The Foreign Service Journal, November 2018

50 NOVEMBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL More Terrifying Tales: Scary Stories for Children David Kobb and Shawn Kobb, Amazon Digital Services, 2018, $8.99/ paperback, $2.99/Kindle, 97 pages. Why is your reflection in the mirror mov- ing without you? What stalks the corn maze, and will a group of friends make it out alive? Can you handle the Brav- ery Test and visit 13 cemeteries in one night? What would you do if you found a mysterious eye looking at you from the drain in your garage? All these stories and more are hidden in the dark corners of More Ter- rifying Tales , the second volume in the frightfully scary series from the authors who brought you Terrifying Tales: 13 Scary Stories for Children in 2016. Have no fear, though, for as author David Kobb reminded us in his introduction to that first volume: “Please remember that all the stories are the work of the authors’ imaginations.” But in his own introduction, coauthor Shawn Kobb urges steadfast vigi- lance, warning that David “…wants you to feel safe. He wants you to let your guard down. Don’t fall for it. That’s how they get you.” Shawn Kobb, a member of the State Department Foreign Ser- vice since 2006, has served in Ukraine, the Bahamas and Afghani- stan, and currently lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and a dog named Rosie. When not busy trying to scare kids with his over-active imagination, he keeps busy writing books for adults. You can learn more about his other work at shawnkobb.com. David Kobb, Shawn’s cousin and co-author of the Terrifying Tales series, lives in the Midwest with his wife and their zombie pet bunny. He’s the only member of his family who made it through the Bravery Test. You can learn more about his scary books and other terrifying fun at David-Kobb.com. Even More Terrifying Tales: Scary Stories for Children David Kobb and Shawn Kobb, Amazon Digital Services, 2018, $8.99/ paperback, $2.99/Kindle, 98 pages. What do the mysterious pumpkins at the abandoned house have to do with the kids who went missing? Why aren’t your parents telling you the full story behind the tiny footprints on your bed? Are you being hunted by the beast of Echo Woods, or is that just another birdsong? Even More Terrifying Tales is the third volume in the Kobbs’ Terrifying Tales series for children. POTPOURRI The China Option: A Guide for Millennials Sophia Camille Erickson, Travelers’ Tales, 2018, $34.95/hardcover, $18.10/paperback, 320 pages. This book about how to work, play and find success in China was written by a Foreign Service “brat” who was born in Nice, France, and grew up in eight dif- ferent countries. Based on the author’s own experience, The China Option is a manifesto for recent college grads looking to pay off debt while living a stimulating, adventurous life and to pave the way for a successful future. The book covers a wide range of topics from the concept of “face” to coffee culture to racism to love to LGBT issues, as well as all of the practicalities readers need to know to get in and get a job. Topics include: getting a job and keeping it; navigating the work-permit maze; learning Mandarin andmanaging youmoney. Sophia Erickson, the daughter of retired FSO Andrew S.E. Erickson, says she never would have written this book if she hadn’t grown up in the Foreign Service. She wrote it to explain what one needs to do to get life going on arrival in a new place. New members of the Foreign Service, and especially spouses on their first and second tours, will find it very interesting. Backyards and Byways Charles Ray, Uhuru Press, 2018, $18.95/paperback, $3.99/Kindle, 81 pages This is a collection of wildlife, urban and natural landscape photos taken by Ambassador (ret.) Charles Ray. He captured many of these special moments near home, such as a photo compilation of a litter of baby foxes (kits) nursing from their mother and stumbling around his neighbor’s backyard.