Thursday, July 31, 2014

Book Beginning: "Therefore, Choose Life. . ."



THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON FRIDAYS FOR BOOK BEGINNING FUN!

Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.

EARLY BIRDS & SLOWPOKES: This weekly post goes up Thursday evening for those who like to get their posts up and linked early on. But feel free to add a link all week.

FACEBOOK: Rose City Reader has a Facebook page where I post about new and favorite books, book events, and other bookish tidbits, as well as link to blog posts. I'd love a "Like" on the page! You can go to the page here to Like it. I am happy to Like you back if you have a blog or professional Facebook page, so please leave a comment with a link and I will find you.

TWITTER, ETC: If you are on Twitter, Google+, or other social media, please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings. I try to follow all Book  Beginnings participants on whatever interweb sites you are on, so please let me know if I have missed any and I will catch up.

YOUR BOOK BEGINNING



MY BOOK BEGINNING



Among the philosophical reflections of the Pirkei Avot is the observation that there are three times and we are compelled to act against our will: . . . "Despite your self you were born, despite yourself you live, and despite yourself you die . . ."

From the Author's Preface to "Therefore, Choose Life. . ." by Moisey Wolf, edited and translated by Judson Rosengrant, published by OSU Press with the support of the Oregon Jewish Museum.

"Therefore, Choose Life. . ." is the autobiography of Dr. Moisey Wolf, who escaped the Holocaust, served in the Soviet Army during World War II, had a distinguished career as a psychiatrist in post-Stalinist Soviet Russia, and came to America in 1992. It is the story of a remarkable life lived in extraordinary times.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Teaser Tuesday: The Queen of Katwe



"I saw there were many children seated and they were all looking at some good things and I didn't know if it was a game because I had never seen it," Phiona says. "I looked at it some more and I just felt like I really wanted to go inside and touch the beautiful pieces."

-- The Queen of Katwe: One Girl's Triumphant Path to Becoming a Chess Champion by Tim Crothers. Phiona Mutesi is now, at only 19, a world chess champion.  This book is the story of how she grew up in Katwe, a notorious Ugandan slum, and transformed her life by playing chess.



Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading, where you can find the official rules for this weekly event.


Monday, July 28, 2014

Mailbox Monday: Midnight in Europe



Thanks for joining me for Mailbox Monday! MM was created by Marcia, who graciously hosted it for a long, long time, before turning it into a touring event. Mailbox Monday has now returned to its permanent home where you can link to your MM post.

I got one book last week, and I am very excited to read it:



Midnight in Europe by Alan Furst. I have read a couple of his WWII-era spy stories and enjoyed them a lot.  This one is set on the eve of war in 1938 in Paris and New York.  Perfect vacation book!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Book Beginning: The Queen of Katwe by Tim Crothers



THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON FRIDAYS FOR BOOK BEGINNING FUN!

Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.

EARLY BIRDS & SLOWPOKES: This weekly post goes up Thursday evening for those who like to get their posts up and linked early on. But feel free to add a link all week.

FACEBOOK: Rose City Reader has a Facebook page where I post about new and favorite books, book events, and other bookish tidbits, as well as link to blog posts. I'd love a "Like" on the page! You can go to the page here to Like it. I am happy to Like you back if you have a blog or professional Facebook page, so please leave a comment with a link and I will find you.

TWITTER, ETC: If you are on Twitter, Google+, or other social media, please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings. I try to follow all Book  Beginnings participants on whatever interweb sites you are on, so please let me know if I have missed any and I will catch up.

YOUR BOOK BEGINNING



MY BOOK BEGINNING



She wins the decisive game, but she has no idea what it means. Nobody has told her what's at stake, so she just plays, like she always does.

