A few days ago I was reflecting on Sakura Publishing s wonderful achievements made in 2011.

As a company we signed and published several promising new authors, re-vamped our website, and expanded into all sorts of social media platforms. To date we can claim eleven titles in print from authors who are as diverse and unique as their subject matter. On a personal note, I gained a new friend and mentor in Derek; this past year as his intern has been both emotionally and professionally revelatory and rewarding. This train of thought led me to consider developing a reading calendar for those of you who are new to Sakura Publishing and particularly this blog. After all, we are still a new company, so it s only fitting that we provide a helpful guide to our new readers and customers introducing the fruits of our collective labors. Here are my monthly reading suggestions featuring Sakura s proud roster of inspiring authors. JANUARY Ok, so unfortunately I didn t have the foresight to conceive and construct this article at the beginning of the month. However, that does not mean that the last couple weeks of January need be wasted. Use the time you have left of the month to dig into Sakura s previous blog entries. From compelling and intriguing interviews with Sakura s first published author Courtney Stackhouse and CEO Derek Vasconi to submissions from our soon-to-be-published author Frank Gibson, as wells as yours truly, Sakura s little Wordpress blog is truly blossoming into an informative , multifaceted platform for our literary community. When you ve finished this article and taken a peek at the others offered, follow us on Tumblr to recover more bits and pieces that jigsaw together into the Sakura Story. FEBRUARY This month conjures up not only the romance of St. Valentine s Day, but it also, and much more importantly, signifies the observance of Black History Month. Since I am writing this article on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, it naturally follows that my first book suggestion be Death of a Black Star, written by the abundantly delightful Sharday Cage, an author who credits Mr. King as one of her greatest inspirations. A fantastic poet, Sharday captures themes related to love, culture, society, history, and the Black Experience in rich and vivid language. From highly personal accounts of her travels in Africa to the universal conditions of love and desire, Sharday s poetry dances with the force of life. Moreover, she is a deeply conscientious poet, unafraid to touch on the more sobering aspects of racial conflict and the high costs of old hatreds upon young, urban African-Americans. I ll confess that I had difficulty placing our other books with their corresponding month, but I immediately pegged Death of a Black Star for February. There is simply no other book (either from the Sakura catalog or one that I ve read, period) that so boldly characterizes both the passion and the power celebrated during this month. MARCH If you re a Midwesterner like me, you ll easily agree that the winters can be very long. Like, really, really long. In that case, March is still a prime time to cozy up to great literature (the temporary revelry of St. Patrick s Day aside). With thirty-one more days of winter ahead, why not delve into an engrossing book that unravels gradually and with monumental importance? Time is on your side! Kris Campbell s The Glass Girl is ideal for the reader who wants an insightful and harrowing story to tick by the long winter hours.

Beware, Kris memoir is no easy read. While an engaging author, Kris young life has seen an astonishing amount of heartbreak and hardship. Having been dealt a blow in the form of a degenerative disease, she has had to fight for her health; however, it would be the years spent in an abusive relationship that encouraged her to fight for her life. Kris is only in her twenties, but she s endured troubles that many people would not experience in a full lifetime, if even (hopefully not) at all. Yet, the sum of who she is remains much greater than the particles of sadness, uncertainty, and worthlessness that pervaded her life for all those years. Her story testifies to the miracle of human resilience, and it s especially a terrific read for the month of March. Before the sun can distract you into the outdoors, use the remaining hours of winter to devote your heart and mind to this incredible, absorbing account. APRIL For decades, April has been the popularly-acknowledged start of the Wedding Season. While there are sure to be plenty of weddings that bookend the months running from April-October, this first full month of spring still puts one in mind of all the expensive garments and gifts sprinkled throughout the busy season ahead. So, what better way for the intellectual, well-read bride to reward her equally cerebral bridesmaids than with some provocative literature? Or, what better gift to the romance-minded couple than a book of poetry that reflects deeply and with striking nuance upon the subject of love? I suggest Dan Picone s poetry collection Lost Evidents. Now, for anyone already familiar with this title, you may think this is a curious choice for such a sentimental and unabashedly happy time of the year. Dan s musings on the trials and mysteries of love and relationships are rarely of the and they lived happily ever after variety, but they are no less a celebration of love s power and force in all our lives. Furthermore, his language is simply lovely. With the fluidity and grace of the old poetic masters, Dan s poems are richly textured and recall the feel of a Byron or Tennyson work. However, while Dan might be an old soul, his poetic voice is far from being dated or stuffy; his poems never fail to have a modern edge and frequently sparkle with biting wit. He is definitely the thinking bride s (or groom s) romantic! MAY While January might be the typical month for resolutions, plenty of us falter mid-year and need to refocus our goals for the upcoming summer. May is a perfect month to revisit our resolutions, particularly ones involving lifestyle and weight loss in preparation for the vacation and beach-going season. Brian Gansmann s book Defeat Wheat: Your Guide to Eliminating Gluten and Losing Weight fits the month of May beautifully. Having been diagnosed with Celiac s disease (an autoimmune disorder that causes terrible damage to the intestines) after a birthday trip to Germany, Brian realized that his worst enemy, which had been battling him in the form of crippling abdominal pain and bowel issues, was gluten a component of many grains, especially wheat. Something as simple and prevalent as gluten was causing him such tremendous distress. However, upon eliminating gluten entirely from his diet, he not only saw his awful health problems disappear, but he also noticed amazing changes to his body. Although an established exercise fanatic, Brian suddenly developed greater muscle mass and impressive muscle definition upon

