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My Journey to the Ocean
Elena knows what she wants from life. Her whole picture-perfect existence is planned out and allows for no deviation. She is engaged to be married and intends to be happy. Along with three of her girlfriends, she takes a summer trip across the ocean, to St. Simons Island, United States. Her whole world is about to be rock-n-rolled, and she will have to face a pretty hard choice. It all sounds like a setup for a summer-fling novel, but is it really like that in actuality, or does Miss Real Life have something more conniving under her sleeve? Are there happy endings in real life?
This book is a love story. It's about love in all possible representations, forms and masks it can wear. It's a love story of a girl in her 20s, looked back on by a woman in her 30s, who is also trying to take a peek into the future. It's an ageless book, it's a borderless book, it’s a book that focuses on and laughs at our cultural differences, yet sweeps away all man-made boundaries on its way. But I made it sound too complex. It's first and foremost a story about a summer away from home, it's a story about falling in and out of love - it's a story about My Journey to the Ocean.
This book is a love story. It's about love in all possible representations, forms and masks it can wear. It's a love story of a girl in her 20s, looked back on by a woman in her 30s, who is also trying to take a peek into the future. It's an ageless book, it's a borderless book, it’s a book that focuses on and laughs at our cultural differences, yet sweeps away all man-made boundaries on its way. But I made it sound too complex. It's first and foremost a story about a summer away from home, it's a story about falling in and out of love - it's a story about My Journey to the Ocean.
342 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2015
252 people are currently reading
1017 people want to read
About the author
Lena Mikado
4 books49 followersA native of Voronezh, Russia, Lena Mikado moved to the United States at the age of 22 after receiving her MA degree in Linguistics, Translation, and Intercultural Communication. When not busy writing, she loves learning French, traveling the world with her husband and 3 kids, belly-dancing and enjoying an occasional glass of wine in her lively back yard.
Lena writes tongue-in-cheek, reality-based novels that take the reader on an enjoyable trip all around the world and that are full of colorful, thought-provoking reflections on the matters that preoccupy most of us every minute of our lives: relationships, parenthood and trying to live in the present moment—all of that with a splash of delicious, flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants humor on top. My Journey to the Ocean and A Year in the Sky are the first two novels of the All Colors of the Rainbow series, and they are currently available from all major online bookstores. Lena is currently working on her third and final novel in the series—titled It's All About Love. Visit her online at lenamikado.com.
Lena writes tongue-in-cheek, reality-based novels that take the reader on an enjoyable trip all around the world and that are full of colorful, thought-provoking reflections on the matters that preoccupy most of us every minute of our lives: relationships, parenthood and trying to live in the present moment—all of that with a splash of delicious, flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants humor on top. My Journey to the Ocean and A Year in the Sky are the first two novels of the All Colors of the Rainbow series, and they are currently available from all major online bookstores. Lena is currently working on her third and final novel in the series—titled It's All About Love. Visit her online at lenamikado.com.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 3, 2015
A travel-loving Russian girl gets to go to the States to work for four months, leaving behind the love of her life until she returns and commits for life. A new country, new friends, new ways, Elena falls in love with everything but in spite of being the object of handsome Chris's constant flirtation, she hangs on to her principles and her commitment to her Russian fiance. But is that what her future has in store for her?
I read this brilliant book in one day (and the best part of the night). Knowing it's autobiographical made it so much more interesting. Its effervescence was addictive, the dialog real and incredibly funny, the setting ideal for a summer romance to bloom, but here's a girl set on a dream wedged into her mind from a young age and although she sees where her future lies, she holds on to that dream until the very end. I found this utterly refreshing. No one would blame Elena for living a summer love especially after the relentness pressing she gets from Chris, but she sticks to her guns even though her mind and her body betray her. I fell in love with all the characters, and knowing they're all out there, I just want to meet them and be their friends. I also loved Lena Mikado's freshness in her writing. Her analogies are something else. So to the point and original, I had to highlight them. But most of all, I loved the writer's astute observations on life, relationships, love. They come up suddenly and unexpectedly and truly blew me away. That was one mature twenty-year old. The happy end was also heart-clenching.
