I found this memoir to be immersive and incredibly relatable despite having never lived in a gold town in remote BC.
Worth a read if you enjoy memoirs about self discovery.

Thank you Dundurn Press for the complimentary copy.6 s Liralen3,014 219

When I was a kid, my family took a train across the US every other summer, then drove up into British Columbia to spend a week or two in my grandparents' mountain village. There were a lot of wonderful summer traditions, but one thing we always looked forward to was seeing the Follies in an old gold rush town. Singing and dancing and colorful costumes and drama! So much drama. I suspect that if I watched the Follies now I'd be let down, but as a kid all I could see was glamor.

Barkerville, where Teed temporarily transplanted herself for an internship in an historic gold-rush town, is much farther north and far more remote than my grandparents' village—I joke that their village is in the middle of nowhere, and I'm not actually wrong, but it's at least on a highway that connects to other villages and, eventually, towns. It has a population of almost 2,000. The "big city" up the road has a population of almost 8,000. Barkerville, by contrast...let's just say that Barkerville's "big city," Wells, has a population well south of 300. When Teed was in Barkerville, "interpreters" roamed the streets, dressed as characters from the gold-rush era, but any glamor was undercut by daily life in town but out of character.

I was interested in this out of curiosity about the town (that Follies nostalgia, plus I'm still waiting for someone to write a book about Cerro Gordo). On that level I'd really have loved more information—how many buildings are in Barkerville, and what are their histories? What stories have been passed down year after year? What would it have been to be a woman in this remote mining town in the 1800s? And in the present day, how many interpreters roam the streets? How does the still-functioning gold mine(!) fit into the local landscape, and what could the present-day miners (especially the ones who also work in the historic town) say about the difference between mining then and mining now?

A lot of Teed's story is more personal, about self-discovery and, well, figuring shit out. A would-be coming-of-age story, as Teed suggests: "I'm so happy that you're here," I said, and I really meant it. I thought we were two characters at the beginning of an exciting, coming-of-age novel (loc. 1993). I think the ideal reader is probably somewhere in their twenties, but a lot of this will resonate with anyone who's older now but has been an uncertain, insecure twenty-something (no insult—I count myself in there!).

This is Teed's first book, and I'm curious about what conclusions she might have drawn had she written it a few more years from now. In some places her observations are so very on point, about the space around her but especially about how she reacts to the space around her. In other places I could have used more telling alongside the showing—it felt the moments she describes were on the edge of adding up to something but hadn't quite gotten there.

I've never lived in a town quite as small as Wells, nor as remote, but one of my takeaways from British Columbiana is that perhaps the thing that can make or break long-term living in a town this is knowing who you are. I could imagine working in Barkerville for a season (honestly, it sounds quite an adventure), but living there for a long stretch sounds much harder without a good sense of yourself and why this place is right for you.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.netgalley nonfiction z-2023 ...more8 s Katy Wheatley1,032 38

A memoir of a year spent in a heritage town in the depths of British Columbia, this has its charms. It's essentially a journey of self discovery by the author as she leaves full time education and starts looking for somewhere she fits. She seems very unsure of herself and quite a bit of the book is taken up with her therapy sessions and her worries about what other people think of her and how she will use that in her therapy. It wasn't for me. I think I am too old for this now. I may have found it clicked more with me when I was of an age with the author. I am so old that the humour almost certainly sailed straight over my head. 5 s liv scully11 2

this book was such a treat! funny, attentive, and curious, Josie writes from such a great perspective. as a current master's student, i related big time to this book. that mid-20s urge to move to a new town and have grand adventures is super relatable.

this book follows Josie as she navigates living in a small town, figuring out roommates, navigating friendships and dating, and weekly chats with her (seemingly) wonderful therapist. it was so fun and intriguing to be inside of Josie's thoughts as she worked through all of these experiences.

if you d the idiot by elif batuman, you'll love this. quirky and clever, yet also sentimental and honest, it'll draw you in!

thank you to netgalley and dundurn press for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!4 s Saltygalreads248 8

