Where the Magic Happens: How a Young Family Changed Their Lives and Sailed Around the World Review

I would never have come across this book if not for one of Amazon’s promotional emails (I guess something good has to come out of these mostly irritating emails). The book’s title (this could very well be the book with the longest title that I would ever read :P) is mighty interesting and the “magic” and “how a young family changed their lives” parts really attracted my attention. I went on to check out the ratings on Goodreads (this is my go to website/app for book ratings before I consider my purchases) and ended up buying the Kindle edition.

This book is about the author Caspar Craven and his family’s quest from the conception of the very idea to sail around the world to the necessary preparations, followed by the journey itself and the challenges and pleasant experiences. It also highlights how an everyday family, burdened with daily work stress that require long hours, had begun to drift apart and how they evolved throughout the journey to become a close knitted one.

I became engrossed with the book even in the early pages because I couldn’t agree more with one of the reasons that triggered the Cravens: We leave behind our daily lives for a quick escapade (holiday) only to know at the core of our hearts we will always return to the same lives when it’s all over and done. The Cravens were well aware of this but the difference was, they decided to do something about it. Despite the risks, they moved out of their comfort zone, planned for it and decided nothing would come in between (while at the same time kept an open mind and improved on others’ opinions and criticisms that were expected to come flooding like a burst pipe). They were determined to achieve their goals with a set deadline.

I found the pace of the book to be just right. When I started to find it boring, the author would inject something important or interesting and when I started to wonder if it would ever end, well, I reached its conclusion.

Although it’s about an adventure around the world specifically by sailing, for the most part, this book hits close to home. It’s something that most of us can really relate to – our need to escape our mundane lives, our daily routine that tear us apart from our families and friends, and how important to forge a close team with the ones that really matter – although we never take the leap of faith…

Who should read this book?

1. Most of us.
2. People with ordinary lives that dream big.
3. People who wants to read something that tells them there is much hope and opportunities out there.
4. People that seek to be inspired.
5. People who need proof that keeping an open mind brings endless possibilities.

Who might not like this book?

1. People who are looking for a fiction novel such as a thriller or a mystery or a romance novel.
2. People that do not like non-fiction books (note: I still don’t like non-fiction because I prefer to read about fictional stories but I like this book aplenty).
3. People who impatiently wants to read something to instantly become rich and powerful.

Why did I write "Black Vanilla"?

First and foremost, this story is an exaggeration and an inspiration of my recent experience – a convenient store near my workplace just started for business and was running a one dollar sundae cone promotion. My colleagues were rather amused when I decided on the all black charcoal flavour. It is (for the most part) a free and democratic world here so why the amusement? Because it’s unique? Or is it because we don’t eat black coloured stuff all the time?

I was also a little irritated when someone wrinkled (rather too obviously) his/her nose when he/she saw the sundae. I don’t see any purpose of people showing their disgust over someone else’s food because everyone is free to choose so I’d included that as part of the story.

These days, it’s so common for everyone, myself included, to either, consciously or subconsciously, whip out their smartphones and start taking photos of something fascinating for the purpose of sharing, be it through direct messages or social media. These actions are probably going to be already baked into our DNA. I tried to add an element of humour to it here. I hope it works. ;)

And finally, the ending. Frank did not expect the charcoal sundae to taste good but he was pleasantly surprised when he found out it was vanilla flavoured. Unlike his colleagues who opted for mango flavour and got mango flavour, Frank went for the unknown and got a kick out of it (it was my main intention to highlight the taste of vanilla (which is white) that was unexpected of the black sundae. Typically, black sundaes were more synonymous with sesame. The flavour versus the outlook was such a huge contrast, almost like day and night). At the end he smiled because he knew he had the better outcome.

I hope this story brought a smile to your face. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!