Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air from December 2nd
This Christmas I’m sharing a give-back gift guide drawn from my recent author conversations. I believe that books keep on giving and are a wonderful gift of wisdom, excitement, illumination, and love. A good story doesn’t end on the last page—it lingers in the heart, reshapes how we see the world, and sometimes even nudges us onto a new path. Whether it’s a memoir that helps us feel less alone, a novel that sweeps us into adventures, or a guide that strengthens our health, spirit, or courage, each of these books is more than a present; it’s an invitation. An invitation to think, to feel, to grow, and to share the experience with others—over coffee, in book clubs, or as quiet reflections on a rainy afternoon. This guide is my way of putting those invitations into your hands, so your gifts can keep unfolding long after the wrapping is gone.
Scroll down to see the topics and links to their shows and books.
| ITunes | Spotify+Video | Soundcloud |
| Amazon | Youtube Music | iHEART |
| Podvine | Podcasher | Podcast Addict |
| Mixcloud | Radio Public. | FM Player |
| Odysee | Youtube | Opodium |
| DO ENJOY THE WISDOM | BusyMumsmedia | Feedspot |
Give-Back Gift
Pro Grace Pregnancy – Crossroads Pregnancy Centre (with Kimberly Jackson)
Gift: Donation / Sponsorship
SUPPORT CROSSROADS WITH THEIR CHRISTMAS CATALOGUE HERE
OR SIMPLY DONATE HERE ANY AMOUNT HELPS
Support women and families at a crossroads with pregnancy—those grieving loss, facing unplanned pregnancy, raising a baby alone, or rebuilding after trauma. Your gift helps provide diapers, formula, new strollers and car seats, baby essentials, and much-needed counselling, so no one has to walk this road alone.
Fiction & Social Commentary
A Complete Fiction – R.L. Mazes
A sharp, humorous novel that asks who has the “right” to tell a story in a cancel-culture, social-media world. Fact and fiction blur as scandals, unpaid literary labour, and online pile-ons collide in one smart, timely read.
Age of Consent – Mark Thompson
A daring, tender love story that challenges our assumptions about romance, power, and first love’s lifelong imprint. Not a simple “Mrs. Robinson” tale, it explores a teacher–student relationship with nuance, conscience, and deep humanity.
Memoir, Adventure & Real Lives
From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond & The Trek Continues – Chester L. Richards
A rocket scientist, Star Trek writer, and lifelong adventurer shares wild white-water journeys, behind-the-scenes stories, and unforgettable characters. Funny, wise, and life-affirming, his memoirs celebrate a life boldly lived.
Milkweed and Honey Cake – Wendy Horowitz
“Memoir in ritual moments” – tender, funny essays about holidays, family, grief, guinea pigs, rainstorms, and the small rituals that make life sacred. A beautifully warm book for anyone who loves everyday magic.
Naked Girl – Jana Brooke Wallach
A poignant, memoir-like novel about a “family of lunatics,” the struggle to fit in, and the power of hope, humour, and imperfect love. It reads like sitting with a friend telling you her deepest, most honest story.
Historical & Literary Fiction
Lost and Found in Tennessee (The Missing Girl & Jessa Is Back) – Stacia Moffat
A two-book historical series set in the American South, exploring racism, friendship, and identity during the civil rights era. It gently dismantles the myth of the “good old days” while inviting deeper reflection on the legacies we still live with.
Sanctum Trilogy – Barbara J. Taylor
(Sing in the Morning, Cry at Night, All Waiting Is Long, Rain Breaks No Bones)
A powerful family saga set in mid-20th-century America, weaving loss, secrets, and mystical glimpses of hope across three connected—but stand-alone—novels. Perfect for readers who love richly drawn characters and emotional depth.
Saving KC – Grinnell “Buzz” Desjarlais
Historical fiction set in post-Vietnam America, following addiction, recovery, and redemption. This special edition offers two alternative endings—one hopeful, one more somber—so the reader can choose how the story lands.
