When I picked up Find Me by Rosie O'Donnell, my expectations were not set too high. Don't misunderstand, I feel Ms. O'Donnell is incredibly talented - I just never imagined she could write in a way that would so captivate the reader - and she does.

I found the message throughout Find Me to be loud and clear - sometimes it is better or more important for us to trust our own instincts, than it is to play it safe. Sometimes, though the evidence appears damning, there is much to be gained by holding onto our faith in others. For those of us living in the twenty-first century, and especially the realist-bordering-on-cynical (like myself), this is a lesson that cannot be demonstrated often enough.

This book is not a work of fiction. Stacy, our protagonist, is very real. She could even be described as painfully real with the emphasis on painful. Our introduction to Stacy is as a 14-year-old girl, who was raped and impregnated. Stacy's introduction to Rosie O'Donnell is through an adoption agency funded and promoted by Ms. O'Donnell. And as horrible and frightening as that description may sound, it is mild compared to the real truth of Stacy and the circumstances under which she lives.

I work with a nonprofit adoption agency in New Jersey. I fund their operation, provide outreach services, and they do the work. Finding families for kids who need them is beyond fulfilling, it is addictive. I like to help. I need to help. I help a lot, sometimes too much. This is a true story about a girl named Stacie who called the adoption agency with a terrible problem. A lot of it won't make sense, at least logically. But sometimes sense runs deeper than logic. Nothing happens by chance. The events that follow, some dark and painful, changed me absolutely. -- Rosie O'Donnell

Stacy's story is absolutely fascinating, no doubt. And the author presents this young woman in a sympathetic and sensitive manner. If you have an ounce of compassion within you, you will definitely grow to care about Stacy. However, for myself, the truly captivating side of this book was the personal internal search Ms. O'Donnell traveled from beginning to end.

The explorations of self, the questions of self-doubt and the reminiscing of the past are gently probed, as each woman's personal truth is ultimately revealed in a raw and brutally honest exploration. The author makes no apologies nor does she appear to censor herself, she simply accepts her weaknesses and self-doubt as a part of herself. With her down to earth style, O'Donnell manages to create a feeling of closeness between author and reader - as between confidants - that removes any discomfort the reader may feel in being privy to such personal thoughts and experiences.

Taking us step-by-step through a dark journey of psychological illness, O'Donnell allows the reader permission to ponder the questions of possible deception and trickery, encouraging each of us to explore our own inner, dark thoughts and selves.

In my opinion Find Me is a book that is both compelling and impossible to put down. Should Ms. O'Donnell plan to take up writing on a regular basis, I believe we are all in for a real treat.

And while we're talking about books, why don't you share with us a little about your favorite book, or books you find indispensable.

Until next time...