New Releases by Amy Newmark

Now more than ever, the strong, independent, courageous voices of Black women are being heard loud and clear. They share their truth about life, love, family, faith and hope in these 101 personal stories and 12 powerful poems. The world is listening. Black women are speaking, for themselves and their families, and everyone is listening. This unique collection of stories is for readers of all colors, not just the Black community, as these contributors share their dreams, their triumphs and failures, and their lives, which have unique challenges and hardships that are not well understood by others. Readers of color will recognize their own struggles in these pages, and white readers will benefit from an inside view of Black life in America, Canada and beyond. These 101 stories and 12 poems, written by and for Black women, cover it all—from fierce to funny—about hopes and dreams, fears and realities, identity and self-discovery, family, children, even hair. Each one starts with a quote connecting you to a wellspring of wisdom from historical and contemporary Black women. “We are speaking now,” says Breena Clarke, coauthor of this book. “Because the moment is now, in this collection of first-person narratives. This is an opportunity to hear the often silenced voices of Black women, writing for you and because of you. These are stories of universal human experiences but also reflect the specificity of Black women’s lives in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.” Everyone will benefit from this look into the culture, wisdom, and everyday reality of the Black experience, with 11 chapters, each starting with a powerful poem: • The Shoulders We Stand On • Where We Come From • Everyday Struggles • Stand Up, Speak Out • Raising Our Children • Family & Food for the Soul • Taking Care of Me • Sisters, Friends • Loving Black Men • Identity & Roots • Self-Discovery Chicken Soup for the Soul books are 100% made in the USA and each book includes stories from as diverse a group of writers as possible. Chicken Soup for the Soul solicits and publishes stories from the LGBTQ community and from people of all ethnicities, nationalities, and religions.

A follow-up to Chicken Soup for the Soul: Laughter Is the Best Medicine. Chicken Soup for the Soul shares the funniest stories from its library of more than 250 books, all gathered in this new collection of 101 humorous tales.

You are unique —and that is your superpower. In these 101 stories of affirmation, determination and female empowerment, you’ll find role models and advice to help you make the most of that power. This book takes you on a journey to find your own truth. Whether you’re 18 or 80, you’ll find your power in these stories from women who unselfishly share their personal lives with you—their successes and their failures, their insecurities and their epiphanies. You’ll learn how they became comfortable in their own skins, found their identities, and set their goals—all while still being themselves. These stories were curated from thousands of submissions, to both entertain you and inspire you to be the best version of a unique person—you. Read about women who: • Spent time alone to rediscover themselves • Followed their passions and dreams in business, the arts, and sports • Mentored the girls and women coming up behind them • Prepared themselves to find love with the right mate • Juggled and came to grips with not really “having it all” • Spoke out against sexual harassment and discrimination • Made a new habit of stepping outside their comfort zones • Found their resilience and strength after death and divorce • Learned to build self-care and “me time” into their routines • Broke new ground in traditionally male careers

“Me time” is the cure for what ails you. You know you need it. Here’s how to take care of yourself so that you can be the very best version of you! Do you ever say that you’ll take care of yourself after you finish your to-do list? The personal, revealing stories in this book will convince you to put yourself at the top of that list. Self-care and life balance are what we all neglect most. These 101 true stories from people who turned their lives around will show you how to take care of your physical and mental health. You’ll be inspired by people who have taken back control of their lives and carved out that all-important “me time,” whether that means exercising, reading, meditating, seeing friends, or communing with nature. Whatever your psyche needs is your form of “me time” and that’s something that you deserve. There are many approaches, and at least one of them is bound to work for you. In these pages, you’ll read about men and women who: Put an hour for themselves on their daily to-do lists Pursued long-delayed sports, hobbies, or volunteer work Discovered themselves through travel, fitness, or new careers Learned to ask for help instead of doing it all Started treating themselves as well as they would treat a guest Stopped seeing the people who weren’t making them happy Rediscovered the benefits of exercising and being outside in nature Created their own personal spaces in their homes or outdoors Decluttered their calendars or their homes—and felt liberated

