— Micah Andrew for Midwest Book Review
"I was quite taken back by how much this book actually moved me. It is a very touching and genuine story of love and survival from one generation to the next. I wasn't too crazy about the running aspect, but I quickly got over it, because the story-lines, (ultrarun and grandma Oma), meshed and flowed so well. I may not be a fan of running, but I felt like the two topics crossed-over and worked nicely together. The technical runner's language didn't distract from the stories of the two women, but made it stronger. Margreet Dietz is talented with words, and her experience with ultrarunning makes this a must-read for runners/athletes of all levels. It is a very motivational book, full of emotion - a marathon of words - that take the reader through the highs and lows of a family's past and present."
— Allizabeth Collins for The Paperback Pursuer
"From My Mother is a very touching story of a matriarch that deeply ingrains survival into her family. Largely a book filled with a marathoner's mindset, all of the technical and running jargon do not detract from the story of a love between granddaughter and "Oma" that spans continents, and the hardships that molded the generations into persevering, strong women. The freedom Nadia feels as she runs also parallels the freedom her grandmother struggled so hard to find. This is a novel that successfully integrates heart and sport."
— Charlene Mabie-Gamble for Literary R&R
"Over the duration of a 100 km marathon, Nadia reflects on the life of her Oma (grandma), the hardships her loved one endured and the impact it made on the way she lived.
"Miles pass under Nadia's feet, her goal is merely to reach the finish line, not necessarily to win . . . for accomplishing the goal is a victory in her book. It allows her time to dwell on her family's history, dig deep into the root and the result, pull tidbits of clues and join them together to create a full picture of those things that had been so vague.
"Oma is cranky, to say the least, at her age. She lives in an apartment in a senior complex, having moved from a house she rented for many years. Paranoia (probably from the trials she faced in her younger years) has set in heavily. The local police are on speed dial as she frequently lodges complaints against her son-in-law, who she feels is surely trying to get her out of the way so he can have her inheritance. Of course, this is not the case and those around her try to be patient and understanding.
"Nadia's journey of 100km is one in which her physical strength is pushed but also her heart and mind.
"It was not difficult to get wrapped up in this story, feeling the ups and downs both in the race and in Nadia's life. It brings to mind that, as stated in the book, our feet may be busy but our minds are still free. I loved that! I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially those who are into marathons and so on."
— Brenda Ballard for Readers Favorite
"The device of the ultramarathon makes a neat framework on which the rest of the book can hang. That was a clever idea, and it works well. It's also interesting to learn about the hardships, training regimen, and mindset of someone who's reaching a goal that might seem extreme to the average person.The rhythm of your prose mimics the pattern that one falls into when doing something that requires steadfast endurance, so that's a nice marriage of tone and content. You also do a good job of painting Oma's background so the reader understands her, and her relationship to Nadia."
— Judge (names not disclosed) Writer's Digest 2012 Self-Published Book Awards
Praise for Dietz's other books:
"The book is a very good read—very intuitive for someone who is a veteran of ultramarathons or for those who are attempting their first century distance."
— International Association of Ultrarunners on A Hundred Reasons to Run 100km
"If you’re on the fence about running a 100km, or wondering what your motivation for ultra-running is or should be, Margreet’s book is a must-read. Rather than simply listing reasons, Margreet lays out a beautiful and compelling story on each easy-to-read page. This is a perfect addition to any ultrarunning library!"
— Endurance Planet on A Hundred Reasons to Run 100km
"While running 100 kilometres may not be on everyone’s bucket list, I would recommend this book to anyone with a passion for running longer distances and anyone interested by the prospect of trying an ultramarathon. As Dietz writes in reason #15: “Because it’ll renew your love for running.”
— IMPACT Magazine on A Hundred Reasons to Run 100km
"The author's style is breezy and accessible, what you'd expect from a veteran journalist, and running enthusiasts at all levels no doubt will find much motivation in these stories."
— Writer's Digest on Powered From Within: Stories About Running & Triathlon
"Its crossover appeal alone—existing as a book about both writing and running...—enlarges its potential audience and affords the author a chance to explore her own process, a chance I feel is pretty significant. She does a great job of it, too, at times overtly and other times almost subversively... It's material I can consult linearly or, more delightfully, in single scoops, and it fits in my pocket so I can carry it to a favourite reflection spot."
— Writer's Digest on A Work in Progress: Exercises in Writing
"I highly recommend this book for both the beginning and struggling writer, as well as any person who is exploring the idea of a radical shift in the way they are currently living their life."
— IMJ Coaching on A Work in Progress: Exercises in Writing
