To Sing Frogs: A Memoir by John M. Simmons

Published by White Knight Printing & Publishing, LLC

In 2003, John M. Simmons and his wife Amy felt that they were ready to add to their family that already consisted of four boys (3 biological, 1 adopted). The couple really wanted to add a girl and so tentatively they looked into adoption again. With countless hurdles in place that I won't go into here, the family were left with little choice but to seek alternative arrangements, and top of that list was the option of international adoption.

The reader is treated to a no holds barred view of what happens when a family open their hearts and home to bring an endless supply of hope, love, and faith to children in Russian orphanages. This is no fairy-tale that promises a happy ending. It's an honest, down to earth, account that fully engages the reader.

I had no idea what to expect with this book. I knew it was a (true) tale of international adoption but not being familiar with the first book The Marvelous Journey Home I walked into this without expectation. I'm almost hesitant to share my first thoughts because I worry that people may read just those, and then decide to give this book a miss. That would be extremely unfortunate. At the beginning of the book we are introduced to John and Amy as they meet with a social worker to discuss the option of adopting. I was very nearly turned off this book as I read John's description of a social worker and found it to be harsh, unforgiving, and judgmental. His thoughts that were shared came across as arrogant at best, bitter also came to mind.

Anyone who knows me, knows that it will take a lot for me to walk away from reading a book. I'm one of those who has an unceasingly optimistic view on books. Even just two pages away from the end I have faith that something, anything, will salvage this reading experience. Some may consider it obstinate and I wouldn't argue against that either. Still, it didn't take long for me to realize that what I originally took to be a bitter and caustic personality was actually a highly passionate father who felt a great deal of frustration towards a system that seemed determined to keep loving families from offering better (and permanent) lives to orphaned and/or challenged children.

While dealing with the international adoption, this book does take place mostly in Russia, with a brief jaunt in Spain. I greatly enjoyed the view into other cultures and for those who know me, and know of my love for languages, I truly adored the sprinkling of Russian and Spanish throughout the pages. One of the many things I took away from this book is the desire to learn Russian simply because I love the way words like Papashka roll off the tongue.

What I loved even more than that though, is the research done by Amy Simmons prior to the adoption. The care and attention to the orphans needs, right down to preparing 'soft books' that detailed their new family, the family pet, the upcoming journey home and so on. All included in both the English and Russian languages. I'd say to those who are considering international adoption, you could find countless fantastic ideas to smooth the transition for all involved.

To Sing Frogs is an addictive, sometimes challenging, but ultimately rewarding read that I would recommend to anyone. It's an experience that will lift your soul even as you feel your heart being ripped from your chest and tears flowing freely. The passion within these pages ignites something deep inside the reader that I have experienced with no other book. Howard Thurman once said “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - a quote that could have been written with John and Amy Simmons in mind. The world needs more of such people.

You can learn more about the author at: http://johnmsimmons.com/

I'm also happy to let you know that proceeds of To Sing Frogs will benefit the charity Ele Lembra which you can learn more about at http://www.elelembra.com

Heart of a Tiger: Growing Up with My Grandfather, Ty Cobb by Herschel Cobb

Published by ECW Press

Herschel Cobb grew up in a household rife with violence and chaos. His father, also named Herschel, was a cruel and sadistic man who seemed to truly enjoy breaking the spirit of young Herschel and his two siblings Susan and Kit. Life with one abusive parent is hard enough but when it came to family, the Cobb children really drew the short straw. It's tough to read about a father who doesn't hesitate to use his child as a moving target for him to test his BB gun upon, but it's nothing less than heartbreaking when you read that his mother stood by and watched, proving without doubt that she was far from being the maternal type. Instead we see an alcoholic with adulterous tendencies that frequently enraged Herschel senior and led to the children being placed once more in a brutally harmful situation. At times she even states without hesitation that she doesn't love her children, and never wanted them in the first place. The only light in this truly dark and devastating life is Ty Cobb, their grandfather, though he is dealing with his own demons and a troubled past that threatens to resurface.

