Home Sweet Anywhere

How We Sold Our House, Created a New Life, and Saw the World

By: Lynne Martin

Narrated by: Lynne Martin

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

An enchanting account of how one couple sold everything to fulfill a dream of living abroad - one country at a time

Reunited in love after 35 years and suffering from a serious case of pre-retirement wanderlust, Lynne and Tim Martin made a life-altering decision: They sold their house and possessions and hit the road to live internationally full-time. Now tethered to nothing but their suitcases, each other, and their next exotic location, they've never looked back. From sky-high pyramids in Mexico to monkeys in Marrakech, this delightful, inspiring memoir is a romantic tale of derring-do for grown-ups and a road map for anyone who dreams of turning the idea of life abroad into a reality.

©2014 Sourcebooks, Inc. (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Nearly every page has some crack piece of travel wisdom: the power of civility, patience and flexibility; the difference between knowing the facts about a place and knowing 'those facts in a way that only being on the ground and experiencing them offers a person.'" (Kirkus Reviews)

"Lynne Martin, narrating her own work, takes listeners through the couple's adventures in such locations as Mexico, Argentina, and Turkey, among other far-flung places. Martin's agreeable voice is relaxed and pleasant as she describes some of the obstacles she and her husband have taken in stride as they pursue their new life." (AudioFile)

She makes it sound SO unappealing!

As a globetrotter myself, I was intrigued with the idea behind this book. Unfortunately, the authors come across as hopelessly naive. They didn't do their homework (why would retired people opt to spend the beastly hot summer months living in Italy -- and then complain how beastly hot it is?). They blithely assumed they could live as long as they wanted to, anywhere in Europe. (Never heard of visas and their restrictions -- really?) Their travels sound very stressful (who wants to uproot and start over as soon as you figure out the driving patterns, lifestyle, and maybe meet a few people?) What initially seems romantic and appealing actually sounds lonely and isolating as they describe it. Lynne Martin is not a great writer, which hampers the book. Her reading is much too enthusiastic and gee-whiz. Foods are "the best" and a friend, "the funniest". The "how to" in the title is a bit deceptive. To me, it was more of a "how NOT to" guide.

Looking for Courage to Make a Change? LISTEN!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! A friend recommended this audiobook to me yesterday and I could not stop listening! I completed the whole book in one day off work. I've been saying for years a vacation is not enough time to really see and experience a culture, language and all the nuances of a destination. I think it takes living there for an unrushed period of time. Lynne and Tim Martin didn't just talk about it, they DID it! I loved hearing the practical aspects of planning, down-sizing, transportation challenges, apartments, cooking, shopping, clothing, stresses, squabbles, staying in touch with family from afar, computers, new friends, etcetc. By the end of this book wonderfully, believably and enthusiastically narrated by the author, I actually felt I knew them both. They had become "friends" by the honest , humorous, and often humble sharing of their adventures both positive and negative. I found this book to be inspirational and possibility-oriented. After listening, I began to believe I could actually do this in my lifetime!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Home Sweet Anywhere?

For me, the most memorable moment was when I changed from thinking "oh you have to KNOW people or be wealthy and well connected to pull this off (the Martins stayed in Mexico in the elegant home of a friend for their first stop which worried me a bit) to realizing most everyone has a monthly budget whether its $2000 , $5,000 or $10,000 or more or much less. As the adventure unfolded in many, often tiny, inelegant places they had never been, such worries went away. I saw that anyone who is willing to honestly look at whatever it is they spend monthly, can spend that same amount of money in a location that makes their world bigger and more fun and is filled with possibility of new friends, exploration and experiences. It's all how YOU choose to spend your money. Plus, it's finding the courage to "GO FOR IT" and the willingness to let go of all the STUFF. that was significant. I found myself saying, "If they can do this, I can too."

What about Lynne Martin’s performance did you like?

