I always encourage people to “read your genealogy”. What that means to me is; are you reading books which are either; genealogy how-to books or are you reading novels that are true stories or fiction with a genealogy story line?
Often I purchase books on Amazon, (curse you Amazon’s one-click button) but there are times that I don’t quite get to sit down and read them. But in the last week I’ve done exceptionally well. So far I’ve read two books and I’ve already started a third.
Death Finds A Way
The first book was Death Finds a Way: A Janie Riley Mystery, by a Canadian blogger and owner of The Olive Tree Genealogy page; Lorine McGinnis Schulze. This is the first in what I’m sure is going to be a series of genealogy mystery novels. Although Janie Riley is a genealogist she appears to have a bit of a propensity for finding herself in trouble, as throughout the book there are references to previous escapades. I hadn’t read that much of the first chapter before, I was wondering what was going to happen next and who the various characters were and how they fit in. I also enjoyed the genealogy tips that Janie Riley’s character covered and the references made to places in Salt Lake City as they were places I’ve actually been to.
Although this is Lorine McGinnis Schulze’s first in this fiction series it’s by no means her first book. You can see more of what she’s written here.
The Stranger in My Genes
The next book I read; was The Stranger in My Genes. This is an incredible story of how DNA can change your family tree. It speaks to how you might have to handle “delicate” information and also the emotional turmoil it can cause.
The Stranger in My Genes is written by Bill Griffeth, an avid genealogist who was collaborating with his cousin on their family history. Hist cousin encouraged Bill to take a DNA test and Bill discovers that his tree isn’t what he thought it was.
I really enjoyed reading this one because it was about a subject that I have such a fascination about and it was such an interesting case, again I couldn’t put it down. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve already recommended it as a “must read”.
Bird by Bird
I’m taking a writing course and so the book I’ve just started is one that was recently recommended to me by another genealogy blogger; Lisa Alzo. It’s called Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. The blurb on Amazon says that it’s a book to help you find your passion and your voice and best of all it’s written with a sense of humor.
My husband and I are embarking on a one-week road trip so I’m looking forward to getting into this one.
I hope you’ll take a look at these books and perhaps you’ll be encouraged to; “read your genealogy”.