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Published: April 09, 2012
Words: 66,877 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781476434957
Short description
The powerful story of one woman’s search for happiness and fulfillment in modern-day America.Extended description
After moving to the United States from Canada in 1998, a free-spirited young woman rejects the status quo and embarks on a journey to discover what it means to be truly happy and fulfilled in the Land of Opportunity.Her 13-year search spans half a dozen states, a bunch of fearless adventures, and ever-increasing crises, divisions, turmoil, and discontent. Through it all, she holds on to her fearless pursuit of happiness and fulfillment against ever-decreasing odds.
13 Years in America is a moving personal journey and a sharp, hard look at the American Dream.
Tags
literature, women, adventure, travel, memoir, happiness, american dream, american, america, american life, american people, american journey, america today, american dreams, america crisis, american values, truelifeAvailable ebook reading formats
This book is free. How to download ebooks to e-reading devices and apps.| Format | Full Book |
|---|---|
| Online Reading (HTML, good for sampling in web browser) | View |
| Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps) | Download |
| Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others) | Download |
| PDF (good for reading on PC, or for home printing) | Download |
| RTF (readable on most word processors) | Download |
| LRF (Use only for older model Sony Readers that don't support .epub) | Download |
| Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices) | Download |
| Plain Text (download) (flexible, but lacks much formatting) | Download |
| Plain Text (view) (viewable as web page) | View |
Reviews
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Review by:
Blaine Zaid
on April 01, 2013 :
This book was a relaxing break from the action-fantasy novels I had been reading recently. It tells of a young women's efforts to remain true to her ideals while dealing with marriage, work, college, and parenthood. It is well written, and the main character is believable. Her husband's character is a bit underdeveloped, but she does explain that he's a type of guy who generally goes with the flow, rather than steering the course. The author does present the positive and the negative ramifications of her idealism, and I think it would be a good one for high school students.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Khalid Alzayani
on Jan. 17, 2013 :
Nice book. I enjoyed reading it.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Micah Simon
on Dec. 30, 2012 :
Steele you're awesome! 13 Years in America, I connected. I shared in her emotions, hopes, fears and success. Thanks for making it free.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Sara Debussey
on Nov. 26, 2012 :
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is wonderful on many levels.
First, the writing is superb. Easy to read, interesting, smooth.
Then, there’s the subject matter. It’s a brave story told by a regular person baring her soul. Her endeavors and struggles are laid out for us to enjoy.
Finally, there’s a deeper level of importance to this book, which gives food for thought on many issues we don’t take the time to examine enough: education, the treatment of elders, our emphasis on work over family.
Overall, 13 Years in America is a great, worthwhile book to read.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Nick Fiocchi
on Nov. 13, 2012 :
I don’t usually write reviews but felt compelled to do so for this one. 13 Years is a true inspiration. If you have a hard time dealing with reality and following someone making an honest attempt at finding happiness, then you won’t like it. But if you are ready for some honesty and truth, then you’ll love and appreciate this book. Life isn’t sugar-coated here. Things don’t turn out the way you might want, but that’s life.
It’s easy to criticize someone else’s choices, but when you get to know the characters and understand their purpose, then their choices make sense and infact they’re the only choices that are possible without them selling out. Throughout the book, Melanie chooses the hard path because it’s real. She chooses poverty over conformity and authenticity over consumerism. I applaud her drive and perseverance, and I thank her for writing this book and sharing her inspiring story with others. I’ll be awaiting more from this author.
(review of free book)
Review by:
R Ralan
on Nov. 05, 2012 :
(no rating)
I won't spoil Steele's perfect five-star rating, but it seems no other reviewer has mentioned that this is a story of failure from start to finish. The only genuine success is their child. Even Melanie's degrees, obtained at great cost, lead to nothing worthwhile. And the cause? Always choosing immediate gratification, never being willing to delay it.
Melanie talks her husband out of following the career he's spent years training for, simply because it would require two years in an undesirable location. She talks him out of it a second time even though their financial situation is poor. They borrow money at ruinous interest, then pay ten percent to cash the check rather than open a bank account. They rent land to grow a garden in hopes of saving more than $100 per month on food bills! They heat one home with a woodstove yet have to buy the wood. These decisions make no economic sense.
Along the line the author reveals a fear of the U S felt by west coast Canadians, seeming to find our nation a sort of East Germany without the language barrier. She gives two horrifying examples of U S history, neither of them quite accurate. The most egregious is the story of offering smallpox-infected blankets to the Indians, an incident that occurred in 1763 during Pontiac's Rebellion. To wit, the BRITISH defending Fort Pitt gave two supposedly-infected blankets to the besieging Indians. The ploy failed, no doubt because Indians had been exposed to smallpox many years previously, before the Pilgrims arrived, in fact.