These true stories of breathtaking coincidences, answered prayers, healing, angels, and messages from heaven will deepen your faith and strengthen your hope. Miracles, divine intervention, amazing coincidences—these unexplainable but welcome surprises occur every day for people from all walks of life. You’ll be inspired, awed and comforted by these 101 stories from ordinary people who’ve had extraordinary experiences, including: Elizabeth, who took her son to see Santa, and was shocked when he recognized her and burst into tears, explaining he was her long-lost father. He’d been looking for her since she was seven years old. Bill, a paramedic comforted by his elderly patient when the ambulance they were in was totaled. Hours after their rescue he checked on her status and learned she’d died on impact. She couldn’t have talked to him while they awaited rescuers. Crystal, who tried to reach the date who ghosted her, but typed one wrong letter in the e-mail address and reached a stranger in Australia. Twelve years later that man moved to the U.S. and became her husband. Kat, who tragically lost her son Nick and gave his treasured LEGOs to a boy in their town. He used the LEGOs to create items that had special meaning for Kat’s family, saying Nick urged him to build each one. Candy, who lost the diamond in her mother’s ring, a ring she wore for 17 years after her mother was murdered by her father. A year after she lost it at work, it reappeared on a bough of the company Christmas tree.

Life begins again at 60! You’ll be inspired by these tales of new love, new careers, new adventures, new purpose, and loads of fun! These stories from dynamic, active people over 60 prove the adage that age is just a number. Whether they’re relaxing at home or traveling the world, married or single, working or retired, these folks do it all. Read about: Finding romance and love again at 60, 70, or 80 Downsizing and enjoying the freedom of less Traveling the world and moving to new homes Starting new businesses, new jobs, and volunteering Getting in shape—with new sports and fitness routines Trying new things and proudly overcoming fears Finding new passions – for dancing, teach acting, sports cars and more Proof that older really is wiser! And plenty of comic relief about pesky technology, creaky joints, and those “senior moments” Chicken Soup for the Soul books are 100% made in the USA and each book includes stories from as diverse a group of writers as possible. Chicken Soup for the Soul solicits and publishes stories from the LGBTQ community and from people of all ethnicities, nationalities, and religions.

This new collection of real-life experiences that happened to other teenagers will help you “think positive” and be the very best, happiest version of yourself. These true stories are organized into chapters that will inspire you to: Be You – being yourself really is the best solution Make True Friends – finding friends who are right for you Do the Right Thing – real-life examples where doing it right pays off Make the Effort – why trying hard is worth it Face Your Challenges – you’ll see you’re not alone Count Your Blessings – gratitude really is the key to happiness Treasure Your Family – even when they drive you crazy, they’re the best Look to the Future – how to put it all in perspective

This new kind of Chicken Soup for the Soul book for preteens is filled with inspiration and advice for growing up and being your best. True stories will inspire you to “think positive” and be the happiest, best version of yourself. These true stories are organized into chapters that will inspire you to: Just Be You – because being yourself is always the right decision Make True Friends – the ones who truly make you happy Do the Right Thing – we know you’ll feel good if you do Go Ahead and Try It – this is the time to explore new sports and activities Face Your Challenges – you’ll see you’re not alone when you do Count Your Blessings – gratitude really is the key to happiness Treasure Your Family – even if they drive you crazy, they’re the best Look Past the Obvious – you’ll gain a new perspective on friends and family

Your dreams are powerful tools for redirecting your life, changing your relationships, and making you a happier person. Learn how to use your dreams, premonitions, and intuition for personal transformation. You’re too busy during the day to pay attention to that quiet voice inside you that knows you so well. But at night your dreams are a window into what your subconscious is trying to tell you. This enlightening new collection is filled with true, personal stories from ordinary people whose dreams, premonitions, and intuition tapped into the extraordinary wisdom they already had within them. These 101 tales of inner guidance, divine intervention & miraculous insight will show you how to: Use your dreams as your GPS for navigating life Find love & companionship—from soul mates to rescue dogs! Face your fears and overcome them with new confidence Accept divine guidance from that little voice in your head Act on your premonitions and avoid dangerous situations Improve your relationships with the living and the deceased Find comfort and closure through messages from heaven

A "Chicken Soup for the Soul Short” containing 20 stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul: Angels and Miracles. Real stories from real people show you how to recognize and appreciate the angels right here on earth. You’ll be inspired, awed and comforted by these stories that remind us there are angels are among us if we are open to seeing them and accepting their help. They''re a wonderful reminder that there''s always light behind the dark, there are people willing to help, and hope is never canceled.

