Retirement Sparks serves up humorous observations on the retirement process and the ensuing life transition. It is a collection of blog posts and columns by social satirist Elaine M. Decker. Those who are familiar with her earlier work will recognize her edgy, irreverent and self-deprecating style. Retirement Sparks came about when Ms. Decker began laying the groundwork for her retirement. The process to apply for Medicare was confusing and the paperwork from providers was pervasive. She started blogging about it at RetirementSparks.blogspot.com. Over time, her topics broadened from Medicare and Social Security to downsizing, planning and other retirement-related issues. Her posts address the adjustments people make as they move into retirement life. This book includes the cream of the first year of RetirementSparks and two earlier pieces for those approaching retirement. The book is organized into six sections: Social Security, Medicare and Other Healthcare Issues, Downsizing for Retirement, Retirement Planning, What To Do in Retirement, General Observations on Retirement, and Miscellaneous Musings on Retirement. A sampling of posts includes: Acronyms for the Jargon, Alcohol Really Is Medicinal, Crankypants, The Fine Art of Napping, Patron Saint of Retirees, Retirement Commandments, Retirochondria and Species of Retirees. Retirement Sparks is an easy read that should be appreciated by anyone who is approaching retirement, as well as by those who are already there. Ms. Decker has been writing opinion pieces for decades. Her work has appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Marketing News, The Privacy Journal and Advertising Age. She now has a regular column on retirement in the monthly RI publication, Prime Time.

Retirement Sparks Again is the continuation of Retirement Sparks, humorous reflections on retirement and the ensuing life transition. It's a collection of year two of blog posts by social satirist Elaine M. Decker, once again showcasing her signature style-edgy, irreverent and self-deprecating. If you're looking for a funny read about retirement, this is your book. Retirement Sparks Again is organized into four sections: Retirement Updates, Retirement Stresses and Pet Peeves, Retirement Tools & Tips, and Retirement Pleasures. It's an easy read that should be appreciated by anyone who is approaching retirement, as well as by those who are already there. An advance review from a regular reader says it all. "This book is even edgier than the first one. I don't know where Elaine Decker comes up with these crazy ideas, but they always leave me laughing out loud." Ms. Decker has been writing opinion pieces for decades. She has a regular column on retirement in the Rhode Island Publication Prime Time. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, Marketing News and The Privacy Journal.

CANCER: A Coping Guide is written through the lens of men and women who have personally battled cancer, in language that everyone can understand. Its three sections provide practical advice for coping with virtually any form of cancer. The first section, "Big C, Little cs," explores the range of emotions experienced by someone coping with cancer treatment. It also covers the difficulties with interpersonal relationships during this stressful time. The second section, "Cancer Dos and Don'ts," is a guide to talking to someone fighting the disease. The author has learned that many people have no idea what to say to a loved one with this disease. Equally importantly, they have no idea what not to say. You'll find ten dos and don'ts to help with this. The final section is a humorous foray into what it means to be bald including Ten Reasons It's Good To Be Bald. "It's Good To Be Bald" is guaranteed to end your reading of CANCER: A Coping Guide with a smile. Elaine M. Decker is a writer who is also a cancer survivor. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she began keeping a journal of her own thoughts and experiences, along with those of others coping with many forms of cancer. Her retirement has afforded her the time to collect all of this into a book. Cancer: A Coping Guide has been twenty-two years in the making. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Marketing News and The Privacy Journal. Selections from her blog and book, Retirement Sparks, appear in her monthly column in the RI publication, Prime Time.