lornarei's review against another edition
4.0
Took me awhile to get through the beginning of this one, stopping to cry along with her. She gets it, and I'm sorry, if you haven't been there, you just don't get it. Our lives are different, our situations were different, the path to get there was different but I enjoyed reading her story. I would loved to have seen a photo of her daughter, but I understand her need for privacy.
rockyc5's review against another edition
5.0
Loved!!! I laughed, I sobbed. I learned a lot if new and Interesting things. Nia is open and honest, combining all sorts of vignettes and observations in an easy-to-read way!
actodd's review against another edition
5.0
Great book lots of good info on adoption
Very accessible and funny and touching. A lot of good information on rescources if you’re interested in adoption/foster care system
Very accessible and funny and touching. A lot of good information on rescources if you’re interested in adoption/foster care system
oliviak07's review against another edition
4.0
My first book of 2021, completed as the sun rose over a new and fresh page of a year, Nia Vardalos's maternal memoir was a near perfect piece to read at a transitional time of the calendar year, and in my own chronology. I am at a loss of where to begin my streams of gratitude for the optimism, laughs, and peace she has shared with anyone who reads/listens to her story of life before, during, and after adoption from the foster care system.
Note: I hope you are able to access and use the audio book, Nia (I feel like she would be okay with me calling her by her first name) narrates it and that brings so much life and emotion to each anecdote and lesson learned!
Nia's approachability, humor, and absolute confidence and pride is exactly why I gravitated towards her story, because as I face my own journey in the years ahead with infertility I needed a friend to give me that pep-talk when all seems doomed. The vulnerability she shares about balancing love, work, and IVF treatments all at one time reassured that while we may ambitious we are also human, and that is okay. Her acknowledgement and advocacy of knowing yourself, your body, and alternatives to 'becoming a mom' pulled back a veil for me (and I am sure readers like me) that was much needed.
Her husband, Ian, is one of the best partners I have ever had the pleasure of meeting via 'word of mouth'. I am sure if I had read this book while in the arms of my previous partners I would have envied Nia for having someone so incredible by her side. I can say, now, that I am in the arms of the partner that when we come to the fork in the road for parenthood whichever path we choose it will be done so with glee and love!
While not everyone has the same experience as Nia and her family when adopting, a point she makes to readers in the post-adoption chapters of the books, she encourages that diversity of experiences so we all continue to learn from them. While we are not looking to add to our family any time soon, this book will be helpful for whatever comes our way when we become parents.
P.S. Okay, I fibbed, we are going to get another cat soon. Fur babies!
Note: I hope you are able to access and use the audio book, Nia (I feel like she would be okay with me calling her by her first name) narrates it and that brings so much life and emotion to each anecdote and lesson learned!
Nia's approachability, humor, and absolute confidence and pride is exactly why I gravitated towards her story, because as I face my own journey in the years ahead with infertility I needed a friend to give me that pep-talk when all seems doomed. The vulnerability she shares about balancing love, work, and IVF treatments all at one time reassured that while we may ambitious we are also human, and that is okay. Her acknowledgement and advocacy of knowing yourself, your body, and alternatives to 'becoming a mom' pulled back a veil for me (and I am sure readers like me) that was much needed.
Her husband, Ian, is one of the best partners I have ever had the pleasure of meeting via 'word of mouth'. I am sure if I had read this book while in the arms of my previous partners I would have envied Nia for having someone so incredible by her side. I can say, now, that I am in the arms of the partner that when we come to the fork in the road for parenthood whichever path we choose it will be done so with glee and love!
While not everyone has the same experience as Nia and her family when adopting, a point she makes to readers in the post-adoption chapters of the books, she encourages that diversity of experiences so we all continue to learn from them. While we are not looking to add to our family any time soon, this book will be helpful for whatever comes our way when we become parents.
P.S. Okay, I fibbed, we are going to get another cat soon. Fur babies!
felinity's review against another edition
5.0
Nia, the screenwriter and bride in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, tells the honest story of how she became an adoptive mother, with infertility and disappointments along the way. (And some background to her screenwriting and acting career, for those who are curious.)