giving up gluten. Brian s account advocates a gluten-free diet as a wonderful, health-boosting strategy for anyone, even those who don t suffer the tragedy of Celiac s disease. Certainly, everyone should consult his or her physician before attempting any new dietary regimen. That said, Brian s diet includes plenty of lean proteins, nutritious carbs, and fresh produce: a healthy combination for anyone. If you ve been searching for an effective diet solution, check out Defeat Wheat and give Brian s strategy a try! You might just be able to sculpt your body in time for bikini season. JUNE As a youth worker, I can testify to how exuberant kids are at the prospect of summer; however, I also see the importance of keeping their minds and imaginations active throughout the season, lest their brains turn to mush by the time school begins. Summer is a time for fun and relaxation, but it s no excuse to let a child s intellect atrophy, either. Jan Culbertson s juvenile novel The Legend of Willow Springs Farm is an engaging read for children recently liberated from school. Reminiscent of old-fashioned adventure stories, this story involves two young sisters stumbling upon mystery and buried treasure while visiting their grandmother s farm, which dates back to the Civil War. Jan s flair for historical subject matter (see November s book suggestion) beautifully complements this charming tale of good-natured, youthful exploits. Although this book is especially suitable for fourth-graders, teens and adults will get a kick out of it, too. The Legend of Willow Springs Farm is nostalgic and captivating, and a lovely book to include on your child s summer reading list! JULY Mid-summer evokes the smell of barbecue and the taste of your favorite brew. July is the setting for Fourth of July merriment, as well as the prime vacation season. Summer is finally in full swing, yet still far from being over. Capitalize on all the boozy, sunburnt fun with Stephanie Goldman s hilarious memoir Did I Really Do My Hair for This?: The Dating Disasters of a Not So Desperate Girl. Stephanie s book was my first major editing job with Sakura, so for me there s an added layer of nostalgia glimmering within its pages aside from the fact that much of it takes place during what I consider the best time of my life: COLLEGE. This book is filthy, bitchy, brutally honest, uproariously funny, and even a touch (dare I say) poignant. Stephanie s sexual misadventures, sorority girl hijinks, crazy-ass family, and substance-induced shenanigans spring energetically from the page, feeling not unlike a punch to the face from a drunken best friend. However, all naughtiness and gut-busting hilarity aside, Stephanie manages to surprise the reader with her self-deprecating wit, been there, done that insight, and refreshingly honest summary of her mistakes. Furthermore, she knows how to bounce back from her failures, and she isn t afraid to look deep inside herself for the answers. Basically, Stephanie is Chelsea Handler if she had more of a heart and Tucker Max if he had more of a vagina. Her book is the quintessential summer beach read! AUGUST So, summer is starting to wind down by the time August begins. Students are preparing to go back to school. Working adults are leaving the brief respite of the vacation season and summertime festivities behind, turning their attention to the prospect of weather-proofing their car (again, this