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Flamenco Can Be Murder / The Days After She Went Dancing – Sam Hawksmoor
A woman flees her husband after finding a gun and cash in the freezer and escapes to Spain to dance flamenco—only to be caught up in murder, mistaken identity, and crypto intrigue. A fast, fun blend of suspense, friendship, and self-empowerment.
The Bad Girl Pie – Marilyn Horowitz
A New York ghostwriter finally stops crafting everyone else’s success stories and decides to write her own, mixing dieting, dessert, tango, and a firefighter into a witty reinvention tale. Smart, sassy, and full of second chances.
Fire Concerto – Sarah Landenwich
A lush literary mystery where a once-celebrated pianist is pulled back into the world she left behind by a cryptic message about her former mentor—and a forgotten woman composer in her family line. Explores generational trauma, artistic obsession, and women erased from history.
Irrational Fears, The Slava Steps & The Salvation of Henry Maxwell – Lee Lindauer
A cautious math professor witnesses a brutal murder and is forced into a high-stakes hunt for a missing girl and a 300-year-old equation. Corporate greed, fresh-water scarcity, and global stakes make this a timely, gripping thriller set across multiple books.
Ivory Bones – Sarah Wilker
A mystery-thriller where a forensic geneticist races across Iceland, Africa, and the Americas to recover the iconic Lewis Chessmen. DNA science, ancient secrets, and dangerous treasure hunters make this a page-turner.
Asylum Series & Ascendant – Susie Smith
A dystopian world inspired by The Walking Dead, focused less on zombies and more on human nature, survival, freedom, and how people rebuild when society collapses. Gritty, gripping, and thought-provoking.
Fantasy, Myth & the Mystical
A Moon in All Things – Jennifer Comeau
A spellbinding tale steeped in Celtic mysticism, Irish folklore, frozen rivers, and a love story rooted in heritage. Blends fact, fantasy, and the timeless call of nature into one magical narrative.
The Dream Hunters: The Witch of Maple Hollow – Megan Mary
A metaphysical story that bridges our modern world and the mystical one, centering on dreams as doorways to inner guidance and purpose. Especially lovely for women drawn to dreamwork and intuitive wisdom.
Nature’s Poetry / Inspiration – Constanze Hawkins
Stunning nature photographs paired with heartfelt poetry, where the images themselves inspire the words. A contemplative gift for those who find solace and spirit in the natural world.
The Hero’s Playbook & We Meet Again Reincarnation Trilogy – Brownell Landrum
Metaphysical fiction and non-fiction that dig into the “why” behind our experiences, including love stories across lifetimes and a playful “team upstairs” guiding souls on Earth. Great for readers who enjoy reincarnation, destiny, and cosmic humour.
Poetry & Lyrical Collections
Bachelor Holiday – William Huhn
A lyrical, multi-dimensional journey through memory, past loves, and everyday miracles. Short poems and longer meditations sit side by side, leaving you oddly grateful to be alive in this “strange, beautiful havoc” of a century.
Sci-Fi, Space Opera & Hopepunk
The Cassidy Chronicles & Related Series – Adam Gaffen
Hopepunk sci-fi full of space opera battles, politics, and starship launches. From the Artemis War series to Ghost of Tantaran and short-fiction collections, these books explore friendship, courage, and big, bold futures—perfect for the nerdy space-adventurer in your life.
Youth, YA & Cross-Generational Stories
Jeannie McGee Quartet – Sam Hawksmoor
(The Repercussions of Jeannie McGee, The Haunting of Jeannie McGee, The Heaviness of Jeannie McGee, Whatever Happened to Jeannie McGee)
A Canadian YA saga about a gifted girl trapped in cruelty, creepy experiments, and teleportation gone wrong. Beneath the sci-fi is a powerful story of abandonment, resilience, greed, power, and the mystical gifts we can grow through adversity.