-- The Queen of Katwe: One Girl's Triumphant Path to Becoming a Chess Champion by Tim Crothers. This inspiring story of how Phiona Mutesi, a nine-year-old Ugandan girl living in the Katwe slum, became a world chess champion by the time she was 18 is a terrific read for anyone and a particularly good choice for a graduation gift.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Author Interview: Bill Carter


Bill Carter is a non-fiction author, journalist, and college professor. His latest book, Boom, Bust, Boom: A Story About Copper, the Metal that Runs the World, is the history of copper and the hazards and risks associated with mining a metal that plays a vital role in our lives. Carter is an outspoken opponent of the proposed Pebble Mine near Alaska’s Bristol Bay and hopes his book will spread awareness of this proposed mining development.

Carter has been interviewed by The Daily Beast, Sedona Monthly, and public radio, discussing Boom, Bust, Boom. And he was gracious enough to answer some questions for Rose City Reader.



How did you come to write Boom, Bust, Boom?

It was a combination of having spent time commercial fishing in Bristol Bay, Alaska, where the Pebble Mine issue was beginning to take shape, and also living in Bisbee, AZ, which used to be a world class copper mine. In 2007 there was a ramped up buzz in town about the mining company reopening the mine, which had shut down in 1975. Since that closure Bisbee had recreated itself into a very eclectic art town that combined old miners, hippies, artists, merchants and various characters that wanted to be far removed from mainstream America. Then the mining company started to test all our soil for heavy metals. My wife was pregnant with our second child and at the time I was busy making a garden in the back yard. Soon I became violently ill and then we got the test results from the mining company. It stated I had high level of arsenic and lead in my soil. I had been digging up dirt and putting in drip systems for months. Then I ate the vegetables. They moved us out of our house and replaced all our soil.

This got me thinking….a mine in Alaska would threaten the world’s greatest salmon fishery and the mine that used to be here still has the ability to inflict environmental damage to the town’s residents. There was a story here, all around me. Southern Arizona has ten copper mines and is one of the world’s great copper belts but for fifteen years of living here I have never spent a minute looking into that fact. That alone made me want to learn more and hence write a book.

You write about the history of copper, which is fascinating. Can you give us a few examples of how ancient cultures used copper?

Thousands of years ago copper was used as an ornamental metal and for making utensils, and for plumbing. Today in Egypt there still remains examples of copper plumbing dating back 4,000, and it still works. Then along came the Bronze Age and copper became the most sought after metal in order to make weapons. The Romans created their copper empire on Cyprus, which means copper in Latin. They invaded England to acquire tin and copper. They invaded northern Africa to seize the copper mines in Carthage, in modern day Tunisia. But it was the invention of electricity that truly vaulted copper onto the world stage, instantly making copper something every developing nation, state, city and house needed to jump into the 20th century.

How does copper “run the world” as you claim in the subtitle of your book?

Gold gets all the glamour and iron ore is something we see when we see a train or large ship, but in truth copper is the metal that literally allows our modern world to “run,” i.e. operate. Copper is our conductor of electricity and heat. Without copper, or a replacement, we would not be able to have electricity, phones, computers, airplanes or even what we consider to be first rate homes and buildings. The thing is that for the most part copper is hidden, behind our walls, under our hoods, in the back of computers, under our sinks.

Up until a decade ago copper was known as “Dr. Copper” on Wall Street. The reason? It was said that whatever the copper market was doing was the true bell-weather on what the overall economy was going to do because if copper is being bought that is an indication that countries are expanding. If the copper market fades then countries are holding back and thus the overall markets will also hold back. You can’t build new cars or any high tech product without using copper; or a new fleet of airplanes or new apartment buildings. All of it uses vast amounts of copper. As for “green” technology, well it uses lots and lots of copper, both windmills and solar farms.

How did you research the scientific and historical information and detail found in your book?

It took about two years to research. And as people rightfully point out some of my research is already dated, since the copper market changes monthly. Also new technology is constantly being created.

What is your professional background and how did it lead you to writing a book about copper?

I am a writer, journalist, photographer, filmmaker. I am also a teacher. My background is truly rooted in just being a curious human being and very passionately intrigued by the world we inhabit.

What is “acid rock drainage” and what does it have to do with copper mining?

