I love Katherine Paterson's books, and have been curious about her for a long time. What a lovely collection of stories and an amazing life she has lived. And yet she comes across as so down-to-earth, kind, and gracious. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into her parents and grandparents era during WWI, as well as the inspirations for her books.

I recommend this for anyone who also loves Katherine Paterson's books.

If you loved Katherine Paterson's books, you will find this collection of stories of her life interesting. She has lived quite a life, and this gives insight into her books.

Dear Publisher,

I recently had the pleasure of reading Stories of My Life and wanted to share some feedback. The narrative is compelling, and I truly enjoyed how it seamlessly weaves personal anecdotes with broader life lessons. The authenticity and emotional depth of the storytelling are admirable, and I believe it will resonate with many readers.

Positives:

The personal stories were very relatable and made the book feel intimate, as though the reader is having a conversation with an old friend. The way you connected the ups and downs of life to broader themes of resilience and growth is something that will stay with me.
The pacing was well-balanced, making it easy to follow without feeling rushed. I especially appreciated the thoughtful reflection in each chapter, which added depth and meaning to the experiences shared.
The diversity of experiences, from joyous moments to deep challenges, creates a well-rounded and engaging narrative that many readers will connect with on a personal level.

Areas for Improvement:

One area where the book could be improved is in providing a bit more context or background information about certain events. At times, it felt like there were gaps that could have been filled in to give a clearer understanding of the situation.
While the reflective tone is a strength, there were moments when the narrative became a bit repetitive. Perhaps tightening up some of the reflections or reducing repetition could help maintain the flow and keep readers more engaged.
Additionally, while the book appeals to a broad audience, some more differentiation in the storytelling—perhaps varying the writing style or using different formats (e.g., letters, journal entries, etc.)—could enhance the overall experience and make certain sections stand out more.
Overall, Stories of My Life is a heartfelt and relatable work that brings important life lessons to the forefront. With a bit more context and variation, it could have an even stronger impact. I truly enjoyed reading it and believe it will inspire many others as well.

Thank you for your work, and I look forward to future publications!

Best regards,
Dr. Jennifer Smith

I read Stories of my life (SOML) as a digital book and gave it 3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review. Overall I did enjoy reading this book, there are a lot of emotions and feelings in this book and from reading SOML, Katherine takes us through her life and her parents and family and friends life to show where she got her inspiration from alot of her books. Reading about Katherines life, is very interesting and you hear about all the things she and her family went through, a lot of good things and events but also quite a few scary and unfortunate things as well. At first the book started off quite slow, however it did end up picking up pace. While Katherine herself said this wasnt a memoir, it did feel like one a little bit, but I really did enjoy learning about where Katherine got her inspiration from. I also think that after reading Stories of my life, I will be checking out more of Patersons more influential work.

Rather than writing a traditional biography, Katherine Paterson chose to reminisce about specific events in her life. She was born in China, to missionary parents, and later served as a missionary herself in Japan. She met and married a pastor named John Paterson, and together they had two biological children, and adopted two others. Many of her stories for children came from the antics of her own kids. And her award winning Bridge to Terebithia was a way to process grief after her son David's friend Lisa died unexpectedly.
I enjoyed Katherine's stories about her own life, just as I've treasured many of her books,

Despite the author’s fiction and her beliefs not resonating with me, I liked the blurb, and not having read the edition in 2014, I wanted to read this book. Paterson has a way with words; and I enjoyed her insights about creativity/writing, and reading about her rich life.

At 91, Katherine Paterson reflects on her extraordinary life in Stories of My Life, sharing the experiences that shaped her writing. Known for Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, Paterson’s memoir offers readers a warm and insightful look into her upbringing as a missionary’s child, her own time in Japan, and her thoughts on the "fragile magic" of storytelling. This book feels like a heartfelt conversation with a beloved author, filled with wisdom and the grace that has defined her life and work.

I had the privilege of hearing Katherine Paterson speak a couple of months ago. During her speech, I laughed so hard my stomach began to hurt, I teared up, and my hands got sore from feverishly writing notes on all the wisdom she was imparting. That one keynote address changed the way I view myself as a writer. So, naturally, when I came across this book, I wanted it in the same way a starving man wants food.

