What’s it all about? And why would anyone want to read it? Well, let me try to explain without losing your interest too quickly. Basically, it’s all about me. Shameless self-promotion: of my writing, of my novels:
Where Are the Cocoa Puffs? and Reis's Pieces, of my amazing ability to come up with clever captions on photos of my travels . . . And also, a blatant representation of my stupidity when it comes to spelling, editing, and computer-type stuff.


My debut novel:
Where are the Cocoa Puffs?: A Family's Journey Through Bipolar Disorder was released in September of 2010. My second novel: Reis's Pieces: Love, Loss, and Schizophrenia, was released May, 2012!


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

NAMI Advocate Review

NAMI Bookshelf

Where are the Cocoa Puffs?Where are the Cocoa Puffs?: A Family’s Journey Through Bipolar Disorder
Karen Winters Schwartz
Goodman Beck Publishing (2010)

Where are the Cocoa Puffs? illustrates how a well-crafted piece of fiction can be effective at explaining the experience of mental illness. The story unfolds like the chronology of an earthquake, with 18-year-old Amanda at the epicenter and those close to her being shaken to varying degrees by the development of her illness. Just like in documentary photographs of a quake or a storm, what communicates the hugeness of the event are snapshots of the details: a troubling conversation in which Amanda plans to cure blindness and deafness; a trip with the extended family; the breakdown on the cereal aisle because there are no Cocoa Puffs; mother Carol’s tears in a restaurant that reminds her of happier times or Amanda’s younger sister acting out with the wrong guy. Bipolar disorder shows itself to be a storm that peaks and levels and rages again, but that is best communicated by daily events like meals or a mundane activity cut short by a phone call signaling the beginning of a new stage of crisis.

One of the most gripping themes in Cocoa Puffs is watching Amanda’s father, a psychiatrist, slowly recognize and come to terms with his daughter’s illness. The reader sees events such as the first suicidal conversation and the first hospitalization through the eyes of someone who has experienced them many times before—but not like this. In one moving scene, Jerry receives a prescription from his daughter’s psychiatrist and finds himself lingering, knowing that this is all the doctor can give him, but wishing the other man could just give him some reassurance about his daughter’s illness.

Another interesting element in the book is Amanda’s relationship with her boyfriend, Ryan. Older, long-haired, not currently in school, he is not what her parents ideally want for her in a partner. But over time, he becomes a powerful support to both Amanda and the rest of the family. Like the NAMI Family-to-Family class that helps Carol, Ryan shows how sometimes families find healing outside the family. When the reader is inside Ryan’s head, it’s like a moment of calm. All the worries, anger and projections from the minds of the rest of the family stop, and we can just appreciate what he loves about Amanda, even as we see his own struggle to understand her illness.

Unlike its title, the book is not always sweet—sex, strong language and drugs are all part of this slice of life. In keeping with the naturalistic tone, the book’s resolution is a glimmer of normalcy. After many months of painful ups and downs, mother and daughter finally meet in the middle for a regular conversation. “Wow,” the family says together. Readers with all degrees of familiarity with mental illness may very well find themselves saying the same at the end of the book.

Reviewed by Kim Puchir

To order: http://www.amazon.com/Where-Are-Cocoa-Puffs-Disorder/dp/0979875560/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314195032&sr=8-1

Monday, August 8, 2011

New Release of a Wonderful Cookbook!

I'm very excited to announce the official release of my mother, Dot's, cookbook! In honor of her upcoming eightieth birthday, her original book, The Old Caterer's Favorite Hors d'oeuvres has been updated and published by Bryce Cullen Publishing. Copies of this beautiful addition can be easily ordered from Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935752081/ref=cm_cr_thx_view
image.png
This cookbook is a result of over half a century of Dot Winters entertaining others and is quite possibly (definitely) one of the most comprehensive hors d'oeuvre cookbooks ever assembled! Filled with amazing recipes, laced with wise personal commentary and seasoned social advice, The Old Caterer's Hors d'oeuvres is more than a cookbook—it's a way of life.

You can also "Like" The Old Caterer's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Old-Caterers-Favorite-Hors-doeuvres/194759750584100

Please pass this news along to others in support of a lifetime of great eating, entertaining and cooking!