Getting Rooted in New Zealand

by Jamie Baywood

[Kelsenator]

I hardly ever read this kind of book, but when I talked to the author through email the idea of this interested me and I had to give it a try. I think this is actually my first time reviewing a non-fiction book on here too.

The main character is the author herself, and this chronicles her journey to try and find herself in New Zealand. I loved the idea of just going for it when she was given the opportunity. I don’t think I would be able to do that. She had some pretty funny moments in this book too. Some of the other people she meets are pretty random, and a few weird. Like the mime guy, Bob. He was just crazy and creepy. She eventually meets grant and they become a couple, which I thought was cute. He seems like a gentleman too.

This book was in a diary format which I’m not used to but I still gave it my best. I adapted to it easily after a while and since there’s no chapters you can pretty much stop almost anywhere you want. The sections jump fast from one to another, sometimes paragraphs being one whole thought then switching. I would have liked a little more separation, maybe a line or something between thoughts/stories, but I also don’t know what the paperback version looks like so it may be in there. A few times I would have liked a little more of an explanation or sections expanded, especially her interactions with Grant.

I had a lot of fun with this book and reading about all the things she experienced. It’s fast paced but not too complex that you can’t enjoy it and relax at the same time. Like I mentioned, I haven’t read or reviewed memoirs before so I can’t compare, but I recommend this for those who just want to get out there and do something!