Chi OMEGA AUTHORS AND BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ!
Chi Omega is a Sisterhood made up of talented women, including many notable authors. These Sisters have made many contributions to the literary world and have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. From prize-winning novelists to children’s authors and memoirists, these writers demonstrate the diverse talents of Chi Omega members and the powerful impact of women in literature. If you know a Chi Omega author, let us know at chiomega@chiomega.com!
The Juggle is Real
by Molly Grantham
Epsilon Beta | UNC-Chapel Hill
“What you don't normally see on television from journalist Molly Grantham is how behind the polished image, she's juggling to keep the balls of life up in the air. The Juggle is Real shines a raw and funny light on the messy realities so many of us face: the constant rotation of whatever's barreling toward us next.
Grantham's first book, Small Victories, ended beside her mother's hospice bed. That's where this one begins-seeing the circle of life through her children's eyes. From there, it's a chronicle of ups and downs, including endless arguments over what to wear, emergency surgeries, beloved pets, and the hysterical one-kid parade of her son's battery-operated mini ice-cream truck through busy city streets. All interwoven with Grantham's public and often nutty job. Her honesty will have you crying and laughing out loud at this continuing story of loving kids and a career.”
Not My Time
By Jessica Salina
Pi Mu | Florida Gulf Coast
“Rory Miller has dreamed of reuniting with the vigilante superhero Hematite ever since he saved her from a stalker. After nearly a decade of wishing, news of Hematite’s murder shakes her small Colorado town to its core—but Rory gets a second chance at finding her hero when he reveals he’s not actually dead.
Kane Kelly is hiding two things from his best friend Rory: his double life as Hematite and his romantic feelings for her. As Kane seeks the truth about his powers, an anonymous YouTuber named Stone Breaker targets him. When Rory learns who is behind the YouTube channel, she teams up with her hero and becomes Stone Breaker’s next target. Rory must face her past traumas headfirst to save her friend’s identity and her own life.”
If We’re Being Honest
By Catherine Shook
Mu Beta | Georgia
“When Gerry, the beloved Williams patriarch, dies suddenly, his grandchildren flock from across the country to the family home in Eulalia, Georgia. But when Gerry’s best friend steps up to the microphone to deliver his eulogy, the funeral turns out unlike anyone expected. The cousins left reeling and confused, cope with their fresh grief and various private dramas. Delia, recently heartbroken, refuses to shut up about her ex. Her sister Alice, usually confident, flusters when she spots her high school sweetheart, hiding a secret that will change both of their lives. Outspoken, affable Grant is preening in the afterglow of his recent appearance on The Bachelorette and looking to reignite an old flame with the least available person in town. Meanwhile, his younger brother Red, unsure of himself and easily embarrassed, desperately searches for a place in the boisterous family.
The cousins’ eccentric parents are in tow, too, and equally lost—in love and in life. Watching over them all is Ellen, Gerry’s sweet and proper widow, who does her best to keep her composure in front of the leering small town.
Clever and completely original, If We’re Being Honest reminds you that while no one can break your heart like your family can, there’s really no one better to put you back together.”
The Girl on the Belvedere
By Cheryl Y. Forrest
Epsilon Gamma | Tulsa
“The Girl on the Belvedere: Finding Meaning Through Travel, Friendship, and French is the memoir of Cheryl Y. Forrest, born into a typical post-World War II home in Oklahoma. It is the story of a difficult childhood, and the life-long effect of growing up in the world of ballet. It is also the story of finding oneself after marriage and children, and a tale of searching for meaning in the events of life, whether everyday or extraordinary.”
Warpaint
by Stephanie Arceneaux
Xi Kappa | Texas A&M
“Stephanie shares her personal story as she raises her 9-year-old identical twin daughters. She shares her hopes and dreams for them: to know their worth in Christ Jesus, to embrace their uniqueness, and to equip them with the Word of God to “Fight the Good Fight.” She also shares her own struggles of being the mother God has called her to be.
Over a hundred scriptures are woven into the pages of Warpaint to encourage and empower mothers and daughters alike.”
The Breakfast Squad
by Kristen Durkee
Sigma Alpha | Miami (Ohio)
For Chi O kids!
Do you ever wonder if your food has feelings?
Well, meet the Squad who lives behind the scenes at the Sunrise Diner: Eggleton, Hashy, Cakes, Frenchie, Baconator, and the sibling sausage duo, Link and Patty! Read along as they bring you an insider’s look at friendship, compromise, and fun. Get to know these lovable characters as they take a closer look at what really matters when it comes to understanding those around you.
Henderson House
By Caren McVicker
Iota Alpha | Southern Methodist
“In May 1941, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, hums with talk of spring flowers, fishing derbies, and the growing war in Europe. And for the Blackwell sisters, who reside in a quiet neighborhood boarding house, the winds of change are blowing.
Bessie Blackwell, copy room manager at Phillips Petroleum and faithful churchgoer, is the reluctant owner of a new pair of glasses and a self-proclaimed spinster. Frank Davis, Henderson House’s newest tenant, throws that status into question with his gentle eyes and ready smile. But the scar on his forehead and rumors of divorce speak of a troubled past.
Bessie’s sister, Florence, a sales assistant at the men's clothing store downtown, knows all about troubled pasts. Her husband is dead, and it’s only with her sister's help that she’s able to raise Johnny. Life at Henderson House is luxurious compared to growing up in Cherokee Indian Territory, but Florence wants more for her boy than a rented room. When the flagship store in Tulsa offers her a management position, Florence sets her sights on the future and keeping the family together. And neither future nor family includes Frank Davis.
Mrs. Henderson, the landlady, cook, and adopted matriarch of the Blackwell clan, possesses an uncanny intuition about all her boarders. She knows true love when she sees it. But soon even her vision becomes clouded as Florence schemes to undermine her sister’s budding romance. In a desperate attempt to keep Bessie by her side, Florence exposes the sisters' darkest secret. A secret that will change their lives, and the lives of those they love, forever.”
What We Bring to the Practice of Medicine
By Kimberly Greene-Liebowitz
Theta Alpha | Cornell
“What We Bring to the Practice of Medicine brings together a collection of short essays from women physicians working in diverse fields of medicine around the world. Through compassion, humor, and resiliency, their stories reveal the truth of what life is like for a variety of women in medicine.
While men and women physicians face different challenges and bring different historical experiences to the examination table, the history of medicine has been primarily told by men. Doctors Kimberly Greene-Liebowitz and Dana Corriel compile the pieces in this collection to highlight the many topics of concern for women physicians––some of which may be unknown to medical field outsiders. Topics include the physician-patient relationship, mastery of clinical practice, barriers to career advancement and success, and the challenge of balancing a demanding professional life with domestic responsibilities, an issue brought to the fore by the COVID-19 pandemic.
What We Bring to the Practice of Medicine showcases the experiences of women physicians at every stage of their careers as well—from the beginning of medical school to the brink of retirement. These 40 essays are an expansive, unprecedented examination of what drives clinical and personal decisions and demonstrate how a physician’s character is intricately intertwined with their approach to caregiving and the practice of medicine.”