I had a hard time "reading" this book. In fact, I did not finish it. It is a "cartoon" style book, which I never read and would not have requested it on the Early Reviewers list. I think the storyline is positive, in other words, a "good feel" book, just not my style ( )

A cute little graphic novel about a woman's journey adopting her first child. It was sweet, but fairly unsubstantial. ( )

The Shiniest Jewel: A Family Love Story (2008)
Marian Henley
176 pages
Received from Library Thing Early Reviewers.

I can't say enough good things about this touching, beautiful memoir. At 49, Marian Henley realizes that though she may not ever marry her longtime boyfriend, Rick, she wants to be a mother. The Shiniest Jewel details her journey to adopt her son William from Russia. Told in graphic novel format, this thought-provoking memoir made me realize how much some mothers go through to do adopt. I know it will be on my top 10 books of 2009. ( )

12/16 - I somehow misplaced this book when it first came in... So I'm just reading it now. A better review is to come.

12/17 - This was a very quick read for me. For some reason graphic novels make some things more palatable to me. I thought I was going to have a hard time with the subject matter but this was an biographical tale of a woman trying to figure out the timing in her life, and finally just letting go and letting things happen. The art style was not my favorite, but the themes of adoption and interaction with parents as you both get older were well suited to this medium. ( )

I had read the summary of the book when I first read the review. But I guess I missed the part of it being told in graphic novel form. So I was a little surprised when I first opened the book, but I loved it all the same. What I love about graphic novels is that the author can sometimes show an emotion and feeling better in drawing than writing. The image of an arrow shooting a heart, is a lot better than the sound of it. As for the story line, I think parts of it helped me understand a little better the long and painful process involved in adoption, which is something I see myself doing one day. Of course I'm a little far from that stage yet, second year in university. haha. I thought that despite everything going on in Henley's life, she managed to cope with it rather well to get the son she can call her own. It's a great story-- one that is inspiring and real and emotional-- that is a short read but manages to capture so much in it. ( )