Nancy's Bookshelf

“Homeless Joy: an exposé in poetry” is a memoir by J. L. (Joy) Wright who grew up in foster care. After graduating from college she lived in a tent, and even after finding a job, could not afford housing. Another guest, Charles Withuhn, tells what Chico Homeless Action Team (CHAT) does for the homeless.

Sociology professor Tony Waters has written a second book about the influence of German sociologist Max Weber. His latest book is “Max Weber and the Modern Problem of Discipline.” Canadian author Troy Parfitt challenges the assumption that China will determine the course of the global economy. The title of his book is “Why China Will Never Rule the World.”

World traveler and poet Wayne Pease wrote a memoir, “Cloud Watcher: a Fire lookout’s book of days” after 55 years as a forest fire lookout. He chose being a forest fire lookout so he would have time to read, write, and look out the window. Commentator Richard Parker shares his New Year’s resolution.

Chico Enterprise-Record columnist Dan Barnett looks back at books and authors of 2018 that appeared in his weekly Bibliofile. New author Josh Shelton and illustrator Sam Pullenza read from their children’s book “Hey Tree, What Should I Be?”. Humorist Eric Miller, aka etcetera guy, says “Time Well Spent is All a Guy Wants”.

Two Christmas stories from foreign-born authors -- one in Spain, the other in Wales. Spanish professor Char Prieto's book for children, Nieve the Snowman , contains words and phrases in Spanish. Retired English professor Lynn Elliott recounts Another Child's Christmas in Wales . Humorist Eric Miller says "Christmas Tree Hunt is an Annual Tradition" in his family.

TV documentary producer Elena Mannes writes in Soul Dog: A Journey into the Spiritual Life of Animals that her black poodle Brio, had a mind of his own. Through Brio she learned about human-animal communication.

Jonna Doolittle Hoppes is the granddaughter of Air Force General Jimmy Doolittle, who led America's first strike against Japan in World War II. Her book, Calculated Risk: The Extraordinary Life of Jimmy Doolittle Aviation Pioneer and World War II Hero, is also about her grandmother, Josephine Doolittle. Ms. Hoppes followed up her first book with a book about World War II's "ordinary" heroes--Just Doing My Job: Stories of Service from World War II.

Chico coach Chuck Sheley is editor of Smokejumper Magazine and has now published a book, Smokejumpers and the CIA, which contains stories not found in history books. Starting in 1951 smokejumpers were recruited by the CIA “because they could go anywhere, anytime, and do a tough, confusing job and then keep our mouths shut.” This little-known working arrangement peaked in 1975.

Local author Peggy Jennings-Severe helps us get the most of our Thanksgiving with friends and family by making conversation suggestions in her books, Life Talks. Taoist scholar Bill Martin applies the Wisdom of the Tao Te Ching in his book, The Tao of Forgiveness. Humorist Eric Miller says, "Phoey! Let's Gain Weight Over Thanksgiving."

Dr. Michael Greger is the author of the international best seller How Not to Die. Local author Lani Muelrath advocates combining mindfulness with a vegan diet. Commentator Richard Parker asks “What’s for Dinner?”