Though the number of people who check this space every month is probably down to the single-digits at this point, there's no better place for me to announce that Alternadad is a finalist in the childcare/parenting category of the Books For A Better Life awards, sponsored by the Multiple Sclerosis Society. "The Awards recognize excellence in self-help, motivational, and self-improvement books," according to Bookreporter.com, and who am I to argue? If you want to improve yourself by founding a doomed punk-rock band, stumbling your way through the early years of parenthood stoned out of your gills, doing battle in online parenting flame-wars, and forming an intermittently-successful neighborhood association, then Alternadad is the book for you.
In all seriousness, I'm very flattered to be nominated, though bemused at being placed in the same cultural nexus as Suze Orman and Dr. Wayne Dyer. Not to diminish their works, of course, but I never set out to inspire anyone. I do, from time to time, get emails from people who say that Alternadad helped get them through the first months of parenthood, or prepare for the reality of what's about to hit, and that always feels nice to hear. I tried to write as honest a story as possible.
Personally, I think I'll be hard-pressed to knock off Peggy Orenstein's Waiting For Daisy, but then again, I've been wrong when handicapping the Books For A Better Life award before.
