Today was one of those unforgettable moments for any author — seeing my book, Maternity Abroad: Becoming a Mother in a Foreign Land, proudly displayed at the warm and welcoming Livraria Tesouro in Crissier, Switzerland. A cozy literary café where stories come alive over books and coffee.
But it wasn’t just a visit — it was a gathering of hearts. Conversations with fellow expat parents turned into reflections about identity, belonging, and the unseen layers of becoming a parent far from home.
✨ Seeing my book among other meaningful reads felt like a full-circle moment. What started as a solitary journey has now touched readers in over 13 countries.
📍 Where to Find It?
You can now buy Maternity Abroad directly from Livraria Tesouro in Crissier — in person or by special order.
💬 Let’s Connect:
Have you read Maternity Abroad? Visited the store? Leave a comment below or tag @livrariatesouro.livros if you stop by!
My ritual for Marked used beet juice, and it may not last. I asked an AI for a better recipe, and now I am asking a human who can check it.
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I prepared my SIETAR Brasil presentation in Portuguese, then had to switch to English. One word sent my brain into a full professional meltdown.
After hearing a few words from a keynote on Day One of SIETAR Brasil 2026, I explore tolerance, acculturation, cultural hierarchy, and who is expected to adapt.
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I have heard it more than once in more than one country. You are one of the good kind of immigrant. It was always meant kindly. This post is what happened when I started thinking about what it meant.
How do traditions change when their original purpose disappears? I am researching the culture of my dystopian novel Marked and inviting experts to contribute.
My gym poussette coach said it was nice what I was doing for my neighbors because people used to have a village. I had not thought of it that way.
Ruth Van Reken will keynote at SIETAR Brasil 2026 on October 22nd and 23rd in São Paulo. Jessica Gabrielzyk will be on a panel with Maternity Abroad and Parenting Unpacked. Weee!
A psychologist reading Parenting Unpacked made me realise that feeling like a stranger does not require moving countries. Sometimes motherhood changes your place within your own family.
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I wrote my SIETAR Brasil talk in English, translated it into Portuguese, learned it by heart, and then got asked to present in English. Here is the speech and the stories behind it.