It is the decay of naturally occurring metals that exposed to both air and water during the extraction process of copper mining. Copper is not alone in the earth. It comes with heavy metals, such as uranium, lead, arsenic, and many more. Once air and water hit these metals they begin to turn into “acid rock drainage.” Mitigating the run off is truly the monumental job of running a mine correctly. When you dig up a billion tons of earth figuring out how to stop this drainage from getting into our aquifers and watersheds is nearly impossible.

You make a good case for changing the 1872 Mining Law that allows copper mining on federal land without paying royalties – essentially allowing mining without the expense of repairing the land afterwards. This sounds like the kind of environmentally dangerous crony capitalism that offends people across the political spectrum. Are there any organized efforts to get the law changed and how can your readers get involved?

There are many groups hoping to change this law, most of them environmental foundations. But really this is a law all Americans should want changed, regardless of their political affiliation or their economic philosophies. This law allows the mining companies, foreign and domestic to pay $5 an acre to mine on federal land then pay zero royalties for what they make. That means they rake in billions and leave the waste behind for us to clean up. No matter how you look at this law and the fact that it is still in place, it is an injustice and careless management of our resources.

Who are your three (or four or five) favorite authors? Is your own writing influenced by who you read?

Jim Harrison is one of my all time favorite writers. I first read him when I was twenty-four. His language and deep appreciation for nature and life blew my mind. That he has become a friend and mentor in the past decade is like a dream for me.

I also love Sam Shepard, Haruki Murakami, Raymond Carver, Annie ProulxHampton Sides, S.C. Gwynne, Barry Lopez, John McPhee, Charles Bowden, Luis Urrea, Mark Twain, T.C. Boyle, Kurt Vonnegut, and so many more.

What kind of books do you like to read? What are you reading now?

The last book I read was Anthony Marra’s book A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. It was a stunning book. Absolutely amazing.

You have a terrific website and Facebook page, and are also on twitter and google+. From an author's perspective, how important are social networking sites and other internet resources to promote your book?

It is so important in today’s marketplace. The ability to reach people through social media is critical and if you ask those around me I certainly don’t do enough of it, but I do what I can. As for the websites and all that, it takes more time than I like, but then again so many people have come to learn of my books through social media, so it is a reality. I do appreciate its ability to connect me to my audience.

What is the most valuable advice you’ve been given as an author?

Never really been given advice, instead I know some great writers and consider them friends and what I find the great writers have in common is that they just do the work. Writing takes time, it takes focus and determination to finish.

What is the best thing about being a writer?

Drifting in and out of stories. Listening to your dreams when writing a book and remembering moments that work in a story.

What’s next? Are you working on your next book?

I am working on a new book. Fiction. It will be my first novel.

THANKS BILL! BOOM, BUST, BOOM IS AVAILABLE FROM POWELL'S BOOKS, OTHER ON-LINE SELLERS, OR FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE (ASK THEM TO ORDER IT IF IT ISN'T ON THE SHELF). 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Teaser Tuesday: The Night, and the Rain, and the River


It was hardly a love story, and if she had one regret, she said, it was that she had never really experienced a either a full-blown romance or a full-blown career. She had middled, she said.
-- from "Middling" by Victoria Blake, in The Night, and the Rain, and the River: 22 Stories, edited by Liz Prato.

This is the latest collection of short fiction published by Forest Avenue Press.  it deserves a spot on everyone's summer reading list.

EVENT TONIGHT FOR PORTLAND READERS:  Tonight, July 22, at 7:00 p.m., Broadway Books is hosting an event for many of the authors featured in The Night, and the Rain, and the River. Domi Shoemaker, Cindy Williams Gutiérrez, Matthew Robinson, and Kathleen Lane will be there, along with Editor Liz Prato to introduce the speakers.  Come meet the authors and buy the book.


Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading, where you can find the official rules for this weekly event.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Mailbox Monday


Thanks for joining me for Mailbox Monday! MM was created by Marcia, who graciously hosted it for a long, long time, before turning it into a touring event. Mailbox Monday has now returned to its permanent home where you can link to your MM post.