I'm going to start by saying that this is not a memoir that will only appeal to fans of sports, and in particular Major League Baseball. In fact, when it comes to baseball I am absolutely clueless. It was only after reading this book that I did a Google search for Ty Cobb and found out that he was known as the Georgia Peach and was widely credited with setting 90 Major League Baseball records in his career, and keeping many of the records for half a century. Some are still held by him even now in 2013. Did I know any of this before? No, and I still didn't know much about his baseball career when I got to the end of this memoir. While baseball facts are sprinkled throughout the book (especially towards the end) the focus of this book remains on a more personal level, as provided by his family. I haven't read other books on Ty Cobb but definitely want to after reading this.

The first half of the book deals primarily with the life that Herschel Jr (the author) experiences as a child, and it is tough to read in places. Personally I struggled more with the behaviours of their mother as it became obvious that she was truly indifferent when it came to the welfare of her children. When Herschel Sr passes away, Herschel Jr is just eight years old and I hoped with all my heart as I was reading that this boy would finally have some peace and a more positive life. In a sense he did but it's not from his mother. Rather it's in the form of summers spent with their paternal grandmother, and grandfather.

Thus begins the rest of the book in which the focus is more on the relationship between the three siblings and the Grandfather, including time spent in Lake Tahoe at the family cabin. It's here that we are permitted glimpses into a side of Ty Cobb that few were privy to and these glimpses led me to develop a deep respect for this man and his determination to offer his grandchildren the stability, love, and guidance that had been missing from their lives. One can't help but feel an almost palpable sense of peace as the family moves from a fractured state to forming close bonds. I also have to add here that as Ty Cobb leads by example and shows  his grandchildren the importance of community, responsibility, and charity it was incredibly inspirational and I know the messages will stick with me always.

I could rave about this book for hours and I feel I would still never do it justice. It's a book that hooks the reader from the very beginning and in spite of the sometimes difficult content, keeps you hanging on until the very end. In fact, I loved it so much that it was my top choice to talk about on the Brody & Samantha show over at QX104fm. Missed it? That's okay, you can still hear it by clicking on their image and downloading the April 11th podcast.

It's books like this one that really make the following quote ring true. 

PS. If you'd like to check out an excerpt you can do so at http://www.ecwpress.com/tiger. Also, the book states that if you buy the hard copy, you get the eBook free by e-mailing ECW Press with a few details! Perfect for the booklover who enjoys reading a physical copy but would also like the portability of going digital.

Money Savvy Kids: The Best Ways to Teach Your Children about Money for a Strong Financial Future by Gordon Pape and Deborah Kerbel

Published by Portfolio an imprint of Penguin Group Canada

How much did you learn about finance while growing up? It's hardly surprising that this is the most indebted generation in Canadian History and that the pattern is set to continue as it has over many generations before us. What to do? A great starting point is to read Money Savvy Kids which was written by Gordon Pape and his daughter Deborah Kerbel. Inside the approximately 220 pages of this book you will find a wealth of information that is shared in a way that makes it easy to comprehend whether you are a financial wiz or absolutely clueless, but do keep in mind that Money Savvy Kids: The Best Ways to Teach Your Children about Money for a Strong Financial Future (as the full title states), is primarily geared towards suggesting  methods to engage your children in this subject, and at which ages the various techniques should be applied. 

The back states: Money Savvy Kids features timely information on:

• how to teach the "value" of money
• whether allowances are a good idea and, if so, how much?
• saving, spending, and sharing
• teaching your kids to shop smart
• coping with children-directed advertising
• games that teach money skills
• great websites and apps - some reviewed by the kids themselves
• money-smart books for young readers
• finding that first job
• saving for college

As a woman in my late thirties, with children who are all adults now, I wouldn't fit into the targeted audience for this title. The blurb states that this is a must-read for all parents with children between the ages of five and seventeen and while I do agree that it will be most useful to that portion of society, I have to say that I highly recommend it regardless of age. 

