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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!

Lucy Faulds, a NetGalley reviewer, lauds Master Wings’ newest release, Lita & Jean: Memoirs of Two Generations of Military Women by Lita Tomas and Jean Marie McNamara, as the “raw, heart-felt voices of two strong inspirational women.”

Covering the entire span of their life, the authors of this memoir pull no punches to speak on the abuses of the military, family, the Catholic Church and more. Their goal is to set the record straight and provide a valuable reference on military service and treatment and offer inspiration and lessons of resilience.

Learn more about Lita & Jean and why this should be the next book on your list in our interview with them below:

What do you love most about your book?

Jean: Writing this book allowed my mother and me a chance to deepen our relationship and understand one another more.

Lita:  The memoir and writing process inspired me to research our family tree and learn more about my ancestors’ military service.

What did you learn when writing the book? Did anything surprise you?

Lita:  I think we were both surprised to learn how similar our experiences were despite the twenty-year time difference.

Jean: Throughout this process, I’ve learned how important it is to ask questions and learn as much as possible about one’s family history from living relatives. One of the remarkable things I discovered was that one of our great aunts made bathtub gin during prohibition.

There are times when your text on various personal interactions is vivid and detailed – how true to life are these accounts?

Jean:  We made a concerted effort to accurately portray every aspect of our lives. In addition to reviewing old photographs, revisiting military bases, and rereading the mountain of correspondence we’ve amassed over the years, we also contacted and reminisced with former military colleagues.

What was it like to write about the heavier topics in your memoirs? Did you rely on any forms of support or comfort to make it through?

Lita:  It was rough! My ulcers have ulcers!

Jean: Reliving the most painful experiences and rereading the memorandums I wrote to my command, asking for help and support, was difficult. Digging up our terrible memories regarding emotional and physical trauma and then attempting to describe it clearly – sharing our pain with the reader – was an intense roller coaster. I started to have terrible nightmares and had difficulty distracting myself from the physical and emotional pain. But I want to help others, so I persevered. I am grateful to have the ongoing help and support of a counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, as well as my friends and family.

If you could tell your teenage self something, what would it be?

Jean: Don’t worry, it’ll all turn out.

What are you currently reading or watching that you would recommend?

Lita: Recently, I started rewatching Grey’s Anatomy.

Jean:  My interests vary and I’m reading something new every day!  Check out our Instagram feed (@tank.hill) and our Pinterest page (@tomasmcnamara0033) for my latest recommendations!

Who would you like to see read your book?

Lita:  New recruits.

Jean: It would be amazing to see women, mothers and daughters, veterans, those curious about life in the military and those interested in military history reading our memoir. I have a lovely dream that I’ll stumble across someone reading it in the wild: at a coffee shop, on the train, or at the park.

What do you hope readers will take away from Lita & Jean?

Lita: The need to advocate for yourself!

Jean:  Don’t “give up” on individuals with a chronic illness! Keep inviting them to events and, when possible, modify plans, so they are inclusive. Check in with those who are depressed, and if you are depressed, please get help.

Lita & Jean’s memoir will be released on March 29. Pre-order your copy on our website today!

It took six years to restore and rehabilitate the Monroe Building, a labor of exacting love that is covered in colorful detail in Master Wings’ early publication, The Monroe Building: A Chicago Masterpiece Rediscovered.

“I can’t tell you how many tradesmen came up to me and thanked me for the work,” said Peder Dahlberg, who oversaw the restoration process of the Monroe Building. “They didn’t just thank me for getting the job. They thanked me because it gave them a chance to work at the top of their abilities.”

The book is available for purchase here, and you can read a recent review on the title here.

But once you’ve read the book and stepped outside the Monroe Building, what should you look at next? Below are a few ‘next-door’ titles we suggest:

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1. Why Architecture Matters: Lessons from Chicago by Blair Kamin

ISBN: 9780226423227

Link: https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/library/online-catalog/view/oclc/46401587

For more than a decade, Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin has been writing fiery, intelligent essays on the state of contemporary architecture. His subjects range from high-rises to highways, parks to public housing, Frank Lloyd Wright to Frank Gehry. Why Architecture Matters collects the best of Kamin’s acclaimed columns, offering both a look at America’s foremost architectural city and a taste of Kamin’s penetrating, witty style of critique.

2. A History of American Architecture: Buildings in their Cultural and Technological Context by Mark Gelernter

ISBN: 9781584651369

Link: https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/library/online-catalog/view/oclc/607259269

This book explores the history of American architecture from prehistoric times to the present, explaining why characteristic architectural forms arose at particular times and in particular places. It’s a collection of intellectual as well as architectural history, and between the hundreds of included illustrations Gelernter builds an effective and manageable framework for the towering subject of American architecture.

3. A History of Architecture in 100 Buildings by Dan Cruickshank

ISBN: 9781770855991

Link: https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/library/online-catalog/view/oclc/920542390

Journeying across the world, from Syria to Shrewsbury, Sudan to Southern Spain, Dan Cruickshank explores man’s most impressive creations. Structured by theme, this book surveys civilization through the pioneers, visionaries, follies, ancients, rhetoric, scale, survivals and revivals of its greatest constructions. Together, the stories in this beautifully illustrated book offer a stupendous global cultural history – a history that is full of mystery and ripe for rediscovery.

4. Chicago 1890: The Skyscraper and the Modern City by Joanna Merwood-Salisbury

ISBN: 9780226520780

Link: https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/library/online-catalog/view/oclc/232656339

Chicago’s first skyscrapers, constructed in the 1880s and ’90s, are famous for projecting the image of the modern city around the world. But what did they mean at home, to the Chicagoans who designed and built them, worked inside their walls, and gazed up at their facades? Answering this multifaceted question, this book reveals that early skyscrapers offered hotly debated solutions to the city’s toughest problems and, in the process, fostered an urban culture that spread across the country.

5. Constructing Chicago by Daniel M. Bluestone

ISBN: 9780300057508

Link: https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/library/online-catalog/view/oclc/23462143

Combining architectural history and cultural analysis, Daniel M. Bluestone explores the creation of Chicago’s architectural landscape. He finds that the structure of the city was influenced as much by the moral, cultural and aesthetic aspirations of its local elite, as by the forces of commerce and capital.

Bonus:  Chicago’s Loop: a new walking tour with Geoffrey Baer

OCLC #: 769236396

Link: https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/library/online-catalog/view/oclc/769236396

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All of these titles and many more, including film and podcasts, are available for members to borrow at The Pritzker Military Museum and Library. Visit this link for more information!