I got an interesting batch of books last week:



The Witch-Hunt Narrative: Politics, Psychology, and the Sexual Abuse of Children by Ross E. Cheit. I got this book because of my work with child abuse survivors and it looks fascinating.  The author studied criminal sex abuse cases to determine whether child sex abuse is a pervasive problem or a "witch-hunt" blown out of proportion by eager prosecutors and sensation-seeking reporters.

There was a great review of The Witch-Hunt Narrative on The Daily Beast last week.



RoseAnna by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö. This is the first mystery in the Martin Beck series by this Swedish husband/wife team. Since I have not read any of the books, I might as well start at the beginning.



The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing. I just finished The Golden Notebook so am in the mood to read the first novel by this Nobel laureate.



Sicilian Carousel by Lawrence Durell. I loved Durell's Alexandria Quartet, but have never read his travel books.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Book Beginning: The Night, and the Rain, and the River



THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON FRIDAYS FOR BOOK BEGINNING FUN!

Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.

EARLY BIRDS & SLOWPOKES: This weekly post goes up Thursday evening for those who like to get their posts up and linked early on. But feel free to add a link all week.

FACEBOOK: Rose City Reader has a Facebook page where I post about new and favorite books, book events, and other bookish tidbits, as well as link to blog posts. I'd love a "Like" on the page! You can go to the page here to Like it. I am happy to Like you back if you have a blog or professional Facebook page, so please leave a comment with a link and I will find you.

TWITTER, ETC: If you are on Twitter, Google+, or other social media, please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings. I try to follow all Book  Beginnings participants on whatever interweb sites you are on, so please let me know if I have missed any and I will catch up.

YOUR BOOK BEGINNING



MY BOOK BEGINNING


My boss Barb is wearing her tailored black raincoat and underneath are her pajamas.
-- from "Saving the Animals" by Margaret Malone, the first story in The Night, and the Rain, and the River: 22 Stories, edited by Liz Prato.

This is the latest collection of short fiction published by Forest Avenue Press and it is wonderful! Take it with you on your summer vacation.

PORTLAND READERS: This coming Tuesday, July 22, at 7:00 p.m., Broadway Books will host an event for many of the authors featured in The Night, and the Rain, and the River. Domi Shoemaker, Cindy Williams Gutiérrez, Matthew Robinson, and Kathleen Lane will be there, along with Editor Liz Prato to introduce the speakers.  Come meet the authors and buy the book.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Teaser Tuesday: My-Te-Fine Merchant



He was in the process of figuring out how to leave his tens of millions in trust for the public benefit, but he'd never been keen about giving away money while he was alive. . . .  His idea of helping people was providing jobs, not handouts.
-- My-Te-Fine Merchant: Fred Meyer's Retail Revolution by Fred Leeson. Fred Meyer pioneered the idea of selling groceries, drugs, clothing, home goods, toys, sporting goods, electronics, fine jewelry, and more under one roof.  He founded a chain of "superstores" that still bears his name.  Eventually, he figured out what to do with his money, creating and funding the Meyer Memorial Trust.

Fred Leeson is an author and former newspaper journalist.  His biography of Fred Meyer is a readable and entertaining slice of regional history, providing the story behind this household name.

My-Te-Fine Merchant is available on line, or order from your favorite local bookseller.  A Kindle edition is also available.


Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading, where you can find the official rules for this weekly event.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Mailbox Monday: Garage Sale Finds


Thanks for joining me for Mailbox Monday! MM was created by Marcia, who graciously hosted it for a long, long time, before turning it into a touring event. Mailbox Monday has now returned to its permanent home where you can link to your MM post.

I can't resist poking around garage sales and often find some great books. My haul this weekend included:



Canada by Richard Ford (one of my favorite authors)



The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht (I'm always slow with bestsellers like this Orange Prize winner)



Telex from Cuba by Rachel Kushner (this was a National Book Award finalist, but it never hit my radar)



A Heaven in the Eye by Clyde Rice (this falls in the category of "random memoirs" – this one about the authors Oregon and San Francisco adventures between WWI and WWII)



The Ransom of Russian Art by John McPhee (another favorite of mine)




Saturday, July 12, 2014

Five Faves: Big Yarns



FIVE FAVE BIG YARNS

Summer is a great time to fall into a "Big Yarn" kind of book, which I define as an absorbing story with a strong, coherent plot, fully-developed characters, drama, a reasonable tempo, and at least a few thought-provoking ideas. To me, Big Yarns offer more plot then philosophy and don't get experimental with structure or language.

