13 Years in America is a very real memoir about chasing
happiness and stability in life. I also got out of it how love can conquer
hardships.
After moving from Canada to America and getting married,
Melanie and her husband chase after the American Dream.
But it isn’t always as great as it sounds.
Never happy settling in one place, they move from
town-to-town and state-to-state trying to find a place that suits their lives
and opportunities for financial stability.
Along the way, Melanie decides to go back to school to
finish her degree. It takes up most of her time because she is dedicated to
being the best. She loves doing the research and writing out her thoughts into
fantastic academic papers, and even gets one published.
This doesn’t help to solve the financial situation, though.
When she decides to go to grad school, she and her husband
decide it is a great time for them to start their new life as a young family.
That way, he can stay home with their child while she is in school since she
will be making a little bit of money. He will not have to worry about finding a
job and being unhappy, and their child will never have to be taken care of by
anyone except a parent. It seems like a fool-proof plan.
As time passes, the finances never become ideal, but they
get along. They are happy as a family, and sometimes that is what needs to be
focused on in order to get by. There are tough times along the way, but they
endure it with love and positive thinking.
This book is very well written. It all flows nicely
together, which makes it very easy and entertaining to read. The dialogue fit
well with the rest of the story. It didn’t seem forced or out of place.
The story is very enjoyable as well. Not everything in life
can be easy, but you can get through it if you have hope and are surrounded by
people that love you.
I really liked reading Melanie’s story. Anyone who enjoys
memoirs will enjoy it too I believe.
4/5 stars.
Memorable quotes: “I look out at the two different countries
that make up this beautiful, serene landscape, and I’m struck for some reason
that the two sides look exactly the same. Two different countries, but water
just flows into water, and one island looks exactly the same as the other.”
“I try to push the memories from my mind. I need to look
forward instead of back, I remind myself. I take two deep breaths, and that
helps. I feel better with each passing moment.”