Josie Teed tells her own story of working at a national historic site in Northern BC, describing her experiences and interactions in concise and sometimes hilarious prose. She is painfully honest about her emotions, ups and downs, and the awkwardness of being isolated 24/7 with an eclectic group of strangers. Josie feels lost, a common feeling for her age. As a mother of two twenty-something women, I found her reflections on friendship, dating and finding yourself so relevant and endearing. More than once I wanted to give her a hug. This book is vulnerable, sweet and funny all at once. I look forward to reading more from Josie in the future. Many thanks to Dundurn Press for the copy, which I greatly enjoyed.3 s Sarah Berg63 4

Twenty-four-year-old Josie Teed moves to rural British Columbia for a job as a heritage interpreter at a gold rush heritage site. In a town of barely 150, Josie must navigate the slow pace of a small town full of hippies, struggling actors, and history buffs to figure out her place in the world.

As someone who has recently entered post-grad, the discussions and thoughts on the transition into the real world and the insecurities that come with becoming a functioning adult were quite relatable and illustrated the second coming-of-age many college graduates experience.

At times laugh-out-loud funny, much of the memoir fell flat for me. I could relate to the author’s fish-out-of-water awkwardness and anxiety, but not to the rest of her experiences or issues. Other reviewers found Josie’s experiences to be hilarious and relatable, but I read most of the memoir to be depressing and cringeworthy, especially in regard to her interactions with other people and her thoughts about the remote community.

For my life, I couldn’t figure out if the author actually “[found] what she truly desires from life” other than not wanting to work at the heritage site. The memoir didn’t feel there was much of a resolution or coming-to-Jesus moment for Josie. Although much of the book was about Josie adapting to her new lifestyle and making big decisions about her future in Barkerville, her decision to leave town didn’t come with any thoughts toward her career or what she learned there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full reviewnetgalley-arcs3 s Aoife4

I find that I wanted to give the book three stars because I didn't lots of the "characters", but as this is a memoir, then that doesn't make sense. I could relate to her struggles of trying to determine who her real friends were, and how you expect to be treated by them. I think, as I've seen other reviewers note, I'd have d to have a summary or reflection at the end, but as Josie has her whole life ahead of her in her mid-twenties, I guess there's a lot more life to live before she does that!

Overall, I was kept drawn in by her descriptions of really remote life in BC and her brutal honesty about the social situations she found herself in, with some pretty odd people.3 s Cassie Osterlund1 review

Ms.Teed has found her voice with this book, it’s a super refreshing & raw look into the reality of being in a transitional stage of life. 3 s Lara4

Brilliant, funny, and refreshingly honest! A must read. 3 s Kim Rude84 5

As someone who grew up and spent most their life in Western Canada, I was very intrigued by the premise of this debut memoir. Josie has just completed her masters thesis, and is unsure of her next steps after graduation. She accepts a position at Barkerville, a remote heritage site in rural British Columbia.

This was such a fun reading experience. Reading about Josie’s self discovery, friendships, dating, and living in close quarters with the various personalities of a tiny town had me giggling. I appreciate the genuine awkwardness of finding yourself in a new place. I feel people who are going through a transitional phase could really resonate with this book.

This book was equal parts charming and hilarious! If you loved The Idiot by Elif Batuman, I highly recommend adding this one to your reading list!

This book comes out this month, March 2023.

As always, thank you to the wonderful Dundurn Press & Netgalley for a copy of this ebook. And thank you of course Josie Teed for this lovely slice of life read!2 s Julie Mannell6 4

This book is brilliantly funny. It reminds me a bit of Fleabag and Girls but in a rural Canadian setting. I think it will resonate more with millennials and Gen-Z readers. This is a great novel for those who just finished their post-secondary education and are trying to find their way. It’s an easy read that had me laughing harder with each page. 2 s Jacob Klemmer11 2

Come for the wry observational humour about small town life, stay for the uncommonly vivid and candid depiction of one’s inner world2 s adelia ?64

I looooved this!! Found it relatable and witty, felt I was right there with her :)2 s Samuel BlondahlAuthor 5 books7

This is a very engaging story told by a very empathetic person. The honesty and perspective of this life journey are amazing. I hope she writes one every couple of years so I can keep up.

