First, a little about me--I am a first-time prospective adoptive parent. Actually, my spouse and I have no children at all right now (apart from the shockingly needy hairless cat snoozing in my lap as I type this). None of our close friends or family has ever adopted. Overall, we define in every possible way the "newbie" to the adoption world.

And yet, thanks to the wonders of the written word (three cheers for Johannes Gutenberg!), we need not remain utterly clueless forever. Since I've been a voracious reader pretty much since exiting the womb, I did what I always do when I'm utterly clueless about something (not an infrequent occasion!): I looked for a book to help me out. And I found one.

In fact, I found more than one. I found dozens...upon dozens! There are adoption books about toddlers, about teenagers, about children of all races, about any number of acronyms (RAD, FAS, PTSD, ADD, ADHD, etc.) and an array of countries. Once I started researching adoption, I was no longer clueless--I was overwhelmed! Where do I start with these books? Which ones are actually worth reading and pertain to my situation? Which ones should I shell out $20 for, and which ones might be worth only a one-time check-out from the library?

And so, out of those questions, the idea for this blog was born. What if there was a site that saved prospective adoptive parents from hours of culling through Amazon book reviews, that presented reviews for all kinds of adoption books and actually stated what kind of audience would find the book most helpful? I never could find a site with that exact blend of information I was looking for, so (drumroll, please!) here I am creating it!

Because if there's one thing I have learned about the adoptive parent community thus far, it's what a helpful bunch they are! I've e-mailed total strangers all kinds of weird adoption-related questions and concerns, and almost without fail they have replied--personably, thoughtfully, and with much grace. So I figure it's about time to start giving back. I already bought an absurd number of adoption-related books and am lucky enough to read very quickly (thank you, God and early phonics-based education!). Thus, if by writing book reviews I can help any other folks navigate the wide and varied waters of adoption reading, I'd be thrilled.

So that's what this site is all about. A few caveats, though. First, I am a Christian, so at times I will review books that are written from a Christian religious perspective (these books fall under the category of what I would call "inspirational" adoption books). However, when I do, I will be sure to mention the religious component from the get-go, so if you are of another faith or are simply not interested in reading a faith-based book, you will know to pass on that review. And I would be more than happy to read books from other faith perspectives if I run across any. I have no interest in critiquing others' religions or lifestyles, so all reviews I write will approach books as objectively as possible, simply asking the questions, "who would find this book most helpful and why?"

Second, I am not an expert in adoption, parenting, psychology, or child development. While I do have an educational background in literature, religious studies, education, and communication sciences and disorders (yes, a strange combo, I know!), I will be writing these reviews merely as a thoughtful everyday person guided by common sense. All opinions expressed will be my own, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Third, while I intend for this website to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, it will inevitably skew a bit toward my own interests. After all, I'm the one buying the books, and so far I've been buying books that fit my situation: international adoption, older child adoption, transracial adoption. Thus, if you're looking for a great place for books about domestic adoption, this might not be it. However, as I will be reviewing lots of general adoption books, I think almost any adoptive parent could find some useful information here.

And finally, just for the record, a statement of the obvious: books are terrific, but they have their limits. If you are encountering major problems in any aspect of your adoption, please seek appropriate professional help. Books offer springboards for thought, windows to new viewpoints--but they are no substitute for knowledgeable, professional intervention.

OK--so that's Adoption Bookshelf in a nutshell! The first book review will be coming soon, and in the meantime, if you have any questions or recommendations, please feel free to e-mail me at adoptionbookshelf (at) gmail.com.

Fond wishes for fruitful reading!