If are adopting or have adopted from Ethiopia and have not heard of Melissa Fay Greene then one of either two things is true – you live under a rock or you hate to read.

Her book “There’s No Me Without You” is part memoir of Haregewoin Teferra, who took in AIDS orphans, and part medical history chronicling the spread of HIV/AIDS in sub-saharn Africa. At nearly 500 pages it wasn’t light reading but it was moving, inspiring and infuriating all at the same time. (The infuriation was aimed at the fact that so much of what is happening there is preventable. But that’s another post.) It’s pretty much required reading for all Ethiopian adoptive parents – or it should be.

So when I saw she had a new book out, I knew it had to go on my must-read list. Imagine my delight when the author appeared on Twitter, followed me, and then asked if I’d be interested in reviewing the book.

I admit I don’t always read the introductions to books but I’m glad I did. I was laughing out loud by the second page.

Greene’s new book chronicles the creation of their beautiful, yet admittedly chaotic family – four children by birth, 5 adopted children from Bulgaria and Ethiopia. Their story is told with heartfelt honesty, revealing Greene’s struggles with post-adoption depression (hello, I can relate to that), detailing fist-fights and name calling and yet uncovering one clear truth – this is a family built on love…and humor.

At 350 pages I couldn’t speed through it as I do most books, but on the other hand I didn’t want to. I wanted to hang out with the Greene family as long as I could, laughing my way through the pages.

No Biking in the House Without a Helmet on Amazon.com