coming from a Midwestern perspective). The small amount of leisure time and warmth remaining presents an ideal opportunity for doing some volunteer work before the inclement weather confines you indoors. Chris Mason s revealing anthology Touretties describes the trials and triumphs of adults and children living with Tourette s syndrome. Dispelling popular myths associated with this neurological disorder, which includes a diverse range of physical and mental symptoms, the contributors to this insightful collection of stories offer unapologetically honest accounts of how deeply this disease affects people s lives emotionally, bodily, academically, socially, and inter-personally. Yet, the devastating nature of the disorder also gives way to a powerful hope uncovered through the process of treatment and the support of loved ones. Chris even submits his own harrowing story of living with Tourette s. That a person suffering this disease has become one of Sakura s best-selling authors is a firm testament to how people with TS can learn and achieve just as much as those who don t have it. If you re considering volunteer work in the closing days of summer, why not read this book and research ways to support the TS community? This is also a must-read for educators in preparation for the school year, especially those who serve students with special needs. SEPTEMBER As the bridge between summer and fall, September marks the return to business as usual. The temperature outside gradually begins to cool, and the activity of reading slowly becomes the primary way to spend your free time. To welcome the more somber and reflective season of fall, consider reading Michell Spoden s Stricken Yet Crowned. Like The Glass Girl (see March), Spoden s memoir is not an easy read. The victim of rape at twelve yearsold, Michell suffered through tumultuous relationships and emotional anguish throughout most of her life. While her attacker was never brought to justice, Michell has struggled to personally forgive the person she believes raped her. However, her ultimate triumph over the curse of victimhood by embracing her self-worth and beginning the process of emotional recovery inspires hope and renewed faith in the strength of survivors. Michell has since used her experiences to help other victims of rape and abuse; she is a staunch advocate for women and an ambassador of her devout Christian faith. The subject matter of Stricken Yet Crowned is difficult, but the reward is huge. Before winter commences, take this inspirational journey with Michell. OCTOBER With Halloween approaching, many readers tastes turn toward the macabre and supernatural. Sakura s first published author Courtney Stackhouse offers the perfect treat for everyone touched by the gothic mystery of this season: When Heaven Calls. This novella relates the strange afflictions of Leila and Gregor a woman of extraordinary strength and a man who yearns to fly, respectively. I don t want to discuss this story at too much length, since it is most enthralling when you have no expectations going in. Suffice it to say that Courtney s story is beautifully sad, a brilliant and bittersweet tale of two people in love and their amazing, other-worldly powers.

It s a perfect book for the season: sensual, dark, sorrowful, visceral, and bristling with an animal ferocity. My only contention is that this heartbreaking and haunting story is so short. Here s crossing my fingers in the hope that Courtney writes a sequel in time for next Halloween! NOVEMBER With Thanksgiving fast approaching, the busy holiday season weighs heavy in everyone s mind. Before your schedule becomes too hectic and overburdened with Christmas, Hanukkah, and other festive preparations, take some time to usher in the month with Jan Culbertson s historically-based, but lightly fictionalized, biography Fortino. Basing the titular character on his wife s grandfather, Jan sets his book during the Mexican Revolution. Upon witnessing the unjust slaughter of his family, Fortino begins his quest for revenge, which directly places him in the middle of the violent chaos. Jan certainly has a fondness for coming-of-age stories (see June), and he explores this theme through the unlikely subject of this historical figure. Because the 11th marks Veteran s Day, November is an ideal month to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have fought in wars and the more troubling aspects of humanity that cause such disputes in the first place. Humane and riveting, Fortino is a sobering read before the holidays warm us into cheerful thoughts a million miles from suffering. DECEMBER Much like selecting Death of a Black Star for the month of February, my pick for December was a no-brainer: Jason Kinnear s Elvolution! Possessing a remarkable Old World charm and sensibility, Kinnear s story speculates on the origins of Santa s elves. Following two pint-sized carpenters from a fictional Eastern European village, Elvolution explains how the elves found their way to America and into Santa s workshop. I had the privilege of editing this story and speaking personally with Jason Kinnear. He s a family man with a warm sense of humor that s evident in every dimension of this book. Additionally, Elvolution features beautiful illustrations by our artist-in-residence, Mary Raudenbush. It s an instant holiday classic for the entire family to enjoy!

I hope this reading guide serves you well in 2012. Here s to twelve more new releases for 2013! Happy Reading, Sarah the Intern