Early in the book we are treated to one of the many little personal experiences that are sprinkled through the pages of this highly informative and entertaining book. In one particular tale, Deborah ventures into a store with her daughter and warns the child ahead of time that this shopping trip will be for one purpose only, a gift for a family member. What happens in that store next was somewhat shocking and prompted a discussion with my hubby on the questionable actions that took place. Further stories in the book made it clear that while this is geared towards money management,  it also guides us into how to use those lessons and skills to encourage selflessness, compassion, and a strong set of morals, values, and ethics. That is what really gave this a 5/5 score for me and caused me to look at this book as a must-read for everyone.  

The layout of the book is wonderfully practical in that many of the chapters are geared towards a set age range and include info and activities for that age. So many of the ideas are ones that wouldn't have occurred to me and they are brilliant. What I love about the suggestions and hints, is that the authors share not just the ideas that worked well for them, but other ideas that totally flopped. Many of those shared experiences result in outbreaks of laughter. I loved too that the authors share their own views on how to deal with allowances, setting a level of tasks that is appropriate for each age, and additionally why connecting allowances and tasks/chores is problematic.

Like when I read The Stop, this book ended up with a myriad of post-it tabs throughout. Some for the parental pearls of wisdom, some for resources that can be found online (and look fantastic, I might add!), and an impossible number of them for further reading material. I need more hours in my day.  I will also add that I now have a better understanding of hyperinflation and that if you're like me, you'll be using Google to learn more about that too by the end of the book.

If all books on finance were this much fun, I'd read so many more of them. 

Author website for Gordon Pape: http://www.buildingwealth.ca
Author website for Deborah Kerbel: http://www.deborahkerbel.com

Sub Rosa by Amber Dawn

Published by Arsenal Pulp Press

I'd like you to indulge me for a moment, as I whisper of a place filled with ghosts, magicians, missing girls, and visitors seeking a special something that can only be found in this secret society/community of magical prostitutes that reside in the place known as Sub Rosa.

Here we find Little, a teenage runaway who doesn't recall her real name. Her life only involves her offering herself sexually to those who would offer her shelter of some kind. That is until she meets Arsen, a stranger who offers her kindness without seeking anything in return. A few short days is all it takes for Little to realize that she feels love, real love, for this man of whom she knows next-to-nothing. She really didn't expect to make love with the man, only to wake the next day and find a woman standing there, talking to her, giving her a choice between a new future, or returning to the couch-surfing and breakfasts of beer that are familiar to her.

Her choice is made. Or almost. First she must brave 'the Dark' and earn her dowry. Terrified and struggling to earn the cash she needs in order to go home, she finds that the Dark holds much to be scared of, including a 'fairy godmother' of sorts who I personally visualize as looking something similar to Samara Morgan from the movie The Ring. You know, the creepy girl who crawls through the TV. 

Only by surviving 'The Dark' will she be permitted to enter Sub Rosa and reunite with her new family, and a community that is like no other. 

I found this title quite by accident. I had been browsing a publisher catalogue for the current book season and a book caught my eye. That book is How Poetry Saved My Life by Amber Dawn which wasn't available to review at the time so I opted to check out Sub Rosa in the meantime. I'm so happy that I did. If Sub Rosa is anything to go by, I can't wait to check out the newer title.

The reader is plunged, almost instantly, into a world seen through the eyes of a teenage runaway, a world so vivid that I caught myself reacting strongly to the content as I read it. It's a book that really defies description so please bear with me as I struggle to find the words. It's a book in which the lines between beauty so haunting and an ugliness that is harsh and brutal are blurred and/or non-existent.  

At times it's easy to forget that Sub Rosa is filled with pimps, prostitutes, and johns, and rather think of it as a vulnerable community that fears much that exists outside of their self-imposed invisible borders. It's impossible to not be drawn in by the entire story that is much like a roller-coaster ride that never ends. It does at least slow down occasionally to give the reader a chance to pause and catch their breath, only to have it whisked away again mere moments later.

There are some books that feed the mind, others soothe the soul or warm the heart. Sub Rosa is unlike any other book I have read, in that it was a purely visceral experience. This book doesn't gently ease you into an alternate reality. It pulls you under, kicking and screaming, unable to breathe but bringing on such a rush of adrenaline that you really don't care, then once it has taken everything from you, it leaves you with a feeling of being utterly and totally spent. The only thing I knew to be true by the end? That I wanted more.

