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The Bookworm’s Holiday Book Giving Guide: Fiction (1 of 3)
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworms SeeHoliday Book Giving Guide: Fiction
So you looked at the calendar the other day and… eeeek.
You’re not very far away at all to the holidays and you’re way, too, uncomfortably far away from having everything ready. At the top of your list is fulfilling your Gift List, but you’re out of ideas and now what? How about a book? How about one of these great books….
Fiction
For the reader who loves a good comedy, “The Best Way to Bury Your Husband” by Alexia Casale (Penguin, $18.00) is perfect. It’s the story of four women and one same old story: their husbands have been jerks and it’s time to take matters into their own hands. Pair it with “How to Solve Your Own Murder” by Kristen Perrin (Dutton, $28), another fine mystery that’ll keep your giftee perfectly entertained.
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Featured Book: The ABCs of Storytelling: Reflections of a Story Coach, by Dr. Michael Williams
Narration provided by Wondervox.
I had the great pleasure of taking a Guided Autobiography certification course with Dr. Michael Williams as a fellow student. He has subsequently published a truly wonderful, slim volume on the craft of being a professional storyteller. I loved this book! As a workshop instructor myself now and an author of fiction, I highly recommend it. However we choose to tell stories, this book will enhance our understanding of the craft, and enlighten us in the ways of communication through words and actions. I’ve added it to my must-read list for longtime, beginner, and aspiring writers, as well as those magical beings we call storytellers.
About The ABCs of Storytelling
The ABCs of Storytelling contains 26 reflections on the art of oral storytelling from Story Coach Michael Williams. Dr. Williams learned the traditional art of oral storytelling during his 30 years of living in Scotland where he was a member of the Scottish Storytelling Directory and a popular performer and workshop facilitator. In 2005, he exchanged his teaching career for a life as an itinerant storyteller and story coach, working with adults and young people. His reflections have been gathered from his experiences as both a performer and coach working with individuals, community groups, and corporate clients. His book offers the beginner and experienced storyteller a range of tips, techniques, and reflections on this traditional art. Dr. Williams’ reflections capture the spirit of telling stories “eye to eye, mind to mind, and heart to heart.”
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Savvy Senior: Best Pill Boxes and Medication Management Tools
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
Can you recommend some good pill boxes and medication reminding devices? I’ve recently started taking several new prescription medications along with some vitamins I normally take and need to get a pill box that helps me organize them. What can you tell me?
Almost 70
Dear Almost,
Pill boxes (a.k.a. pill organizers) play an important role in keeping people healthy because they help you stay on top of your medication regimen. While there are many options, here are a few tips to help you choose, along with some top-rated pill boxes as recommended by expert reviewers.
Identify Your Needs?
When choosing an appropriate pill box for you, you first need to ask yourself a few questions, such as:
- How many pills do you take and how big are they? If you take only a few medications, a smaller pill box may be sufficient. But if you’re taking multiple medications and large vitamin supplements, you’ll want to get a large compartment pill box that can hold your daily dosage.
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Moderating a Mystery Writers of America-NY Panel on Writing a Series: Getting It Started and Keeping It Going (November 11, Hoboken, NJ)
MEET THE PANEL
Annamaria Alfieri writes the Vera and Tolliver stories, which are set in British East Africa and explore the evils of colonialism. It began with Strange Gods, 1911, The Idol of Mombasa , 1912, The Blasphemers 1913. The fourth book in the series, A Death on the Lord’s Day, was released in 2024. The Richmond Times-Dispatch praised the series as having “the flair of Isak Dinesen and Beryl Markham, the cunning of Agatha Christie and Elspeth Huxley.”
Tom Coffey grew up on Staten Island. His first novel, The Serpent Club, was published in 1999 by Pocket Books and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. His second novel, Miami Twilight, came out two years later. In 2008, Toby Press published Blood Alley, which also earned a starred PW review. In 2015, the independent Oak Tree Press published Bright Morning Star.
In 2023, Coffey signed a three-book deal with Level Best Books. Public Morals is the first novel in The Devine Trilogy, which is named after the family at its center. The series examines the arc of law enforcement in New York from the 1980s to the present. The second book, Special Victim, will be released in late November.
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The Twist Podcast #278: Pre-Apocalypse Twist Election Special, Featuring the End Times Dancers!
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose for our last podcast before the most important election since humans came out of the trees! Top news, fun recommendations, and our very own End Times Dancers, with guest appearances by our invisible interns and non-existent sponsors.
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Coming in November! Your Write Path Podcast, Interviews On All Things Writing
Yes, I’ll be back doing interviews, but these will focus on all things writing: fiction, journaling, storytelling, life legacy writing, wordsmithing. I’ve been thinking about it for awhile, and it seems like a natural offering for Your Write Path and everything I’m doing here. My first interview with be with author (and friend) Bruce W. Bishop. Keep reading for my recent post about his new book. Bruce specializes in historical fiction. In keeping with the thrust of this podcast, I’ll talking with Bruce about this mysterious thing called writing, where it comes from for him, how he manifests it, and the ways it enriches his life. Listen up!
