Nancy's Bookshelf

Not having children is on the rise, yet being childless is a subject not much talked about. Lisette Schuitemaker celebrates those who are brave enough to follow the lesser known path of non-parenting. Her book, " Childless Living: The Joys and Challenges of Life without Children" is a resource for everyone who has not gone the way of parenthood and for all those who are still contemplating this is essential life choice.

Memoirist Brian Kraemer views 20-year seasons of life like seasons of the year. In his latest book, “Spring, the First Twenty Years: My Memoirs”, he recounts his experiences with obsessive compulsive disorder. Read the synopsis below. We are living stories, being written moment by moment, experience by experience, each of us, a book written without effort. Every thought, word, action, and intention, conscious and unconscious, fills our pages.

Miyoko Schinner has been delivering vegan cuisine to the public for decades through her restaurant, natural food company, cooking classes, lectures, and books. Her books include Artisan Vegan Cheese, and The Homemade Vegan Pantry. Miyoko is the founder of Miyoko’s Kitchen that makes artisanal vegan cheese. Lani Muelrath, author of The Mindful Vegan, joins the conversation.

This year’s Book in Common is the account of a plane crash in 1948 that claimed the lives of 28 Mexican farmworkers who were being deported by the US government. The documentary novel is by poet and performer Tim Z. Hernandez.

Professor Elaine Howard Ecklund recently took part in a Science and Religion Conference at Chico State University. She is a professor of sociology at Rice University whose research uses social scientific methods to explore the public relationship between science and religion.

Former journalist Robb Lightfoot wrote 44 humorous stories about country living in Northern California. Another former journalist from Redding wrote a trilogy about walking around the Mediterranean and has marketing tips for fellow writers.

Jean Louise Green is author of Structural Integration and Energy Medicine, an illustrated guide to the structural Integration bodywork process, also known as Rolfing, and the relationship between body alignment and energy flow.

Jonathan Goldman and wife Andi have written a guide to conscious humming with humming and breathing exercises. They explore the science behind sound, revealing how self-created sounds can rearrange molecular structure, and how humming not only helps with stress levels, sleep, and blood pressure, but also increases lymphatic circulation and melatonin production, releases endorphins, creates new neural pathways in the brain, and releases nitric oxide, a neurotransmitter fundamental to health and

Gayle Kimball, a former Chico State sociology professor, is the author of a dozen books, many of which explore groups underrepresented in research, such as youth. Other titles include 50/50 Parenting, 50/50 Marriage and How to Survive Your Parents’ Divorce.

Jim Henson is a fourth generation resident of Paradise. He graduated from Chico State in religious studies. He wrote a book of short essays called “Reflections and Dark Truths” about nature, family, depression, and his dog Smokey.