The Restoration of Amy – Sam Hawksmoor
What does a runaway girl from a cult, a grieving retired NASA engineer, and a ’57 Studebaker have in common? A dog, a road trip, and a healing journey that shows how wisdom can flow both ways between generations.
Health, Aging & Personal Growth
The Immunity Code – Michaela Gaffen Stone
A practical guide to strengthening your immune system through food, lifestyle, and behaviour change. Written by a board-certified behaviour analyst, it blends science, holistic wellness, and global nutrition insights.
Embrace Your Age – James (Jim) Flaherty
A short, joyful, slightly cheeky book about aging “cheerfully and productively,” whether you’re 14, 90, or in between. With big questions, direct calls to action, and plenty of laughs, it invites you to sum up your life in just six words.
The Aligned Author – Krystal Hill
For the person who knows they have a book inside them: this reframes writing as a soul-led rite of passage, not just a word-count exercise. Krystal guides aspiring authors through the inner journey so the story that lands on the page is truly aligned and alive.
Coming Soon – Mental Health Support T-Shirts
Gift: Donation through merch
I also have a show coming up featuring T-shirts created to support suicide prevention and mental health initiatives. The proceeds will help fund emotional support and outreach for those who are struggling. As soon as that show is live, you’ll be able to listen in and use the linked page to purchase a shirt that quite literally wears your heart on your sleeve for mental health.
My Own Books & Anthologies
Dare to Live Fearlessly (Contributing Author)
I contributed a chapter to this empowering collection on living boldly, facing life head-on, and saying “yes” to yourself. It’s a beautiful gift for anyone ready to step into courage and rewrite their story.
I Didn’t Become Selfish, I Became Harder to Manipulate
(Or “I’m Not Selfish, I’m Just Not Easily Manipulated” – Anthology Chapter)
In this anthology, my chapter speaks to reclaiming your boundaries, your voice, and your worth. It’s for those who are tired of being guilt-tripped or controlled and are ready to stand tall without apology.
Mission Accepted – 262 Women’s Stories
A powerhouse collection featuring 262 women who said “mission accepted” to their calling. My contribution sits alongside other women’s journeys of resilience, purpose, business, and service. A wonderful gift for entrepreneurs, changemakers, and any woman standing at a crossroads.
Our Forgotten Children – Anthology
This anthology, which I helped bring forward, focuses on how we raise and truly see our children—shedding light on where society fails them and what we must do differently. It’s both a wake-up call and a blueprint for a more compassionate future for our kids.
Sara’s Discovery: Self-Discovery into Wisdom
My own book, Sara’s Discovery, traces my journey from struggle to self-discovery and into wisdom. It’s part memoir, part reflection, part invitation for you to step into your own knowingness and live from your heart, soul, and inner truth.
The Gift of a Real Book
Whenever possible, I always recommend gifting a physical book—paperback or hardback. There’s something deeply comforting about holding a book in your hands, curling up with a coffee or a glass of wine on a sunny or rainy day, and getting lost in another world. A good book doesn’t just end with the last page; it lingers in your thoughts, shifts your perspective, and sometimes has you eagerly waiting for the next one.
Book Clubs & Podcast Clubs
Books keep on giving when we share them. I highly recommend not only book clubs, but podcast clubs too—listen to an episode or read a book together, take notes, and then come together to share what stood out for you. You’ll be amazed at the different perspectives people hear in the same story or conversation. It’s a beautiful way to deepen the experience of every gift you give.
Where to Find the Shows
You can find my full conversations with each of these authors (and more) at SelfDiscoveryWisdom.com – just pop the author’s name into the search bar.
FIND MORE SHOWS OF ILLUMINATION HERE
Discover the sites we share on linktr.ee/saratroy
BE OUR GUEST AND SHARE THE WISDOM
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support. Thank you. Please support Our Forgotten Seniors anthology and help to bring this book to awareness.
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