Tag Archives: Apple Gidley

Book Review: ANNIE’S DAY by Apple Gidley

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ANNIE’S DAY

by Apple Gidley

Genre: historical novel

Published: November 2025

Summary

Annie is an Australian nurse during World War II. We see the hardships of a young girl leaving her home in the bush with a father who doesn’t know how to show her love, and the hardships of a war nurse’s life in the Pacific theatre. Annie travels to far-flung places after the war, trying to find her way in life. We watch as love finds her in unexpected places and with unexpected people. We see the world through the eyes of a woman who is loyal to her friends, fights for what is right, and often speaks before thinking, bringing humor in unexpected places.

Recommendation:

Annie’s Day is more than a historical novel. It is a reflection of Annie’s life as an Australian nurse during World War II and her life afterwards. There are many themes that reflect the views of individuals who have grown up in a multicultural world. From the hardships of war and caring for soldiers from around the world, to moving to various countries that were both exciting and dangerous, to befriending a young Indian woman living in a time of rapid change. Apple Gidley, the author, did a fantastic job of switching from Annie’s present day to her memories of the past and weaving a beautiful story of family, friends, and world events of the time. If you are looking for a fun book for the holiday season, this is the one I’d recommend.

*And for a limited time, Amazon is offering Audible at a great price. You can find details here.

**Please note that I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of the page.

Book Review: FINDING SERENISSIMA by Apple Gidley

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Finding Serenissima

by Apple Gidley

Genre: Novel

Published: 2025

Summary:

Amelia is a recent widow. Her husband was a well-known artist. However, due to the husband’s decline in health, they lived a secluded life in Papua New Guinea for several years. Amelia sells the home, takes a few of her favorite pieces from her husband’s collection, and moves to Italy. A place where there are no memories of them together. A place where she can begin to find herself, the once-forgotten Amelia. Her two daughters believe she has gone mad until they visit and see that this adventure is exactly what their mother needs. Through Amelia’s new friends, she finds herself – and she finds serenity. Though, not in ways she ever expected.

Recommendation

This is not about a TCK, but it is about expat living. We watch a woman grieving her loss, processing her late husband’s mistakes, all the while learning a new language and culture. She makes friends with the “locals” and becomes one of them. Since Apple is a TCK herself, I believe she intentionally adds one character in her novel that is. Amelia has a clever conversation with this TCK, and in just a few sentences, one reads the facts of growing up outside your passport. This TCK says, “That’s the trouble with a nomadic upbringing. One tends to feel at home in many places.” He then shares that his sister had a rough time and hasn’t moved since after university.

If you are looking for a fun book to read this summer or for a long flight, I recommend this book. You can escape to the vineyards of Italy and the many cafes while reading something you understand even if you have never stepped foot into Italy.

*Please note that I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of the page.

Book Review “Expat Life: Slice by Slice” by Apple Gidley

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Expat Life Slice by SliceExpat Life Slice by Slice

by Apple Gidley

Genre: Memoir

Published: 2012

*Please note that I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate.

Summary: Apple Gidley is not only a TCK but one that has parented and now grandparenting TCKs. She shares her life from the beginning in Africa with her pet monkey, to the various moves and boarding schools, to life as a young mother, and the challenges of elderly parents. She offers insights and tips throughout the book that all expats can use.

I received this book from Janneke, a fellow blogger-friend who writes at DrieCulturen. I was excited to read it after Janneke’s review because Apple has been an expat all her life. With a full understanding of the TCK experience, she shares her frustrations and excitement living and traveling around the world not only as a TCK but also as a trailing spouse, or as she renamed this group STARS (Spouses Traveling And Relocating Successfully). I enjoyed her humorous stories and related to many of her interesting experiences. I liked this book because it wasn’t just a memoir of an expat’s life. At the end of each chapter (slice), she gives tips and thoughts that she calls the “Take Away Slice.” Although I didn’t agree with everything that she wrote, I do think it was a good book that made me think through some issues.

This review was written in 2013 and updated ten years later. I still recommend this book to those who are about to venture into expat life, those who are in the midst of the adventure, or even those who have left or are about to return “home.” She has much to share, even though I do not think her idea of STARS caught on, but I kind of wish it had.

Mamas Need Their Outlets, too!

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Golfers on the Coral Gables Country Club

photo from The Commons via flickr.com

Schools are starting back up for many around the world. For some families that means getting routines set, taking one last holiday, but for many others it is setting up the new home and getting the kids excited to start a new school – or at least helping them to adjust to a new school.

Women's Curling Briar

photo from The Commons via flickr.com

What happens on that first day though, once all the kids are dropped off at school and you return to a quiet home? Do you collapse in wonderment? Do you get a fresh cup of coffee to slowly savor without distractions? Housework? Chores? Cry?

What do you do? You need an outlet, too! A place where you can laugh with friends, discuss or chat. You just need a place where you can be you, the person – not the mom. Don’t get me wrong, I love being Mom. It’s just that once in awhile it is nice to have adult conversations and to eat at my own pace my very own dessert.

What do these “places” or groups look like? Some cities have regular set dates that an expat group has organized. Other cities may not have anything set, but maybe the school has a Mother’s Tea where you can meet other moms. This group could be a Bible-study, book club, or any other small group gathering that meets for a certain purpose.

Why should you get involved in a group? Women in general support each other and talk – as Apple Gidley in her book Expat Life Slice by Slice says, “…international women groups around the world, whether a luncheon group, a tennis club or a sewing group are expatriate man’s best ally” (p40). I so agree with her on this because who understands our situations better than another expat mom? We become fast “sisters” helping and encouraging each other.

How do you find these precious gems? You have to look for them. Ask other mothers at the school what there is to do. Find out if your city has an expat magazine or website that lists activities that would interest you. If there isn’t, you could start one. I’m sure there are others out there who would love to go out for coffee, too!

I’ll leave you with this last tip from Apple in finding a group: Make sure it is international, not made up from solely one country. She says that, “Instead of celebrating the differences they {mono-culture groups} tend to moan about them, whereas international groups are more forgiving” (42).

So, go out and find a group and make some friends of your own. Already in a group? Watch for the new moms and invite them to join – be a bridge to help them settle into their new home quicker.

*Although this is geared towards the mother as the trailing spouse, there are groups out there for dads/guys as well, but I find that guys don’t tend to “need” this close bonding friendship like women do.

**Thanks to Janneke at DrieCulturen for giving away the book Expat Life Slice by Slice by Apple Gidley.

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