A "Chicken Soup for the Soul Short” containing 20 stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul: Angels and Miracles. Real stories from real people show you how to recognize and appreciate the miracles in your life. You’ll be inspired, awed and comforted by these stories that remind us miracles happen every day to people from all walks of life. We just have to believe in them. Hope is never canceled and these stories show you why, with amazing coincidences, answered prayer, and unexplainable divine intervention.

A "Chicken Soup for the Soul Short” containing 20 stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings. Real stories from real people show you how to use the power of gratitude and change your perspective through life''s ups and downs. You''ll be inspired and invigorated by these stories of gratitude, fortitude, resilience, and silver linings. They will serve as a reminder of the many blessings in your life and that each day holds something to be thankful for. You''ll see how life can be transformed just by practicing thankfulness and being mindful.

There’s something magical about moms. They always know the right thing to say or do, and somehow they do it all. Now it’s time to say thanks. It’s no secret that moms do it all. What is a secret is how they do it. Let Mom know how grateful you are—with this collection of stories lovingly selected from Chicken Soup for the Soul’s library. Moms of all ages will enjoy these heartwarming, entertaining anecdotes about the magic it takes for moms to keep being moms day after day, year after year. Mom will feel loved and appreciated as she reads these 101 stories.

These true stories of answered prayers, divine intervention, messages from heaven and miraculous healing will give you hope and deepen your faith. Miracles happen every day—to people from all walks of life. You’ll be inspired, awed and comforted by these 101 stories from ordinary people who’ve had extraordinary experiences, including: Maggie, who told her mom at age 12 that she would marry the handsome star of her favorite movie, and then through a series of coincidences met him as an adult while an actress. She and Mark have been married more than 40 years. Cherri, who dreamt she found her drowned toddler floating in a neighbor’s pool after an extensive search. When she awoke, her son was actually missing. Cherri ran straight to the neighbor’s and found her son kneeling at the edge of the pool. Robert, who was pronounced dead after 30 minutes of CPR but whose wife insisted the doctor go back in and keep trying. All Robert remembers is an angel who kept pushing him away from the threshold of a serene blue-lit place he wanted to enter. Sherry, the Army officer who lost the diamond from her ring on the first day of training, spent weeks looking for it, and prayed during her graduation for it to be returned to her. Then she looked down and saw it in the mud between her boots. Lynn, who dreamt she saw a couple leave their newborn by a well where two women found her. A year later, Lynn adopted a one-year-old girl from China. When she and her daughter visited the orphanage 14 years later they saw the well where she had been left and met the two women who found her, exactly as in the dream.

Look beyond the hurt and use the power of forgiveness to move forward. Forgiveness is one of the best tools we have at our disposal to create a better life for ourselves. Leave that baggage behind as you put the past in the past— where it belongs! Forgiveness is an amazing tool—it can transform your life in just one second if you decide that you want to use its power. There’s a reason we refer to anger, resentment, and disappointment as “baggage.” We carry it everywhere we go. We’d like nothing more than to drop it on the side of the road and forget about it. But how do we do that? How do we process the past and then leave it behind? These 101 revealing true stories show you how. Learn how to manage your hurt with or without an apology and focus on what’s really important. Read about marriages being strengthened, families getting back together, grown children coming to understand their parents, and people overcoming the worst transgressions—even crimes. These men and women walked forward light and free, and you can, too—onto the bright, warm, welcoming road ahead. And, because no one’s perfect, you’ll also learn how to apologize if you’re the one in the wrong... and how to use the power of self-forgiveness to find peace and happiness.

Get into the holiday spirit with these magical stories of family and friends… giving and sharing… joy and blessings! Prepare to be inspired by these tales of giving, gratitude, and kindness. You’ll also pick up some creative ways to make your own holidays even more special, with new plans for family fun, gift ideas, and recipes. These 101 real-life personal stories are filled with the cheer of the season. They’ll leave you smiling and eager to share the holidays, from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah to Christmas and New Year’s. We didn’t forget the kids either. The stories in this collection are “Santa safe,” meaning that they keep the magic alive even for precocious readers. And your purchase will support Toys for Tots as well, creating miracles for children all over the U.S.