Still, it's a compelling, well-written story. But memoir is easy--I'd like to see what she can do with fiction.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Florence Renauld
on Sep. 06, 2012 :
I really, really love this book.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Pat Van
on Sep. 03, 2012 :
Nicely done. Deep, moving story. Interesting characters. A message I can identify with. If you're looking for something honest, moving, and interesting, this is it.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Kathy Minowski
on Aug. 07, 2012 :
Great book that is entertaining, fun, deep & inspiring. I recommend it. I'll be watching for more from this author.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Kay MacDonnell
on Aug. 01, 2012 :
I enjoyed reading this book. It's an excellent read that is interesting and thought provoking and over too soon!
(review of free book)
Review by:
Paul Smithson
on July 18, 2012 :
A very enjoyable read. When I started it I didn't really know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised as to what an absorbing read it became. I was a little sad when it got to the end as I wanted more, which is a testament to how good the book is. So come on Melanie, can we have a sequel please :-)
(review of free book)
Review by:
Patrick Lessard
on July 15, 2012 :
Awesome! If you're reading this, read the book! You won't be disappointed.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Fiona LaFavor
on July 15, 2012 :
I found out about 13 Years on a blog and traced it here. I downloaded the free kindle version here and then I bought a print copy because I want a physical copy to have and keep. It’s a real treat to go along on the journey through this beautiful person's life. I laughed, cried, wondered and searched along with her, and when it was over I felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend. A book so personal and so universal at the same time does not come along very often. I related to everything she went through even though my life has been completely different. I hope she writes more because I'm a loyal follower.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Vince
on July 07, 2012 :
This is an inspiring book.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Lovelyheart
on June 20, 2012 :
Highest rating. I'd give it more than 5 if I could.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Becca Prinsen
on June 05, 2012 :
Great book. I read very quickly. Well-written and captivating. Love the writing style and the message. Sticks with you.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Anne Pekel
on May 22, 2012 :
I love poignant, meaningful stories, and this one, folks, is it! Ms. Steele tells a complex, personal story with active prose and master storytelling. Every word matters, and every year builds toward a stunning climax where I found myself not only on the edge of my seat, but also deeply invested on a personal level. Ms. Steele, thank you for this book. Looking forward to the next one!
(review of free book)
Review by:
Nicki
on May 20, 2012 :
My reasons for giving this book 5 stars are many: the writing style (excellent), the story (awesome), the message (important), and the take-away (I wish it hadn't ended!). The rating says it all, its excellent!
(review of free book)
Review by:
Rachel
on May 16, 2012 :
Beautifully-written, fast read. It chronicles 13 years in the life of one woman. Simple idea, yet the insight and undertones from what is experienced will move you. Its through the simplicity that the complexity emerges. What’s wrong in America? Why is it wrong? How is it impacting people? All this is explored in a fluid and engaging narrative.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Julie Mendoza
on May 16, 2012 :
Nice to see someone writing the truth about how things are. Is the story powerful? Yes. Is the message spot-on. Yup. Do I recommend it? You bet.
(review of free book)
Review by:
B. Nealey
on May 14, 2012 :
This is an excellent book by a fantastic writer. I LOVED it! I'm seriously inspired by this story.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Erica Mae
on May 13, 2012 :
Well-written story. Good read!
(review of free book)
Review by:
R.J. Sawyer
on May 13, 2012 :
I agree with Billi...it's amazing how engaging this book ends up being. At the end you look back and realize how cool, to be brought along on this woman's journey. A lot of years and ground is covered, yet the writer's style is succinct and engaging. Great writer and fabulous story!
(review of free book)
Review by:
Lucy
on May 13, 2012 :
Great book; fast read; engaging story. 5 stars!
(review of free book)
Review by:
Ron Bauer
on May 12, 2012 :
I didn't really know what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised when I read this story. It has all the elements I love: interesting story, believable, interesting characters, and a good take-away. Want to laugh, cry and everything in between? Then read this powerful book.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Michael Millier
on May 12, 2012 :
I love stories with rebellious characters and this one fits the bill, with Mel running from conformity for 13 years. Keep running, Mel! You're an inspiration we could all take a lead from.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Phil
on May 11, 2012 :
well worth the read. not a dry memoir... reads more like fiction, but it's cool that it's true
(review of free book)
Review by:
Beth's Reads
on May 11, 2012 :
This is a great read! I feel like it was so important so touching. We're entering a new era and this book has a lot of important things to say.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Billi Jakob
on May 11, 2012 :
At first i thought it was starting a bit slow, but then I realized that it begins in 1998 and brings readers into what it was like then. Then, wow! it's the past 13 years that we all lived through, all put in perspective with deep insight.
(review of free book)
Review by:
Linda
on May 02, 2012 :
I was happy to find such a good book for free. It's a full-length story that you'd normally expect to pay for. Most importantly, it's awesome! Like the description says, it's gripping, and more. Read it!
(review of free book)
Review by:
Mikaila
on April 10, 2012 :
A powerful story that drew me in and brought me along on an incredible journey of disappointment and hope. Personal and universal at the same time; frightening yet beautiful. I couldn’t put it down.
(review of free book)