What do you think?
Rate this book
Wanderlush
When David, a self-proclaimed anxiety-ridden introvert, convinces himself he's dying of cancer, he invites his delightfully unpredictable, Xanax-popping, chardonnay-swilling mother on a series of international good-bye vacations. By doing so, he unwittingly opens a Pandora's Box of hilarious and humiliating events that will test just how far they are willing to go to get a laugh.
David knows the trips will be anything but boring because he and his mom have been causing a scene for as long as he can remember. He describes her as a cross between Bea Arthur and Karen Walker from Will and Grace, and she is notorious for bending the rules.
But nothing can prepare him for escapades that include digging his mom out of a rain gutter in Costa Rica and being dragged across the Arabian Desert by a psychotic camel named Forrest Hump. As the vacations unfold, David discovers that although he and his mom are having the time of their life, she is ready to share a secret that will change everything.
David knows the trips will be anything but boring because he and his mom have been causing a scene for as long as he can remember. He describes her as a cross between Bea Arthur and Karen Walker from Will and Grace, and she is notorious for bending the rules.
But nothing can prepare him for escapades that include digging his mom out of a rain gutter in Costa Rica and being dragged across the Arabian Desert by a psychotic camel named Forrest Hump. As the vacations unfold, David discovers that although he and his mom are having the time of their life, she is ready to share a secret that will change everything.
- GenresBiography
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2014
5 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
David Robert
36 books5 followersDavid Robert spent the better part of the past two years on an airplane while he crisscrossed the globe in an attempt to find his next adventure. Driven mostly by a hunger for exploration, David tries hard to balance the demands of running an international business with his insatiable curiosity about the world. When not traveling, David can be found at home in Providence, Rhode Island.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 7, 2014
I won this book on Goodreads and I'm so glad I did, it was hilarious and couldn't have arrived at a better time.
It's the story of David who decided to take a series of trips with his mom (who he describes as a mix of Bea Arthur and Karen Walker from Will and Grace). They are a very close, very funny family.
The book was so funny that I couldn't put it find and finished it in one day.
I seriously hope that the author writes about the next trip he takes with his mom !
It's the story of David who decided to take a series of trips with his mom (who he describes as a mix of Bea Arthur and Karen Walker from Will and Grace). They are a very close, very funny family.
The book was so funny that I couldn't put it find and finished it in one day.
I seriously hope that the author writes about the next trip he takes with his mom !
September 16, 2014
I highly recommend this book by this brilliant new author. Laughter ensues on every page as David and his Mother travel the globe on wild adventures!
September 14, 2014
Potential tags for this book: Sarcastic; comfortable; relationships; Xanax and Chardonnay.
This book wouldn't normally be on my radar, but after a couple chapters I started to plow through it and enjoyed the journey. David suffers anxiety and an emotional colon, which is comical to see in print. Those with anxiety will quickly gravitate toward the character. As David fears he is dying of cancer, he decides to take his mother on some good-bye vacations around the world. Although he makes it through Portugal and doesn't believe he does have cancer, he still travels with his mother and a mix of sisters and his partner, Pete.
David and Mom, travelling as the Lavender Yeti, have a fun relationship and you start to feel like you are traveling with them. Wrestling with your adult sister in public, runaway camels, playing a psychopath, drinking boxed wine, and overdosing on espresso shots; there is enough fun to keep the reader engaged. With that, a good tip gleaned from the book: Don't pound espresso shots.
Two fun "side notes":
"How could a woman who was terrified of flying bring only one Xanax? Did she think we were returning home on kayaks?"
"Seeing my [naked] mother attempt to conceal herself with a three-by-three-inch cocktail napkin is the kind of sh[*]t that keeps therapists employed."
The end was significant, but quite abrupt. With all the detail and dialogue up to a pivotal point, I felt the author glossed quickly to the end. That is my only negative. Editing and format were great.
Read September 2014: Author provided copy
This book wouldn't normally be on my radar, but after a couple chapters I started to plow through it and enjoyed the journey. David suffers anxiety and an emotional colon, which is comical to see in print. Those with anxiety will quickly gravitate toward the character. As David fears he is dying of cancer, he decides to take his mother on some good-bye vacations around the world. Although he makes it through Portugal and doesn't believe he does have cancer, he still travels with his mother and a mix of sisters and his partner, Pete.
David and Mom, travelling as the Lavender Yeti, have a fun relationship and you start to feel like you are traveling with them. Wrestling with your adult sister in public, runaway camels, playing a psychopath, drinking boxed wine, and overdosing on espresso shots; there is enough fun to keep the reader engaged. With that, a good tip gleaned from the book: Don't pound espresso shots.
Two fun "side notes":
"How could a woman who was terrified of flying bring only one Xanax? Did she think we were returning home on kayaks?"
"Seeing my [naked] mother attempt to conceal herself with a three-by-three-inch cocktail napkin is the kind of sh[*]t that keeps therapists employed."
