What I'm Reading this Week

What are YOU reading this week?

Over the past few years, I have known a number of people who have adopted children from overseas. During this same time, I have met many people from other countries who have made new homes in the United States.

Anne Tyler's recent novel, Digging to America offers a glimpse into the cultural mix created by immigration and overseas adoptions.

This book illustrates the experiences of immigrants who come to America as young children adopted into families with vastly different cultural backgrounds. Two couples meet during the process of adopting girls from Korea. One of the adoptive families has a well established American heritage while the other adoptive parents are second generation immigrants from Iran. Drawn together by this bond, they form an unlikely friendship. Extended family members form a third level of cross-cultural contrasts explored by Tyler in this novel. The varying perspectives of each of the characters is presented with insight, sensitivity and humor.

Everyone will find something to love about Digging to America. It promotes understanding of differences among people on a variety of levels. If you an immigrant yourself, or know or work with those who have immigrated to the United States, you will find that Tyler's observations ring true. Every reader will be able to relate to some aspects of disconnect with others among their family and friends that Tyler brings to life through her characters.

Digging to America is available in print hardcover and iPod audiobook format at the CLC Library:

Find Digging to America in the CLC Library

iPod audiobooks are a new format at the Murphy Library.
Sixty-two titles with an iPod player may be borrowed on for a two-week period. These may be found by searching the Library Catalog by Media Type: Audio books/iPod.

Other Anne Tyler titles are also available, including her Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Breathing Lessons.

A wealth of information about International Adoptions is available on the Child Welfare website.

I have enjoyed hearing from a number of people who have e-mailed or spoken to me about what they are reading. I hope you will share with me and others what you think of this selection and what you are reading this week. You may reply to this post by clicking on the header and then on the "Reply" button that appears at the bottom of the post.