Tuesday, November 27, 2012

DWARF by Tiffanie DiDonato (w/ Rennie Dyball)

Remember, I'm trying to post a few books this week so check the previous post if you haven't entered to win, and come back to see what the next post will be! Thanks!

 

Tiffanie DiDonato

You know I love finding inspirational memoirs, and here's a great one coming out this week! It's written by Tiffanie DiDonato (with Rennie Dyball), who overcame incredible odds in her life…

Born with Diastrophic Dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism, when Tiffanie was a child at three feet, eight inches, the doctors confirmed that was as tall as she would grow. Tiffanie would not accept this fate and when she was old enough to make the decision, through many surgeries and fierce determination, she gained 14 inches, which gave her the freedom to do many things that would have never been possible at three feet, eight inches.

Here is more about Dwarf :

“It's okay with me if you picked up this book because you're curious about what it's like to live with dwarfism. But I hope that you'll take away much more—about adapting to the world when it won't adapt to you.”—from Dwarf

A memoir of grit and transformation for anyone who has been told something was impossible and then went on to do it anyway.

Tiffanie DiDonato was born with dwarfism. Her limbs were so short that she was not able to reach her own ears. She was also born with a serious case of optimism. She decided to undergo a series of painful surgeries that gave her an unprecedented 14 inches of height—and the independence she never thought she’d have.

After her surgeries, Tiffanie was able to learn to drive, to live in the dorms during college, and to lead a normal life. She even made time to volunteer, writing to troops stationed abroad, and one of those Marine pen pals ultimately became her husband.

Dwarf is a moving and at times funny testament to the power of sheer determination.

Tiffanie is now married and the mother to a baby boy. You can read more about her:


To enter to win Dwarf, leave a comment sharing something you wanted to change but haven't been able and do it. Obviously, it doesn't have to be as life-altering as what Tiffanie went through!

DON'T FORGET: Did you already check out the last book too? Make sure to enter to win SPARKLE by clicking HERE to enter! I'm trying to get three books up on the blog this week so make sure to come back!

NEW TO BOOKING WITH MANIC?  

If you're new to Booking with Manic, thank you for stopping by! We love new readers! Some notes - If you're entering to win a book, please use an identifying name and it's usually a great idea to include an email, which I will never give out to anyone else. You can only enter once please. You'll need to check back here in about a week or so to see if you've won the book -- I will highlight the winner's name at the top of this post, or tell you where you can find the winner's name at the top of this post. Most books are supplied directly through publishers, publicists and the authors. Winners will receive books directly from the publisher or author within 3 weeks from the time you provide me with your address, unless I send you the book (sometimes I will). Sorry, but we can only ship to U.S. and Canada so if you're from another country, thank you for coming by to read and discover new authors, but we can't send you a book. Any questions on how I run the blog or suggestions on who you would like to see featured, please email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!


43 comments:

absolutahnie said...

my job (been here 24 years...)and sometimes i'd like to have different hair, mine's curly i'd like to have it be straight!

ncsuloges said...

I would like to be less anxious. I have changed to some extent thanks to good med and good therapy but it is a daily battle to stay calm.

Emma S. said...

I'd have to say I'd like to get lasik. I've had glasses since I was 7 or 8 years old and have worn contacts for the past 16 years. Superficial, but still something I'd like to change.

Melissa said...

To Emma S: I did Lasik and it's great, but sometimes it bothers me to drive at night. My eyes get dry too.

Anyway, this book sounds great!

I'd probably like to change my level of patience and also pick up more creative skills.

Melissa A from CLC

Stephanie B. said...

My teeth! They are crooked and have some fluoride spots on them that I get taken care of and they always seem to reappear. I've always said when all my kids teeth are done and paid for, I WILL DO THIS!

Melissa said...

I've recently been trying to change my parenting techniques...it's hard.

-tmd636

Krystal said...

I've always wanted to change my nose... I most likely never will because it's a display of my heritage. I would also like to change my vision. I hope to have Lasik to do this.

kndyer

My Two Army Brats said...

I should probably say I wish I had a filter between my brain and my mouth but then my friends would laugh a lot less so I had better not!

Lizett34 said...

I want to change my weight. I have struggled with it my entire life and I would just like to get an average and comfortable size! =)

Becki**** said...

Memoirs my favorite genre for awhile . . . .would also like to worry less and trust God more. And also would like to suck up the willpower and responsibility to lose 15 pounds for my health.

Mary Jo Burke said...

My lack of patience.

Ready To Be A Momma said...

I would love to be able to stop over thinking EVERYTHING! It's making me insane.
Qweska8402

keltban said...

I would love to change my procrastination habit. I love putting things off as long as possible..cleaning, etc. I seem to do good for a week and then I fall back into old habits.

TinaB said...

I seriously don't think I'd change one thing about myself. I'm not perfect....but I'm me!
Brannanflooring@aol.com

Tami said...

need to stop gossiping so much!!

