AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH

In this debut memoir, a young woman with a congenital muscle disorder embarks on an energetic career when she learns to mouth paint.

Born in 1962, Boot was 18 years old when she discovered that because of her physical disability, it was easier for her to paint by holding a brush in her mouth. Over time, she took courses to develop her talent and joined the International Association of Mouth and Foot Painters in Liechtenstein. Here, the author’s inspirational story is presented diary-style, beginning in January 2015—when she was painfully waiting to find out if she needed to have yet another surgery—and ending in June 2018—when she was given a new vehicle. There are colorful photographs sprinkled throughout—showing Boot’s lovely artwork—and the book concludes with several of what appear to be the author’s simple, heartfelt poems. Boot also discusses a variety of entertaining topics—like her service dog, Luigi, and the exciting blind date she had with a trucker. But her most memorable diary entries describe how she kept going despite intense pain, including during rehabilitation. In one poignant passage, she recalls volunteering to visit prisoners (they loved her), and she compares her physical challenges to being incarcerated. Though honest about the difficulties she faced, Boot remains optimistic and full of good humor. But one weakness of the book is its awkward prose. For example, a description of problems with Luigi at the hospital is difficult to decipher: “Hopefully fellow invalidates will come to mind a little when they hear that through them, it isolates me to get no problems and that I just don’t want to leave my dog alone.” Still, not all of the diary entries are problematic and, with a little patience, many readers will embrace the uplifting message found here.

A sweet, upbeat account with a bumpy presentation.