I highly recomment this fun and light read.
I read this brilliant book in one day (and the best part of the night). Knowing it's autobiographical made it so much more interesting. Its effervescence was addictive, the dialog real and incredibly funny, the setting ideal for a summer romance to bloom, but here's a girl set on a dream wedged into her mind from a young age and although she sees where her future lies, she holds on to that dream until the very end. I found this utterly refreshing. No one would blame Elena for living a summer love especially after the relentness pressing she gets from Chris, but she sticks to her guns even though her mind and her body betray her. I fell in love with all the characters, and knowing they're all out there, I just want to meet them and be their friends. I also loved Lena Mikado's freshness in her writing. Her analogies are something else. So to the point and original, I had to highlight them. But most of all, I loved the writer's astute observations on life, relationships, love. They come up suddenly and unexpectedly and truly blew me away. That was one mature twenty-year old. The happy end was also heart-clenching.
I highly recomment this fun and light read.
March 1, 2015
This book has all of the fuzzy, pink, glittery frills of the standard chick-lit novel- the feminine musing of superficial concerns, the goofball friends, the fairytale references, those wicked sabatuerettes of progress who bring out those ugly feelings of competition, the wrong Mr. Right, and the oh-so-right Mr. Wrong, and the general climate of "I wasn't looking for this, but I found it anyway" all play "by the book" that is the over arching methodology of this genre.
Though, this book has something more; beyond the fuzzy pinkness, is a recurring theme of expletives, the need to urinate at inconvenient times, drunken disorderlyness, more expletives, infidelity, and the "iron clad virgin" -that is the protagonist- which rather makes a mockery of resistance, while most chick lit novels skirt around the issue with holier-than-though subtexts. It could be its autobiographical nature, that avoids the vapidity of your average chick-lit novel, OR it could be the periodical philosophical introspection that interlude the story's progression, or it could be both? I think it is both.
I love this book, I enjoyed it immensely- all of the "characters" aroused a subtle reminder to find meaning in everyday life. AND...the moral of the story? Ironically is, -"No one can save you, but yourself, and don't you forget it!" I love this book, I love it most of all because it doesn't expect women to just be satisfied with glittery, pinkness. Lena Mikado- if you please, lead the rainbow parade of woman pride, into the turquoise waters, so that we can all find our ocean!
Though, this book has something more; beyond the fuzzy pinkness, is a recurring theme of expletives, the need to urinate at inconvenient times, drunken disorderlyness, more expletives, infidelity, and the "iron clad virgin" -that is the protagonist- which rather makes a mockery of resistance, while most chick lit novels skirt around the issue with holier-than-though subtexts. It could be its autobiographical nature, that avoids the vapidity of your average chick-lit novel, OR it could be the periodical philosophical introspection that interlude the story's progression, or it could be both? I think it is both.
I love this book, I enjoyed it immensely- all of the "characters" aroused a subtle reminder to find meaning in everyday life. AND...the moral of the story? Ironically is, -"No one can save you, but yourself, and don't you forget it!" I love this book, I love it most of all because it doesn't expect women to just be satisfied with glittery, pinkness. Lena Mikado- if you please, lead the rainbow parade of woman pride, into the turquoise waters, so that we can all find our ocean!
April 13, 2015
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
In My Journey to the Ocean, Elena loves travelling, and she also loves her Russian fiance. But when a journey to the other end of the world brings her to St. Simons Island, Georgia, she falls in love with pretty much everything around her – and maybe another guy too. While Elena discovers a new part of the world, a part filled with pool parties and vodka watermelons and some of the hottest guys she’s ever seen ) she also discovers a new part of herself, a part that wants more, that craves more. And it turns out her picture perfect life back in Russia may not have been so perfect after all, and that the guy who seems wrong in just about every way, may turn out to be the right guy for her.
