lexa's review against another edition
3.75
Like with many essay collections, some were excellent. Others didn’t resonate as much.
sonia_reppe's review against another edition
4.0
My favorites:
Meghan Daum's "Same Life Higher Rent" She's come full circle from her early twenties. She pokes fun at her “oldness” (ie. cultural/music differences, barre class) and also pokes fun at her younger self. Perfect.
Sloan, Crosley. "What We Talk About when we talk about our Face" Great title. She makes up a fun concept: "Internal Age Vision" (the spectrum measuring how old one feels, youngest to oldest. She feels 32 with spikes up to 68) Lol: “Hold up, under-eye bags, I need to assess my whole life before you settle in.”
Kargman, Jill. "I Became an Actress at 39" Honest, real, funny. Open.
Klam, Julie. "The People Who Got Me Here" I loved this one! I connected with the strong parental family influence and presence in her life, and it also had a good story conflict (housing court) at the center of the essay.
The worst was "Why I didn’t answer your email." It's a list of important things the writer did: moments with kids and ‘I had to make dinner’ etc. No humor, nothing interesting and all I’m thinking is You didn’t answer my email, bitch.
I also like the "Adaptation of Life" by the author of Spinster, which is a book I have wanted to read, so maybe I will get to it now that my interest is renewed.
A Game of two halves was ok but there were too many pop/celeb references for my taste (I understand that that is her field but it doesn't do it for me).
Meghan Daum's "Same Life Higher Rent" She's come full circle from her early twenties. She pokes fun at her “oldness” (ie. cultural/music differences, barre class) and also pokes fun at her younger self. Perfect.
Sloan, Crosley. "What We Talk About when we talk about our Face" Great title. She makes up a fun concept: "Internal Age Vision" (the spectrum measuring how old one feels, youngest to oldest. She feels 32 with spikes up to 68) Lol: “Hold up, under-eye bags, I need to assess my whole life before you settle in.”
Kargman, Jill. "I Became an Actress at 39" Honest, real, funny. Open.
Klam, Julie. "The People Who Got Me Here" I loved this one! I connected with the strong parental family influence and presence in her life, and it also had a good story conflict (housing court) at the center of the essay.
The worst was "Why I didn’t answer your email." It's a list of important things the writer did: moments with kids and ‘I had to make dinner’ etc. No humor, nothing interesting and all I’m thinking is You didn’t answer my email, bitch.
I also like the "Adaptation of Life" by the author of Spinster, which is a book I have wanted to read, so maybe I will get to it now that my interest is renewed.
A Game of two halves was ok but there were too many pop/celeb references for my taste (I understand that that is her field but it doesn't do it for me).
lportilla's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Cancer
Minor: Addiction
shannanh's review
4.0
Since I'm in my early forties, I though I'd read this book to gage other's experiences. Some of the stories were enjoyable, and some of them were not a fit for me.
makboo's review
3.0
“When we are young, we are diluted versions of ourselves. We become balsamic reductions as we age—our very best parts distilled and clarified.”
whatjenreads's review
4.0
Like other essay collections, On Being 40(ish) contains some essays better than others. This collection of essays had me crying at times, out loud laughing at times, and nodding my head in solidarity at times. As I near the big 4-0 (gasp) this collection of essays solidified what I already know- I’m happier at almost 40 than ever, my don’t give an f has been triggered, my body reminds me constantly that I’m no spring chicken, and that my 40’s are going to rock. This book is like sitting around with your best girlfriends while demolishing bottles of wine and talking life. It’s real, honest, raw, and relatable. Thank you @simonandschuster for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.