Terri Barnes

Marcia Jonczak, Timrod Library board member and coordinator of the library’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate program, reads to children at the Timrod Library. The Timrod Library is known for the books on its historic shelves, but its support for local literacy is spread in other ways too. As an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the nonprofit Timrod Library has helped to send thousands of books to hundreds of children in the Summerville area.

Among this year’s latest new books by military spouse authors, I found a recurring theme of strong women taking stands and making hard choices. Each story — whether true or fictional — describes people and experiences clearly distinct from one another, yet woven together by a common thread. A reflection of military life, where we find strength in our distinctions and connection in sharing our stories. For any reader, these books are gifts to keep and enjoy or to give away this holiday season.

“Sometimes Apart, Always in My Heart,” a children’s picture book by Tish Rabe was selected by United Through Reading as the 2025 Book for the Military Child. Tish Rabe is a New York Times bestselling author with hundreds of titles to her credit. She said this book stands out from the others. “It was one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever done,” she said. The Book for the Military Child distinction is particularly rewarding to her because of the readers it serves.