Published Reviews for
Autumn Leaves
A story of familial love wrapped in a DNA mystery...
Sharon Beth’s research into family genealogy provides the fodder for this memoir, a skillfully unfolded
detective story...
Autumn Leaves is a hope-filled memoir about a woman’s search for genealogical meaning...
Must read
A brief, great memoir about family, love, faith, grief, and DNA testing in the modern world...
What begins as a quest for a standard genealogy search on a guided tour through Ancestry.com becomes much more...
Raw, honest story about a daughter's love to find the answers her mother deserves. The story was compelling and left me wanting to know more! As someone who has also lived through a DNA surprise, I appreciate anyone willing to share the emotional details of navigating such a profound life shift. I appreciated that this memoir including many different perspectives on the topic as well. Thank you for sharing this personal experience with others. We need more resources out there!
I absolutely loved Autumn Leaves. Sharon Beth’s story is touching, honest and beautifully told. What begins with a simple DNA test turns into a heartfelt journey of family, identity and faith. I was drawn in from the very first page and found myself thinking about her story long after I’d finished.
A wonderful, inspiring read — I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I really enjoyed this memoir focusing on a genealogical mystery in the author’s family. The story starts with her happy childhood and love for her parents and extended family. As a young woman she starts to document her family’s heritage, which is certainly a rich one, and then a DNA test sends her on a journey of discovery and gradually a 60 year old family secret is revealed. The pacing of the story is good and because the author has so carefully and lovingly revealed these family stories the reader is pulled into her search and can hardly wait until the mystery is solved. Like the author, though, we are concerned about the impact this truth will have on the one family member who might be the most hurt and shocked by it. Happily recommended.
Wow! What a powerful story! I imagine there are countless similar stories of DNA trauma. Even those of us who remain purposefully ignorant of our DNA heritage will enjoy this book. It is a compelling mystery. I was very impressed with the author's bravery and the vulnerability she showed in writing this story. Be prepared for surprises, heartaches, and tears of joy. Autumn Leaves has all of these in the sharing of a long hidden secret of a truly American family.
I haven't sat down to read an entire book since junior high... I was captivated. I'm sure I'll read it again.. This is such an inspiration to share my own DNA story, but moreso just a fascinating look into the depths of Sharon's life and ancestry. The imagery and detail, twists and everything coming together with secrets, clues and revelations is extra edge-of-seat feeling, which makes it even harder to put this book down. Definitely recommend!