Local Author Series Event

Every third Thursday of each month, our local public library features a local author. My sister-in-law, Kristin Enkvetchakul, was featured this month. She authored a cookbook, "Introduction to Asian Cooking" and wrote an essay about Matthew in "Gifts 2: How People with Down Syndrome Enrich the World", which was edited by Kathryn Lynard Soper. Both books were featured at the library event. In addition to promoting "Gifts 2" and "Introduction to Asian Cooking", Kristin also mentioned Kathryn Lynard Soper's book "The Year My Son and I Were Born" and donated a copy to the library.


Kristin's cookbook contains recipes and information on Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese food, including sushi. While she was working on her cookbook, I enjoyed every dish she made for me to sample. If she started a catering business offering dishes out of her cookbook, I'd hire her all the time (at the "family rate/discount"). By the way, if anyone would like to buy a signed copy of her cookbook, please contact me for details.

The local newspaper published an article about the event and described Kristin's essay in Gifts 2 as:

"...talks about her gratitude to previous generations of parents of children with Down syndrome who would no longer accept the societal norm of these children being swept away to institutions and disregarded. Thanks to them, her dear nephew, who brings his family so much joy, is part of a much more welcoming world, a world that is ready to love and accept him, and see his abilities instead of only disabilities."

I counted 27 people in attendance, including Bill, Matthew and I. That's a great turn-out since the room seated a maximum of 27 people. Matthew was being a little shy but his presence certainly captured the audience's attention. He was undoubtedly the star (sorry, Auntie Kristin) and I was happy to share him with the audience.