For the rest of January, I will be offering my memoir Why I Left the Amish for $18.00 with free shipping anywhere in the continental United States. I simply need to receive your order in the month of January for you to get this deal.
To order, please click on the book icon on the right of this page, which takes you to my website. Click on the order form, print it, fill it out, and send it to the address on the order form, and I will promptly send you an autographed copy.
There are several newspaper articles coming out in the next few weeks. People seem to be curious about the subject of this book. I sold a copy to a woman who I know from around town one morning at the post office. She looked at me and said, “You are really happy about something… what’s going on for you?” So I told her, and she bought the book on the spot. Last night David and I were at our favorite local restaurant, and two of the employees bought a book from me.
This coming Wednesday I will be talking at the library in Sunderland, right next door to where I live. I’ve heard from quite a few people who are planning to be there, so I look forward to this event with a great deal of anticipation. Every step along the way of the book journey is adventurous and exciting.
I am going to pose a question to my readers. If you were going to be at my first book appearance, what aspect of my story would you most want to know about?
I think, for me, it would be an over view of Amish life for you as a child: good and bad. What did you really like about it while giving a small glimpse into the reason(s) you left.
The stories you’ve posted here about Christmas (for me) illustrate it very well: The gathering of the family but the domineering attitutde of the men.
Congratulations on your success!
Dear Saloma,
I read the book last night! I honestly could not put it down! The one aspect I’d be interested in is how you’ve moved on/forgiven your older brother.
Hmm, if I didn’t know you? What were the defining factors that led to your decision to leave? For instance, if you could say point by point that you left because of _____ and _____ and ______.
Thank you, Cora, for your suggestion. I was thinking about a theme of some of the truths versus myths of Amish life from my perspective of growing up in Geauga County, Ohio. Thank you for your congrats. It is always a pleasure to hear from you. BTW, have I ever told you I love your profile photo? You look like a Roman goddess…
Karen, thank you for your remarks about the book. I am still struggling with the aspect of forgiving my brother. I wish I could say that I’ve found resolution in this relationship, but I honestly cannot say that. I have with my father, and my mother, to a large degree, but there is still so much I don’t understand about why my brother did many of the things he did. I strive to let it all go, but I’m not there yet.
Monica, I wish I could do that, but I don’t know that I can summarize the reasons why I left. It takes a whole book to convey the nuances… many reasons are multifaceted and interwoven with others.
Thank you Cora, Karen, and Monica for your suggestions.
Saloma, I haven’t read your book, yet but I think since we already know why you have left and what you have gained, I would would want to know what you missed the most about leaving and how you dealt with it.
I too like Cora’s suggestion. One of the strengths of the book is that it could be sensational but isn’t. An accurate accounting of what is good in Amish life actually gives your negative stories more validity. In my mind, at least.
Peggy, as always, it is great to hear your perspective. If you haven’t already, you might want to check out my earlier post, “The Things I Miss” http://aboutamish.blogspot.com/2009/12/things-i-miss.html on Tuesday, December 8, 2009. I think it might be good to integrate this with Cora’s idea… the things I miss are also the things I find were good about that culture.
Shirley, thank you for your comment. I believe that is true in many stories. Thank you also for the review on your blog… I am humbled by all the positive things you’ve written about me (and my journey). The only problem with this many compliments is I now feel I need to live up to them.
I’d want to know what do you retain from that culture ~ things you still do that you can’t let go of…good or bad. Maybe there are certain foods you always want to have that will remind you of something, or maybe you can’t stop cursing in Penn. Dutch (although I know that’s not true because you said in the book you’ve lost a lot of the language) – I was only joking. But you know what I mean – what CAN’T or WON’T you let go of?
Thank you IH, for your suggestion. I like that idea… that is a variance of the same theme I’m developing — that of what aspects of my life were difficult and which I consider positive, including the things I miss. Adding those things that I WISH I could let go of is a great idea.
Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions. I wish you could all be there. Please send me your thoughts for this first author appearance.
My sister said to me a while ago, “When you get to talk in front of an audience, you are just going to be in your element.” In a way, she is right… I seem to have been wanting an audience since I was very little. What a contrary thing for a little Amish girl to want!
So, thanks all, for being my audience. Shirley Showalter quoted from “When I am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple” on her blog. I laughed out loud when I read it… and it fits here, too. That is to “make up for the sobriety of my youth.” I may not be able to dance or sing in front of an audience, but I can talk… I started doing that (in sentences) before I walked, according to my mother.
Why I left the Amish, is a very well written book. Both those interested in the religious side and the human side will enjoy reading it. This book will cause you to look at your own life in a whole new way.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
Saloma, If I were in the audience I’d like to know what aspects of your life today do you feel are directly related to your Amish upbringing. How have you lived your life with your family, that maybe you wouldn’t have, if you had been raised mainstream protestant?
I have a fantasy of your being interviewed by Terry Gross of Fresh Air and doing a book signing in Philadelphia. Theresa
I am so disappointed about not being able to be in your audience tonight due to this lousy snowstorm. Unfortunately, I am busy next week for the rescheduled time. Maybe you will get to the World Eye Bookshop in Greenfield??? I will order your book soon. Heard about it thru the Spfld Republican article. Fascinating. Best of luck
I have just discovered this site and have it book marked. I am not seeing how exactly one orders and pays for the book on this site but I am eager to do so. Thanks
I enjoy your webpage and blog. I’d like to order your book “Why I left the Amish”. Please tell me how to go about it, address to mail check for it or website. Thank you. Elaine
Just a quick answer to the last two questions… if you click on the book icon on the top right of this page, it’ll take you to my website, where you can click on the order form. Print, fill out, and send me the order form, and you are set to go!
Looking forward to receiving your orders!
Saloma