The end was significant, but quite abrupt. With all the detail and dialogue up to a pivotal point, I felt the author glossed quickly to the end. That is my only negative. Editing and format were great.
Read September 2014: Author provided copy
April 22, 2015
Wanderlush is a quick read but a fun one. I think that David and his mom would be an absolute blast to travel with, in some respects. Then absolute nightmares in others....but in the best way. The obsession with chardonnay cracked me up. The dynamics of the family are just so freakin' funny that I can't help but laugh. And I so rarely laugh at books!
I can't decide if I think the stories are true or not. I'm inclined to believe that they're all real, but with the author's emotional colon I can't say for sure whether his timelines and storytelling is accurate. Now with that being said, I think I do believe that they're true stories to an extent. Because those are the kinds of stories that are just funny as hell and it's more fun to think of them as real than not. Plus, maybe certain parts of it are exaggerated, but I think it's fair to say that all of the events recounted in the novel were ones that are far-fetched but still possible. And that's what makes it so much better.
It's short, and reads quick. But it is incredibly fun and I looked forward to it each time I had a chance to pick it up and continue reading. Bravo, IBS sufferer!
Also, I'm jealous of everywhere they've gone. So there's that, too.
(I received this in a First Reads giveaway.)
I can't decide if I think the stories are true or not. I'm inclined to believe that they're all real, but with the author's emotional colon I can't say for sure whether his timelines and storytelling is accurate. Now with that being said, I think I do believe that they're true stories to an extent. Because those are the kinds of stories that are just funny as hell and it's more fun to think of them as real than not. Plus, maybe certain parts of it are exaggerated, but I think it's fair to say that all of the events recounted in the novel were ones that are far-fetched but still possible. And that's what makes it so much better.
It's short, and reads quick. But it is incredibly fun and I looked forward to it each time I had a chance to pick it up and continue reading. Bravo, IBS sufferer!
Also, I'm jealous of everywhere they've gone. So there's that, too.
(I received this in a First Reads giveaway.)
January 18, 2015
I love this family and book. When this book ended I was sad because I wanted more adventures, stories and laughter. I normally do not laugh when I read books, I might chuckle, smile, etc. but not a full out laugh. Well this book if you are looking to laugh is it. In some scenes I laughed so loud and hard I had tears in my eyes. I had family and strangers ask me what I was reading because I was laughing at the library, Panera's and everywhere else I was reading.
Wanderlush is a quick read that is filled with; snarky and fantastic humor, sarcastic conversations, wine, laughter with and at each other, and true love and relationships between family. I enjoyed that the chapters all had him and his mother, but also introduced us to the rest of his family. If you have read my posts and reviews before you know I love to share some of my favorite quotations or sections of a book and this one, my lord I was writing down almost every other experience. I tried to parse it down some, but truly if you are looking to laugh, to be cheered up, see a fun family dynamic, experience some travel fun and antics then this book is most definitely for you.
full review at www.meghanvarner.blogspot.com
Wanderlush is a quick read that is filled with; snarky and fantastic humor, sarcastic conversations, wine, laughter with and at each other, and true love and relationships between family. I enjoyed that the chapters all had him and his mother, but also introduced us to the rest of his family. If you have read my posts and reviews before you know I love to share some of my favorite quotations or sections of a book and this one, my lord I was writing down almost every other experience. I tried to parse it down some, but truly if you are looking to laugh, to be cheered up, see a fun family dynamic, experience some travel fun and antics then this book is most definitely for you.
full review at www.meghanvarner.blogspot.com
May 23, 2015
This book is so funny that I almost spit out my Orgy Juice!
When David, a self-proclaimed anxiety-ridden introvert, convinces himself he's dying of cancer, he invites his delightfully unpredictable, Xanax-popping, chardonnay-swilling mother on a series of international good-bye vacations. By doing so, he unwittingly opens a Pandora's Box of hilarious and humiliating events that will test just how far they are willing to go to get a laugh.
Wanderlush brought back lots of happy memories of vacationing with my mother before she passed away; luckily I have boxes of pictures to remind me of our vacations together (similar to the 1100 pictures David's mother took on one weekend trip). This book is so laugh-out-loud funny I almost wish I would have waited to read it while I was actually traveling.
The only thing missing from this wonderful book was the pictures! I would have loved to have seen pictures of the places that you travelled.
"Mornie, ladies," he said. "Coffee, tea, orgy juice?" Immediately and simultaneously my mother and sister said, "Orgy juice!"
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.
2015 Book Challenge: 28/75 Books
When David, a self-proclaimed anxiety-ridden introvert, convinces himself he's dying of cancer, he invites his delightfully unpredictable, Xanax-popping, chardonnay-swilling mother on a series of international good-bye vacations. By doing so, he unwittingly opens a Pandora's Box of hilarious and humiliating events that will test just how far they are willing to go to get a laugh.
