THE MILKMAN'S SON by Randy Lindsay

THE MILKMAN'S SON: A Memoir of Family History by Randy Lindsay. I have a hard time reading memoirs. They tend to lean toward a slower paced story that I struggle to dive into. Then add family history into the mix and I was sure it would be a bomb. Hence why I was skeptical about this one, and the couple of chapters had me wondering what I had gotten myself into. However, I should have known better with Randy Lindsay as the other. The few times I've met him has been interesting. You never know where the conversation will go and I always left a conversation (which usually I just listened as part of a group) smiling. His book is no exception. After the first few chapters, I found I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen. His DNA journey was fascinating. I began wondering what I would find in my DNA and where my story would go. I understand that can lead to some heartache for some people and excitement for others, but I found this memoir inspiring me to see what surprises are in my family tree. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is all very appropriate for anyone, and be careful. You just might be bit by the Family History bug.

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Raised in a family he bore little resemblance to, Randy was jokingly referred to as "the milkman's son." This warm and candid memoir chronicles the unraveling of a family secret, which begins with Randy's dad having dreams about deceased relatives urging him to complete their family tree. Randy agrees to help with the genealogy, but after his searching leads to a dead end, he takes a commercially available DNA test. The results reveal a possible genetic match to a sister, which begins a familial quest that forever changes the author's life.

Featuring a cast of vivid characters richly drawn from two distinct families, The Milkman's Sonreveals one man's family tree, pulling back layers of new information as he gets closer to the truth—a biological father, siblings, and family members he never knew about.

This is a story of accepting, forgiving, and reuniting. Most importantly, it's about the bonds that connect us and the unconditional love that makes us feel like we belong.

SEVEN AT SEA by Erik and Emily Orton

SEVEN AT SEA by Erik and Emily Orton. This book seemed like it would be a very interesting read, and at the beginning I was very intrigued and engaged. I find the reasons why people do certain things very interesting and the Orton's are no different. It takes brave people to do what they did. I took away some good ideas for my family, but I can definitely say we won't be jumping on a boat right now. After the first few chapters, I found myself skimming through the next several. What they were talking about did not hold my interest, however, I see the necessity of including it in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good memoir or how loves reading about real life adventures of others.

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A New York City family's remarkable story of how they gave up their urban life, packed up their family of seven, and braved the difficult conditions of the Atlantic Ocean as they sailed more than 2,500 from New York to and around the Caribbean.

Working the night shift as a temp in a high-rise cubicle, Erik Orton knew something had to change. He felt the responsibility of providing for his wife and their five children—the youngest with Down syndrome—but craved a life that offered more than just surviving.

Watching the sailboats on the Hudson River during his sunset dinner breaks, Erik dared to dream. What would it be like to leave the hustle of the city and instead spend a year on a sailboat, somewhere beautiful, as a family? Despite having no sailing experience, his wife Emily's phobia of deep water, and already stretching every dollar to pay rent and buy groceries, the family of seven turned their excuses into reasons and their fears into motivation. Sure, they would miss their friends, the could go broke, they could get injured or die. Worst of all, they could humiliate themselves by trying something audacious and failing. But the little time they still had together as a family, before their oldest daughter left for college, was drifting away. The Ortons cast off the life they knew to begin an uncertain journey of 5,000 miles between New York City and the Caribbean, ultimately arriving at a new place within themselves.

A portrait of a captivating and resilient family and a celebration of the courage it takes to head for something over the horizon, this is a deeply compelling story—told alternately by Erik and Emily—for all those who dream of leaving routine in their wake.

UNSHATTERED by Carol Decker and Stacey Nash

UNSHATTERED Overcoming Tragedy and Choosing a Beautiful Life by Carol Decker and Stacey Nash. This is an incredible read of exactly what the title says. I know Stacey and have met Carol on several occasions. Both are amazing women. To be able to come back from what happened to Carol and turn life into a beautiful experience is truly inspiring. It puts a lot of things into perspective. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Anyone can learn from Carol's experiences and how to overcome tragedies in their lives and choose beauty. 

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On June 10, 2008, Carol Decker walked through the hospital doors a healthy woman with flu-like symptoms and early labor contractions. Three months later, she returned home a blind, triple-amputee struggling to bond with a daughter she would never see.

Unshattered: Overcoming Tragedy and Choosing a Beautiful Life recounts Carol's fight for survival against sepsis and its life-shattering complications. From excruciating skin grafts to learning how to function in daily life without lower legs, a left hand, and her sight, Carol takes us on a personal and raw, yet inspiring journey. She travels through the darkness of trauma, anxiety, and depression to arrive, literally, at the peak of a mountain with a heart full of gratitude and love. More than a story of triumph over tragedy, the book offers inspiring life-lessons and insights which can help readers to do more than endure unimaginable pain and darkness in their own lives. This book can give them the perspective and strength to pick up the pieces of their own tragedies and choose a life of healing, purpose, and joy—a beautiful life.

Lessons learned:
• There is always hope, even if it sometimes feels small and hard to find.
• Even if you're the most capable person, you can't do this life alone. We all need a support system. It is okay to ask for help.
• Happiness takes work. It doesn't just happen.
• The human spirit is able to endure and withstand great adversity.
• Even the smallest broken pieces of a life can be put back together.