The 10 Spot: Local Authors
1) Lettering From A to Z by Phawnda Moore, Rocklin
A winner in the 2019 Next Generation Book Awards, this instructional book has nine styles and over 200 full-color images of handmade gifts, beautiful cards, and journal design. The 92-page book includes layout and design basics from Phawnda’s academic and teaching background and uses modern tools and techniques. Available via [email protected]
2) Sami vs. The Negative Voice by Sami Kader, Roseville
A young boy struggles against the “Negative Voice”—a monster who follows him everywhere trying to convince him that he’ll never make friends. Based on the childhood experiences of youth motivational speaker Sami Kader, this story emphasizes the importance of learning to believe in yourself, no matter what that “negative voice” tells you. Available at samikader.com and amazon.com
3) The 5-Ingredient Paleo Cookbook by Genevieve Jerome, Folsom
Eating Paleo is all about going back to the basics—cooking shouldn’t complicate things. The 5-Ingredient Paleo Cookbook offers delicious recipes that combine a few easy-to-find ingredients with quick prep and cook times to make Paleo meals a regular part of your daily routine. Available at Barnes & Noble, target.com, and amazon.com
4) Away with Words: The Daring Story of Isabella Bird by Lori Mortensen, Cameron Park
This picture book biography is about daring Isabella Bird, the first female member of the Royal Geographical Society, who challenged society’s boundaries for women and wrote 10 books about her explorations. “No man,” she once declared, “now ever says of any difficult thing that I could not do it.” Available at lorimortensen.com Face in a Book, and Barnes & Noble
5) Ollie Oxley and the Ghost: The Search for Lost Gold by Lisa Schmid, Folsom
Twelve-year-old Ollie Oxley is moving—again. His mom is starting a new job at the Bingham Theater and Ollie’s first friend in town is a ghost who lived during the famous California Gold Rush—making things interesting for Ollie. Can Teddy and Ollie work together to save his mom’s job and solve a mystery years in the making? Available at Barnes & Noble and amazon.com
6) Murphy’s Miracle: One Dog’s Wild Journey by Julie Samrick, El Dorado Hills
Golden retriever Murphy, went missing during a family camping trip near Lake Tahoe in 2012. Inspired by what Murphy’s El Dorado Hills family actually went through, author Julie Samrick created a story for readers ages 10 through adult that depicts how Murphy survived for nearly two years. Available at juliesamrick.com Face in a Book, Barnes & Noble, and amazon.com
7) Growing Generous Souls: Becoming Grace-Filled Stewards by Betsy Schwarzentraub, Garden Valley
Church leaders and inquiring individuals are invited to stop racing from one activity to another and instead, focus on being rather than doing and consuming. The book offers reflection questions and resources to help communities become more grace-filled stewards of all that God has provided. Available at growinggeneroussouls.com and amazon.com
8) The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story by Dierdre Wolownick, Carmichael
Wife and mother. Teacher and musician. Marathoner and rock climber. At 66, Dierdre Wolownick became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite and, in this book, she shares her intimate journey, revealing how her climbing achievement reflects a broader story of courage and persistence and how it’s never too late to reach new heights. Available at sharpendoflife.com Face in a Book, Barnes & Noble, and amazon.com
9) Some Days Are Ashes by Christian DeWild, Folsom
Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss meets The Addams Family in this collection of poems, limericks, and illustrations. This pocket-sized read ranges from fun introspective verses that leads the mind into a hidden melody to amusingly gross lines that bring out the adolescent snicker. Each poem is penciled and inked with adroit images. Available at Barnes & Noble and amazon.com
10) India Bound: The Making of a Woman Journalist by Shelley Buck, Nevada City
After traveling to India and Nepal, Shelley Buck returned to Europe and is haunted—she dreams of going back to Asia and becoming a journalist. In this memoir, its the early 1970s. Women don’t often set out to become intrepid journalists but Shelley just can’t help herself and she makes plans—this time she’s taking a typewriter. Available at Barnes & Noble and amazon.com
By Tara Mendanha