Reader.Writer.Reader.Writer.Reader.Writer

Powerful new must-read book: The Boy from Baby House 10, by Alan Philps and John Lahutsky

Although my review of this book for Adoptive Families magazine will appear in the January/February issue, I couldn’t wait that long to recommend this powerful book. Anyone with an interest in international adoption will be intrigued by this, the true story of Vanya, a boy living in an orphanage in Russia. Because he was born “imperfect”, he’s judged unworthy of any care beyond what it takes to keep his body alive. No one cares about his mind, his emotions, his soul–until he catches the attention of a foreign visitor. That chance meeting is the beginning of a tenous support system, and a chain of events leading to his eventual adoption.

We were only allowed to see a couple of rooms in the orphanage where our daughter, Natalie, spent two of her formative years. But, the routines and caretaker attitudes described in this book took me right back to that cold, old, building. The details of Vanya’s orphanage life go a long way toward explaining the delays Natalie experienced. It’s heartbreaking to think about.

So why dwell in the past? Why put myself through reading this book? Why recommend it to others, especially those with no ties to international adoption? Because thousands of kids still live in orphanages in Russia, and in other countries, and the world should understand what that’s like.

Not all of us can adopt a child from an orphange. But all of us can help. I’m working with some local moms to start an Iowa Chapter of Gift of Adoption Fund, a non-profit group that helps families afford the cost of adopting. Visit http://www.firstgiving.com/krispeters to see just how easy it is to help.

I’ll add a link to my official review of this book as soon as it’s available online. In the meantime, read this book–this call to action. Then act. Everyone can help.

Read with me!

Act with me!

Kay

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett is an amazing first novel!

Up until about a week ago, if someone were to ask me what my all time favorite book was, I’d probably say it was Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver. Well, move over, Barbara! Kathryn Stockett has hit the shelves!

Stockett’s first novel–first novel!–The Help, is just about as good as a book can get. Set in 1962 Mississippi, The Help focuses on the complex relationships between black maids and the white families they work for. The point of view shifts between three characters: Skeeter, a young white woman who just finished college and wants to be a journalist; and Minny and Aibileen, black women who “tend to” white families. I know this will sound trite, but I’m gonna say it anyway–this book made me laugh, and it made me cry, again and again. I hated to see it end.

I didn’t actually read this book, I listened to it. I always keep an audiobook going in my car, and to listen to when I walk. This one had me making up excuses to drive across town, and did wonders for my exercise routine! I find listening to books to be a much different experience than reading them, and this is one I highly recommend as an audiobook. (I downloaded it from Audible.com.) Three different narrators read the three main characters: Skeeter, Minnie, and Aibileen, lending a wonderful richness to the listening experience.

Ms. Stockett–I can only hope you’re hard at work on another book, and that it’s half as good as this one!

Read with me!
Kay

Testimony, by Anita Shreve

Do you remember when Oprah’s Book Club was all the rage? Maybe it still is, for many people, but Oprah lost me when she moved away from just plain good fiction. Oh, those were the days! There’s something about the experience of reading a book, then being able to talk about it with other readers, and in its heyday, that’s what Oprah’s Book Club did for me. I’d read her latest pick as soon as possible, knowing many of my regular bookmobile customers would do the same. And then we’d talk books. As you may have guessed, that’s my idea of fun!

Anita Shreve is an author I learned about because of Oprah. Shreve’s book The Pilot’s Wife was an Oprah book, and one I really liked. She’s written a bunch of books since then. Her latest, Testimony is my favorite to date.

Testimony is the story of a sex-tape scandal that tears apart a private school and the small town where the school is located. The story unfolds via the shifting viewpoints of several characters, so the reader has a stake in each of their experiences, and comes to understand the complex storyline through a variety of eyes. The rich characters are, of course, the heart of the story, but be warned, Shreve describes the sexual incident that’s the centerpiece of the drama in detail.

Reading Testimony reminded me of Shreve’s talent as a writer. I think I’ll go back and see if she wrote anything that I missed. I can only hope!

Read with me!
Kay