What have we wrought with these genealogical databases? Compulsively readable story of the author's own revelations and identity trauma after her discoveries, suspenseful, thoughtful and very short chapters. ( )

I find it very difficult to rate someone’s memoir as it is very personal to them and you never know the reason why they felt compelled to write it. In this case, I feel the author needed to take her spiraling emotional thoughts and put them down to ground herself. The writing was very good and the author did a good job of narration. I found the story interesting but unfortunately, not being in that situation, I found it a bit repetitive. I am so glad that Dani was able to find peace with her family and past.

Reason Read: JBC read for October
This is a memoir by an author who describes herself as an author of memoirs. This one is about what can happen when you do one of those DNA genealogy exams. It was okay. I am not fond of memoirs in general. I think they can be cathartic for people but how much can you really dwell on yourself that you become an author of memoirs. And as far as a memoir goes this one hit all the points; relevant, coherent. I don’t like memoirs and I am reluctant to do DNA testing. Perhaps this book supports another reason not to do DNA testing. ( )

Imagine that your feelings of uncertainty and detachment were all confirmed by the spit inside a test tube? ( )

As a child I listened to spoken memoir without realizing that's what those stories were as they spun out over the dining or kitchen table where my mother sat with one of her sisters. I listened enthralled as one or the other would recall a particular character, a vivid event, even a family secret. I come from a long line of raconteurs.

I'm working on a graduate solo exhibit that I think of as visual memoir pieces. Based on my own childhood, I am making three-dimensional art that reexamine my stories and memories of growing up. Because of this work, I'm drawn to written memoir. Walking each morning or driving to my studio, I looked forward to the sound of Dani Shapiro's voice as she unspooled her story of identity, secrets, and memory.

Two or three times I found her account almost lapsed into self-pity, but she quickly recaptured my interest as she moved through those patches that revealed how she felt as she felt it rather than revising her choices in courageous, inspiring frames.

Honesty expressed well, even lyrically. That gets me every time. ( )