I've been to Barkerville, but had I never, this story still would have brought it vividly to my imagination. Ms. Teed pulls you right through the page.

There's a great show here, I'd love to see it developed for tv.2 s Anya26 1 follower

A sure to be hysterical book from an incredibly gifted individual filled with insights about the characters around her. Cannot wait to read!! 2 s Adele129 4

British Columbiana is a wonderfully written memoir about Josie Teed’s time in the Cariboo region of British Columbia, where she worked as an archivist intern and later as an interpreter, dressed as a schoolteacher in an old schoolhouse. In between her days of cataloguing photos of early 19th century folks in the gold rush town of Barkerville, she participates in the various activities the townspeople partake in and makes friends with the locals and others working at the historic site.

It’s the perfect book for anyone also just out of university, attempting to figure out what their future holds for them and learning more about themselves.

The people with varying personalities she meets along the way, dating life and the ever-present sense of belonging are both frustrating at times, charming and very relatable.

I really enjoyed this book, I had memories from five years ago this week come to mind from my time in Prince George, Quesnel and the Cariboo region where I tree planted for a summer. So that was a fun coincidence for me! While reading the book it was fun to recognize places that I’ve been to, particularly in Quesnel. I found this book relatable, not only in also being a millennial myself and spending my 20’s with self-discovery and a tad bit of unsureness, but to physically be able to picture places while I read was an absolute treasure.

I definitely recommend this book to everyone, but especially if you’re a Canadian millennial. 1 dane293 55

Thank you to Dundurn Press for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Quite simply, this was the best book I have read in a long time. It was a moving and spare account of Teed’s time as a millennial, newly-graduated uprooting her life again in a gold rush town in British Columbia. I felt I experienced a whole life time of stories, secrets, and reflections in the one year that this book spans. It was a deep insight into a wonderfully strange life and town that I never thought could have existed. Each person felt the actual real-life counterpart had been transplanted onto the page; I felt I got to know everyone incredibly well, and I similarly feel somewhat at a loss and unsure how to say goodbye as if I knew Teed and co. personally. It sounds extremely weird to say since this is a memoir, but it’s the only way I can currently express how I feel towards this book. As this book is only four years out from Teed’s time in Wells, I can’t help but wonder what her response to these individuals and experiences would’ve been later on, especially post-pandemic. I wish that there was a short final chapter reflecting on the final choice she made in real life, and that which makes up the last line, in relation to the pandemic, and if she ever plans on returning.

I highly recommend this memoir, and as my first time reading one I will sure look out for more (creative) non-fiction in the future.5-stars-23 arcs kindle ...more1 Lauren450 13

I think so many of us have gone through a period in our lives when we've felt at loose ends — usually it's in our early-to-mid 20s, after college or grad school, when you're wrapping up something that feels big and important but you're not sure what comes next or if this is it, if you've actually peaked without knowing it, or without doing anything spectacular at all, and that feeling of trying to find yourself when you don't really know who "yourself" is.

(funnily enough, the time in my own life when I felt this the most was when I was living in Ireland, allegedly writing my master's thesis but mostly binge watching The Sopranos, and the author of this memoir was, briefly, my housemate).

Josie Teed captures the inherent relatability of this feeling so perfectly, while setting it within her own experiences in the context of a scenario that few of us will ever experience (working as a historical interpreter in a rural Canadian gold rush town). I love the way she captures the quirks of the many interesting folks she worked and lived with, and the frankness of the way she writes about her own experiences and emotions.

This is a clever, funny, heartfelt book that had me fully engaged from start to finish. Maybe a little uneven in parts but if anything that was just part of the charm. favorites made-me-laugh major-female-character ...more1 izzy41 3

Josie Teed writes a memoir of her year working in a historic, isolated gold rush town in the Cariboo region of Northern B.C. She works as an archivist and then as an interpreter, dressing up as a schoolteacher from the town’s boom era. I loved learning about the history of Wells and Barkerville and the eccentric people living there today. I read this whole book in one night, staying up late to finish it.
Teed is fresh out of school and looking for a sense of community and belonging. Her memoir captured a lot of that post-grad uncertainty and confusion about one’s place in the world. I enjoyed her honesty and bluntness, and I wish she had explored more of her feelings about Wells at the end of the book. The ending felt a bit abrupt. She absolutely nailed some descriptions about McGill though3 s Juliana Broad1 review

I consider this a bookend book, the kind that I revel both starting and ending my day with.