These 101 real-life stories will motivate and inspire you to get out there and walk or run! Everyone needs a boost to power through those first steps in the morning or those last steps of a grueling race. And there’s no better motivation than hearing from people who have changed their lives through running or walking. The benefits to your physical and mental health from hitting the road or the trail are boundless. In these pages you’ll meet men and women who have run or walked off hundreds of pounds, who’ve conquered injuries, depression, or anxiety, who’ve made friends, repaired relationships, switched careers—all through the miracle of getting outside and moving their bodies. As ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes says, “Getting out there creates camaraderie, confidence… and calm.” This new collection is also filled with stories from people who have not only done “good” for themselves, but have also raised money for good causes through everything from 5K races to 100-mile ultramarathons. Prepare to be inspired—to do some good for yourself and for others!

We learn so much from our feline friends, and along the way they keep us company, provide unconditional love, and share in the ups and downs of our lives. What do we learn from our cats? Everything. Our cats make us better people. If we rescued them, they rescue us back. If we’re sad, they comfort us. If we need to have more fun, they show us how. They are our therapists, our role models, and our best friends. You’ll laugh a lot, tear up at times, and nod your head in recognition as you read these tales about the wonderful experience of sharing life with a cat. Life lessons from our cats come in many forms, from the hilarious to the heroic. You’ll enjoy a wide variety in these 101 entertaining stories.

We learn so much from our canine companions, and along the way they keep us company, provide unconditional love, and share in the ups and downs of our lives. What do we learn from our dogs? Everything. Our dogs make us better people. If we rescued them, they rescue us back. If we’re sad, they comfort us. If we need to have more fun, they show us how. They are our protectors, our role models, and our best friends. You’ll laugh a lot, tear up at times, and nod your head in recognition as you read these tales about the wonderful experience of sharing life with a dog. Life lessons from our dogs come in many forms, from the hilarious to the heroic. You’ll enjoy a wide variety in these 101 entertaining stories.

There’s a special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren, and an unconditional love that is truly special. Whether an experienced grandparent, or a grandparent-to-be, you’ll enjoy these 101 heartwarming, amusing and inspirational stories. The moment a grandchild is born, a grandparent is born too. This collection is full of stories by grandparents about being a grandparent, and grandchildren about their grandparents. Personal stories about legacies and traditions, a grandparent’s wisdom and lessons from grandchildren as well as the joys and challenges of grandparenting will touch your heart and tickle your funny bone.

Go ahead and admit it—Mom Knows Best. She was right all along. She’ll get a kick out of these stories that tell her just how you feel! Show your mother, grandmother, wife, or mother-in-law how much you appreciate her. She’ll love these 101 personal, heartwarming, sometimes hilarious anecdotes about all the adventures of motherhood and how kids eventually realize that simple truth: Mom Knows Best.

When our loved ones leave this world, our connection with them does not end. These 101 miraculous stories of signs from beyond, amazing connections, and love that doesn’t die will inspire and comfort you. Death takes away the physical presence of our loved ones, but not their spirit. Sometimes they send us signs from beyond, or come to us in dreams or as angels. Sometimes our loved ones visit heaven but come back because it’s not their time. Your faith will be renewed and you’ll be awed by these miraculous true accounts, including: The young mother who went to heaven and asked for a little more time—and got it—so she could write letters to her daughters for all their milestones The widow who discovered the captions “I love you” and “I will always love you” had miraculously appeared on old photos of her husband The grandma with dementia who was never told about her granddaughter’s death, but who announced that her granddaughter visited her regularly, and then related details of her death unknown to the rest of the family The woman at her friend Nancy’s funeral who asked her to send a hug, and minutes later was approached by the priest, who embraced her and whispered, “Here’s a hug from Nancy.” The man struggling to write a eulogy for his brother—killed in an accident along with a friend—who goes for a walk and finds his shadow is accompanied by two distinctly different human shadows that don’t match his body or movements And 96 more incredible stories!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Miracle of Love will warm the heart and lift the spirit of any reader who is looking for, or has found, the miracle of love. Stories of dating, romance, love and marriage, with all their ups and downs, will encourage, inspire and amuse readers. Everyone loves a good love story. And we all enjoy stories about how the love started and blossomed. This fun new book about dating, romance, love, and marriage will make you laugh and make you cry, and is guaranteed to inspire you to renew that search for your soul mate or open your heart a little more to the one you already have. It’s never too late for love at any age. Read about how couples met, when "they knew," proposals, maintaining the relationship, second chances, and all the other facets of the miracle that is love.

