What do you do if you possess an unquenchable curiosity? What if your deepest desire was to discover a story no one wanted told? If you’re Judith Fein, you become a journalist, you ask a lot of questions and you never, ever, stop searching for answers. 

Earlier this month, Judith Fein, my co-founder over at YourLifeIsATrip.com, announced the release of her new book, The Spoon from Minkowitz: A Bittersweet Roots Journey to Ancestral Lands, an insightful and engaging story of heritage travel.

After decades of dead-end searches and stonewalling by relatives, in The Spoon from Minkowitz Judie sets out to recover her grandmother’s story and in the process discovers her own.  

Expertly weaving heritage, history, and anecdote into a compelling memoir, Judie takes us on the trip she made in 2012 to Minkowitz, the obscure Russian (now Ukrainian) village that her Jewish grandmother left behind for a new life in America.

Full of mysterious coincidences and told with unfettered honesty, the book chronicles a lifelong quest for understanding in a rich tale that is equal parts detective story and spiritual revelation. 

I encourage you to visit us at YourLifeIsATrip.com and read a recent author interview with Judie, purchase a copy of the book, download a free sample, or read what others have to say.

Where have you traveled to discover your family roots? Were you surprised by what you learned? Use the comment box below to share. I’d love to hear about your experiences.

Do you know someone who might like to know about this book? Please pass this along. The social share buttons in the left margin make it easy. 

About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel journalist Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of TravelUpdatesbyEllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. She’s currently at work on her first book - I COULD LIVE HERE.