Ready to go on an adventure across Greece and Europe in the 90s? Looking for some humor to go with your adventure? Then join author Candace MacPhie as she takes off from her job and goes on an adventure in a quest to find the color missing in her life. Finding Color: A hilarious and messy backpacking adventure in the ’90s (Back in a Year Series Book 1) is a must read for readers who are looking for a fun and engaging memoir to dive into.
The cover of Finding Color: A hilarious and messy backpacking adventure in the ’90s (Back in a Year Series Book 1) is an illustrated piece that depicts where author MacPhie begins her adventures (the second round) and where her adventures land her at the end of this particular installment. Finding Color’s cover depicts a blue sky background with soft wispy clouds closer to the buildings.
On the left side of Finding Color’s cover is a depiction of Big Ben which can be found in London. On the right side of this book’s cover is a depiction of the beautiful architecture that resembles Russia. Smack in the middle is the an illustrated drawing of author MacPhie herself. With her trusty backpack nicknamed Barney on her back, a map in hand and blond hair blowing she is the depiction of a backpacker making her way across the land.
Finding Color kicks things off with author MacPhie meeting with a therapist to discuss her struggles with her mental health in July of 1996. It’s been a couple of years since author MacPhie’s mother passed away, and it’s taken its toll on her. She was the primary caretaker for her mother, so it’s understandable that she is carrying a heavy weight of loss and pain on her shoulders.
With the next chapter in Finding Color over a year has passed and author MacPhie is no longer in Canada. She’s now overseas in Greece. She’s taking that break that she desperately needs so that she can try to find herself. To rediscover who she is without having to care for someone else. She lost herself, but now she’s on a journey to find herself once again.
From the way that Finding Color progresses in the first few chapters, it appears that author MacPhie is well on her way to making new friends, creating fresh new memories, and working towards finding herself. Then…there’s the guy who swoops in and draws her into his orbit so effortlessly.
When he first enters the picture, author MacPhie sees him for the red flag parade that he is. However, while she may pass the first time…there is no denying the draw that he has on her. So, when they cross paths again…all bets are off. The red flags are still there, but she reasons them away…even the ones that are right there in her face.
The vacation ends though, and author MacPhie is back in Canada. As author MacPhie lays out the humdrum of her life in Finding Color, you get the sense that she’s itching to reconnect with Josh and take him up on the traveling. It sounds like fun. It sounds like something that will truly refresh her mind and her soul. She just needs to cut the ties that hold her to her life in Canada and take that monumental step. So…she does.
What unfolds next throughout Finding Color is a drama of unexpected situations and lots of new friendships that spring up as she follows her dream of backpacking around the world. Finding Color is told from the first person perspective as author MacPhie works to give readers a bird’s eye view of her adventures in and around Europe.
Quite a bit of the story takes place in England where author MacPhie reconnects with Josh. There will be the hope that maybe Josh has matured, but…he really hasn’t. It’s disappointing, but not really that unexpected. What’s ultimately disappointing is how invested Candace becomes in Josh during that time period.
The ups and downs of their situationship are a real rollercoaster. Author MacPhie accurately describes it as “come here, come here, come here, go away, go away go away” with how things go back and forth between them. It’s enough to make your head spin.
As author MacPhie spends a healthy amount of time in England readers are treated to all the sights and scenes that are London and the surrounding areas. The amount of detail in Finding Color is well done. You get the sense of how chaotic big city living is. Author MacPhie doing “shoulder drops” to get on the subway. Having to literally run to the store because one of the flats she was staying in was in a bad neighborhood.
You’ll find yourself cringing on her behalf and worrying for her safety when she and her friends go running to the store. Author MacPhie treats readers to explanations of the differences in certain words used. The people that she meets are quick to educate her on proper terminology when she makes a mistake.
Author MacPhie treats readers to her experiences working various temp jobs in England before finally landing one that works well for her. She handles the chaos of this particular struggle pretty well all in all. The ups and the downs, the highs and the lows it all adds to the color of Finding Color.
Honestly, some reactions we felt (and we’re sure author MacPhie felt the same way at the moment) were over the top. All in all, though it’s a great recollection of those specific moments and to share them with us the readers. We absolutely get a sense of realism throughout Finding Color that will keep you engaged in her story.
When author MacPhie gets her heartbroken (many times) by “Red Flag” Josh, you’re just going to want to wrap her in a hug. Though, to be fair you’d turn around pretty quickly and become exasperated with her as she chooses to continue her involvement with him. Give it some time…she’ll break the cycle…for a time.
There are a lot of ups and downs in Finding Color. It is an absolutely thrilling and exciting memoir that draws readers in with each new person that author MacPhie meets. She meets quite a few Aussies. LOL! We get to follow along as she gets to spend time with family, discover new perspectives, and have quite the adventure. There will be some moments that will pull you to the edge of your seat, too! Thankfully everything works out. So we can let loose that breath that we were holding on to.
Author MacPhie is on a quest to “find the color that is missing in her life.” She sees sparks of this color all around her. But the big question is – does she ultimately find it? The beauty of this novel is that…author MacPhie shares her struggles in discovering it, but ultimately…she does.
Finding Color is a delightful memoir that will leave you eager to find out what happens next in Life Strikes Back and onward. Readers enjoy fun memoirs, this is a book and series that you’re not going to want to miss out on. Told in chronological order this book unfolds like a well-traveled adventure map. It’s packed with friendship, drama, adventure, and yes – romance. Even if non-fiction and memoirs aren’t your thing the beauty of Finding Color is that you will quickly forget that it’s a memoir. Yes, it’s that good.
So, whether you read a lot of non-fiction or not, Finding Color: A hilarious and messy backpacking adventure in the ’90s (Back in a Year Series Book 1) is one adventure memoir that you’re not going to want to miss out on. Want more? Check out our review for the follow-up book Life Strikes Back here.
Pros:
- Engaging storyline
- Realistic
- Full of drama and adventure
- A nice dose of humor
- Easy to follow along.
Cons:
- None of merit
Scribble's Worth 
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