A review by nrogers_1030
This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are by Melody Warnick

informative lighthearted slow-paced

3.0

If I can ignore the foolish comments scattered throughout, I generally like the book. 

While some of the advice can make you feel like saying, "duh", when you've moved across the country, it's nice to have a list of things you can do to adjust. I've wracked my brain on how to fit in and make more friends and there have been simple actions in this book that just haven't crossed my mind. 

But here are my issues:

•It's wordy AF... and repetitive at times. 

The author writes: "Physically, community service is as satisfying as gorging on burgers and as calming as a session of yoga, but without the nasty side effects of Zoloft."

•That comparison to me is tone-deaf. People on Zoloft suffer from mental illness. Community service is not comparable to mental health medication. Sorry. 🙄

•Ms. Warnick is quite obviously privileged and doesn't understand and/or empathize that everyone cannot spend $50/month on a local business (or cash mob)... that's a lot of money to some of us. Would I rather help a local business over Walmart? Definitely! But if you're living on a budget, you're going to shop at a chain retailer if it's cheaper. Whether my bill is $5 or $20 cheaper, that extra can go towards a bill, gas or some other need.

She also states: "Sometimes I made mental notes of titles to check out later from the library. (I know, I know.)"

•WHAT.IS.WRONG.WITH.LIBRARIES?!?!

I don't know where to even start with this asinine comment. Libraries are such an important part of our communities. Not only do we have access to books, but programs and other valuable resources. Libraries need our support to thrive. Ms. Warnick was on a library board for fucks sake.