Author: Erika Davis

Page-turning action, gripping narratives,  and poignant perspectives – these ten Illinois military memoirs shine a new light on the trials and triumphs of military experience. Even better, all of these memoirs are written by authors with connections to Illinois. Master Wings Publishing has brought military memoirs to the forefront recently with LITA & JEAN – Memoirs of Two Generations of Military Women by Lita Tomas & Jean Marie McNamara, and we’d proud to continue to highlight these kinds of can’t-miss titles here.

Bibliophiles rejoice! October is National Book Month, and at Master Wings Publishing, we are thrilled to have an entire month to revel in all things books. We recently shared ways to honor books for National Book Lovers Day, and now we’re sharing three additional ideas to extend the celebration.

The National Book Foundation (NBF) leads National Book Month activities and promotions each year, including the prestigious National Book Awards winner announcements. The NBF is a non-profit organization with a mission to “celebrate the best literature published in the United States, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in our culture.” Here are three ways to enjoy National Book Month with this mission in mind:

1. Enjoy – Take the idea of celebrating National Book Club literally and throw a book-themed party. The Great Gatsby has inspired Gatsby-style parties for a century, complete with flapper costumes and Art Deco décor. If you’re a fan of the television show The Office, you may remember Pam, Oscar, and Toby dressing up in costumes and eating foods related to the books they were reading as part of their “Finer Things Club.” If you’re a poetry lover, you could grab a book like Master Wings Publishing’s “Taps on the Walls,” by Major General John L. Borling, USAF (Ret.), and host a party where you take turns reading aloud the various poems throughout the book. Bookworm parties have become popular for children’s birthdays too, and unlike some kids’ party themes, they’re easy for people of all ages to enjoy.
2. Expand – You can expand your own reading experience in two directions – by going deep and going broad. To go deep, you can choose a favorite topic or favorite author and become an expert in that subject. If it’s an author, read their lesser-known works, a biography, published letters, and so on. Our authors recently curated a list of their all-time favorite titles that you can browse through and purchase. You can also go broad by reading across geographies or historical periods, such as reading a book from each state or each decade. This approach can re-energize book clubs too; you can go across a timeframe instead of everyone reading the same book. Imagine the fun conversation everyone would have by reading and comparing self-help advice books for each decade, for example!
3. Ensure – One way to ensure that books are prominent in our culture is to set reading goals. Finding time to sit and read a book can seem hard or even indulgent, but establishing reading goals can help. If you’ve fallen off the reading wagon, setting a goal to read as few as two pages daily can jump-start the reading habit. Once that becomes routine, increase the goal to five pages daily, ten pages daily, and so on. Encouraging young people to set their own reading goals is another way to ensure that the next generations of readers become book lovers. Check out additional ways to stay on track with your reading goals.

Of course, buying a book is still one of the best ways to celebrate National Book Month, whether for yourself or as a gift. Check out Master Wings Publishing’s collection as your next book buy. Books enrich our lives and expand our perspectives, and we’re thrilled to actively support the mission of book appreciation.

Happy reading!

Are you ready to embark on a literary journey that will ignite your imagination and deepen your love for reading? In honor of National Read A Book Day, we’ve teamed up with some of the brilliant minds at Master Wings Publishing to curate a list of their all-time favorite titles. These aren’t just books; they’re stories that have captured their hearts and minds. Here are their book recommendations.

While every day is Book Lovers Day at Master Wings Publishing, the officially recognized National Book Lovers Day is August 9^th. We love seeing an entire day dedicated to all things books. Here are five unique ways you can celebrate.

An eBook is an electronic or digital version of a printed book. A variety of eBook file formats exist, each with their own strengths and limitations. In this post, we’ll cover the differences between the two most popular formats: PDF and EPUB.

On the fourth anniversary of his book release, Master Wings Publishing spoke with author Bob Hartnett on what still excites him about the subject and project.

Ask an avid reader their thoughts on print vs. digital books, and you’ll likely get an impassioned opinion. People tend to strongly favor one format over another and declare themselves as “team print” or “team e-reader.” To fuel the debate, here’s a practical look at the pros and cons of each type.

March 29, 2023 marked the first anniversary of the release of Lita Tomas and Jean Marie McNamara’s book, Lita & Jean: Memoirs of Two Generations of Military Women. Since its release, the book that Publishing Review called “a vivid portrayal of service and sacrifice that is at once gritty and inspiring” has won Gold with the Nonfiction Authors Association and inspired an absolutely incredible audience.

Black Americans have played a vital role in America’s military history, from the Revolutionary War to present-day conflicts. However, their contributions have often been overlooked or downplayed in traditional narratives. As we celebrate Black History Month, it is essential to share the stories of Black American Veterans to recognize their achievements and sacrifices to ensure an enduring legacy.

Hobbies are a great way to spend our free time, whether it be knitting, juggling, birdwatching or reading. Reading is often considered one of the best hobbies to have, and for good reason; it offers a unique set of healthy benefits.