So I have hit the library hard and heavy. I love love LOVE the library so much. It’s like going shopping for free. Apparently Multnomah County has a nationally renowned library system. My favorite library ever is the main branch of the Durham County Library, not because my friend Naomi a the librarian there (holla), but because there was something truly community feeling about it. It has an AMAZING knitting book section (holla Nao) and basically every book I have ever wanted to read. It’s a totally special place in my heart for me. BUT I digress…..

So I have been reading up on all this transracial adoption stuff and I want to give a shout out to a few of the books that have been really helpful. The first book I checked out is entitled Weaving a Family, Untangling Race and Adoption by Barbara Katz Rothman. I really like her take on things and am going to actually BUY it so I can read it more throughly. Also, In Their Own Words Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories by Rhonda Roorda, which interviews adult adoptees of who have been adopted transracially. Really good reading. I found out she has one where she also interviewed adoptive parents and another where she interviewed adoptive siblings- I am gonna check those out too.  And finally my friend Bibi bought me a book called There is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Green. About a woman who started an orphanage for kids whose parents have HIV and AIDs. I am on page 23 and have already cried like three times. Thanks Beebs for the book. I also cried when it came in the mail!

Finally, I took out a book from the Cultures of the World Series on Ethiopia. It only looks like it was written and designed in 1974 but has in-fact, pretty up-to-date info. I think it was updated in 2005 because they talk about President Bush. Since I am really starting from the ground up on this stuff- the book is really informative. It has great info on the history, geography and culture of the place. I am learning tons from it!

Ethiopia fun fact: Did you know that Ethiopia is 3 times the size of California? I am full of them… Really I am.