by Kelly Oxford
First published 2017
Kelly Oxford opens her world to readers through sharp observations about transplanting her family from Canada to Los Angeles. She navigates the peculiarities of American life while raising kids who announce secret wars between muffins and cupcakes. Oxford tackles her daily struggles with anxiety and depression alongside the comedy of marriage and motherhood. Her seven-year-old delivers unexpected wisdom while she contemplates whether skipping coffee will help her take responsibility for her mistakes. She watches American politics unfold from her immigrant perspective, tweeting about Trump and green cards. Oxford finds humor in pre-teen parenting dilemmas and the absurdities of LA culture. Through personal vignettes, she reveals how ordinary moments become sources of both laughter and insight. The collection captures her attempts to make sense of modern life while dealing with mental health challenges and family chaos.
Genres: humor, contemporary, memoir, non-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Canada, Los Angeles
Period: 21st-century
1 pages · Audio CD · HarperAudio
Content warnings: anxiety, depression, mental-illness