Sofi Mendoza's Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico

[Isis]

I really liked this book! I'm surprised mostly because Sofi wasn't likeable at all. She whined and cried and had her priorities all wrong. Also, I think she was kind of an idiot.

That being said, I really liked the point of this book. The whole issue with the border and immigration was very interesting. I feel like Sofi most of the time. And I struggle with finding my home. Being born in Mexico but not knowing anything about the country, much less living in it, really confuses me. I live in the States, and I like it here somewhat, but honestly this isn't my home. So what the hell?

I didn't like Sofi's insistence on finding her soul mate and spending the rest of her life with that person. She had her views all wrong. All of it. She needed to see reality because come on she had to learn the "big reveal" from some crooked stranger? What the fuck? Andres was too good for her. I couldn't even feel bad for her.

But she kind of grew on me near the end. I thought she was honest when she felt that change inside. She couldn't see her friends the same way. She was more mature. It showed, and I appreciated that.

Anyway, this reminded me of the themes Benjamin Alire Saenz often writes about, except I feel like he would have made a much more worthwhile book. I kept trying to figure out how he would have written this book and that was fun imagining. I wonder what he would think of this story. He'd probably roll his eyes.

Here's my favorite quote, it's from Sofi's grandmother.

"And don't let anyone call you illegal ever again. You remember that your people were here before there was that stinky border. You hear me?"

Honestly I can relate a lot. I didn't have a choice when I came into this country. My mother left me when I was too little and then she came back for me, and all I knew was that I'd get to live with my mother again. I didn't know about laws or anything. And now that I'm 21, and I know far too much about the laws and what's going on every day at the border, it freaks me out. I wonder what my life would be life had I stayed in Mexico. Nothing would be the same, probably not even my open mindedness. I know that Sofi's eyes were opened being in Mexico, but mine were opened being here.

And if I had known what I know now, I would have done things differently. But I can't turn back time, and I can't decide on much as it is. So, you just gotta figure out your life step by step.

This turned way too personal, my goodness.