Wanderlush brought back lots of happy memories of vacationing with my mother before she passed away; luckily I have boxes of pictures to remind me of our vacations together (similar to the 1100 pictures David's mother took on one weekend trip). This book is so laugh-out-loud funny I almost wish I would have waited to read it while I was actually traveling.
The only thing missing from this wonderful book was the pictures! I would have loved to have seen pictures of the places that you travelled.
"Mornie, ladies," he said. "Coffee, tea, orgy juice?" Immediately and simultaneously my mother and sister said, "Orgy juice!"
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.
2015 Book Challenge: 28/75 Books
June 15, 2015
I expected Wanderlush to provide a compelling, enjoyable ride, and author David Robert did not disappoint my expectations. His story of adventures with his mother was not only frequently laugh-out-loud funny, it was personally relatable for me in a number of ways. I admire Robert's brave exposure of both his mother's and his own neuroses. These qualities made them both more endearing as characters, and because they were interesting, flawed, three-dimensional people, I became much more invested in their story as I read than I would have been if only looking for a laugh from the experience. I recommend this book as a humorous read marked by originality as well as some personal depth. Please be advised I received a free copy of this book through a LibraryThing Member Giveaway in exchange for posting an honest review after reading.
October 30, 2014
David Robert believes he's dying of (ready?) ass cancer... so he proposes going on a trip to random spots throughout Europe, in a last minute bonding exercise with his spitfire mom. I can't tell you how disappointing that this is only 187 pages. It is absolutely hysterical. I haven't laughed this hard at a book in a long, long time. I truly love it and will recommend it to anyone I know who has a good sense of humor, loves travel, and loves unorthodox situations. For no matter how David and his partner Pete (who is along on some of the trip, his sister on other parts) try to have a normal vacation, his mother seems to embrace eccentricity bordering on homicide and alcoholism. In a word? HILARIOUS. I absolutely recommend this for a quick, light read. Better yet? Read it on an airplane when you're off on a trip. Satisfaction guaranteed.
October 15, 2014
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. When I read the first sentence of the description- specifically the words "a self-proclaimed anxiety-ridden introvert", I knew I had to enter the contest because those words are a description of myself. I was very excited to find out that I actually won a copy. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and all the crazy antics that went on. My recommendation is to not read this book in a public place because you will get funny looks when you burst out laughing. His emotional colon got me every time! I could not stop laughing while reading chapter 17 - Just the Tip. I highly recommend this book!
November 4, 2014
I won this book through a first-reads giveaway. I thought it was really cute and funny. You can tell how much the author loves his family, even though they cut up and give each other such a hard time. The book was humorous, although sometimes I felt like I really "had to be there" to fully get it. Still glad I was given the opportunity to read this book and will pass it along to other friends looking for a light, funny read. :)
June 21, 2015
Love, love, love the author's humor.
I recommend this book a 5 star. While patiently waiting in a Doctor's office reading this book, time flew by and I couldn't stop myself from laughing. I am sure the other patients sitting across from me thought l was crazy.
Without a doubt, recommend this book as a , "Must Read and Share book"
Can't wait for his next book to be published.
I recommend this book a 5 star. While patiently waiting in a Doctor's office reading this book, time flew by and I couldn't stop myself from laughing. I am sure the other patients sitting across from me thought l was crazy.
Without a doubt, recommend this book as a , "Must Read and Share book"
Can't wait for his next book to be published.
November 7, 2014
I won my copy thru LibraryThing and thought it was really cute. I adored the author's sense of humor and chuckled out loud while reading this book. My only problem with it that it was too short and I wanted more. I would love to read more by this author and would recommend this book to anybody who wants to read a quaint pick-me up adventure.
October 23, 2014
I knew from the first page(when I saw an explicit) that I loved the book. It was real, raw, and unfiltered. The author's honesty really allowed me to engage with the book and I didn't want to put it down. Great read for when you want a laugh, need a pick-me-up, or a reminder that you're not the only one with a crazy family!
October 14, 2014
Fizzy and fun, reading Wanderlush is like attending a dinner party with a great conversationalist who tells one hilarious story after another. Roberts is a gifted writer whose debut promises more to come. Highly recommended.
November 4, 2014
This book was well written and I found it quite interesting. Though it wasn't my favorite book and it wasn't something I just had to keep on reading, it was good. I have to wonder if it is based on a story, since the main character shared his name with the author.
October 22, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. David and his Mom were hilarious. I really hope he decides to right that second book he was hinting about in the afterward.
October 23, 2014
This is a very enjoyable book. Quite funny and thought provoking. I would absolutely love to travel with these people.
Really hope that David will soon have another book out.
Really hope that David will soon have another book out.
February 20, 2015
This book is a quick, easy read full of fun!
February 22, 2015
hilarious!
Couldn't put this book down! I loved the way it was written. Such a wonderful story of the love in a crazy family that accepts each other for what and who they are.
Couldn't put this book down! I loved the way it was written. Such a wonderful story of the love in a crazy family that accepts each other for what and who they are.
February 22, 2015
Quick, funny read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews