My writing journey has led me to cross paths with some incredible fellow writers who I now call colleagues and/or friends.

Winter always provides an opportunity to cozy up under a blanket with a hot beverage and a book. While I would absolutely love it if you purchased my debut novel, Enduring the Waves, there are a few other books that deserve to have a light shined upon them written by fellow writers with strong and authentic voices.

Please note that I am not being paid to endorse any of these books or publishers, and the authors and publishers I included did not know I was posting this. Should you choose to purchase one or more of the works below, you will also be supporting independent publishing houses in the Jersey Shore area, but I am making no profit by sharing this list.

Click anywhere in the text for more information about each writer and/or book. I hope you find at least one that speaks to you.

Magnificently Made: A beautiful collection of stories to connect you to your personal power and to each other. 33 chapters written by 33 phenomenal women designed to remind YOU that you, in all your glorious humanness, through all life’s ups and downs, through joys and pains, through judgment and empathy towards yourself and others, through moments where you are elated to moments where you feel deflated, through it all…YOU are magnificently made, born for a purpose, and capable of more than you know. Published by Inspired Girl publishing group and featuring chapters written by some of my favorite people, this book is GORGEOUS in both layout and message and would make the perfect present for the reader in your life.

This Too: Life-isms to savor the sweetness of life and calm you through the storms by Natalie Friscia Pancetti: Pancetti’s beautiful coffee-table book with little statements to calm you through the storms was written because of her parents instilling the phrase This Too Shall Pass in her from a very young age. This Too connects not only to difficult times or suffering but to blessings, treasured life moments, and small victories and suggests we remember and cherish every moment. This Too also serves as a wonderful gift.

Project Unhoused by Zac Levy. Zac is a current senior at High Technology High School in Lincroft, New Jersey. What started out as a project to learn more about the area’s homeless population turned into a passion to help out the less fortunate. Zac’s book contains interviews and research to shine a light upon many popular misconceptions about homelessness. 100% of the profits from his book will be given directly to homeless populations. Here is a young person NOT motivated by likes or social media but by altruism and his mission is truly inspiring.

She Had No Business by Jessica Varian Carroll. For anyone who has ever felt (or worse, been told): you’ve got no business doing that—Jessica’s story will challenge your perspective and inspire you to chase your dreams. As a successful entrepreneur and author of She Had No Business, Jessica transformed her situation against all odds to build a life of significance, service and leadership—all while trailblazing paths for others to do the same. I am proud to call Jessica my friend and have learned so much from her. Jessica owns Organista (home organizing business) and is co-founder of SOAR Symposium and Inspired Girl publication with Jennifer Tuma Young.

Poetic Emergencies by Laura B. Ginsberg. This book is for anyone who scribbles on napkins or receipts and is looking for a spark of something poetic to help capture some fleeting moment of emotion that could flutter away in a fraction of a second. Ginsberg is an editor, a writing instructor, and someone who has guided me along my publication journey. Her book is full of starter ideas to spark stories and is a super gift for the writer in your life.

Growth by Dylan Finn. After fourteen days, Dylan Finn awoke from a coma. Two weeks earlier, he was a typical college kid having fun, enjoying school, and hanging out with friends. But, on this particular day, Dylan had suffered a traumatic brain injury from a fall. With only a ten percent survival rate, Dylan found the strength and courage to flip the perspective of what happened to him and to use what he had learned to help others. Growth is the real story of what happened and Dylan’s journey of learning, lessons, and light found at the end of the tunnel. Growth is published by Starlight Books and will be released in February.

Anything by Gregory Andrus/Portraits of the Jersey Shore. Author and photographer of Portraits of the Jersey Shore Volume 1, Sand, Sea, and Rescue, and two forthcoming books, Gregory is one of the most kind-hearted and warm souls I have ever encountered. Sparked by the success of his now well-known Facebook page Portraits of the Jersey Shore, Gregory speaks regularly at area events about his journey and is a fixture at local book signings. To learn more about his current projects, himself, or to reserve your copy of his upcoming book A Walk Along the Jersey Shore, click HERE.

Jewmorous by Herman Lentz. Herman’s memoir is hysterical, witty, and honest, and he has an unmatched knack for verbal storytelling. From his website: Herman Lentz is a retired Chief Compliance Officer, who no longer shackled by the constraints imposed by his position is finally able to publish his first book without fear that his musings will cost him his career. Always a story teller, he has put together a collection of essays about the adventures and misadventures in his life. A Long Island Jew with delusions of grandeur, he lives in New Jersey not by choice, but by marriage, as his first generation Greek Orthodox wife wanted to be close to her extremely extended family. He prides himself on his great head of hair and self-proclaimed rapier like wit. I am proud to call Herman my friend.

Anything by Mike Farragher. Mike is the inspiring leader of my writing group, Rise and Write, and has authored six incredible books (and counting). He also organizes the Count Basie Center for the Arts’ Annual Irish Film Festival, teaches memoir courses for Monmouth University, and has an energy for life that is contagious and one I wish I could channel. Mike’s Irish heritage and candid discussion of his essays at the first writing meeting I attended inspired me to dust off what is now known as Enduring the Waves and revise it one last time. That moment led me to become a traditionally published author, and I’ll always be indebted to Mike for his sparking of my light.

Press Pause by Maureen Spataro. Press Pause shares the story of Maureen Spataro’s breakdown, and the treatment that would have her revisit the traumas from her past – traumas that she thought she had already dealt with. Finally fully unpacking the abuse she endured, the secrets she carried for decades turned into a catalyst for not only healing herself but changing the whole trajectory of her family’s future.

Magical Margherita by Victoria Karnatski. Margherita can sense how others are feeling and with a wave of her wand and the warmth of her smile, she magically shifts their mood and lifts their spirits!! This book shares such a beautiful message of empathy, compassion, and the power we all have to brighten someone’s day, and both children and adults can relate to its messages.

Don’t forget to consider Enduring the Waves as well! I guarantee you’ll make at least one connection to Kelly’s story. Click on the book cover above for ordering links and more, including a Reader’s Guide (kind of like a study guide for the book should you be interested in a deeper relationship with it).

Thank you for joining me on my journey. I’m so glad you are here.

With light and love,

Jill

“Ten (Plus 1) Books and Writers to Check Out in 2024” was posted on jillocone.com on January 10, 2024. Views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the writer, who was not endorsed or compensated in any manner by any entity; views do not represent any of my employers. Copyright 2024, Jill Ocone. All rights reserved. Contact Jill with reposting, licensing, and publishing inquiries using any of the links below.