I loved the sense of humor the author brings to the table. Right from the start, the book is caked in a layer of humor, and the protagonist doesn’t hesitate from making fun of herself too, often laughing at her own expense. All characters have realistic personalities, and most of them have some background story too, making them feel real, and easy to relate to, especially the protagonist and the love interest.
Although mostly light-hearted, the book offers some more philisophical insights too, without straying too far though. A fun summer read with a bit more to it.
In My Journey to the Ocean, Elena loves travelling, and she also loves her Russian fiance. But when a journey to the other end of the world brings her to St. Simons Island, Georgia, she falls in love with pretty much everything around her – and maybe another guy too. While Elena discovers a new part of the world, a part filled with pool parties and vodka watermelons and some of the hottest guys she’s ever seen ) she also discovers a new part of herself, a part that wants more, that craves more. And it turns out her picture perfect life back in Russia may not have been so perfect after all, and that the guy who seems wrong in just about every way, may turn out to be the right guy for her.
I loved the sense of humor the author brings to the table. Right from the start, the book is caked in a layer of humor, and the protagonist doesn’t hesitate from making fun of herself too, often laughing at her own expense. All characters have realistic personalities, and most of them have some background story too, making them feel real, and easy to relate to, especially the protagonist and the love interest.
Although mostly light-hearted, the book offers some more philisophical insights too, without straying too far though. A fun summer read with a bit more to it.
April 18, 2015
To my surprise, it was a very good read. The secret is probably that it is based on a true story, and that what makes all of it so real. I literally re-lived some of those moments with my own memories, and few times I laughed out loud (luckily, no one was around).
The best $3 I've spent in the past month!
The best $3 I've spent in the past month!
February 20, 2015
My Journey To The Ocean, is a fun, light-hearted read from this debut author. It’s well written and moves along at a good pace. It’s a story about finding one self, questioning the decisions we made and finding love when we are not looking for it. It’s almost like Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, but not in that order. The similarities lie in the way the author documents her travels and experiences, ending in her finding true love along the way, when she wasn’t looking. Great fun read.
August 1, 2015
Gentle Surprise
With a low start on a journey with a rattled student on a journey from Russia t a working summer in the U.S., I wasn't sure if I should stick with this book. But the storyline kept developing & I struggled with Elena every step of the way remembering my young self. Truly enjoyed the resolution.
With a low start on a journey with a rattled student on a journey from Russia t a working summer in the U.S., I wasn't sure if I should stick with this book. But the storyline kept developing & I struggled with Elena every step of the way remembering my young self. Truly enjoyed the resolution.
January 20, 2017
The book is written in narrative style. Best for students who had j1 exchange program experience, while reading I have realised my stories in USA. Worth reading!
May 3, 2019
An adventurous spirit wrought by phobias great and small, and brain-washed by fairytales of how life ought to be, Elena faces them all, as well as unknown debacles, on her journey to the ocean. Indeed, what is a journey to the ocean, really, other than a journey to our inner most selves. Told directly to the reader, this is a story of a girl seeking experiences to sate her powerful hunger for seeing what’s out there beyond her hometown in Russia, her dedication to staying true to a fiance that represents all the comforts of the familiar, and finally, the courage to step out of her own expectations and take a chance on herself. My Journey to Ocean is filled with inevitable alcohol fueled escapades of youth and almost strangers converted into lifelong friends by adventures shared far from the shores of home. Mostly, however, it’s the story, as old as time, of finding love where you were never looking for it, finding yourself when you didn’t even know you needing looking for, and finding out that there are myriad possibilities if you’re brave enough to look for them. Read it, feel her electric zest for life, and remember falling in love all over again.
June 13, 2020
I found myself suddenly single in the spring of 2019. My entire life as I had known it over, all the plans for the future gone, dreams of happiness rudely shattered. I had to figure out who I was again in this new role...