Author's website: http://www.amberdawnwrites.com/

Stony RIver by Tricia Dower

Published by Penguin Group Canada

It was a day like many others. Linda and Tereza had hung out by the river, trying to find some comfort on such a hot and sticky afternoon. While walking home they witness the arrival of a police car at a local house. They're both caught by surprise when they see a girl approximately their own age, along with a baby, leaving the home. As far as anyone in Stony River knew, James Haggerty - or Crazy Haggerty as he was known by many - had lived alone. Of course, not many people ventured close enough to find out. I know that in my own neighbourhood growing up, there was a house that we all stayed away from and I think that is a universally shared experience.

So begins the story of Stony River in an era that many view as safer and filled with innocence. As we follow the lives of the residents we are shown that even then, in the fifties, families were dysfunctional and for young girls coming of age, these were dangerous times.

This book really captivates the reader from the very start and one could be forgiven for thinking that Stony River is going to be a light and breezy read, especially when connecting the first few pages with the enticingly idyllic cover. It isn't long though before the writing creates a different, darker picture and I found myself filled with a lot more questions than I had answers. That’s always a risk in a book as it’s a fine line between holding the reader’s attention and ultimately losing the reader due to frustration at the seemingly unending mystery. Tricia Dower pulls it off wonderfully though and I personally enjoyed it as even when I put the book down to tend to life; my mind was still active, trying to predict where the story was headed, without success I might add.

That is always a sign of great storytelling as the author skilfully weaves a story that totally engages the reader. Ultimately when all was brought to light, I found myself stunned. Not so much at the twists (though they were great too!) but because the book had clues sprinkled throughout that I really ought to have been able to put together but hadn’t. That, to me, is another sign that the book was brilliantly crafted.

One aspect I especially loved is the inclusion of alternative belief systems. In this case a pagan-based religion of Irish origin. I personally found myself fascinated by the natural, herbal healing mixtures and the creation of a garden that would hold a great deal of the ingredients needed. I also found myself enthralled by the religious conflict one of the characters experienced.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the abusive behaviours that sometimes arise within the pages, most specifically the subject of violence towards girls/women that is touched upon briefly throughout.  For those of you who, like me, have experienced it first hand, it may cause brief discomfort or even mild triggering. In my own case it was strictly brief discomfort. The author tackled these subjects wonderfully and I highly recommend it. It’s easily one of my favourite reads this year so far.

Author's website: http://www.triciadower.com
Author's blog: http://tricia-dower.blogspot.ca/

Book Trailer: - Leave of Absence by Tanya J. Peterson

This one is going to be landing on my desk soon but I wanted to share this trailer right away so you can see why I am looking forward to reading it. I'd love to know what you think. 

The Stop: How the Fight for Good Food Transformed a Community and Inspired a Movement by Nick Saul & Andrea Curtis

Published by Random of House Canada Limited

When we think of food banks, often the images and thoughts that come to mind are negative in nature and the Stop food bank was really no different. When Nick Saul came on board in 1998, The Stop was a little urban food bank. Like other food banks the food they could hand out depended on what stores and companies were willing to provide. Often these companies donate mislabelled items, items close to their date of expiration, or 'fresh' foods that were often wilted, slimy and just generally not items that people would choose to eat. Heck, even the description of some of these items was enough to trigger waves of nausea. It's little wonder in these circumstances that those people using the food bank would find the experience to be humiliating and would only use it out of sheer desperation. Staff and volunteers were often as discouraged and depressed as those seeking help. Things needed to change but where to start?

Simple but challenging policy changes were put into place. Staff and volunteers had previously been trusted to use their own judgement on what a family needed and that worked just fine for the most part. With the new rules in place that left no room for personal judgement or exceptions, it's understandable that in the early days there was a great deal of friction, frustration, and in some cases even hostility. Over time though things started to run more smoothly and many new ideas were introduced with a result that is nothing less than phenomenal.

As the books states inside the cover (I could never put it as well as this):

The Stop has undergone a radical reinvention. Participation has overcome embarrassment, and the isolation of poverty has been replaced with a vibrant community that uses food to build hope and skills, and to reach out to those who need a meal, a hand, and a voice. What was once a simple food bank is now a thriving, internationally respected Community Food Centre with gardens, kitchens, a greenhouse, farmers' markets and a mission to revolutionize our food system.  

It began as a food bank.
It turned into a movement. 

Two simple statements that immediately captured my attention when opening the book and glancing at the blurb inside the cover. On reading the rest of the blurb, I was filled with a sense of excitement and couldn't help but dive into the pages. Just a couple of chapters in and I was hooked and I knew with absolute certainty that I would not be able to put this book down. I also knew that I needed a trip to Staples because I had run out of my little post-it flags that I use to mark the various parts of the book that I want to refer back to.  In truth, I ran out some time ago but nothing really inspired me to need more, until now.

I have to tell you, I'm glad I picked up more than one packet because this book is majorly flag-worthy. (I can't use highlighters. Just the thought of marking a book makes me cringe.)

The Stop is a highly addictive and wonderfully informative read. I haven't ever given much thought to food banks though we have donated at times. What I love about this book though, is that while it is essentially about the transformation of an urban food bank, it's also so much more. The author delves into food related issues not just here in Canada, but globally. Information regarding farming in rural India for example, was shocking to me, while information regarding Brazil and the programs they have in place was highly inspirational. In fact, I'd love to see similar governmental mandates in place here. The whole book is just filled with 'wow' and 'a-ha!' moments that really force you to stop and think. There are two that leap out at me still as I write this. One in which Saul shares his realization that:

The most serious barrier to real change is the philosophical divide between those people who see food as a pure commodity, something simply to be bought and sold, and those like The Stop and many others who view food as imbued with cultural, social, health and environmental significance.

 When reading The Stop, the quote above totally captures one of the ways that this book changed my life. I just saw food as something to purchase for the most part. Food was just something to prepare, even from scratch I didn't really think past going to the supermarket and buying the ingredients. That has completely changed and while some of my food related habits may stay the same right now out of necessity, long-term I really see a different reality for my husband and myself, including growing some of our own foods.

Another important issue that is touched upon, is the impact of food on our health. Yet another 'a-ha' moment is when it is stated:

Shouldn't we be taking into consideration the cost to our health care system and the impact on the environment of industrial processed food? I think that big food companies are privatizing profit and socializing cost -- reaping the monetary rewards of cheap, processed, fuel-intensive food and passing the cost of the health and environmental fallout on to the public purse.

That was the quote that really stopped me in my tracks. Yes I've always known that processed foods are a huge factor in certain health issues such as diabetes for instance, or any health issue at all that is complicated by obesity. That was the quote that caused me to really start asking myself some tough questions like how much longer was I prepared to keep lining the pockets of these large companies while impacting my health in a negative way?

The book has a wonderful balance. While a great deal of the content focuses on what is wrong with the system, along with the possible solutions, there is also a wealth of inspirational content including a certain paragraph that describes The Stop having their first-ever-storyteller-in-residence. I love that he's not only sharing stories, but collecting the stories that are told to him, including Yoruba folktales from Africa, and stories from El Salvador, the Philippines, China, Jamaica, Mexico, Canada, Pakistan, and more. (Hint to the folks at The Stop, and the Publisher - I'd *love* to read a collection of the stories. Hearing about Zunde raMambo really whet my appetite!)

As lengthy as this review is, it doesn't even begin to cover the experience of reading The Stop. It's a title that will remain on my bookcase for many years to come, and will be referenced often. There was only one thing that I disliked about this book and that's the number of titles I now have to add to 'Mount To-Be-Read' because they were mentioned in this book and piqued my interest. (If you check the image above again, of the post-it flags, the pink flags are all the book titles I want to read, including 'Good Food for All - a cookbook of recipes from The Stop's kitchens).

You can find out more about The Stop at http://www.thestop.org and don't forget to check out the following bloggers that are also participating in the blog tour this week:

March 25 - Lost in a Great Book
March 26 - You're here.
March 27 - Pickle Me This
March 28 - That Tall Girl Loves Books
March 29 - Serendipitous Reader