Ally said...

My hair!

Bev V said...

I'd like to change my paranoia about certain things. I need to trust that what people tell they are going to do will really happen. Most of the time it does, but there's always that chance. . .

Books & Reviews said...

I need to be less anxious! I have severe anxiety!

jdstec said...

I would like to be more patient.

Mom'sLove said...

My first thought would be to change my hearing. Well, the lack of it. I was born deaf and and I change my mind. I don't want to be hearing. I like how my life is, I have a huge family and friends and a wonderful life. Nope, do not want to change a thing...
Amanda

Carol5814 said...

Still need to lose some baby weight. Especially since the "babies" are now 20 and 17 (years, not months) old ;)

betsy_blixt said...

I have always wanted to change the thickness of my hair. I can't go it out to long cause it gets stringy. It's so thin I can't do much with it. I know it's a small thing but I have tried everything and nothing has worked. I just want long thick flowing hair. That and of course my belly and arm fat.

Margie said...

I'd like to get my teeth whitened, but I haven't gotten around to it.
Margie T

Kelleyc said...

I wish I cold be more patient, especially with my kids. (But having a pre-teen boy makes that near impossible!)

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

I would love for my Buddah belly to change!

slm8803 said...

Does wanting to be skinny count?

ludy2288 said...

I love thought provoking memoirs..and I would say I'd like to change how skeptical I am of new people I meet.

CAnative said...

I would like to start thinking like TinaB. I think women in general need to feel comfortable in their own skin, whether about weight, specific looks, anxiety, worry what others think, etc. TinaB. is right: we aren't perfect but we are who we are and should find happiness in that. Something I will definitely work on.

Nicole

Unknown said...

I've always wanted to get a breast reduction. But I'm so scared I won't even go for a consult. :(

JessFolkerts said...

I wish I wasn't so high strung. I stress out about the smallest things and when big ones occur - watch out! It's always been very hard for me to relax.

hazyswife said...

I'd like to change my skin, struggled with acne breakouts my entire life. I was hopeful that it wpukd go away as I got older but alas I was not so lucky.

A.C. said...

Though I'm obviously not as short as she was, I've always hated my height. I'm 5'3" (though my husband says I'm only 5'2") and have always wished I was taller.

equinn726 said...

I would like to change my weight. In the past year I've gained nearly 20 lbs due to stress and how I deal with stress. I'm working hard to make small changes to hopefully begin pushing the scale back down the other way.

LeslieGC said...

I would like to be better at saying no. I already have a crazy hectic schedule, but seem to always get sucked in to more. Plus my "to read" pile has gotten out of control so it would be nice to be stationary a little more.

Kimmi said...

I would like to develop more patience. NOW!

triskell21279 said...

I saw this segment this morning on GMA and have been bothered by it since. It is true that this woman is very courageous and that she underwent very painful surgeries in order to be taller but in my opinion, this subject has been presented way too lightly. We only heard that the post surgery was very painful and her dad said that she lost some mobility but they didn't talk about all the rest and it sounded like it is something you could consider to grow taller when you have a genetic condition or something else but the reality is that it is not that easy. I didn't do the surgery myself and I am not a dwarf but I have a genetic condition that altered my growth in my teenage years and as a result my adult size is the same as Tiffany now; 4"10. I am not complaining about it but it took me a while to accept it and at one point in my life I was interested to know more about that surgery (to grow maybe 2 or 3” because when you’re small that matters), and as it turns out it is way more complicated than what the GMA segment shows. On the paper they say that on average you can grow 1" / month with the surgery but in reality that is not that (as per surgeons told me). Also it is very painful, I know it was mentioned in the segment but very briefly and they should really emphasise on this.
Finally, because you have external fixators you have to make sure that you don't get an infection that can go to the bones.
In my opinion GMA presented that subject way too lightly and some people might think that it is THE ANSWER to be taller when you really have to think about the pros and cons (and they are lots of cons) before going through something so drastic.

Joelle said...

you want the long list or short list?!?! :P

I would love to change my insecurities. Not good enough, not smart enough...voices of the past still trying to drag me down. :\

Carly said...

My weight, for sure.
It fluctuates so much. I can't seem to stick with anything.

Carly H

buttah said...

Let's see...I would like to change my career, my lack of patience, my procrastination, my anxiety, and my lack of motivation right now. Oh and my stupid hormones that can't seem to behave themselves!!

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

Ummmm - that would be my weight. Constant struggle. :^(

TaraUB said...

I have to admit this book freaks me out because I'm scared of little people. Totally irrational I know, but I can't help it. I think I blame The Wizard of Oz.

Terri said...

I'd like to change my shyness. I've come a long ways, but sometimes still find it hard to make small talk with new people.

Terri M.

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Thanks for entering to win this book! Comments are now closed! No more entries will be taken to qualify for this book, but please check back for the next book being featured!