Kisses from Katie in Around the World in 80 Books

Jun 13, 2011 Andrea rated it it was ok

Shelves: development, africa, east-africa, religion

This is a very strange book. First, the comparisons of a 22 year old to Mother Theresa ( the galley I had referred to Greg Mortenson on the back too, but I'm guessing they'll take that off) kind of put me off to begin with. Second, the hysterical tone of the religious language and the patronizing attitude toward the Ugandans she works with was disturbing. Why would someone hire a teenager who didn't speak the local language to teach kindergarten? Was she actually being paid a salary? Was it more ...more

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Dec 27, 2011 Kimberly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: around-the-world, netgalley, 2012-bookshelf

I was first drawn to this book because I've had an obsession with Africa ever since I was a child and have always dreamed of going over there and helping so I was able to live vicariously through Katie for at least a little while.

This is the story of a remarkable young woman who is the same age as me who was brave enough to leave the comforts of her upper middle class life to volunteer her time, energy and heart to the people of Uganda.

Through all of her trials she uses her faith in God to get I was first drawn to this book because I've had an obsession with Africa ever since I was a child and have always dreamed of going over there and helping so I was able to live vicariously through Katie for at least a little while.

This is the story of a remarkable young woman who is the same age as me who was brave enough to leave the comforts of her upper middle class life to volunteer her time, energy and heart to the people of Uganda.

Through all of her trials she uses her faith in God to get her through and eventually things while hard start to fall in to place and she falls in love with the kind, loving, beautiful souls of Uganda the place she now calls home as she adopts not one but 13 girls who now call her mommy. A feat that deserves tremendous applause.

I have a lot of respect for Katie. I commend her on having such a kind loving heart and giving herself to the people who really need her. She is living my dream. Her story was such an inspiration to me that it awakened a part of me that's been buried since I met Mr. Turning the Pages. Before him I used to want to teach English as a second language in Africa but slowly thoughts like that got shoved to the side as new dreams replaced the old but now I'm going to get my ESL certification so I can accomplish the old dream of working over seas. So really I have to thank Katie for reawakening that in me.

I thought the book was well written. The only part I didn't like was how the book was a little bit preachy because she mentioned God a little too much for my tastes and could have gotten her point across without being so repetitive but all in all I think she gives a unique perspective of Uganda from a fresh set of eyes and I wish her all the very best and hope she continues to have success. Maybe one day I'll meet her...perhaps I should even e-mail her and let her know how her book affected me.

I strongly advise checking this book out. It will make you think and hopefully change your perceptions of the world...and maybe even persuade you to do a little more to help those in need.

*I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

★ ★ ★ ★ ...more

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Jul 02, 2013 Kristen rated it it was ok

Shelves: non-fiction, christian, memoirs, started-didn-t-like

Although I like the premise of the book, I had a really difficult time getting into it and finally just have up. I felt that there was a lot of "look at me" going on. What Katie is doing is wonderful, yet the book is not engaging or really even that interesting. ...more

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