The First Lady Next Door: A Canadian’s Memoir of Iceland, Identity, and Unexpected Adventure

By: Eliza Reid 

ISBN: 9781668096482 

Website: elizareid.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

An inspiring memoir by the Canadian-born former First Lady of Iceland that asks the question: What if the life you didn’t plan is the one where you find your voice?

In early 2016, Canadian-born Eliza Reid’s biggest daily goals were modest but meaningful: showering without one of her four kids bursting into the bathroom, juggling clients without dropping a deadline, and growing the writers’ retreat she was building from scratch. What wasn’t on her bingo card? That her husband—a bookish, cardigan-wearing history professor—would run for president of Iceland. . . and seven weeks later, actually win.

Suddenly, Eliza was catapulted into a new life as First Lady of her adopted country, with the eyes of a nation watching her every move—as someone’s wife. Absent an instruction manual (she googled how to curtsy before meeting the Queen of Denmark), she decided to do what she’d always done: figure it out on her own terms.

Part fish out of water and part fairy tale, The First Lady Next Door takes you from rural Ontario to Timbuktu, to the White House and Buckingham Palace. Eliza shows how embracing authenticity in all its messiness can become your greatest strength, even when the world expects polished perfection. After all, our everyday moments are what create the roadmap for making the unexpected count. (Goodreads)

Review:

The First Lady Next Door by Eliza Reid is a truly captivating memoir. Now I might be biased, since I am Canadian… but I don’t think so J. Eliza Reid takes us from her humble beginnings in rural Ontario through her college years and meeting the love of her life (a young man from Iceland – Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson). From there we are lead through the years when her husband (yes – she married the love of her life 🙂 ) became a professor, then the sixth president of Iceland. Her role as first lady is told with great detail and honesty as to the trials and tribulations (as well as high points) of being the first lady, especially without any guidance as to the role.

I felt that Eliza wrote with humour and honesty. This combination made for a very heartfelt read. She writes about finding herself and her purpose, not only about balancing motherhood, but about uncovering and carving out her role as a wife to the President. Additionally – pursuing her own work opportunities which included writing (both fiction and nonfiction).

This was a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the role of a First Lady (particularly for a small country like Iceland). In this memoir, she doesn’t shy away from the struggles she encountered or the various uncertainties she wrestled with. As a reader with little knowledge of Iceland – I found learning from Eliza all the intricacies of the Icelandic government, etc. very intriguing and definitely interesting.

Another reviewer wrote the following and I whole heartedly agree:

“What an amazing legacy for Iceland and for Eliza Reid who continued the conversation on gender equality during her tenure as Iceland’s First Lady and since. I love her tenacity and spirit.”

If you read only one memoir this year I urge you to read The First Lady Next Door by Eliza Reid. You will not regret it J. And now – I want to go and book a trip to Iceland 🙂