My general definition excludes genre novels, like thrillers, which can be absorbing page-turners, but (with exceptions) tend to lack fully-developed characters and thought-provoking ideas. I also think of books that appeal to readers of both sexes and most ages. In my mind, The Count of Monte Cristo is the grand daddy of all Big Yarns. Most Dickens books and many other 19th Century novels also qualify.

What are some of your favorite Big Yarns? A short list of my favorites include:

In making this list, I realized just how much I enjoy Big Yarns, because I reviewed all of them.


FIVE FAVES

There are times when a full-sized book list is just too much; when the Top 100, a Big Read, or all the Prize winners seem like too daunting an effort. That's when a short little list of books grouped by theme may be just the ticket.

Inspired by Nancy Pearl's "Companion Reads" chapter in Book Lust – themed clusters of books on subjects as diverse as Bigfoot and Vietnam – I decided to start occasionally posting lists of five books grouped by topic or theme. I call these posts my Five Faves.

Feel free to grab the button and play along. Use today's theme or come up with your own. If you post about it, please link back to here and leave the link to your post in a comment. If you want to participate but don't have a blog or don't feel like posting, please share your list in a comment.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Book Beginning: My-Te-Fine Merchant



THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON FRIDAYS FOR BOOK BEGINNING FUN!

Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.

EARLY BIRDS & SLOWPOKES: This weekly post goes up Thursday evening for those who like to get their posts up and linked early on. But feel free to add a link all week.

FACEBOOK: Rose City Reader has a Facebook page where I post about new and favorite books, book events, and other bookish tidbits, as well as link to blog posts. I'd love a "Like" on the page! You can go to the page here to Like it. I am happy to Like you back if you have a blog or professional Facebook page, so please leave a comment with a link and I will find you.

TWITTER, ETC: If you are on Twitter, Google+, or other social media, please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings. I try to follow all Book  Beginnings participants on whatever interweb sites you are on, so please let me know if I have missed any and I will catch up.

YOUR BOOK BEGINNING



MY BOOK BEGINNING



An elderly man with a hat pulled low on his head and using a cane to steady his weakened right leg found himself confronted on Southwest First Avenue near Harrison Street in Portland by a young man with long hair and a bedroll strapped to his back.
-- My-Te-Fine Merchant: Fred Meyer's Retail Revolution by Fred Leeson.  The elderly man is Fred Meyer, founder of the Pacific Northwest chain of "superstores" that still bears his name. Meyer pioneered the idea of selling groceries, drugs, clothing, home goods, toys, sporting goods, electronics, fine jewelry, and more under one roof.

Fred Leeson was a long time newspaper journalist. His biography of Fred Meyer is a readable and entertaining slice of regional history, providing the story behind this household name.

My-Te-Fine Merchant is available on line, or order from your favorite local bookseller.  A Kindle edition is also available.

Author Interview: Randy Ellison


Randy Ellison is the author of a fiercely honest memoir about his recovery from childhood sexual abuse after he was molested by a trusted minister. In Boys Don't Tell: Ending the Silence of Abuse, Randy also explains why victims of abuse by trusted adults find it so hard to "just get over it and move on." His goal is to use his own difficult story of healing to help others find the strength to tell their own stories and heal themselves.

Randy kindly agreed to be interviewed for Rose City Reader, in connection with a book-related project I have going in my professional life. A great part of my law practice involves representing sexually abused children, or adults who were sexually abused when they were children. I am putting together a bibliography of books to help child abuse survivors.

