First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria by Eve Waite-Brown
Eve always told people that she planned to join the Peace Corps one day, but she never really thought about what it would mean to actually DO it. Eventually, after college, she realized that it was basically a now or never situation, and Eve wasn’t the sort of girl who liked to fail in what she said she would do. As she walked into her meeting with her Peace Corps recruiter, fully expecting to ‘wow’ him with her awesomeness, she never expected that she would fall in love with him and it would change her life forever. Okay, the last half of that sentence makes this book sound like it is going to be totally cheesy and mushy – some sort of real life romance novel. BLEGH. Luckily, “First Comes Love, The Comes Malaria” is not like that at ALL.
After meeting John, her recruiter, Eve embarks on a journey that leads her from New York to Ecuador to Uganda. She is both gung-ho and hesitant about each step, thinking about what she might be leaving behind by leaving the comfort of the United States for a poor town in Ecuador or a part of Uganda that US officials are not even allowed to enter because of the danger. Clearly, there is a lot of exciting stuff (well, exciting from the safe vantage point of a reader) going on in this book.
Lest you think this is only an adventure book, let me just tell you that Eve is awesome. She is smart and sassy and I felt like I was sitting with one of my girlfriends, listening to her tell her story – complete with hand gestures and sarcasm. I really loved her wit and style, and I think we should be best friends. If you read a lot of book blogs, you might be able to think of this book as “Monique and the Mango Rains,” as experienced and told by Trish from Hey, Lady, Whatcha’ Readin’?
I seriously very highly recommend this book, whether you’re an idealist who wants to go out and make the world better, someone who wishes they had the cajones to follow love and their ideals to third world countries, or someone who likes an entertaining story; in other words, basically everyone!
For those of you who have or will read “First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria,” and just can’t get enough of Eve, I would like to let you know that she’ll be HERE on Devourer of Books this June with a guest post while I’m off attending to my new baby boy.
Buy this book on Amazon. No, seriously, buy it now! (affiliate link)
This review is part of “Debutante Ball Week” on DevourerofBooks. All this week I’m featuring reviews from the 2009 class of The Debutante Ball and spotlighting the 2010 Debs.
Loved this book! Great review!!
S. Krishna’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesdays
This one sounds great! I’m not going to buy it now, but I went and added it to my wishlist. =)
Meghan’s last blog post..Review: The Red Siren, M.L. Tyndall
Adding this to my to-buy pile! Thank you for the review.
I Heart Monster’s last blog post..Book Inspection: Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
I may read this book for the Summer Vacation Challenge that Molly at the Cozy Book Nook is hosting. It sounds wonderful.
Ti’s last blog post..Q&A with Judi Hendricks – The Laws of Harmony (Giveaway & Bonus!)
I love the title of the book and I’m glad to see it’s so good. I’ll be looking forward to Eve’s guest post.
Excellent, Jen! I am looking forward to that guest post, as well as reading this book. It’s one I will be considering during the Readathon this weekend. I can’t wait to chat with you about it.
Literate Housewife’s last blog post..Top Reasons I Joined ProBloggers 31 Day Challenge
I loved this one too!
Eva’s last blog post..Library Loot: April 15-21, 2009 (and Eva’s first foray in vlogging!)
I admire those that go into the Peace Corps but I really don’t think I could do it. Those kids and villages you see on TV are enough to break my heart alone.
Ladytink_534’s last blog post..To Succeed, Jump as Quickly at Opportunities as You do at Conclusions
Sounds like an awesome book. I just love the title. I’m looking forward to the author’s guest post.
Anna’s last blog post..Giveaway: GIRLS IN TRUCKS by Katie Crouch
Finally getting around to reading this one… And loving it!
.-= Alexis Grant´s last blog ..Writers’ Roundup =-.
Great review and the theme of the book is inviting too. Thanks..
I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while – glad you enjoyed it!
.-= Heather J´s last blog ..Greatest Discoveries: Explorations That Changed History =-.
Sounds like this book is right up my alley! Thanks for the great review. Off to add to my wishlist now…
.-= A Bookshelf Monstrosity´s last blog ..2010 South Asian Author Challenge =-.
Aside from the hilarity, the best thing about this book is that Eve sneaks in ways to make you learn about the world and about human nature. From the second I heard the title, I was in love with this book!
Good point, you really do learn a lot from her book!
I am a RPCV. This is a MUST read for me. Thanks for the review. I have the book on my wish and TBR list.