Miles to Go and Foster Care

I recently enjoyed reading Miles to Go: The Second Journal of the Walk Series by Richard Paul Evans. It continues the story of Alan Christoffersen who is walking across the country after having lost everything. It is a quick read and a great story. I'm already looking forward to the next installment!

What I liked best, though, is Richard Paul Evans' statement at the back of the book: "I write with the hope of improving the world." He included a character named Kailamai in the story based on a real life woman by the same name. He is hoping to help her and others like her who are aging out of the foster care system. "Research from the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that 6 out of 10 youth aging out of the foster care system will be homeless, incarcerated, or dead within the first two years. Most youth aging out of the foster care system lack the essential skills, resources, and support to live a safe and independent life."

Go-Mentor is an organization working to help these graduates of the foster care system. Find out more at: www.go-mentor.org

Book Review: "Boston Public Library"

Boston Public Library (Images of America)
by Catherine J. Willis
Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2011

This book quickly caught my attention at (where else?) my local library. Part of the "Images of America" series, it is primarily a pictorial history of the Boston Public Library system, but the introduction and photo captions provide a wealth of information. Written by Catherine J. Willis who is manager of technical services at the Boston Public Library, it takes the reader back in time to the beginnings of the public library system in this country.

Originally founded in 1852, the Boston Public Library was the first large municipally funded library in the United States. Later on, it would become the first public library to open a branch and to have a dedicated children's room.

This book will be of interest to anyone who loves libraries, architecture or social history. I personally loved seeing the way the books were delivered to patrons - you actually had to request the books and then the call slips were sent via pneumatic tubes to stations on each of the six floors where librarians would retrieve the books and send them on elevators to the delivery room where patrons would pick them up! It was also interesting to see how women had their own reading room.

This book is truly fascinating. I cannot recommend it enough!

Time to Get Ready for National Novel Writing Month

Check out my latest post for the Catholic Writer's Guild on getting ready for National Novel Writing Month: Getting Ready for National Novel Writing Month