My plan is to create two book lists. One will be firsthand accounts and memoirs, such as Randy's Boys Don't Tell. The other will be a list of books by advocates, counselors, and other professionals on the topic of child abuse and exploitation, whether aimed at survivors or people who work with survivors.

Your suggestions are welcome!



How did you come to write Boys Don’t Tell?

Once I began therapy at age 57 I found emotions pouring out of me that had been bottled up for decades. I was completely overwhelmed so I began writing down how I was feeling about all the issues that came up in counseling. After a couple of years I decided to put everything I had written into book form. I asked some people to read it, and based on the feedback I got, I went and found a publisher.

Your memoir is intensely personal – did you have any qualms about sharing so much?

It is intensely personal because it is a factual reporting of my therapy sessions. Since most of the book was already written, it didn’t make sense to change anything or leave pieces out. I have lived a life of denial, being tougher than nails with walls to protect me. At this point I figure I have no downside to sharing openly and honestly. In fact, that is exactly what gives my life meaning now. And besides what’s the point of sharing about trauma recovery and not giving a full and honest reporting of it. My willingness to be openly vulnerable with my story gives strength to others. What more could I ask for?

The subtitle of your books is Ending the Silence of Abuse. What do you hope your book will accomplish? 

Child sex abuse exists in the shadows. Secrets are its greatest ally. In fact the mores against talking about child sex abuse are greater that the mores against doing it. So abuse continues generation after generation. And the cultural norms against men speaking about being a victim are even greater, though we are beginning to discover that they suffer abuse to almost the same degree as women.

So my hope is that if I can stand up as a man and speak of being sexually abused that it will give others courage to speak up and seek help for healing. The more light we can shine, the fewer children will be abused and survivors will find themselves on a path of recovery and well-being. And it all starts with survivors telling their story.

Who is your intended audience and what do you hope they will gain from your book?

I envisioned three distinct audiences. First and foremost, I wanted to publish this book for other survivors in the hopes that they would read something they could identify with and know that they are not alone. I wanted people to see that recovery and healing were not only possible, but immensely rewarding. The second intended audience was family members of survivors. Since it is a fact that most people do not reveal what happened to them in any detail, I wanted loved ones to be able to read a very real reporting of what survivors go through in life. Lastly I hoped that people who run organizations and churches as well as policy makers could get first hand knowledge of what it is like to live as a survivor and see the pain and destruction it causes.

Can you recommend any other books about healing after child sexual abuse? Are any of them personal account like yours? 

Probably the two best known books are Victims No Longer by Mike Lew and The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis. These are both great self help books. There are many personal accounts, but to be honest, most of them scare me. I am not interested in reading accounts of abuse. I am interested though in reading of how people deal with the abuse in recovery and their stories of triumph. That is what I tried to do with Boys Don’t Tell. I would mention one other memoir, The Journal of My Broken Life by a good friend of mine Carolee Horning. I applaud her bravery in writing her story.

What resources would you recommend for survivors of child sexual abuse? Their loved ones and supporters?

The most important resource is a good therapist that has experience in trauma recovery and specifically child sex abuse. The success and degree of recovery will be determined by the relationship between the survivor and the therapist. Some people find a survivor group a better or more affordable way to deal. It is easier to find groups for women than men, but there are also online groups you can join. I would mention Male Survivor and 1in6, which are both specifically for men. Also Joyful Heart Foundation founded by actress Mariska Hargitay, is a good online resource. I have many articles and resources on my website, Boys Don't Tell.

All of these websites have good information for loved ones and supporters as well. Understanding what survivors are going through is a great first step. My wife has pointed out how little is out there, both in voice and resources for partners of survivors. One of the best things I have read for partners was this article in The Altlantic by Shonna Milliken Humphrey about being married to a survivor, "On Marrying a Survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Dealing with Misinformation, Feeling Powerless, and Slowly Getting Better Together."

What can friends and family of abuse victims do to support them?