Teed’s narrator is highly-attuned to the people and relationships that defined her time in Wells/Barkerville, yet there's also a delightful, almost paradoxical quality to her musings on the unknowability of everything. I was reminded of Elif Batuman’s narrator in "Either/Or" — funny, honest, and self-assured that nothing in life is certain, so why is everyone getting in a huff about it all?

Teed so meticulously reconstructs her emotional and psychological states that I repeatedly had to remind myself that this is a memoir, and not, in fact, a fictive meditation on the follies and foibles of youth.

An excellent and ultimately hopeful read.
1 Malcolm Kenedy1 review1 follower

I loved reading this book. I found it impressively vulnerable and honest -- and also very funny.

The pacing was life-, and the author's lens focused but uncensored. These things came together to make you feel a guest in someone else's mind, as they tried to piece together a coherent view of the world around them. This piecing-together feeling was reinforced by a bunch of funny and otherwise interesting similes and comparisons, which breathed life to the text and kept it engaging.

I really d the prose style. The book managed to create moments of intense clarity with language that was refreshingly conversational. It seemed the author only used fancier / more "literary" words to convey things normal ones couldn't.

Congrats, Josie!1 McKenzie Alford4

The inner monologue that goes through my head: “How do I get people to me? Am I unable? How do some people seem so effortlessly successful?” just echoes throughout this book in a way that makes me feel I’m seen and not alone in how I feel sometimes, which is a feeling I haven’t gotten from a book or an author up until this point. And it’s delivered in such a way that Teed puts you smack dab in the middle of the different situations (navigating friendships, relationships, being an employee, being a boss) and you feel you’re right there with her. TRULY loved this book!1 Una1 review

I really d this. For me, two ingredients of good memoir are compelling setting/characters and a narrator who is actually invested in understanding themselves and others, rather than peddling some tidy narrative. This book had both. The world of historical interpretation at Barkerville is cool off the bat, and Teed is good at capturing people’s quirks and interpersonal dynamics. The writing is so funny, but also humble, respectful, and open minded, which can be a tricky balance when writing about eccentric characters. I haven’t read too many memoirs in this genre, but I found Teed’s narrative voice and perspective pretty unique. She has things to say, especially about masculinity, sex, and academics, that are new to me and feel true. I’m excited to see what she writes next!1 KathyAuthor 1 book229

Self discovery, romantic mess ups, and awkward yet relatable moments - this is what you'll get in this memoir. The author spent a year in this very small Northern British Columbia town, and had lots of moments worth reflection. I wonder if any of the folks chronicled in this book will read themself in print and have a vastly different perspective of any of these stories.1 Kasia236 2

I really enjoyed this book -- I thought the author was complicated, unlikable at times, endearing, relatable, and somehow so annoying. The book is an interesting insight into the authors thought process and anxieties as she works in a small BC town. I just moved to a small town -- and the way she describes the resignation, isolation, and social dynamics between characters is very relatable.1 Emma Gaudio9

While telling her own story of living in a town stuck in the past, Josie captured ALL the messy, real, and tragic feelings of being in your early 20s in brutally funny and honest way. Such a fun/ny read. 1 Hallie1 review

This coming of age story had me laughing out loud a fool in public. The Austen-level characterization of the town’s rag tag group of residence left me personally invested in Barkerville’s shenanigans, making it impossible to put the book down at times. Loved it!1 Brianne Newman7

I have mixed feelings about this book. Parts of it were really charming and relatable and parts of it were so cringingly honest? Which is guess is good? I think I just struggled because maybe I felt I related too much with Josie. I think I was hoping for a bit more character development but I guess that’s where the authenticity of the book shines! Also, her wide-eyed Ontario naïveté at the beginning of seeing BC mountains and not expecting it was a bit much for me haha2023-books1 Josh Bankert2

Funny, entertaining, and insightful! A lovely little book - great job Josie, can't wait to read what's next!! 1 Tim Ubels170

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