love unwrapping “ Poe for Your Problems ” by Catherine Baab- Miguira . Edgar Allen Poe as therapist ? Who knew ? Add “ The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows ” by John Koenig to the reading list . It ’ s a book about words and feelings and how obscure language might help make things a little clearer . The folk music lover who just happens to also enjoy novels will love “ The Ballad of Laurel Springs ” by Janet Beard . It ’ s the story starts with ten-year-old Grace , who learns something shocking about her family ’ s past and the event became a song . She ’ s not the only one , though : songs and lyrics tell the rest of the tale , through generations of Tennessee folk music .
Health and Wellness For the past months , it seems like we ’ ve heard a lot from doctors and nurses . So why not check out a book by a psychiatrist ? In “ Committed : Dispatches from a Psychiatrist in Training ,” author Adam Stern , M . D . writes about what it ’ s like to be accepted for a prestigious program in which he and his colleagues learn to help patients on a psychiatric ward .
“ Everything I Have Is Yours : A Marriage ” by Eleanor Henderson is a book about boy-meets-girl and love blossoms . It ’ s about two children and a Happily-Almost-Ever-After , until chronic illness steps in . Also look for “ The Problem of Alzheimer ’ s ” by Jason Karlawish , a sort of history of the “ crisis ” and where science is taking its treatment .
Here ’ s a book that any reader can identify with : “ Until Proven Safe : The History and Future of Quarantine ” by Geoff Manaugh and Nicola Twilley . Learn what quarantine meant almost 400 years ago during The Black Death , what it means in a world with COVID-19 , what we can expect during the next pandemic , and how this all meshes with the entire idea of freedom .
History
The reader who can ’ t have enough World War II history will relish reading “ Into the Forest ” by Rebecca Frankel . It ’ s the true story of a family that escaped the Nazis by hiding in a nearby wooded area and they were able to stay safe for two years . Decades later , long after their liberation in 1944 , another miracle happened and so did love .
History lovers will love “ Travels with George ” by Nathaniel Philbrick , a book that chronicles the author ’ s trip across America to see how our country has change , including the way we see George though modern eyes .
Parenting
“ Why is My Child in Charge ?” by Claire Lerner is a book to help end frustration , power struggles , bratty kids , and upset parents . It ’ s helpful , kind , and clear-headed ; just be careful , give it to the parent who expressly wants a book like this .
“ The Ultimate At-Home Activity Guide ” by Mike Lowery is chock-full of more than 100 activities for little kids , big kids , and grown-up kids , and some of them are quiet lesson-teachers .
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Cullman magazine | SPRING 2022