The first thing supporters can do is acknowledge that it happened, “I believe you.” The second thing survivors need to hear is, “It was not your fault.” Most survivors need to hear this over and over to ease their shame. What may look like a simple process from the outside is very complicated on the inside. Supporters need to realize this often involves PTSD, and like returning war veterans, we need to let the survivor take the time and space they need to heal, which often takes years. The most effective support you can give is to just hold the space with your loved one. Don’t push, lead or judge. Sharing the space and their pain with loving arms is the very best thing you can do.

Please tell us about your work with abuse survivors and advocates. 

I try to be a face, voice and presence for survivors. Every survivor I have known feels alone with their secret. I share my healing experience (which is still going after 5 years) in articles I write and when I speak. I think hearing that one person can recover after keeping the secret for 40 years gives strength to those just starting on the path. I also think seeing how I have turned my pain into a mission motivates others.
I find survivors to be exceptionally sensitive and beautiful people. Child sex abuse is often called a soul injury, so recovery from that abuse is healing the soul. Being involved with people who are working to heal their soul is a tremendous privilege and honor. This work is truly blessed.

The speaking I do is a major portion of my work. Everyone grows from hearing the survivor voice. We have lived for centuries knowing that children are abused and have preferred to not talk about it and let the abuse continue. We need to normalize talking about abuse so we can help people heal and prevent it from happening in the first place. The place to start is for survivors to share their stories. I will speak to any group, of any size, anywhere and I guarantee you that people’s attitudes will change after hearing a survivor’s story.

What is the most valuable advice you’ve been given as someone working to help abuse survivors? 

I believe you. It was not your fault. You are good enough. You deserve and can have joy in your life.

“Ending child sex abuse is the most effective action we can take to improve the human condition on earth.” Monique Hoeflinger

Have you written or are you writing any other books? Any plans to publish them? 

I write regularly and have published over 150 articles. I have not yet put together a second book but I plan on doing so. The next book I have in mind is for men, with a theme of “Why me God?” to explore the conflict between the cultural expectations and pressures on men, with being a victim. Currently being a man and being a victim are mutually exclusive. I want to offer men a path to healing that includes a vision of maleness that does not include denying our feelings, being overly tough, or being violent in any way. On my journey I have come to accept that it is enough to be a good and kind man and I want to share that with others.

What’s next? Are you working on new projects?

I think I have more projects in mind than I have years left on earth, but here are a few:

The book is one project. (See above.)

I would like to make a DVD recording of Boys Don't Tell as well as readings of some of my blogs for people to be able to hear the first person voice. I think it can communicate so much more than just the words on a page.

I want to eliminate the criminal statute of limitations for child sex abuse in Oregon. It currently expires (the crime is forgiven) when the survivor turns 30 and most people do not address their abuse until later in life.
We currently require teachers to have 30 minutes of education on child abuse, which mostly covers mandatory reporting. Teenagers are required to have one class on dating violence now. I would like to work to get required class time for every grade on healthy relationships, to include bullying, sex abuse and all types of domestic and gender based violence. Most kids do not have good examples of healthy relationships at home or in the media. We need to begin to teach and model how to be in healthy relationships for our children.

I want to get faith communities to take on Jesus’ commandment to nurture and protect children. Churches along with everyone else have seen fit to look past or over child sex abuse. Since it directly affects 20% of the population I think it is fair say it is an epidemic. Our faith communities could be the foundation of the cultural change if they would make protecting children their top priority. I am working on a project called Safe Church with an ecumenical group and I am working directly with the United Methodists on policy change and programs. I hope someday to see our faith communities leading the movement to end child sex abuse.

Any parting thoughts?

I believe child abuse is a root cause of a large portion of ills facing our society. It breaks individuals, changes the course of life and our culture as a whole. I want to thank you for your interest in my book, Boys Don’t Tell, and wanting to learn more about child sex abuse. I invite you to continue on this path and join the movement to end child sex abuse. Take one action each day, week or month to protect a child or help a survivor heal. You will be amazed at the impact of your support. Blessings.

THANKS RANDY! 

BOYS DON'T TELL IS AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK AND A KINDLE EDITION.  YOU CAN BUY IT AT RANDY'S WEBSITE, AMAZON, OR BY SPECIAL ORDER FROM YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BOOKSTORE.


Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Teaser Tuesday: Boom, Bust, Boom by Bill Carter



In fact, I find it strange that I rarely had a bad encounter with anyone I met connected with the mining business, whether a miner, geologist, prospector, or executive. I just know they are trained to see the world in a different way, one where their notion of acceptable risk is far different from that of most people I know.
-- Boom, Bust, Boom: A Story About Copper, the Metal that Runs the World, by Bill Carter.

Boom, Bust, Boom is the history of copper, told by a journalist concerned with the potential hazards and risks associated with mining a metal that plays a vital role in our lives. The book has earned the praise of Sebastian Junger and Jim Harrison, among others.

You can read The Daily Beast's interview of of Bill Carter, and listen to Carter's interview on public radio, discussing Boom, Bust, Boom.



Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading, where you can find the official rules for this weekly event.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Mailbox Monday


Thanks for joining me for Mailbox Monday! MM was created by Marcia, who graciously hosted it for a long, long time, before turning it into a touring event. Mailbox Monday has now returned to its permanent home where you can link to your MM post.

Two books came into my house last week:



Dead Float by Warren C. Easley.  This is the second in Easley's mystery series featuring lawyer and amateur sleuth Cal Claxton, following the series debut, Matter of Doubt.  The first book introduced Cal as a former LA prosecutor starting a small practice in Oregon wine country. In Dead Float, Cal finds himself tangled in a murder mystery while guiding a fishing trip down the Deschutes River Canyon.

This looks like a great summer read and an exciting new series from Poisoned Pen Press.



Kidding Ourselves: The Hidden Power of Self-Deception by Joseph T. Hallinan.  Hallinan makes brain science accessible as he uses dozens of examples to explain how and why self-deception influences our decisions and actions.  




Thursday, July 3, 2014

Book Beginning: Boom, Bust, Boom by Bill Carter




Book Beginnings on Fridays is up on Thursday this week since tomorrow is Independent Day.
Everyone has time to post early before the long holiday weekend!

Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.

EARLY BIRDS & SLOWPOKES: This weekly post goes up Thursday evening for those who like to get their posts up and linked early on. But feel free to add a link all week.

FACEBOOK: Rose City Reader has a Facebook page where I post about new and favorite books, book events, and other bookish tidbits, as well as link to blog posts. I'd love a "Like" on the page! You can go to the page here to Like it. I am happy to Like you back if you have a blog or professional Facebook page, so please leave a comment with a link and I will find you.

TWITTER, ETC: If you are on Twitter, Google+, or other social media, please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings. I try to follow all Book  Beginnings participants on whatever interweb sites you are on, so please let me know if I have missed any and I will catch up.

YOUR BOOK BEGINNING



MY BOOK BEGINNING



Every spring I plant a garden, a small but noble pursuit. Small in the sense that there are many more important items on the daily calendar of our lives, but noble because each step of self-sustainability has a lovely feeling of beating the ever-invasive food industry at its own game.
-- Boom, Bust, Boom: A Story About Copper, the Metal that Runs the World, by Bill Carter

Boom, Bust, Boom is the history and legacy of a ubiquitous product told by a journalist who knows how to tell a story.  The beginning leaves me curious because I don't know what the "ever-invasive food industry" has to do with copper, but if copper really is "the metal that runs the world," I think I am going to find out.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Teaser Tuesday: Turning Down the Sound



To drive home the danger, myth, and majesty of the Makah, drive back to the Cape Flattery trailhead and hike three-quarters of a mile, mostly on a cedar boardwalk, through the forest to the Cape. . . .  It's the northwesternmost point in the continental United States.

-- From the author's Introduction to Turning Down the Sound: Travel Escapes in Washington's Small Towns by Foster Church, published by OSU Press.

Turning Down the Sound is a must-have guide to exploring Washington state. It makes an excellent companion to Foster's earlier book, Discovering Main Street: Travel Adventures in Small Towns of the Northwest.


  

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading, where you can find the official rules for this weekly event.


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