I'm a reader on FIRE!! :)

I have two...count em...two fantastic books I'm reviewing courtesy of Mother Talk for you today - one is a woman's true story about battling infertility and her quest to have a baby on her own and the other, in a dramatic twist, deals with a fifth grader who is saving the world from evil woodchucks:) "Oh, Kat, how in the world did you manage to read two books with a teething, grumpy one year old," you may ask. Lucky for me, one of them is a book geared toward late elementary school kids.

As a former English teacher, I am always on the look out for good books. I know Lily is only one, but I'm always on the lookout for great books to build her library. I think it's tough to find books for young adults. So often, their reading levels are so different and their interests - well, forget about it. Dan Elish's "Attack of the Frozen Woodchucks" is one I bet most young adults would love. I have to say, first of all, cutest part of the entire book is that one of our heroines is a two year old inventor named Imogene. It is really too funny, and I can't imagine any kid not getting a kick out her. Jimmy Weathers, our protagonist, deals with a kidnapped father, racing through space, and yep, frozen woodchucks who are attacking the galaxy. The story is full of adventure and will keep kids of various reading levels entertained - something else that's important to me. Elish doesn't talk down to young readers, either, which is something I find some young adult authors can do. Even through all the fantasy and adventure, there are real issues and young adults will connect to Jimmy and his friends in real ways.

And, as I mentioned previously, it will appeal to young adults of various ages with various interests. The story isn't predictable, it's fresh and new, and it's even got a few fun illustrations by Greg Call to help readers who maybe need a hand visually.

The second book is probably one of many of you would really appreciate. "Choosing You" is Alexandra Soiseth's account of trying to have a baby on her own. At 39 and with no real romantic possibilities on the horizon, she realizes she's ready for a baby and takes matters into her own hands. Even though we obviously didn't go the donor sperm route, I know many of my pals in our community have done this. Soiseth is honest and real about what she goes through. And beyond just dealing with infertility, pregnancy, struggle with weight, and the sometimes horrific nights of new mommyhood, she digs deep into what family really means - something that really hit home for me.

There were lines in this book that I literally highlighted because I couldn't wait to share them here. Upon discovering possible infertility, Soiseth writes, "God, I'm bad at disappointment. This is so terrible. I feel this right down in my bones. I ache with the idea that I can't have a child...Suddenly I hate everyone...I try to figure out whose fault this is so I know where to direct it...How come I don't get to have a family? Why do other women get to have one without even really working at it?" Amen, sister.

She also talks about her insemination. The waiting and wondering. The trying to hold really still and not wanting to move or run or even jostle too much for fear you might "shake it loose." And then after the baby is born...these are passages I could've written myself. I had NO idea it would be so hard. No clue what being seriously sleep deprived would feel like. Of course, no idea I'd love my baby so much, but also times of total panic and despair! See what I mean? Pieces of this book were ME. Were us - parts of all of our stories. I feel like I really learned something from reading this. So often, we want to categorize infertiles. Or adoptions. And say this is how they should be handled. It's just not possible. This book proves that every single situation is unique and everyone must follow their own path. I HIGHLY recommend it!

And now...I am off to rest my tired little head before I'm woken up by the teething monster down the hall. Seriously, just ship me some Motrin. And a fifth of whatever booze you've got! :)_