I ended up listening to the audiobook, and the narrator's voice had the same cadence and compassion that Katherine herself had. I felt like I'd hit the jackpot--EIGHT hours of listening to her storytelling instead of just one! I loved learning more details about the stories she shared, and recognizing some of the truths she tried to teach us in the short time she had. I know I'm going to have to get my hands on a print copy because there is so much I want to annotate when it comes to this "not a memoir." I found myself calling my mom more than once, sharing a tidbit of truth I'd heard that applied directly to what I believe about myself and the world in general.

So yeah, I LOVED it. I'm going to come back to it. I'm going to share this book with my writer friends and teacher friends and mom friends and anyone else who will listen. It's that good.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a complimentary copy and making me feel like I'd won the jackpot, even though I ended up listening to a library audiobook copy of the book instead of reading the electronic version. I have a feeling that no matter what form the book takes when you read it, you'll be blessed for having encountered the stories of Katherine Paterson's life.

Ah! Reading this book was like getting together and reminiscing with a good friend!
I was fascinated to read about Katherine Paterson’s life, and especially about the origin stories for many of her wonderful books (yes, “Bridge to Terebithia” was based on some of Katherine’s personal experiences.) Now, I want to re-visit my childhood bookshelves and re-read these favorites!
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.”

I don't know how many times I've complained that some of my favorite childhood writers aren't writing anymore. I'm in my 50s, and I feel so much nostalgia for those books. But I've wondered whether it's deserved, and if those stories have aged well.
In the case of Katherine Paterson, it's obvious that her stories have aged well and are just ready to be introduced to every new generation. I knew that she was well-traveled, because of short biographical information on her books, but I didn't know the scope. Katherine and her family didn't just travel, they experienced and enjoyed their lives.
The funniest part is the beginning where she talks about her early doubts when it came to whether she had interesting stories to tell, but learned that the important thing was just to do it. I bet she was always the kind of person who could tell interesting stories about what really happened, and I'm so grateful she used her experiences to create her fantastic novels.
I can recommend this book to new fans, old fans, and to people who just enjoy reading interesting memoirs. I loved all the pictures!! Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me read this

I discovered Katherine Paterson when I started reading to my grandchildren. I missed her books for myself, and for my own kiddos. . . and that I regret. Although my own kiddos said they had found Katherine P all on their own because they'd all five read Bridge to Terabithia, and later plunked me down on a movie night to watch the movie version of her tale. To find and read all her books is an item on my bucket list. The grandkids and I started with Jacob Have I Loved.

It was an instant reach for an opportunity to read Stories of My Life when it came across my shelves. . . and Katherine's life has clearly been at the back of some of the most inspiring, and funny, and heartfelt scenes in her writings. Her tribe shows up all the time. Now that I have her actual backstory, my bucket list fulfillment will be doubly satisfying.

If you've loved her books, you'll love her life stories. Find it and settle in for a lovely read. You'll travel far and near, climb family trees up and down, and out to some branches, hop to visit friends and a particular celebrity (who was the last to kiss Robert E. Lee!), go to school, church and on dates with her, watch how marriage negotiations fare, see her writing chops grow and blossom, meet beloved pets and see her humble receipt of many well-earned awards. Above all, you'll see love of her own family and the human family shining through her words, lighting up her books.

If you've never read Katherine Paterson's works (and a few are authored with her husband John, and others), even if you don't have kidlets around, read this first, and then look at her impressive booklist at the end; choose one after reading this. . .especially if you have a fondness to dip into YA or middle-grader genres. You'll feel her engaging curiosity, her impetuous spirit through and through.

*A sincere thank you to Katherine Paterson, Westminster John Knox Press, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* #StoriesofMyLife #NetGalley

"Stories of My Life" by Katherine Paterson is a delightful journey through the captivating tales that have shaped the author's remarkable life. Paterson, known for her award-winning children's books like "Bridge to Terabithia," brings her storytelling prowess to her own life experiences.

In this intimate memoir, Paterson weaves a tapestry of anecdotes, from her childhood in China to her adventures as a writer and advocate for children's literature. Her prose is both elegant and accessible, inviting readers into the heart of her memories with warmth and authenticity.