Featured Book: Grow up, Rory Rafferty: A Novel, by Bruce W. Bishop (Releases Oct. 31)
I discovered author Bruce W. Bishop’s terrific historical fiction a few years ago, including Unconventional Daughters, Uncommon Sons, and Undeniable Relations: A Novel, all books in his Families Storytelling series. His research is as impeccable as his writing, and he has the gift of bringing readers into a book’s world so completely you may find yourself startled to be back in your own when you turn the final page. I also had the great pleasure of meeting Bruce when I was on a cruise that stopped in Halifax. He’s as delightful in person as he is talented with a keyboard.
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Featured Book: Grow up, Rory Rafferty: A Novel, by Bruce W. Bishop (Releases Oct. 31)
I discovered author Bruce W. Bishop’s terrific historical fiction a few years ago, including Unconventional Daughters, Uncommon Sons, and Undeniable Relations: A Novel, all books in his Families Storytelling series. His research is as impeccable as his writing, and he has the gift of bringing readers into a book’s world so completely you may find yourself startled to be back in your own when you turn the final page. I also had the great pleasure of meeting Bruce when I was on a cruise that stopped in Halifax. He’s as delightful in person as he is talented with a keyboard.
His new book, ‘Grow Up, Rory Rafferty‘ is both a coming-of-age story and a coming out story, told from the perspective of young Rory Rafferty. It takes place in 1979 in Toronto, a city and time the author knows well. It shows in his vivid details and his in-the-moment narrative. As with his other books, I feel as if I’m on those Toronto streets and in those restaurants, eavesdropping on a cast of characters I won’t soon forget – if I ever do. This is a heartwarming and poignant journey to youth on the cusp of adulthood, in what may seem like a simpler time but is as complicated as growing up can be.
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Savvy Senior: How to Find a Cheaper Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What’s the easiest way to compare Medicare Part D prescription drug plans? My Part D premium is increasing again in 2025, so I would like to use the fall open enrollment to find and sign up for a cheaper plan.
Shopping Around
Dear Shopping,
I’m happy to hear you’re comparing your Medicare coverage options this fall! Research shows that many Medicare beneficiaries with Part D coverage can lower their prescription drug costs by shopping among plans each year during the open enrollment season, which runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
There could be another Part D plan in your area that covers the drugs you take with fewer restrictions or with lower costs. You never know until you look.
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Book Review: William, by Mason Coile
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworm Sez“William” by Mason Coilec.2024, Putnam $27.00 224 pages
The second the door shut, you knew where your keys were.
Not in your hands. No, they were on the kitchen table.
So you locked yourself out but no worries, your smart phone is tied to your door locks. Your house alarm is, too, as are the lights and the coffeemaker. Technology is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Although, as in the new novel “William” by Mason Coile, having certain “smart” devices can be a dumb idea.
Once upon a time, Henry had a loving wife and a happy life.
Where did everything go wrong? Why did his wife treat him with such disdain? Was it because of the new baby coming, and Lily’s feelings about it? No, their problems undoubtedly stemmed from Henry’s agoraphobia; they hadn’t left the house together in months. Henry was only really comfortable within the confines of their expensive, uber-safety-enhanced Victorian-era home, in his attic laboratory, his creative space.
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Updated Workshop Schedule Through December!
All workshops are currently 2 hours via Zoom
All times are eastern (New Jersey) – 2 HoursTuesday, October 22
Guided Autobiography 2 hour intro (free)
11: 00 AM – 1:00 PM
REGISTERWednesday, November 6 (4 weeks)
4 Week Guided Autobiography ($100)
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
REGISTERMonday, November 18
Fiction Writing Essentials ($40)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
REGISTERMonday, November 25
Self-Publishing With KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) ($40)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
REGISTERWednesday December 4
Guided Autobiography 2 hour intro (free)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
REGISTERMonday December 9
Fiction Writing Essentials ($40)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
REGISTERMonday, December 16
Self-Publishing with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) ($40)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
REGISTERWednesday, December 18
Guided Autobiography 2 hour intro (free)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
REGISTERNEW! 5 Week Guided Autobiography Workshop ($125)
Every Wednesday in April
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
REGISTER -
Social Security Set for 2.5 Percent Increase in 2025
From the Social Security Administration
Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5% in 2025, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January.
Over the last decade the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 2.6%. The COLA was 3.2% in 2024.
Nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5% COLA beginning in January 2025. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2024. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).
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Cat Talk Radio with Hosts Molly DeVoss and Dewey Vaughn: Why Bone Broth for Your Cat?
You’ve probably heard a lot about bone broth for cats lately, but what does it really DO for your cat? Molly and Adrian Pettyan, founder of Caru Pet Food, talk about the specific physical and mental benefits of adding a functional bone broth to your cat food. Molly searched far and wide for THE BEST cat bone broth available – tune in to find out which brand it is, where you can get it, and why you should rush to buy it now!
Cat Talk Radio is all about cats, what makes them do what they do, why they occasionally misbehave and what cat guardians can do to fix it. We educate you on how to modify unwanted cat behavior by providing the proper environment and stimulation, enabling cats to express their natural behaviors in ways that are preferable for both the humans and cats. You will learn how to have fun with your cat, fascinating cat facts and be inspired to try new things, which will lead to a happier relationship and closer bond with your cat. We’ll also call attention to the plight of cats in our country, feel compassion for their challenges and share the message.