The Sleepwalker
By Chris Bohjalian
The National Sleep Foundation defines sleepwalking or the medical term “somnambulism, as a behavior disorder that originates during deep sleep and results in walking or performing other complex behaviors while asleep. It is much more common in children than adults and is more likely to occur if a person is sleep deprived. Because a sleepwalker typically remains in deep sleep throughout the episode, he or she may be difficult to awaken and will probably not remember the sleepwalking incident”. Walking is the most obvious behavior, but other behaviors may include sitting up, looking around, walking throughout the house or leaving the house and driving long distances.
Like sleepwalking, sexsomnia is a topic that has been widely studied from psychologist to sleep clinics. Like sleepwalking, sexsomnia occurs when an individual is stressed or sleep deprived and is found to occur in individuals with other sleepwalking related problems. Though the book recommendation this month is fiction, the disorder affects more than 8.4 million Americans each year. If you are familiar or unfamiliar with this disorder, I think you will enjoy this story.
Annalee Ahlberg is a sleepwalker. Married with a successful career; husband Warren is a college professor; daughter Lianna a college student; and twelve year old daughter Paige is a talented skier. This family has it all if you discount the hovering sleepwalking syndrome. Annalee has been through all the therapy and support groups. Sleepwalking has been a part of her family forever. All members are aware of any occurrence and assist in monitoring Annalee. Warren never leaves her alone at night.
So when Annalee disappears one night their fears become realty. When a piece of Annalee’s nightshirt is found on a twig by the river, the worst is feared. Because Annalee doesn’t just suffer from sleepwalking, she also performs sleep sex.
This is a story about family and how they attempt to rebuild their lives; what they learn about the experience of sleepwalking and sexsomnia. Chris Bohijalian has written twenty books and her latest “The Flight Attendant” is scheduled for release in March. Chris has received numerous writing awards thanks to a writing style that illuminates the characters. The books are a pleasure to read.
Featured Author of the Month: Susan Elia MacNeal
I began reading the Maggie Hope series a few years ago and I just wrapped up the fifth
installment in this series. This is another reliable series to follow if you like English WWII fiction. The series kicks off with Maggie Hope as one of many secretaries for Winston Churchill. As the series develops, she becomes more than a typist; she becomes a spy. However, Maggie is American and sometimes her lack of English protocol can reflect on her efforts to accomplish a job in a timely manner. Her resume includes being shot, adopting a cat, and spurning a couple of good men; all in the name of her devotion to assist with the war effort. In the fifth book in the series, the war has spread to America with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Mr. Churchill insists Maggie travel with him to America to meet with President Roosevelt. I cannot wait to continue this series and I hope you enjoy this wonderful writer. Here is a list of the series from www.fantasticfiction.com
Mr. Churchill’s Secretary
Princess Elizabeth’s Spy
His Majesty’s Hope
The Prime Minister’s Secret Agent
Mr. Roosevelt’s Confidante
The Queen’s Accomplice
The Paris Spy