Rex--A Review

Still catching up on reviews....I know reviews should come when the book first comes out; but I am talking about them after some of the original buzz is gone!

Rex by Cathleen Lewis is a story about a mom, her autistic son, his amazing musical abilitites and how that has been a way out of autism for this child.

I have to be honest, I read these "my son has been cured of autism" books with a whole container of salt. Being a mom of autistic sons, I know you just can't "cure" children of autism. 'Cause if that were the case, I would have cured them both and everyone other one I know. I have tried the diets, the music, the yadda, yadda, yadda. Autism is a lifelong disorder that can have some symptoms lessened--but it is still there.

If you read the story for just the story--how great the mom is and how wonderful the music is that Rex makes; then it is a beautiful story. But, don't read it with the intention of learning how to "cure" a child from autism. You will just be disappointed and continue to question why autism is robbing our children of the lives they deserve.

The Noticer

I am a little behind on my reviews....you know I enjoy to give you good books to read about on this blog. I read The Noticer a couple of months ago and am just getting around to writing about. I blame baseball season!

I love books that teach me something and teach me something in less than 200 pages. I am busy single mom! This novel does just that and includes a reader's guide in the back if I wanted to share it with a book group.

Andy Andrews weaves a wonderful story about taking the time to notice what is around us and being thankful for what we have. You know, I think a big part of the problems we are experiencing right now come from those very things. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this title published by Thomas Nelson. It's available at your fave bookstore--and I recommend an indie one. They need your support to stay open.

Let me know what you think if you read it!

FCCLA

I just got back from the National FCCLA Conference in Nashville. Another week I get to spend with amazing kids! This particular organization means a lot to me since I was a former member in high school.

This is me with the outgoing National President, Brennen from Kansas. He won our scholarship....going to Stanford in the fall. Not bad, eh?

The next few weeks are brutal for travel. I am in a different state almost every week. School starts on August 12th. By then, it should settle down some. And then it is football season. Woohoo! I got my Colts tickets in the mail, so it won't be long now.

And, today is my 9th anniversary of working at Wiley. Time flies.

Creating Myself

Be patient and tough. One day this pain will be worth it. Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself. Good looking out.
--Mia Tyler

Every one in a while I am sent books to review on this very blog. It is a perk to working in publishing for sure. I read most of them and review some of them. Creating Myself by Mia Tyler showed up about a week ago and I was excited to read it. I love her dad's music; like her modeling. I was looking forward to learning more about her.

What I didn't expect was to learn more about ME. Mia, just like many of us, has struggled and is still struggling. I didn't know that the 30 year old daughter of a rock star and the 39 year old daughter of a construction worker would have much in common. But, we do.

Like me, Mia's parents weren't around as much as she would have liked. She has been through self hatred and addiction. Me, too, girlfriend. She isn't the size 2 that some people think she should be. She has been through divorce. She has made poor choices. Check. Check. Check.

What I was reminded by reading Mia's memior is that we all deserve to be loved; but we can't be loved by someone else until we love ourselves. Her story is sad and triumphant all at the same time. Her words are raw and poignant and ones we can all learn from.

Creating Myself
Mia Tyler
Atria Books [www.simonandschuster.com]
ISBN 978-1-4165-5861-3, $15.00

Happy Birthday America!!

Glad we did some celebrating last night since it has rained all stinking day today! The Fourth is a holiday around here that is totally laid back and I love that. Easy food, no gifts to wrap and buy. Just plenty of gifts to be thankful for. God Bless America!