What sets "Stories of My Life" apart is Paterson's ability to infuse even the simplest moments with profound meaning. Her reflections on family, love, and the creative process resonate on a universal level, making this memoir not just a personal narrative but a celebration of the human spirit.

Whether you're a longtime fan of Katherine Paterson's work or a newcomer to her storytelling magic, "Stories of My Life" is a joyous exploration of a life well-lived—a reminder that the stories we tell, and the stories we live, have the power to shape and inspire.

This book was oddly compelling. I love the way Katherine crafts her words, infusing her stories with faith and wit. I found myself laughing, tearing up, and being inspired to gather all of her books for myself and my family. You don't have to have read her books to appreciate this collection of autobiographical stories, but it's fun to see her tie her life to the books. A joy to read.

I still remember the first time I read Bridge to Terabithia, it was as a novel study in grade 5, but it quickly became one of my favourite books. I have read a number of other books by Katherine Paterson over the years and enjoyed most of them, but Bridge to Terabithia will always hold a special place in my heart. Reading the story about the real life events that inspired the writing of the book gave me many of the same feelings I got when reading Bridge for the first time.

I enjoyed reading about the life events of Katherine Paterson as she shared in this book. Seeing how her life, especially her time in both China and Japan, and her faith inspired the writing of her books was great. I hadn't known much about her before reading this book, so now I feel I have a little bit more understanding about the woman who authored one of the stories of my childhood. She was really able to catch the attention of readers of all age, and get them invested into the stories she told, which not all authors are able to do.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

Stories of My Life, by Katherine Paterson

Thank you to John Knox Westminster Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This updated memoir, by the 90-year-old multiple-award-winning children’s author, reads almost like an adventure story.

Born to missionary parents in China in 1932, Paterson gives a lively and sympathetic recounting of her early life and the important people in it, framed by the Japanese-Sino War in the late 1930’s. Her family returned to America at the start of WWII, where for the first time she felt alien, and she tellingly compares her trepidation and anxiety with going to a public school in America to experiencing war and evacuation. The public schools were worse.

Paterson goes on to be a missionary herself, in 1950’s Japan, and writes that being loved by people you thought you hated is something she wishes everyone could have.

After a whirlwind courtship, she marries minister John Paterson, and together they have two children, adopt two more, and act as foster parents. And she begins to write and publish her celebrated books, including The Bridge to Terabithia, The Great Gilly Hopkins, The Sign of the Chrysanthemum, Jacob Have I Loved, and many more that are either based on her fascination with history or her own lived experiences.

One of the most appealing parts of the book, to me, was her description of the links from her life to the inception and themes of her books, and the power of stories to make sense of life. She writes that while a critic has said it is hope that runs through her creations, she believes it is grace, “unmerited favor that has poured down on [her] all the days of [her] life.”

While it can be difficult to untangle the details of generations of her large family and the chronology of her many journeys, included charts of both are helpful. And it is a pleasure to read such a sensitive reflection on a busy life, full of unusual events yet with delight in common ways of living we all can share through loved family and friends.

Just a lovely memoir that will leave you with a warm heart. I enjoyed all her “ kitchen sink” stories and it just made me love this author more. From a beloved children’s author that made such an impact that still has the power to make me smile with her stories.

A memoir filled with stories from a life well lived. Paterson has certainly had many adventures that the rest of us can only dream of. For those of us who know her as a children's writer, this memoir is an opportunity to learn how and why she writes what she does.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I enjoyed knowing more about her!

An author that made me fall in love with reading and the idea of being a writer one day after reading her young adult books at a very impressionable age.
The story of her life is amazing, and she crafts her memories as a painter crafts his beautiful masterpieces.
Sometimes, you learn about a "hero" of you looked up to, and you are a bit disappointed.
Ms. Paterson remains a hero, even more so, with such an diverse upbringing.
5/5.
Can't wait to handsell this book!

Stories of My Life is an updated edition of an earlier book, and I am glad to see these stories, essays, and other short works again. Katherine Paterson writes equally well in every work she puts her hand to, and it is a pleasure to look behind the curtain of her life to see the people and places that left their mark on her.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book. Not a memoir just a conversation with your favorite author. Katherine was humble and likable and it made me want to re read all of her books. I loved the personal stories and learning how they connected with the characters and plots in her books. This book leaves you smiling!