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

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

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

I first read Adriana Trigiani while working as a bookmobile driver. After reading Trigiani’s book Big Stone Gap, a coworker shared a passage from the book during a staff meeting. The passage, in which Trigiani described the story’s bookmobile librarian and sexpot, Iva Lou, led me and all the rest of the staff to stampede the office computers to get on the waiting list for our chance to read the book.

I’ve read and enjoyed many of the books Trigiani’s written since then, but none as much as her latest, Very Valentine.

Valentine is a 30-something 100% Italian American single woman who’s learning the family business– crafting hand-made wedding shoes–from her 80-something widowed grandmother. When the business falls on hard times, will Valentine find a way to revive it? And, will she get the man as she does so, and if so, which man will Valentine get?

Trigiani’s humor, her depiction of Italian American culture, her descriptions of complex people, beautiful places, and dreamy SHOES, and, of course, a story you’re dying to read more of, make Very Valentine a very satisfying read.

Read with me!
Kay

The Kingfisher Book of Family Poems was the second book I ever reviewed for Adoptive Families Magazine, and as such, it’s a sentimental favorite of mine.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone with a new baby or newly adopted child, an Easter gift that the whole family will enjoy, or want to get an early start on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day shopping, this book is a great choice.

And, April is National Poetry Month! There’s no better time to order this book from Amazon, or check it out from your public library, and share a little poetry with your family.

Janet S. Wong is one of several big-name contributors to this book, and this book was my first introduction to her work. I’ve since become a fan. Her artful use of language (wow, that’s lame!) is beyond description. You have to read it to believe it, so…

Read with me!
Kay

Three Little Words: A Memoir, by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Rhodes-Courter tells the story of her experiences in foster care, and how “the system” failed her. Through the help of a court appointed advocate, she was eventually adopted.

I appreciate Rhodes-Courter’s honesty when talking about her adoptive family–her attachment to them took time, and she doesn’t pretend otherwise.

The mother in me is proud of the woman Ashley has become! WAY TO GO, ASHLEY!

Read with me!
Kay

Love Walked In, by Marisa de los Santos

This story hit close to home. One of the story’s characters is a girl whose mother (apparently) has Bipolar Disorder. The author’s portrayal of the mother is so realistic that while reading this book, I had nightmares about my father, recently deceased, whose struggles with Bipolar Disorder had a devastating effect on my family and my childhood.

Belong to Me, the sequel to Love Walked In, was also a good read. Although it didn’t effect me as deeply, it was great to revisit Love’s characters and follow the next chapter in their fictional lives.

Read with me!
Kay

I love the book Reasonable People: A Memoir of Autism and Adoption, by Ralph James Salvarese, a fellow adoptive parent and fellow Iowan (I’m a native, he’s a transplant). His portrayal of adopting a child with special needs is beyond inspiring–it’s life-changing!

Here’s a link to my review that appeared in Adoptive Families Magazine:

http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1732

I also reviewed it for ADDitude Magazine.

And–I’m not finished yet!–I wrote the following three posts about the book for my ADHD parenting blog, My Picture Perfect Family:

Inspiration from Two Remarkable Parents

Addressing Differences in Our ADHD Children

And finally, The ADHD/Anxiety Connection

Yes, I REALLY like this book! I hope you do too.

Read with me!
Kay

A few months ago I was drinking coffee at Cafe Diem and writing a post for my ADHD parenting blog, My Picture Perfect Family, when a woman approached me.

“Are you a writer?” she asked. I looked up, and recognized Jo Myers-Walker, a successful local artist.

My first impulse was to say, “Me? Oh, no. I’m not a writer.”

Wait a minute, I thought. Why don’t I see myself as a writer? At this very moment I’m writing–for online publication–with my very own byline–for pay. It was time for me to identify myself as the “real thing.”

“Yes,” I answered, “I am.”

Flash forward to last Friday. I’d resigned my part-time-salaried-with-benifits job at Ames Public Library after 9 years, and was eating a farewell lunch with 15 colleagues.

“What are your plans?” One of them asked.

I’m officially, unequivacally, for-better-or-for-worse a freelance writer!

Oh my god, what have I done?

Please join me as I begin my journey as a REAL writer. I’ll share the history of how I started writing, and keep you updated as I live the writing life.

For me, a life-long reader, a book reviewer, and a long-time public library staffer, writing and reading are inseparable. I’ll also write about my favorite reads–for adults, teens, and kids; fiction and non-fiction; some on topics I write about professionally–adoption, ADHD and learning disablilities, books, and writing.

Please stop back often!

Kay