The world’s largest book fair, Frankfurter Buchmesse, once again opened its doors from October 15–19, 2025, in Frankfurt, Germany—welcoming dreamers, storytellers, and innovators from around the globe. Known as the beating heart of the publishing world, this grand event gathers more than 7,500 exhibitors from over 100 countries, along with an expected 280,000 attendees and 10,000 media professionals. It’s not just a fair—it’s a global celebration of literature, culture, and creativity.
This year’s fair was extraordinary, with over 4,000 seminars and roundtable discussions spotlighting the future of books and storytelling. From bold new voices to legendary authors, the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 continues to serve as the ultimate hub for discovering fresh perspectives and timeless tales.
As the fair celebrates another successful year of bringing together the brightest minds in publishing, Citi of Books proudly joins the festivities at this year’s Frankfurter Buchmesse, showcasing inspiring titles from its talented authors.
In collaboration with Citi of Books, the author of “Hearts of Gold: Broken Bodies, Immeasurable Blessings,” Kathy Pounds Graham, held a successful book distribution event during the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse.
Kathy Pounds Graham is a pioneer in the fight for Equality in the Field of Disabilities. She had a vision that her sons & others would have the same opportunities in life their able-bodied peers enjoyed.” Because of her vision, dedication, determination and faith in God, many opportunities for people with disabilities were created. Many of these opportunities she and her sons planted seeds for have come to fruition and allow people to live, work, recreate and participate in life next to their peers.
Although her sons are no longer with us Kathy continues the legacy she and her sons began in 1974. She continues to educate the public about the world of disabilities Through. The Eyes of she and her sons as they made history. Submitted by Vicki Killingsworth, Master’s degree in education, fellow advocate and coworker.
“Hearts of Gold: Broken Bodies, Immeasurable Blessings” is a profoundly moving and inspiring memoir that chronicles the extraordinary lives of her
two sons, Shawn and Jason Odle, both born with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD)—a rare and debilitating neurological disorder.
The story begins in the rural heartland of Mississippi, where Kathy’s simple yet faith-rooted life takes an unexpected turn with the births of her two sons. Initially, both Shawn and Jason appeared healthy, but developmental delays soon became apparent. What followed was a relentless pursuit of answers, which took years to culminate in a definitive diagnosis of PMD, a rare genetic disorder affecting the myelin sheath in the brain. Yet despite grim medical prognoses—doctors didn’t believe they would live into their teenage years—Shawn lived until 47 and Jason until 45, defying every expectation placed upon them.
The book walks readers through their childhood filled with adaptive learning, creative play, and relentless therapy; through the systemic challenges of an educational system ill-prepared for children like them; and through the family’s transformative journey into advocacy on both state and national stages. What emerges is a story that beautifully balances the hardship of physical limitations with the radiant joy of living a purpose-driven life filled with immeasurable blessings.
This book isn’t just for families touched by disability; it’s for anyone who seeks to better understand humanity, compassion, and the beauty of resilience. It is a story of triumph—not over disability, but over despair, ignorance, and the barriers that society often erects. Kathy’s narrative will inspire readers to view life, faith, and human potential through a lens of grace, strength, and profound gratitude.
