Annette Langer enjoyed a successful career with the Federal Government before taking an early retirement. She trained for a new calling then, this time as a travel agent. It was a great fit as it complemented her love of travel. Now retired from planning other people's trips, she has focused on her writing and shares a wide spectrum of topics based on her own life experiences.
Langer has contributed to several anthologies, including the Livermore Wine Country Literary Harvest; O'Brien's Literary Speculator Bright Beginnings; Voices of the Valley, First Press; Voices of the Valley--Encore!; Voices of the Valley--Word for Word; Not Your Mother's Book: On Working for a Living; Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for the Young at Heart; Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Back Pain; Chicken Soup for the Soul: Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness.
She is an active charter member of the 100-year-old California Writers Club, and when not pursuing her writing and speaking events, she keeps busy as a police volunteer for the Pleasanton, California Police Department.
Her debut book "Healing through Humor: Change Your Focus, Change Your Life!" offers tips and techniques to help cope with the effects of practically any medical mishap or malady by focusing on the funny side to some not-so-funny challenges. Langer accomplishes this using humor to illustrate examples from her own health history (including a brain injury suffered in a head-on auto accident and breast cancer). You'll find such chapters as "My First Cruise...My First Gallbladder Attack" and "How to Bathe While Bandaged or in a Plaster Cast" to tickle your funny bone. You'll also find tips on how to amuse yourself (and others) while recovering from illness or injury. The book is balanced, as well, by offering more serious coping advice on how to move forward.
BOOK REVIEWS:
Annette Langer provides a running string of humorous comments, based on her multiple and serious medical experiences, including many comical nuggets and examples of engaging self-denigration. The humor, however, is often couched with valuable tips and pointers that show readers, by example, how to effectively use a more humor-oriented mindset with various medical problems and setbacks to alleviate and overcome pain. The commentary throughout is sprinkled with engaging asides that provide a vivid sense of the author's life, medical travails, and how she herself coped.
Writer's Digest
Annette Langer's trials and tribulations will bring a tear to your eye as her ever-present positive outlook will bring a smile to your face. Langer is a master at finding a mountain of mirthful moments in her major and minor mishaps. Read this book, learn from her, and you, too, will be healed through humor!
Allen Klein
Author and Past President of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor
Annette Langer's joy, grace and zest for living despite her own challenges shine through on every page. "Healing through Humor: Change Your Focus, Change Your Life!" is a treasure of personal stories that demonstrates how to face life's advertises with spunk and wit.
Kathy Cordova
Author and Producer/Co-Host of Cable TV's "In a Word."
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"A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to the World: Diary of a Fearless Travel Agent" proves that life can go on after medical challenges. It follows Langer's lifetime of world travel and the many hilarious and sobering situations in which she's found herself. You'll shake your head in disbelief over such experiences as being held hostage in a workers' strike in Tahiti or managing to sleep through an earthquake in Peru! She rounds out the collection with a multitude of funny stories, as well, from her travel to all seven continents.
BOOK REVIEWS:
Annette Langer's book is a must for readers who love to learn about our world. Her captivating tales to all seven continents include humor, adventure, helpful tips, and priceless perspectives. But be warned! The book may literally carry you away to other lands and inspire you to travel in Langer's footsteps.
Jim Ott
Bay Area News Group Correspondent
Langer has taken pen to paper (or more precisely, fingers to keyboard) and has revealed her traveling escapades for the entire world to share and enjoy. Her superior storytelling ability makes turning the pages of her book a joyous and engaging experience.
Joanne Giampa
Professor and Travel & Tourism Program Coordinator
In her quest for adventure, Langer has captured the essence of being a good traveler in a world of unfamiliar customs and traditions. She has entertained us with exciting and humorous stories that also demonstrate her ability to laugh at herself. Whether you're an armchair traveler or an experienced one, you'll enjoy this book from cover to cover.
Marji Miloro
Travel Agency Owner
Visit her at www.AnnetteLanger.com.
