Author to appear at Uptown Theater

Kansas City, Mo. — Giselle M. Massi, author of “We are Here for a Purpose: How to Find Yours,” will speak and sign copies of her book from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.

Massi was a writer and editor at the Denver Post for 16 years. She gave up her journalism career in 2000 to devote time to spiritual work and writing.

She is a frequent guest on Mike Murphy’s Kansas City radio show, heard weekdays from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on 710 KCMO. She will be his guest on Thursday.

Massi travels extensively for book signings and speaking engagements for various professional and private events. She divides her time between Salt Lake City and Boulder, Colo.

Tickets are $18 in advance, $23 at the door. Multiple ticket discounts are available. For tickets, call the Uptown Theater at (816) 753-8665 or TicketMaster at (816) 931-3330.

“We are Here for a Purpose: How to Find Yours” is available at Borders in Lawrence, Overland Park, Olathe and Lee’s Summit, Mo.

A few child-rearing books for your personal library

Ann Hulbert’s “Raising America” is not a self-help child-rearing book, but rather a history of the genre. Here are half a dozen titles less philosophical and more practical:

• “Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care, Revised Seventh Edition” by Benjamin Spock: At 939 pages, this is one of the most comprehensive books on the subject. Many parents have balked at some of Spock’s views, including his recommendation of vegetarian diets.
• “The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School, How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence” by Barbara Coloroso: Bullies have always been around, but this thoughtful book on a hot-button issue calls on everyone to make sure they’re not always around.
• “What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Third Edition” by Heidi E. Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee Hathaway: Pregnancy is wonderful, right? Well, yes, but it’s also true that bringing a new life into the world has its challenges. The authors tell incipient moms what it’s going to be like, month by month.
• “The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-to-Be” by Armin A. Brott: It’s been said that if men had to give birth, the human race would die out. But fathers-to-be face their own problems — or at least enough of them to make for a 272-page book.
• “The Mother of All Pregnancy Books: The Ultimate Guide to Conception, Birth, and Everything in Between” by Ann Douglas: Good for author Ann Douglas — she starts with the fun part. More than a few readers have praised this book not only for its information value but also for Douglas’ humorous approach to a complex subject.