Author: Erika Davis

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.

As the new year approaches, many people find themselves making resolutions. One common resolution is to read more books, and for a good reason. Reading encourages learning, and it opens your mind to new possibilities, cultures and perspectives. It is also proven to be to be a great way to relax and unwind.

However, as with any resolution, sticking to it can be challenging. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to let things like work, family, and social obligations precede our personal goals. But fear not! With some planning, determination, and support, you can make your resolution to read more books a reality.

Here are six tips to help you keep your resolution to read more books:

1. Establish and track a specific goal. How many books do you want to read? When is a good time for you to immerse yourself in your reading? Rather than just saying you want to read more, set a concrete target. This can encourage you to work towards that goal and keep track of your progress, and seeing your progress can be a huge inspiration.
2. Be reasonable. If you don’t read regularly, don’t suddenly force or expect yourself to read a book a day. Set yourself up for success, and maintaining motivation will be far easier.
3. Choose books that you are genuinely interested in. One of the main reasons people don’t stick to their reading resolution is they select books they do not enjoy. Take some time to do your research and pursue books that excite you.
4. Make a plan. Think specifically about how you’re going to fit reading into your schedule. Maybe you want to carve out a specific time each day to read, or perhaps you want to listen to audiobooks during your daily commute. Whatever your plan is, make sure it’s realistic with your schedule. Decide how much time you want to dedicate to reading each day or week, and plan when and where you will enjoy your read. For example, you might decide to read for 30 minutes before bed each night, or set aside an hour on the weekends to dive into a book.
5. Create a reading nook. Having a comfortable and inviting space to read can help you relax and focus, allowing you to immerse yourself fully. It can also provide a sense of separation from your other activities, making reading a welcome refuge. Rearrange or select a new pillow, plant, or chair to mark your reading spot. This is a fun step that can both get you excited and provide a concrete reminder of your goal.
6. Set up a support network. Talking to your friends about your reading goals, or joining a book club can be a great way to stay accountable and excited about your resolution. Book clubs are valuable because you’ll have access to like-minded individuals eager to discuss and share thoughts, and you’ll have a set schedule of meetings to help keep you on track. You are working as a team, instead of alone.

With dedication, enthusiasm, and planning, you can make reading a regular habit and reap the rewards all year long. Whether you join a book club, set aside dedicated reading time, give yourself particular targets, or all of the above, there are many ways to make your resolution a success. So grab a book, and start turning those pages!

As news organizations continue to cover the conflict in Europe, prisoners of war (POWs) and their treatment are top-of-mind for many. A POW is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine captured during war. Each war imprisonment experience and method of conveyance is different, resulting in varying but consistently compelling stories. As interest in the POW experience grows, so does the need for reliable sources of information. We’ve put together a list of five resources that would help advance anyone’s journey to learn more about POWs:

The positive buzz continues for Master Wings’ latest release, Lita & Jean: Memoirs of Two Generations of Military Women. Lita Thomas and Jean Marie McNamara joined host Shaun Hall on the July 25^th Scuttlebutt podcast to bring stories of their memoir to life and add additional color to the narrative they’ve shared in the pages of their book.

The story of the Bach House and Chicago’s history are deeply intertwined. Now, this shared legacy is beautifully captured in Frank Lloyd Wright’s $10,000 Home – History, Design, & Restoration of the Bach House by Robert “Bob” Hartnett. He believes that architecture plays an important role in our communities, and that the Bach House is a central part of Rogers Park’s history.

When you’ve finished Master Wings’ latest release, Lita & Jean: Memoirs of Two Generations of Military Women, a title that reviewer Diana Coleman calls “an important, memorable read,” what comes next? With an abundance of books available, finding something as interesting and informative to read as Lita Tomas and Jean Marie McNamara’s memoir can be a bit overwhelming.

Master Wings Publishing was founded in 2012 by Col. Jennifer Pritzker as an extension of her desire to protect and connect communities through history, which can be seen in her other business and philanthropic endeavors. Over the years, we have proudly published numerous titles from authors who have inspiring stories to share about overcoming obstacles. Aside from our books, we also take pride in the name of our brand, Master Wings Publishing.

There are only so many images that can make the final edit of a book, and ultimately, for Lita & Jean, we chose to prioritize images of – surprise – Lita and Jean. But throughout their lives, the pair have been surrounded by an incredible cast of people who deserve the spotlight as well. The purpose of this blog post is to share the images and information of three of those individuals, along with photographs from Lita and Jean’s archives that they have not revealed before. 

Sarah Hinrichs reviews a lot of titles for Reedsy Discovery, but she underlines Master Wings’ new title, Lita & Jean: Memoirs of Two Generations of Military Women, as one of her few “all must read.”

Hinrichs writes that the book is not only “frustrating and heartbreaking to read,” but also a “shining light.” Lita & Jean is a great book club pick, as it covers a range of topics with candor and confidence, poking readers into introspection and setting the record and reference straight.

Below, we have pulled together several questions to help kickstart discussions on Master Wings’ newest publication:

• Do you identify more with Lita or with Jean?
• Have you ever considered joining the Armed Forces? If so, which branch of service? Why?
• What questions would you ask the authors?
• What surprised you in the book?
• How have you dealt with pressure or criticism from your family?
• Has this book changed the way you view the Catholic Church? The military? Women in the military?
• If you had to change careers today, what would your new career be?
• What do you think the main message of this book is?
• What is the worst injury you’ve had, and why was it the worst?
• If you were going to make this into a movie, who would you cast as Lita and who would play Jean?
• What was your favorite/least favorite part of the book?
• Who can you turn to for support?
• If you could follow in anyone’s footsteps, whose footsteps would you follow?
• Which chapter or moment resonated with you the most?

Learn more about Lita and Jean in their author interview, where they share the process of writing the book and their goals for readers.

If you are interested in ordering bulk copies of this book for your book club, or would like for Lita and Jean to speak at an event, please reach out via email to discuss opportunities. Feel free to contact us.

We would love to hear any of your thoughts on these topics, or any additional questions that would be a good fit for our list!