Read books to study travel information. Handle reading (last19 (123RF))
Military spouses are a diverse, talented and resilient group of people. They have to consistently rebuild their lives and community with every PCS move. Military Spouse Day falls in May and this month we wanted to highlight 10 more books from military spouses.
To read the first 10, click here.
“Leza of the Alpha Line” by Rachael Balke (2023) (Young Adult) (Fantasy)
Leza hopes to one day become Alpha of her werewolf pack; since she is only 17, she is happy to follow behind her uncle. However, when their sister pack is attacked, it is up to Leza to take on their attackers and save her pack from The Appointed. Stars and Stripes Europe actually had the chance to interview Balke and you can learn more about her writing and publishing journey here.
“Elevate Yourself: A Roadmap to Having Better Connections,” by Dr. Julia A. Priftis (2024) (Non-Fiction) (Family and Relationships) (Health and Lifestyle) (Workbook)
Priftis aims this book towards military spouses and families, but it is really for anyone looking to build and strengthen familial bonds. It covers topics such as generational trauma, parenting, communication and child attachment. Priftis was also the 2025 NSA Naples AFI Military Spouse of the Year and Stripes had the chance to speak with her about her life and experiences.
“Whiskey Road” by Shi Evans (2014) (Historical Fiction)
This is a multi-generation story set across multiple decades beginning in the segregation era of the southern United States. Matriarch Lillian Jackson must come to terms with her complicated past after her husband is killed and she is left to raise two daughters alone. One daughter, Goldie, eventually falls for rum runner, Jake Freeman, which forces Lillian to attempt to stop the destruction of her family.
“Military Culture Shift: The Impact of War, Money, and Generational Perspective on Morale, Retention, and Leadership” by Corie Weathers (2023) (Non-Fiction) (Guide)
Weathers analyzes and describes the viewpoint of the military from World War I veterans to modern Gen Z’ers, the impact of DOD budget decisions, communication, military families, leadership strategies and much more.
“Countdown ‘Til Daddy Comes Home” by Kristin Ayyar (2025) (Children’s)
A young boy has to deal with his dad being away on a trip. To make it easier, his family creates rituals so that the whole family can stay connected when dad is away.
A child lies on the grass and reads a book in the sunset light. (svbalan (123RF))
“15 Years of War: How the Longest War in U.S. History Affected a Military Family in Love, Loss, and the Cost Of Service” by Kristine Schellhaas (2017) (Non-Fiction) (Autobiography) (Family)
This book was written by both the military spouse and her active duty Marine spouse. It demonstrates multiple viewpoints of service during wartime in modern America spanning 15 years. It begins just days before 9/11.
“Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros (2023) (Romantasy) (Fiction)
Today I learned the author of the famous Empyrean series that has taken the world by storm was an Army spouse. For those out of the Romantasy-craze-loop, “Fourth Wing” is the first of the three books in the series about a woman forced to go to war college and become a dragon rider.
“Civilians” by Jehanne Dubrow (2025) (Poems)
Civilians is a series of poems about the part of military life that many don’t think of: the transition from active duty service to civilian life. Dubrow uses poetry to answer the questions of what happens when a service member no longer has the structure of uniforms and uniformity as well as how does a wife, accustomed to long periods of physical and emotional distance, reacquaint herself with her spouse?
“Son, You Are A King” by Tená V. Baker (2019) (Children’s) (Fiction)
This book is a letter to Black boys, teaching them how to cope with low self-esteem, bullying and self-doubt in the modern world.
“For the Plot” (All for Love, Book One) by Katie Van Brunt (2024) (Fiction) (Contemporary Romance)
Joey Beckham is finally living out her father’s dream of going to Crete, Greece. However, once she arrives, she finds herself stuck at one B&B that conveniently only has one open room, and she must share it (with its one bed) with Cam Connelly. Joey and Cam must work together to get off the island.
Woman reading a book in a chair. (gregorylee (123RF))
Stationed in Aviano? Members of CIAO (Community Integration of Aviano Organization) have formed a book club and this month they are reading “The Highland Hens” by Judy Leigh.
