RSF Historical Society Community Speaker Series to present author Laing Rikkers
Article, Event Allison Stratton Article, Event Allison Stratton

RSF Historical Society Community Speaker Series to present author Laing Rikkers

The Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society Community Speaker Series will present Laing Rikkers, author of “Morning Leaves: Reflections on Loss, Grief, and Connection,” a poetry collection that Rikkers released on May 16. The event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at La Flecha House in RSF. Light refreshments will be available.

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Publisher’s Weekly Holiday Gift Guide
Article Allison Stratton Article Allison Stratton

Publisher’s Weekly Holiday Gift Guide

These days, the very act of giving a book as a gift can feel subversive. Publisher Weekly’s editors, undaunted, have selected 220 titles on an array of topics and at a variety of prices, from a taco-shaped board book that rings in at under $10 to a slipcased artist monograph set that approaches $150. We invite everyone, regardless of age, taste, and budget, to celebrate.

Start shopping!

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As Seen on the San Diego Reader Events Page
Article Allison Stratton Article Allison Stratton

As Seen on the San Diego Reader Events Page

Sunday, September 10, 2023, noon to 2 p.m.

Weekends with Locals: Laing F. Rikkers

Warwick's Bookstore

7812 Girard Avenue, San Diego, 92037

Cost: Free

As part of our ongoing Weekends with Locals Program we will be hosting Laing F. Rikkers, author of Morning Leaves: Reflections on Loss, Grief, and Connection.

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A Note on Style - Karima Hunter
Article Allison Stratton Article Allison Stratton

A Note on Style - Karima Hunter

This & That is a new post series covering a round up of things I find interesting, moments of inspiration, links to articles I’m reading, and whatever’s on my mind. Here’s the first edition:

1. Morning Leaves: Reflections on Loss, Grief, and Connection by Laing F. Rikkers – Ten days before my father passed away, Laing F. Rikkers, the author of Morning Leaves, sent me a note about her newly released book and asked if I’d like a copy. It sounded like a beautiful book from the description and I gladly said yes. The timing was surreal. My father’s health took a sudden turn, and a week after I received the book, he passed. Grief takes on many forms and I immediately connected with the gentle tone and lovely illustrations in Morning Leaves. Poems and verses on nature provoke thought on connection with others and a moment for introspection. I love this book. It remains on my desk and I like taking a break to re-read a page or two. I’m purchasing several and will send to friends when they unfortunately experience a loss. Lately, more and more friends in my age group are dealing with aging parents and their passing. I’ll be happy to have Morning Leaves to share with them.

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20 new books by San Diego County authors to add to your summer reading list
Article Allison Stratton Article Allison Stratton

20 new books by San Diego County authors to add to your summer reading list

Twenty San Diego County authors — from bestselling novelists to first-time writers — have published new books this spring, ranging from personal memoirs, to thrillers, Westerns, poetry, summer romances and sci-fi. Here’s a peek at their books that have hit shelves in recent months or are debuting in the coming weeks.

“Morning Leaves: Reflections on Loss, Grief, and Connection” by Laing F. Rikkers

This Encinitas poet is a leader in the field of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an often hidden and potentially fatal medical condition. After her sister died of undiagnosed OSA, Laing sought solace from nature and creativity, and wrote this book of poetry, “Morning Leaves,” to help others navigate grief. Her mission is to save lives by encouraging people to recognize the symptoms of OSA and take better care of themselves and their loved ones. (Simon & Schuster-Collective Book Studio, May 16; 104 pages)

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Harvard University Dept of English Bulletin
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Harvard University Dept of English Bulletin

New Book Release: Morning Leaves by Harvard Alumna Laing Rikkers

In the wake of the untimely death of the author's younger sister and isolated by the pandemic, Laing Rikkers '93 produced Morning Leaves, a book of vulnerable, evocative, and ultimately hopeful poems. She introduces her story and explains how counseling, the artistic process, and nature helped her through the healing process. Her poems, paired with Kelly Leahy Radding's stunningly realistic botanical paintings, metaphorically describe the range of emotions she passes through while grieving.

Rikkers is a leader in the field of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), an often hidden - and potentially fatal - medical condition. After her sister died of undiagnosed OSA, Laing sought solace from nature and creativity, and wrote Morning Leaves, a book of poetry to help others navigate grief. Her mission now is to save lives by encouraging people to recognize the symptoms of OSA and take better care of themselves and their loved ones.

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APRIL IS POETRY MONTH | MEET LAING F. RIKKERS
Article Allison Stratton Article Allison Stratton

APRIL IS POETRY MONTH | MEET LAING F. RIKKERS

The Collective Book Studio

The month of April is Poetry Month in America, and we’re pleased to share with you a very special book of poetry by Laing F. Rikkers with gorgeous illustrations by Kelly Leahy Radding. Morning Leaves is a collection of poems that came to Laing as she was processing the loss of her sister through the stillness of the pandemic.

As we carry on our “Meet the Author” series, we’d love for you to get to know Laing and her process for writing and tapping into her process for working through grief and tapping into a creative space.

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Every Kid Needs This Mental Health Skill - Grieving
Article Allison Stratton Article Allison Stratton

Every Kid Needs This Mental Health Skill - Grieving

Loss is an inevitable part of life. Sometimes it comes in the form of acute pain—like the loss of a loved one, a natural disaster, or an accident. Other times it can come through losing something you had hoped for—like getting cut from the team, rejection from a school you applied to, or losing a romantic relationship. But, a loss can also be regarded as the loss of what should have been. Like the loss of an engaged parent, the loss felt from loneliness or the loss of a friend who lets you down.

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