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Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 4:22 AM
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Inheritance: A memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro

Inheritance: A memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro
You might want to think twice before you spit in the tube and send your saliva off to have your DNA tested because you think you might want to know your roots. You could be in for the surprise of your life. On a whim and in her 50s, Dani Shapiro spits and learns the man she thought was her beloved father had, in fact, no biological link to her at all. And so begins her quest to learn the circumstances of her conception, why her now deceased parents kept this secret from her, who her biological father is and the multitude of questions and emotions that go along with discovering where she came from and who she is. Along the way the reader gets a look at the infertility medical practices in the 1950s and early 1960s. And her biological fathers shock when he learns of her existence and how this knowledge impacts his family. The reader is with Dani Shapiro through every breakthrough, setback, mystery uncovered as a new one appears, and the emotional rollercoaster ride she finds herself on. She comes across a bit whiny at times and periodically I’d just wish she’d suck it up and get on with things. And then she’d write something is such a way that I just wanted to give her a hug and tell her it was going to all be okay. This profound book allows for thoughtfulness about family, heritage, and especially parenting. —Carol Lloyd

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COMMENTS
Comment author: Patti Cole Comment text: Marie will be forever treasured in memories. The memories remain of a soft-spoken, seemingly unassuming but determined individual who absolutely knew what path she wanted to take in life, and followed it. Her instinctive reactions, which highlighted her steadfast level of love and caring for her family, friends and all living things found in nature, hold lessons for us all. An unexpected splash of her self-deprecating humor, coupled with uncanny timing, will always bring a smile. For me, Marie lives on in the sighting of a Black-crowned night heron in the tules, the bloom of a beautiful spring flower and, most poetically, in the struggle of wildlife photographers handling their very large camera lenses. Comment publication date: 8/15/26, 9:31 AM Comment source: Obituary-Marie Dong Ko Comment author: John Chaney Comment text: I just figured out that Betty was my 1st cousin. Her dad Ted was my dad's brother. I never knew Ted or Betty, but I wish I did. I am 73 and live in IL. I am building my family tree and see where Betty has fit in. Blessings to you Curt and family. Comment publication date: 8/14/26, 11:04 AM Comment source: Obituary - Betty Lou (Chaney) Anderson Comment author: Karen Webb Comment text: I am so sorry to hear this. I loved coming to the carwash to see John! He always made my day. Prayers for all of his family during this difficult time. Comment publication date: 8/11/26, 8:56 PM Comment source: In Memory of John Evans Comment author: Laura Ivey Comment text: I am so very sorry for your loss of John. He always made my day when I went to the car wash. I will miss his joyous personality and that smile. Comment publication date: 8/10/26, 9:52 AM Comment source: In Memory of John Evans
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