Description:
A heartfelt memoir of love, language, and life abroad. From the Midwest to Munich, Brenda shares her journey of self-discovery, culture shock, and resilience in her new life in Germany. Funny, touching, and perfect for fans of expat stories
Brief description: Fresh out of high school, Brenda went to Spain, experiencing a pivotal year that convinced her that living in Europe and learning languages was her passion. When she met a German, the idea of moving to Germany was an easy sell. She then embarked on various adventures working for the International Basketball Federation, teaching English, and writing for international companies. Brenda relishes trying to pass as a native when speaking to a German, especially when it works. Having survived putting her daughters through the obstacle course known as the German school system, she chronicles the everyday adventure of living in a foreign country in her blog and podcast with bits and bobs of history and humor. Especially humor. The Journey to Somewhere is her first book. Brenda lives in a small town outside Munich with her husband.
Review Quotes:
Brenda's memoir takes us from her roots in the Midwest of the U.S. to a life in Europe. Determined not to repeat her parents' marriage template, she seeks alternatives through travel.
Her love of languages highlights the humor in translation nuances. Her first love is Spain where she lives for a while, becoming a fluent Spanish speaker. Then she falls in love with a German and ends up living in Munich where she has to navigate the cultural and linguistic nuances between Germany and the U.S. while ensuring her two daughters experience both their heritage cultures and traditions. She goes to hilarious lengths to make this happen.
Brenda's self-deprecating and dry sense of humor leads us through her life of traveling between Europe and the U.S. Her desire to return to Spain is briefly met and then ends once more, and she finally accepts that her life is settled in Germany.
Sylvia Clare, author of No Visible Injuries
From the American heartland to the vibrant streets of Europe, The Road to Somewhere is an engaging and often humorous account of life, love, and the universal struggle to find a place to call home. It masterfully captures the bittersweet journey of finding yourself in a foreign land while the vivid narrative invites readers to laugh, cry, and reflect on what it means to belong, wherever life takes you. Perfect for fans of memoirs that blend personal growth with cultural exploration.
Walther Steel, author of The Smart Contract Killer