#booklady — Public Fediverse posts

All That Matters

Have you ever had a random encounter with a stranger that changed your life? I wrote about such an encounter in April, 2024 when I described meeting the “Book Lady.” I was working at a library at the time, and she was one of our regular patrons. Long story short, she asked me one day to help her revise and edit a book that she was working on. I was reluctant at first, but we decided to exchange information and meet for coffee. Over the next few months, we became friends as we sipped our coffee and reviewed her book in the local Starbucks. But, it was more than that. We discovered that we had a lot in common as we shared about the triumphs and tragedies in our lives. We’ve kept in touch over the years as she searched for a literary agent and a publisher. Finally, her book…a ten-year labor of love…was published just a couple of months ago! The title of her book is All That Matters, and her name is Sandra Siegel.

So, what’s it about? “Expressed through the pages of a fictional journal, this novel welcomes readers into the world of Ruth Rucyn, a woman striving to maintain tranquility in her life while raising two very different children. This story offers a window into what some families experience when raising a child with autism—illuminating their resilience, fears, and quiet triumphs. Ruth’s story is meant to nurture greater compassion and understanding for mothers everywhere who balance love, advocacy, and the longing to connect with every child they cherish, even as they navigate fractured relationships at home.”

As a mother and teacher, I highly recommend reading her book. This is truly an inspirational story of a strong mother navigating the world of autism and advocacy.

Also, would you consider leaving a review for her book on Amazon? As you know, it’s difficult to break into the literary world if no one knows your book exists. The way Amazon works, she has to get at least 50 reviews before her book will appear in the search algorithm. Thank you.