When Lynne narrated the book, I actually felt she was talking just to me. It was intimate and honest and communicated the many thoughts and feelings she obviously had. You could actually feel the love in their relationship because her humanity came across beautifully. There was no doubt she was telling a story she had lived and wanted to share with others.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Don't just talk about it! DO IT! Don't GROW OLD! GROW Bold!...there's a whole world waiting!

Any additional comments?

I would like very much to meet the Martins in person. I'm now following their blogs.Thank you for a WONDERFUL book!

Too air-head-light for me!

While the idea of living anywhere, such as in exotic places, is romantic and seemingly attractive, I was left unsatisfied by the fluff and seemingly overly-easy manner of the story. Where were the stumbles and bumbles associated with living "anywhere"?

I felt many things were glossed over to keep the story upbeat and rosy. I did not sense it fully conveyed the actual events one would "suffer through" to live anywhere. It lacked balance.

Show, don't tell...

I did not finish this book, so take my review with a grain of salt. I'm generally fond of travel literature, and I don't mind light, easy reading, but this book was so poorly written, I could not continue. The narrator and her husband re-ignite their relationship after 35 years apart - and make the courageous decision to give up house and home to travel the world in their twilight years - that's a great set-up. However, that's about as much depth as the author gives those major life decisions. There's no character development or exploration of their decision. Their family's reaction to their plans goes something like this ... [After the kids' initial shock at our plans, they supported us.] That's about as much depth as you get.

Maybe if you are 80 years old.

What was most disappointing about Lynne Martin’s story?

I suppose when you read travel books you want culture and information. Excitement and funny antidotes. The title and description are promising. The book is boring. Big challenges include rude service and an apartment with no AC during a heat wave...riveting stuff...Imagine your elderly neighbor telling you they went to exotic and interesting places full of culture and adventure and they told you all about their supper...

Where is the excitement ?

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Get a car, a place to sleep and eat, repeat
in the mean time talk about the weather

Would you be willing to try another book from Lynne Martin? Why or why not?

no,
it's like listening to a pleasant old lady in the neighborhood complain about some nuisances ...

Delightful!

Any additional comments?

I'm a book bitch. I have a horrible habit of buying book after book only to be disappointed in the book immediately or, if lucky, amused for a while yet bored beyond tears before the book ends.

Not with Home Sweet Anywhere.

Every minute entertained and delighted me. Lynne Martin is one of those writers who writes so well she makes it look easy . . . but to keep a memoir upbeat and fresh throughout is a gift.Martin writes in one of those conversational styles that leaves readers saying to themselves "Oh, I could do that!" -- but, make no mistake about it, Martin is a skilled writer. She's also a skilled reader who did an excellent job with the audio version. I cannot imagine listening to this book read by anyone else.

I'm addicted and can hardly wait for Martin's next book. My only complaint is that my husband and I do not have the Tim and Lynne as friends. I knew I loved them the minute I heard Lynne reference Guy Clark's LA Freeway (a favorite song of my husband's and mine) and, later, listened to her explain the passion behind Tim's skull ring.

These were two of the countless tidbits that made me smile along with Lynne's travel writing. Sorry, you'll have to read the book to get the details. No spoilers here.Approach this book expecting to be entertained. Thank goodness, this is NOT a how-to . . . unless you take reading it as a lesson in how to have a good time, in which case you'll get exactly what you pay for.

Target Audience: Retirees

When I picked this book I was hoping to hear a story about a young family that embarked on a home-free journey, not an elderly couple with no dependents, but after getting over my initial disappointment I was pleased to learn about this lifestyle as an alternative to traditional retirement.

I thought the author did an excellent job of describing things in detail, sometimes to the point of boredom for my millennial attention span, but overall the story was unique and charming. It’s a book I would recommend to people who are either retired already and hating it, or those who are planning to and need some ideas and inspiration.

Fun Read

This was a fun story about a couple and their adventures traveling in retirement. It was an interesting book that included how they managed this great adventure.

really delightful read

Great story telling with vivid imagery. It got me charged up to pare down my stuff and travel the world.