Marcella Norman is a masters level clinical psychotherapist. She has an extensive background across various disciplines in the mental health field. While working for a community-based mental health program, Marcella realized that there was a need for more African American clinician representation. Because of that, she has dedicated herself to working with and for the African American community.
How many books have you read this summer? Whatever the number may be, there is always room for one more on the bookshelf! With that in mind, check out these four books that readers in the community can’t stop talking about! Each is certainly worthy of being added to your TBR pile.
Harrowing and unpredictable, Paper World is a page-turning novel like no-other. Beautifully written by author Maureen Cummins, it is the story of a girl who finds herself lost down a rabbit hole – trying to retrace her steps and find her way back to the surface. Will she climb and catch her breath again? Or will her paper world rip to shreds beneath her feet?
There is something special about the coming-of-age genre. As a reader, it’s thought-provoking and relatable to witness the highs and lows of growth in a character’s life. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all come of age in our own way – making it the ultimate commonality. So, if you are seeking an empathetic story that speaks to fundamental aspects of the human experience, check out these three highly acclaimed coming-of-age novels.
Delightfully written by Jennifer Carmody, The New Days is a wonderful novel for you to add to your summer TBR pile! Flaunting relatable, dynamic characters and a compelling plot line, this book will appeal to readers of many different backgrounds – particularly millennials. Fundamentally, it’s a gripping story about friendship and the challenges that arise when harmonious relationships start to become complicated.
Filled with local flare and an undeniable passion for baking, How Our Hearts Were Stollen is a must-have for all readers who appreciate this culinary art. Written by St. Louis native Rich Gaynor, the book takes you on a fulfilling journey through the rich history of St. Louis independent bakeries from the early 1900s to the present. It is a thoughtful, heartfelt love letter to baking – and the independent bakeries that made a lasting impact on American history.
If you are a United States military Veteran who is struggling with the many difficult realities of returning to civilian life, this book is an essential read for you. Written by D.A. Bender, a combat readjustment therapist with the Veteran’s Health Administration program, The Warrior’s Dilemma supports you every step of the way throughout the difficult transition.
Support independent authors this summer by adding these books to your TBR! There is a vast world of indie books to explore, and there is no better time than right now amidst the warm, sunny days of July and August to sit back and relax with a good book. So, check out this curated list of both fiction and non-fiction works that have attracted approval and high praise from readers and critics.
Passing Strange is a terrific historical fiction novel that takes you on a heart-racing journey through America’s dangerous Western frontier. The story chronicles a widowed woman’s arduous trek on the Overland Trail and the personal growth she experiences in the crucible years of women’s emancipation.
Jessica Alexanderson, also known as Scuba Jess, is an avid Scuba Diver and an underwater photographer based in Seattle, Washington. She is part of the Scrap University Kids team - an educational initiative that teaches children all metal can be recycled, and everyday actions can make a lasting impact on the environment.