Of course, the ironic part of the title is that you might become a mom instantly when matched with your adoptive child, but the actual process is long, painful, and full of bumps and false starts. Anyone who's investigated infertility treatment or adoption will identify with this part, including the emotional aspects, and laugh along with Nia through the many pitfalls of the process and the transition - we know sometimes the choices are laugh or cry, and at other times it just seems completely insane.
And then the miracle happens: a child and adults are matched, and an family is created instantly. But the story doesn't end there (though a Hollywood plot would); everyone has to adapt to the new life, the new family, and true personalities begin to emerge. But being matched, and having a placement, are not the same as finalized. The whole-hearted love felt is tinged with a little apprehension until that final day when the adoption becomes irrevocable.
It's wonderful to read someone who writes positively about foster parents, social workers and adoption because - as she mentions - so often we only hear the truly negative stories: the failed adoptions, the indifferent parents. Nia and her husband Ian have a good plan for protecting their daughter from the public eye, and for protecting her privacy as a child (especially an adopted child). Nia's story is to dispel the myth that adopted children are damaged, and she does a wonderful job. (There's also an appendix with some quick adoption FAQs.)
Of course, the ironic part of the title is that you might become a mom instantly when matched with your adoptive child, but the actual process is long, painful, and full of bumps and false starts. Anyone who's investigated infertility treatment or adoption will identify with this part, including the emotional aspects, and laugh along with Nia through the many pitfalls of the process and the transition - we know sometimes the choices are laugh or cry, and at other times it just seems completely insane.
And then the miracle happens: a child and adults are matched, and an family is created instantly. But the story doesn't end there (though a Hollywood plot would); everyone has to adapt to the new life, the new family, and true personalities begin to emerge. But being matched, and having a placement, are not the same as finalized. The whole-hearted love felt is tinged with a little apprehension until that final day when the adoption becomes irrevocable.
It's wonderful to read someone who writes positively about foster parents, social workers and adoption because - as she mentions - so often we only hear the truly negative stories: the failed adoptions, the indifferent parents. Nia and her husband Ian have a good plan for protecting their daughter from the public eye, and for protecting her privacy as a child (especially an adopted child). Nia's story is to dispel the myth that adopted children are damaged, and she does a wonderful job. (There's also an appendix with some quick adoption FAQs.)
krys72599's review against another edition
5.0
It’s just like listening to Nia Vardalos chit chat over a cup of coffee. The good, the bad and the ugly of trying to get pregnant, failed fertility treatments, and fos-adopting her daughter. The insecurity of being a new mom, the adjustment to being a family from both mom’s and dad’s perspectives, and a loving, funny version of her daughter who we’ll all come to love by page 282.
mcoleman1250's review against another edition
3.0
A sweet story with good information about adoption. Though my concern for the story lies in the ease of the relationships between Nia and her daughter. I'm so glad that they had such a good connection, but I know that in some adoption cases relationships between the child and adoptive parent can be harder to forge.
jennyrpotter's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book and gave it five stars, which is atypical for me. It wasn't so much Vardalos' writing ability as it was her sentiment, honesty, and hilarity that captured me. Vardalos uses this book to discuss her own process of becoming an "instant parent" when she adopted a three-year-old girl from the American foster system after many years of infertility. Her love for her child and her respect for the process is so obvious, and yet she doesn't hold back on the honest details of the difficulty of soothing a toddler who has no idea where she is and who these people are. Again, I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who has considered adoption, is in the process of adopting, or who has adopted.
billyidolrules's review against another edition
4.0
This was a hilarious and brutally honest tale of motherhood and adoption. Nia has no problem sharing the embarrassing stories right alongside the parenting triumphs. She also include helpful information for those who may not know how adoption works or the many different ways you can adopt a child.
lyndsm's review against another edition
5.0
As a huge fan of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, I really enjoyed Vardalos's memoir and the glimpse into her personal life. This book is a great read for current moms and those who hope to be moms in the future!