My Greek Books
Welcome back to My Greek Books! This month, come along to Greece, Chicago, and more. Find out what I’ve been reading!
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Zoe by Mary Kachoyeanos
Fulton Books (October 2024)
About the author
Mary Kachoyeanos spent her formative years in Chicago, but now lives in Milwaukee, WI. She earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nursing and a Doctorate in Educational Psychology. Mary had a long career as a nurse. She’s held faculty positions at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Loyola University of Chicago; and was the Dean of the School of Nursing at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Along with her colleague, Dr. Janet Kraegel, she conducted a series of interviews with nurses relative to their work experiences. These interviews were collected in the book, Just a Nurse (Dutton, 1989).
About the book
The story opens in Ikaria in 1906. We meet Zoe’s father, Peter Stamos, who is rushed out of the country after an unfortunate incident. He comes to the US to begin a new life. He marries an Irish-American woman, and they have a family. Settled in Chicago, we follow Peter’s immigrant experience, and then Zoe and her sister’s experiences. They’re sheltered in a strict upbringing, but true to her name, Zoe has other ideas. When her mother dies, her father struggles to care for the girls and it cements their difficult relationship with him. Zoe is taught that things happen because it’s your fate, but she thinks there’s more to it. She rejects this belief, and is determined to control her own path.
We follow Zoe’s life and all it’s ups and downs. She faces the death of a spouse, changing times, and all the challenges of a woman of her time trying to chart her own course and be independent.
My Greek Books review
Zoe is a powerful story about a woman’s strength and determination against established norms, and her battles with everything life throws at her. Mary Kachoyeanos crafted an engaging tale that takes you back to Chicago in the early 20th century on, with vivid descriptions of the immigrant experience, as well as the struggles of women in earlier generations. Zoe is a formidable woman, who does what it takes to make things happen. I read it in one sitting. Add it to your list.
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New Greek Voices: The Best Short Fiction from Greece Edited by Helen Mitsios
Tiber and Hudson Publishers (October 5, 2024)
About the author
Greek-American Poet, Writer, and Editor Helen Mitsios is a professor in the languages and literature department at Touro University in New York. She’s also the art & style editor for Wonderlust magazine. She has edited several anthologies, work she said she “fell into.” Of her anthologies, perhaps the most notable is New Japanese Voices: The Best Contemporary Fiction from Japan (Atlantic Monthly Press, 1994), which was the internationally acclaimed Haruki Murakami’s introduction to the English-speaking world.
Helen has published several other collections, including Beneath the Ice: Contemporary Icelandic Poetry (independlty published, 2024), Out of the Blue: New Short Fiction from Iceland (University of Minnesota Press, 2017), and Digital Geishas and Talking Frogs: The Best 21st Century Short Stories from Japan (Cheng & Tsui, 2011). She also co-wrote a memoir called Waltzing with the Enemy: A Mother and Daughter Confront the Aftermath of the Holocaust (Urim Publications, 2011) with Rasia Kilot.
Her poetry has been published in numerous publications.
About the book
New Greek Voices is a collection of 15 short stories written by contemporary Greek authors. For many, it’s their first publication in English translation. The book includes stories by Ioanna Bourazopoulou, Yiannis Efstathiadis, Maria Fakinou, Alexandra K*, Angela Kastrinaki, Tefcros Michaelides, Amanda Michalopoulou, Maria Mitsora, Yannis Palavos, Vasiliki Petsa, Gianni Skaragas, Ersi Sotiropoulos, Soti Triantafyllou, Thanassis Valtinos, and Zyranna Zateli. The foreword is written by Gianna Skaragas, a renowned novelist, screenwriter, and playwright.
My Greek Books review
Greece has a vibrant literary scene with some incredibly talented authors. But many linger in obscurity due to the difficulty in translation. Helen Mitsios has assembled a fantastic collection, featuring some of the best writers in Greece today. Now we’ve had a taste, we surely want more. Don’t miss it!
Dream on Now Deliver: The No Nonsens Guide to Achieving Success in the Entertainment Industry by Patricia Kara
Three Tomatoes Publishing, (January 11, 2024)
About the author
Chicago native Patricia Kara is an actress, model, spokesperson, television personality—and now author. She’s worked in the entertainment business for more than 30 years, and is perhaps best known as #9 on ‘Deal or No Deal’ with Howie Mandel.
She’s appeared on ‘America’s Got Talent’, ‘Extra’, ‘Access Hollywood’, ‘Fox Movie Channel’, ‘TimeLife’: ‘Pop Goes the 70’s co-hosting with Donny Osmond’, and in People Magazine’s “100 Most Beautiful People”. Patricia has been a guest host on HSN, released a workout video entitled ‘Fast Fitness’, and was featured in the Trace Adkins’ music video “Marry for Money”. She also is the creator of ‘Dish with Trish. an online food and culture production.
About the book
Patricia Kara culls her insights and experiences over 30 years in the entertainment industry to create a practical guide for those looking to pursue a career in entertainment. From hosting, to modeling, to acting, she provides tips to get started, networking, building your portfolio, and more.
My Greek Books review
The entertainment industry is daunting, and many are not sure how to break in. Patricia Kara shares her insights to help aspiring entertainers launch their careers. These practical tips are applicable in other creative endeavors as well. She gives readers the nuts and bolts and a no-nonsense guide to breaking into the field. Pick up a copy.
My Greek Books—December 2025 Edition
Now you’ve got three great books to add to your to-be-read list! Check back next month for more My Greek Books!
Read more:
My Greek Books—August 2024 Reads