Well, I’ve always wanted to learn to paint, so I took some classes and met some wonderful artists. I also had this secret desire to belly dance. Stepping out of my comfort zone (way out, like miles) I signed up for a session. I was determined to stop wasting my new found freedom mourning the could have and should have beens and dove into the “This is who I have always wanted to be, who I am”. Enter Lena Mikado.
Lena was holding a book signing downtown an hour before my first dance class. I have always been a big fan of meeting the person behind the art. (It was also a good excuse to chicken out of that dance class!)
All I can say is wow! I immediately felt a connection with her story. There was so much familiarity to the places she was writing about, including the NY and SSI portions. I felt like this woman is real, this story is real, these places are real, her feelings, real. I couldn’t wait to turn the page and take this journey with her! She made me believe in love again.
Well, I’ve always wanted to learn to paint, so I took some classes and met some wonderful artists. I also had this secret desire to belly dance. Stepping out of my comfort zone (way out, like miles) I signed up for a session. I was determined to stop wasting my new found freedom mourning the could have and should have beens and dove into the “This is who I have always wanted to be, who I am”. Enter Lena Mikado.
Lena was holding a book signing downtown an hour before my first dance class. I have always been a big fan of meeting the person behind the art. (It was also a good excuse to chicken out of that dance class!)
All I can say is wow! I immediately felt a connection with her story. There was so much familiarity to the places she was writing about, including the NY and SSI portions. I felt like this woman is real, this story is real, these places are real, her feelings, real. I couldn’t wait to turn the page and take this journey with her! She made me believe in love again.
August 17, 2021
I understand the story was supposed to be about a woman telling her story in her own words. However, the run-on sentences and jumping from topic to topic made it hard to follow. I lost interest near the end, but had to finish it!
Read
March 3, 2020Great Book.
July 4, 2021
Hmmm
I really wanted to love this story, and gutted that I ended up skipping through chunks of it. Dunno why. Just did.
I really wanted to love this story, and gutted that I ended up skipping through chunks of it. Dunno why. Just did.
October 10, 2021
not for me
The entire book is the “will she, won’t she?” premise. It was a lot longer than it needed to be with no interesting revelations or ah ha moments.
The entire book is the “will she, won’t she?” premise. It was a lot longer than it needed to be with no interesting revelations or ah ha moments.
April 20, 2015
Funny and very romantic story!
I really enjoyed the book!!! It brought back a lot of memories from my Work&Travel adventures and made me smile a lot!
But most importantly, this book reminded me to be romantic and believe in true love :)
Great book, great humor and very positive emotions! Thank you Lena!
I really enjoyed the book!!! It brought back a lot of memories from my Work&Travel adventures and made me smile a lot!
But most importantly, this book reminded me to be romantic and believe in true love :)
Great book, great humor and very positive emotions! Thank you Lena!
November 11, 2015
I picked this book on the kindle lending library waiting for some others to come in from the library. At first, I liked it, but then the story dragged on and I found myself skimming to get to the end. I didn't like that she continued to cheat on her fiancé and was so unsure of everything. I often got lost in her daydreams and trying to figure out what she was talking about.
March 23, 2016
Really enjoyed reading this book would definitely read more from this author.
free-e-bk
July 21, 20157/21/15.
December 5, 2015
This book was way two long and there was entirely too much internal discussion. If I didn't want to see how it ended, I would have put it down about halfway through. The ending was uninspired.
October 19, 2015
Did not finish
I'm sorry, but I could go no further. I was 15% of the way through, and twice the author used the word "retarded" to pejoratively describe a person. Not cool.
I'm sorry, but I could go no further. I was 15% of the way through, and twice the author used the word "retarded" to pejoratively describe a person. Not cool.
March 12, 2016
Slow start but picked up, quite enjoyable!
March 28, 2016
DNF. Just annoying
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews