Carolyn Lists Her Top Twelve Books from 2020 to Read in 2021

A Dozen of My Best Reading of 2020 for You to Read in 2021

 

 

Compassion, Michigan: The Ironwood Stories by Raymond Luczak, published by Modern History Press. Remembering that some of this nation’s truest story were written by and about people in small towns with very cold climates, Luczak’s stories harken to that tradition but, it seems, short stories are suited for these times and especially stories like these full of character and full of characters with character who manage to make do just as many of us are doing in these times of Covid. I guarantee readers will find comfort in both the length of these stories and in knowing those people he writes about. ISBN: 9781615995271 Available on Amazon in paper, hardcover, and ebook. 

 

Words and Bones by LB Sedlacek. A poetry chapbook published by Finishing Line Press, (2018). Easy-to-read poetry, each beautiful in its simplicity. ISBN 97881635346329 Available at http://FinishingLinePress.com

 

How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech by Dr. Judith Briles, published by Mile High Press, Ltd. (2018). Great reread for the Zoom (call that Covid!) era. ISBN: 978 1885331670. Available on Amazon.

 

When God Says No: Revealing the Yes When Adversity and Loss Are Present by Judith Briles, published by Mile High Press, Ltd. Inspiration for the time of Covid. ISBN: 9781886431731 ©2019. Available on Amazon as hard cover, paperback and e-book. 

 

Life Is Basically Tragic—But Not Mine by Evelyn Blocker. Published by A Mojave River Valley Museum Publication, Barstow, CA. where her life is celebrated in a permanent display. The author’s daughter said, “My mother told us that the reason she wrote her story is so that we and our children and our children’s children would know, truly know, about how life was in the in 30’s and the 40’s, most particularly the depression and how life went on and people adapted, learned, grew, and went on!” ISBN: 0918614120 ©2003. Available as a paperback on Amazon.

 

Mine to Carry: An Irishwoman's Journey Through Forbidden Pregnancy, a memoir by Christine ("Cris") Mulvey, is WinningWriters.com’s 2020 #NorthStreetBookPrize winner. Independently published by Bookbaby.com. This memoir is a warning—and a reminder—of the dangers of allowing one group of human beings or countries to impose their values on individuals unlike themselves. ISBN: 978-1-543957288 Available on Amazon. 

 

The Benefits of Breathing, a collection of stories by Christopher Meeks (Foreword by Roderick Clark). White Whisker Books. Reviewer Grady Harp says this book will “provide proof that we have a superior writer of the genre in our presence.” ISBN: 978 0 9863265 Available on Amazon. Disclaimer: Meeks is my former student at UCLA and a well-known writing teacher at universities in the Los Angeles area including UCLA, USC, Santa Monica Community College. 

 

Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever by Gavin Edwards. Published by Dey St., an imprint of William Morrow. ISBN: 9780062950741 (2020). Pages 246. 

 

The Simple Facts about Self-Publishing: What indie publishers need to know to produce a great book by Jacquelyn Lynn. Published by Tuscawilla Creative Services. This is among my my few first-read recommended books for any would-be author considering publishing—indie or traditionally. ISBN: 99781941826324 . Available on Amazon. 

 

Finding Joy Journal by Jacquelyn Lynn. Published by Tuscawilla Creative Services. LLC. The perfect gift for a journaler, would-be diary keeper, poet, author, or anyone else with the will to write or a dream to do so. It’s also a curative and inspiration. ISBN: 9781941826195 Available on Amazon. 

 

Diversity: Embracing Our Shared Humanity. A workbook by Daralyse Lyones from Loving Healing Press seems a double-duty exercise book to me. A perfect way for authors inspired to us diversity as a theme in their writing to sort out their thinking or inspire new ways to tackle a familiar theme or simply as guided journaling that would benefit most anyone in these days of changing demographics. ISBN: 0781615995363. Available on Amazon.

 

Trish: A Story of Survival and Recovery by Patricia Byrnes. A memoir published by Modern History Press. A personal story but also a story for readers interested in the US penal system. PEN America might be interested for their program designed to shed light on mass incarceration. ISBN: 9781615995141. Available on Amazon. 

 

About This Post

 

Carolyn writes the Back to Literature column for the review website MyShelf.com. She is also the author of , How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically: The ins and outs of using free reviews to build and sustain a writing careeravailable on Amazon at http://bit.ly/GreatBkReviews and other books including fiction and poetry. 

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER 

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-wining author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter (http://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), now offered by Modern History Press in its third edition. Carolyn's latest is in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers is How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. 

Carolyn has two booklets in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series, both in their second editions from Modern History Press. Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers (http://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and The Great First Impression Book Proposal (http://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The Frugal Editor (http://bit.ly/FrugalEditor), now in its second edition, is the winningest book in the series. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques (http://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs at all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (http://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow for news on her new releases direct from Amazon: http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

An Invitation from the Famous Judith Briles

I am excited about presenting at this writers conference and--of course--had to let you know about it! I'd love to see my SharingwithWriters subscribers and visitors there. If you come, please be sure to introduce yourselves. I just reconnected with a wonderful attendee I met back in 2008 at the Erma Bombeck conference for humor writers. It's this kind of thing that keeps me happy!

Announcement in Author U

Come to the Extravaganza - Special rate for LI members Judith Briles Author & Publishing Expert, The Book Shepherd, Corporate Blogger, Founder of Author U group on LinkedIn, Keynote Speaker AuthorU has its annual 3-day author and publishing conference next month, September 15-17. A special discount code has been created for all members of local groups 1. There is breaking news about the 2016 AuthorU Extravaganza I want to share … and we want you to immediately act on—time is running out. Book Marketing Expert John Kremer is doing the Deep Dive workshop just for you on Thursday—imagine, two hours with a man who has mentored authors in selling MILLIONS of books! 2. AuthorU has created a killer pricing deal that you should not miss for you because you are one of my followers for my posts and blogs. First, the AuthorU Extravaganza: 1. The theme this year is Daring Greatly. We ’ve assembled the “best of the best” to take you and your book to soaring heights of publishing and marketing success. There are 25 exceptional experts and presenters ready to share a “no-holds-back” information and advice including Carolyn Howard-Johnson with tons of frugal tips for you. 2. Book Marketing Expert John Kremer will be doing a very, very special Deep Dive Dinner Workshop on Thursday, September 15th. John’s classic, 1001 Ways to Market Your Book is launching with an all new edition and updated. If you want insider book marketing tips, you can’t afford to miss this remarkable session. Be the first to get the new book at the Extravaganza. John has shown authors how to dare greatly for years; he has mentored authors who have sold over a billion books and is founder of the Billion Book Initiative to help the next generation of book authors sell another billion books. Are you ready to Dare Greatly and be part of this next generation? 3. All sessions are General Sessions on Friday and Saturday, all —you don’t have to worry about “choices” … you hear it ALL. 4. Ask the Experts and Pick Their Brains. You have questions—all our speakers are Experts. One thing many wanted was more time to mix with the speakers. Ask the Experts (our speakers) takes place during lunch when you will have at least one speaker/expert at your table PLUS you can book individual time throughout Friday and Saturday. Ask the Experts and Pick Their Brains are open to all attendees and includes lunch. 5. Evening Reception. On Friday after Rounds with the Pros before our gourmet dinner (and we do mean gourmet), Ingram Spark is hosting a reception for attendees and speakers. Building community is important to authors—your growing network is invaluable to your success. This is open to all attendees. 6. Call the hotel and reserve your room at a special reduced rate. Right now, rates are posted online through the “hotel discount” sites at $184. You get $119 PLUS free parking, which saves an additional $13 per day. There is a free shuttle if you are flying into Denver International Airport (DIA). Call the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel at 303-399-7500 and ask for the AuthorU rate. Second, the Killer Pricing deal for Colorado authors and writers: I’ve been given a special coupon code that will SAVE $270 off of the three-day Extravaganza registration. This is HUGE! BUT … you must act NOW. This is good until September 1. Click on the link below to take you to Registration page: (for members and nonmembers—click on the nonmember rate if link is broken) http://www.secureinfossl.com/carts/shopping_cart/oneClickProductBuy/6f382b315cd5927caf706e4e15ea8d68/0 You will note it has $545 for full registration (Thursday Deep Dive through Saturday afternoon) … we will add in the Eagle or Eaglet Thursday Day sessions, another $75 value). Complete it and click Next Step. Then, enter AUSP2016 code … You will be charged $350, a terrific rate, just for YOU! You save $270. If you want to really make a mark in publishing and be successful, come to the Extravaganza! Respond Now View

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 Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and how to books for writers including the award-winning second edition of, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher; The multi award-winning second edition of The Frugal Editor; and Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers . The Great First Impression Book Proposal is her newest booklet for writers. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor .