Forever Day by Hans Brunner is a warm, heartfelt, and compellingly humorous collection of anecdotes that cover a young Swiss man’s wanderlust and his eventual settling down in Australia with his “forever girl”. The author grew up in the 60s and 70s in Zurich, Switzerland, where he lived and worked in the family’s local pub. Seized by the belief that there must be more than life in a Swiss hotel or a boring office, he wanted to find his place in the world and decided to head out and experience everything life had to offer. A trip on a migrant ship to Australia and then back to Europe was how he discovered what was really out there. On that ship, he met a beautiful young Australian teacher and ended up settling down with his “forever girl” in Australia, but never lost his desire to seek adventure. This is a collection of his life stories in Switzerland and around the world.

Forever Day is a wonderfully embracing memoir that constantly reminds readers we are only here for a short while and must make the most of our time on earth. Hans Brunner has had a fascinating life with plenty of outlandish and unusual adventures that will keep readers amused and engaged. Readers who grew up during this pre-internet, pre-cellphone era will nod sagely at many of the author’s adventures, knowing they indulged in many of those adventures themselves, and like the author, somehow survived to tell the tale. The author has written several novels and best-selling children’s books, and his gentle, warm style keeps readers fully engaged. He is not afraid to laugh at himself or others and is forthright in many of his undertakings, even those that either skirted the law somewhat or possibly walked a fine line of morality. This book is a gentle reminder to ask whether we are making the most of what we have been presented with. This is a wonderful narrative, full of quirky characters, unique and unusual situations, and no shortage of self-deprecating humor and awareness. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Forever Day: How to Melt Swiss Cheese into the Australian Pie by Hans Brunner is a memoir that follows Felix, a Swiss man who shares his many adventures. Felix grew up in a working-class family that taught him to be responsible and find fun in simple things. He experienced the counterculture movement and traveled around Europe in a VW Kombi bus, experiencing love, friendship, and youthful rebellion. After breaking up with his girlfriend, he embarked on an Australian trip, learning about the region, cruise ships, and finding love again. Despite encountering Hungarians who dealt in illegal substances and returning to Europe to try to establish a career, Felix finally settled in Australia, welcoming his first child and establishing a successful business selling tools.

Forever Day is a heartwarming story about personal growth, adventure, and the pursuit of love and belonging. It is heavily inspired by the author's real-life journey and has hilarious anecdotes about life’s unexpected lessons and the people he met on his trips. Hans Brunner is an engaging writer who paints a clear picture of adapting to living in a different country; he highlights the cultural fusion and also celebrates his Swiss heritage. One of the most prominent lessons in this book is on resilience, both in entrepreneurship and love. This story really brings out the differences between today’s tech-driven world and what life looked like back then. For example, his stressful job with USA Today International involved overseeing the European operations from Switzerland and London. The story also highlights some of the difficulties faced in life, such as the loss of loved ones and the challenges of maintaining life on different continents. I really enjoyed this book, and I think it is a great choice for anyone who likes stories about traveling and finding purpose in life.