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weehoursreads's review against another edition
4.0
"Forty feels like we’ve come to the top of the Ferris wheel, the view is dazzling, in no small part because we know how quickly the descent will go.”
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Another one of my midlife crisis reads. 'On Being 40 (ish)' is an anthology of essays (and a couple of poems and illustrations) by different women. I was drawn to it mainly because of Taffy Brodesser-Akner, author of 'Fleishman is in Trouble' and one of the 15 contributors. This was a decent read, albeit uneven, and the book gave me a renewed appreciation for friendship, love, gratitude, and aging. There's something in here for anyone in their mid-thirties to early-forties, single or married. Most of the essays were highly relatable and thought-provoking, but I would have appreciated greater diversity in the list of contributors. 3.6 stars.
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Another one of my midlife crisis reads. 'On Being 40 (ish)' is an anthology of essays (and a couple of poems and illustrations) by different women. I was drawn to it mainly because of Taffy Brodesser-Akner, author of 'Fleishman is in Trouble' and one of the 15 contributors. This was a decent read, albeit uneven, and the book gave me a renewed appreciation for friendship, love, gratitude, and aging. There's something in here for anyone in their mid-thirties to early-forties, single or married. Most of the essays were highly relatable and thought-provoking, but I would have appreciated greater diversity in the list of contributors. 3.6 stars.
dublinsue's review against another edition
3.0
This was well written with some occasional interesting insights. I enjoyed some of the essays individually (in particular Same Life Higher Rent by Meghan Daum which was witty and self effacing, and Soul Mates: A Timeline in Clothing by Catherine Newman which was really moving with a different and interesting approach). Some I found a little preachy and others I really didn't warm to at all.
My main gripe with the book was the narrowness of the perspective overall - while purporting to represent "all walks of life" it was hard to avoid the common theme of university educated, middle class privileged feminist. Given that I fall into that bracket and am also a recently turned 40 working mother I expected that this collection would speak to me a little more than it did. Maybe a wider range of perspectives might have made it a bit more engaging and reduced the whiff of "First World Problems" that came from many of the essays.
My main gripe with the book was the narrowness of the perspective overall - while purporting to represent "all walks of life" it was hard to avoid the common theme of university educated, middle class privileged feminist. Given that I fall into that bracket and am also a recently turned 40 working mother I expected that this collection would speak to me a little more than it did. Maybe a wider range of perspectives might have made it a bit more engaging and reduced the whiff of "First World Problems" that came from many of the essays.
kristacoriaty's review against another edition
5.0
Turning 40 hasn’t been easy for my physically or emotionally, so I found this book of essays at exactly the right time. Each of them resonated with me in different ways and some brought me to tears. I loved reading these women’s reflections and different viewpoints on what life is all about.
mkduds's review
2.0
I read it, but simply forced myself to finish it. Despite being on the cusp of 40, I didn’t relate to the vast majority of these stories. Some of the writing felt gimmicky or trying to be cute. I get that writers are better at writing about life, but the result felt like a very narrow view of turning 40. Most writers live in New York or a similar big city and seem to have a decent amount of privilege.
Would not recommend.
Would not recommend.
georgeeporge's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I haven't read many books of essays, so was enjoyable to read something different (particularly the unexpected illustrated essay!). Overall, I found the essays interesting and certainly confirmed my suspicions that turning 40 wouldn't bring the end of days. They also bought up subjects that, as someone in their mid 20s, I haven't paid much attention to, such as your own (and loved ones) mortality with health scares becoming nearly every day occurrences.
However, I'd love to learn from a more diverse background; geographically, culturally, financially. Another edition with those please!
However, I'd love to learn from a more diverse background; geographically, culturally, financially. Another edition with those please!
freshsugar's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this collection of essays about being a woman in your forties. I related and chuckled and one rather poignant and personal essay really hit home and brought me to tears. I found after reading the book that I felt uplifted and quite positive about being 40ish, I’d highly recommend this to anyone feeling a bit wary of this decade.
jamheck's review
4.0
[audiobook] i was wary of reading this book because i don’t like to think about approaching 40... but it was our book club selection, so i felt justified enough. i actually enjoyed it! most of the women are older than me but i still felt i could relate to their tales and struggles. some of the essays were poignant and touching. all were a reminder that i will be in their shoes in the blink of an eye. such is life.
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