midnightcharcuterie's review
4.0
I grabbed this book on a whim and then when I got home from the library, realised I had totally misread the cover and it wasn't what I thought it was (I thought it was more about technology than midlife-type stuff). Regardless, it was a really good read and was helpful even if I wasn't in the specific age range, and gave useful advice on how to keep your brain and mind sharp as you aged.
smarien's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Hagerty is an engaging writer and I was eager to keep reading to find out what would happen with her various stories. This is an optimistic book about entering midlife and reaffirms some things that I personally have started to do - planning the activities I will do in my encore career.
randyrasa's review
4.0
There is a large amount of information presented in this book, some of it very dense and clinical, but nearly all of it fascinating and potentially useful. However, there are so many variations, so many "but on the other hand" tidbits of data, that it became overwhelming. I felt that the book lost its narrative thread a number of times, and wandered off on tangents that didn't really end up anywhere. I did enjoy the author's interspersal of her own life story; I think that helped to ground the data in real life. Halfway through, I thought this was a book that I'd enthusiastically recommend to everyone of a certain age. My enthusiasm waned somewhat in the last half, but I still think this is a solid piece of research and reporting, and highly recommend it.
linda48's review
5.0
Former NPR reporter, Barbara Bradley Hagerty, has written a fascinating book about midlife and how our bodies and mind change and how we can alter our own reality.
Whether it's Alzheimer's, cancer, arthritis or other factors that come with aging, this book can be a springboard in overcoming the ills that plague us. She addresses items like midlife crises, training our brains to overcome poor memory, friendships, midlife marriage, our purpose in life, work and career, and giving of ourselves to create a sense of community.
Each chapter is filled with personal anecdotes along with scientific research presented in an easy-to-read manner that will delight and inform readers, along with answering questions created by aging.
Don't let the term "midlife" scare you from this book! It is appropriate for all ages, whether you are reading it for yourself of for a parent. It is appropriate for those who have long passed midlife, and are wondering what is there to look forward to in their lives. Please read this book.
Whether it's Alzheimer's, cancer, arthritis or other factors that come with aging, this book can be a springboard in overcoming the ills that plague us. She addresses items like midlife crises, training our brains to overcome poor memory, friendships, midlife marriage, our purpose in life, work and career, and giving of ourselves to create a sense of community.
Each chapter is filled with personal anecdotes along with scientific research presented in an easy-to-read manner that will delight and inform readers, along with answering questions created by aging.
Don't let the term "midlife" scare you from this book! It is appropriate for all ages, whether you are reading it for yourself of for a parent. It is appropriate for those who have long passed midlife, and are wondering what is there to look forward to in their lives. Please read this book.
alex_ellermann's review against another edition
4.0
In Life Reimagined, Hagerty explores the challenges and opportunities, personal and professional, of midlife.
The author, a former religion correspondent for NPR, brings her authoritative yet compassionate voice to the text and to the audio edition. Listening to her exploration of her own midlife journey and the elements fulfillment and challenge in this life stage is like sitting in the sun with a warm cup of coffee: at once soothing and energizing, comforting and inspiring.
I think this book is well worth the time of anyone at midlife. I think it's also worth the time of adult readers of all ages. Its insights and lessons speak to all of us, regardless of how far we are upon life's path.
The author, a former religion correspondent for NPR, brings her authoritative yet compassionate voice to the text and to the audio edition. Listening to her exploration of her own midlife journey and the elements fulfillment and challenge in this life stage is like sitting in the sun with a warm cup of coffee: at once soothing and energizing, comforting and inspiring.
I think this book is well worth the time of anyone at midlife. I think it's also worth the time of adult readers of all ages. Its insights and lessons speak to all of us, regardless of how far we are upon life's path.
bollerud's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this thoughtful, fluid, relatable read. Gave me lots to think about as I contemplate midlife.
fastweedpuller's review against another edition
3.0
If I could edit out the author, this book would be much more powerful to me. Instead, it falls much more in the memoir category, less in the social science category. So, sure, if one could somehow edit out the oft-repeated "baby boomer," "NPR" and the author's class blindness (wherein she goes to a casino! during the weekday! and is! Surprised! by its patrons!) then the science behind this book would shine bright and loud and universal.
Sigh. This is a pity, because there is a lot of great science in this book.
Sigh. This is a pity, because there is a lot of great science in this book.
hcpenner's review against another edition
4.0
It’s been days since I’ve finished this book, and I’m still trying to figure out what to say about it.
This is the type of book you want to buy multiple copies of and pass out to all of your friends.
This isn’t just a good book, this is a *necessary* book.
The book discusses middle-aged brains… but really, middle-aged *life*. And yes, there are some downsides (spoiler alert: we learn new skills more slowly than our 25-year-old peers) but there are some significant upsides, too. More than anything, this book is a call-to-action to push ourselves out of comfortable boundaries, learn new things, give time and energy to things we find most meaningful (and walk away from those we don't), and most importantly to commit to living our best lives.
This is the type of book you want to buy multiple copies of and pass out to all of your friends.
This isn’t just a good book, this is a *necessary* book.
The book discusses middle-aged brains… but really, middle-aged *life*. And yes, there are some downsides (spoiler alert: we learn new skills more slowly than our 25-year-old peers) but there are some significant upsides, too. More than anything, this book is a call-to-action to push ourselves out of comfortable boundaries, learn new things, give time and energy to things we find most meaningful (and walk away from those we don't), and most importantly to commit to living our best lives.
ddurrant's review
5.0
A great book to read when you are 20, 30, 40 and 50. Puts your efforts in your career into perspective and gives you great insights to look forward to aging with grace and happiness.