"Distributed to the book trade by Simon & Schuster"--Title page verso.

Mothers, grandmothers, and all the other moms in your life will enjoy and relate to this collection of stories. Let her know she’s your Amazing Mom! Show your mother, grandmother, wife, or mother-in-law how much you appreciate her. She’ll love these 101 personal, heartwarming, sometimes hilarious anecdotes about all the adventures of motherhood. You’ll laugh, cry and nod in recognition as you read these stories about gratitude, love and wisdom.

These true personal stories of angels, answered prayers, messages from heaven, miraculous healing and divine intervention will give you hope and deepen your faith. Miracles happen every day to people from all walks of life. You’ll be inspired, comforted and amazed by these 101 stories, including: Sheila, who suspected she was adopted, and then on vacation was randomly seated next to a fellow traveler who turned out to be her biological sister. Tiffany, whose inner voice warned her to go home instead of seeking shelter from a rainstorm under a car dealer’s awning. The car dealership ended up being destroyed minutes later by a tornado. Susan, whose daughter was on her way to buy drugs when she almost had a car accident. In a miraculous coincidence, the other driver turned out to be her Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, who then saved her. Judee, who refused to remarry after a divorce, but then had a dream in which she envisioned herself walking down the aisle. Later, she met the same man and had the exact same wedding she had seen while asleep. The U.S. soldier’s daughter in Germany who called her grandfather’s cell phone on 9/11 to make sure he was okay. This caused him to step out of the line to enter the Pentagon—moments before the airplane hit.

"Compilation of 101 stories about holiday miracles and joy from Chicken Soup for the Soul''s library of past books"--

The true spirit of America is found in its people, who both embrace their differences and find their common ground. These 101 stories showcase an America filled with good people who volunteer in their communities, help their neighbors, and pride themselves on doing the right thing. This is the America that we know and love, the one filled with citizens, new and old, who work hard, perform random acts of kindness, and see a path to a better future. Read about: The African American woman who takes comfort in recalling that her mother, as a child in the segregated South, was welcomed to the front of the bus by her white neighbors. The friendship that developed between a Florida mosque and the elderly Jewish residents of a highrise next door after a hurricane knocked out power and members of the mosque carried food and water to the stranded residents for days. The injured football coach who gave half the proceeds from a town fundraiser for his benefit to another injured resident who needed the money as well. The Ferguson, Missouri restaurant that was protected from looting by a chain of its customers standing arm in arm. The couple who bought a gift card for a struggling military family in a restaurant, only to discover other patrons had already done the same. The Latin American immigrant who cleaned houses and scraped together money for her education, becoming California State Teacher of the Year. … and 95 more stories that will make you proud to be an American.

The cat really did that? You’ll recognize your own cat in this entertaining collection of stories about the surprising, amusing, heartwarming things that our cats do. From cats that save lives to cats with nine lives—from cats that repair families to cats that wreck houses—from cats that crack us up to cats that act like therapists—you’ll see your own cat with new appreciation for its unique skills and intuition. With a special emphasis on the benefits and joys of adopting abandoned cats, black cats, senior cats, and all the other cats that get left behind, these stories may even motivate you to visit your local shelter. And your purchase of this book will help support the important, life-saving work of American Humane!

Publisher Annotation: Teachers inspire students every day, and this new collection provides some much-needed inspiration for these dedicated educators. With great stories about teaching from teachers and stories of thanks from students, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Teachers makes for a great teacher gift all year round! Teachers will love the book?s heartfelt, inspiring, and humorous stories from inside and outside the classroom. Stories from teachers and students about their favorite memories, lasting lessons, and unforgettable moments will uplift and encourage any educator. Chicken soup for the soul series, (Original), 400pp.