November 19, 2009

Spotlight on. . . "Miracle Ride"

In anticipation of a new novel, “Invisible Me” from author Tzipi Caton, we present a review of her first book, “Miracle Ride”, released in May 2008, which was received with great acclaim. I remember reading a while back that “Miracle Ride” was a bestseller for Artscroll and indeed if you look at the publication date for the book it says that the first impression was May 2008 while the second was June 2008, meaning that they had to already print more copies a month later! I personally have read it at least three times and I’ll say right off the bat that this was definitely one of the best books to be released in the last two years. Let's take a look. . .

“Miracle Ride” is the true story of Tzipi Caton (which is her pen name), who was diagnosed in 11th grade with Hodgkin’s disease, a type of cancer. The book is her story as she chronicles it throughout the ordeal, starting with the diagnosis, followed by treatment and the path to recovery. The fact that this was originally written as part of her blog (jacancerpatient.blogspot.com) before being compiled into a full length book gives it a light and personable feel. What’s interesting is that one wouldn’t automatically associate a book about someone’s struggle through cancer as being “light reading,” yet Tzipi has very superbly put together a book that is exactly that. What stuck out for me the most was the humor aspect. I’m a big believer in trying to find the humor in life and Tzipi’s personality is such that she is able to make you smile even as she goes through the ups and downs of cancer. It's fun to watch her take her strong sarcasm and deal with some of the more difficult people in life and it's incredible how she can take such serious predicaments and end off making you smile. I do wonder though every time I read the book whether people she criticizes in her writing figure out who they are, and if yes what were their reactions? That question always makes me so curious!

Tzipi also gives over stark, yet important, messages about the good and not such good ways to treat someone who is ill. A teacher who she befriends in the course of the story has diabetes and there is a common theme between the two illness of how we use our misconceptions to delegitimize those who are ill. There are also instances where friends don't really think before acting, which most of us are guilty of in some form or another, and it's good to be reminded from the sick person's point of view how we really need to act. Pretty much this is a biography, funny, and filled with lessons, my three favorite book genres rolled into one. What more can I ask for?

Miracle Ride is a bold and fresh book and if you haven’t read it since it was released over a year ago, than what are you waiting for?! The chapters are short, making it more accessible to those on a busy schedule, yet it is so addicting that putting it down sounds easier than it really is.Keep your eyes out for her upcoming book, “Invisible Me”, coming soon to bookstores near you.


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