Peggy Orenstein has written three books, most recently Waiting for Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, An Oscar, An Atomic Bomb, A Romantic Night and One Woman's Quest to Become a Mother (Bloomsbury: 2007). Waiting for Daisy is a 2007 Kirkus Best Book, a New York Times Best Seller, a Seattle Post-Intelligencer Top 10 Book of 2007 and the winner of the Books For a Better Life Award.

Orenstein spoke at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication on writing about the politics of everyday life. The talk was part of the Johnston Lecture series, which brings professionals to the school for campus lectures, workshops, and discussions with students, faculty members, and members of the community.

We've highlighted an excerpt here that focuses on what it has meant for Orenstein to be both a writer and a mother.