"Finding Zoe": A Beautiful Journey Into the World of Adoption & the Deaf Community by Donna John

The title of this fascinating book may lead you to believe you have to be involved in adoption to appreciate it. That would be an incorrect assumption. "Finding Zoe" not only explores the adoption process, but takes you into the deaf culture, explaining the clash between different ways of thinking in the world of the deaf population in this country – something I had never thought about. The book does this through Brandi Rarus’ story, who lost her hearing at age 6 due to spinal meningitis and had to make a choice between being fully in the deaf world or adjusting to the hearing community. And, a woman who knew in her heart she was meant to have a daughter. Enter Zoe.

The book does a beautiful job of sharing not only Brandi’s adoption journey, but everyone involved. You’ll travel down the roads of Jess and BJ, the biological parents of Zoe; Jess and BJ’s parents; Tim, Brandi’s husband, and others who are sometimes overlooked in the often-complicated adoption process. Spirited, uplifting and educational, "Finding Zoe" will pull you in and get you emotionally vested from the first page until the final one. It’s a must-read for anyone considering adoption or who has been fortunate enough to adopt a child into their family – deaf or not.

Our very own Gail Harris, who writes from a place of purity and generosity of spirit, had her own journey through adoption and brings Brandi's story to life. Am I surprised by this? No, because if she can resonate and impact lives the way she does in 30 seconds, you can only image what she can do with a whole book. (Read her 30Seconds tips here.)

Thank you, Brandi and Tim, for allowing me to take a glimpse into your lives – even for the briefest time – and live your pain, struggles, accomplishments, dreams and victories with you. “Finding Zoe” is a book that will leave a little something in your heart after you tuck it back into its place on the bookshelf.