After you take down the Halloween decorations and put away the costumes, here are some suggestions for holiday gift-giving. They are all available from Amazon. If you haven’t already gotten my fun puzzle books, The Cupcake and the Vampire, get a copy of each of the three books for yourself and for loved ones. They are especially suitable for those who love words, speak foreign languages, or simply like challenges. Certainly, they are suitable for those who love Scrabble and those who do Wordle. They also make nice gifts for teachers. Books I and II are scrambled words that are the same in English as they are in a foreign language. Book III is a word search based on words that are the same in English as they are in a foreign language. So, puzzlers do not get frustrated at not seeing what the words should be; the answers are provided.

Remember, solving puzzles helps keep one’s mind active and with all the anger in the country and world, it’s fun to have some unique puzzles to solve. These puzzles are suitable for ages 12-102 and beyond. Please insert pictures of my three books from the book signing part of this website.

Merone Hannah Tesfaye and David Green have authored an irreverent look at the instances of history that the enactors would rather forget. Chronicles of Cringe: A History of Human Embarrassment contains a coffee-table book of worldwide instances of shame in all facets of culture and times—including Napoleon’s hemorrhoids, Brooklyn Bridge designers, those responsible when London’s streets filled with beer, lip-syncing Ashlee Simpson, and many, many others. All of the stories are gleefully illustrated for readers’ great enjoyment of others’ cowering moments. (No, I did not edit this book, but I am the grandmother of the first author.)

One of the joys of helping people write books is seeing the final product. Some of the latest authors whom I had the honor of helping include:

Moira Gannon Denson, a professor of Interior Design at Marymount College, has written an intergenerational graphic novel that tells the tale of six separate girls and their grandmas’ sensory issues, which each of the girls solves by finding interior-design solutions. This book is great for girls between 8 and 14 on your holiday list or for women considering interior design for a career change. Each chapter offers exercises in interior design. Moira has illustrated the book with her beautiful watercolor drawings. Grandma and Me by Design.

William Sturgeon, a well-known and loved criminal justice expert, has written a guide to help parents with their teens. Using the latest research and based on his extensive experience with troubled youth, his new book is worth reading. Today, All Youth Are at Risk: A Guide for Parents and Those Who Care for Teens. William Sturgeon.

Dr. Stephen Augusta Redmond, pastor at Rust College, explains how some people practice their religion, conveniently forgetting that all men are brothers. You don’t need to be a Methodist to understand the sociology of exclusion. After working on his book, without meeting him in person, I am thankful that I had an opportunity to personally meet Dr. Redmond.

I finally had a chance to meet Dr. Khadijat Omobolanle Quadri when she came to Bethesda. She’s a very exciting, spiritually enthused psychotherapist and healer. Her memoir, Indigen: Journeys of a Wounded Healer, will make you thankful that, no matter the abuse in your childhood, you did not experience the horrors she underwent. Despite all the problems, she has found ways to thrive and to help others. Insert L

More exciting books are coming out in the New Year. Stay tuned.