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smittenforfiction's review against another edition
4.0
Meredith Maran's newest book, a fresh-authentic-inspiring biographical memoir, was released today, The New Old Me: My Late-Life Reinvention. It talks about life's biggest themes: friendship, divorce, marriage, love, healing, human rights, loving the place you live, aging, plastic surgery, alcohol, grief, happiness, and never being too old to try something new. I laughed, I cried, I devoured this novel in half a day. I was sent a DRC copy of this book by PENGUIN GROUP Blue Rider Press & Plume for review. Because I have an advanced copy, I cannot share my favourite quotes -but I will say there were many. I loved the many different characters we met, and Meredith's journey through her trip from glass empty to the glass half full.
_laurensbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This book was very comforting. It was thoughtful and well-written. While it might not have been the primary intention of the book, it really is an ode to friendship.
dommdy's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Full of feeling, read by the perfect narrator who articulates the many emotional upheavals, the fears, the growth.
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book through Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Maran's writing is very relatable even as she describes specific experience I have not personally had. She has a knack for describing the base emotion in a very relatable way. From grief to love, fear to joy, pain to acceptance, the experiences may not be the same, but the emotions felt certainly are. In this book, Maran recounts her divorce, breakup, losing her job, deaths and illnesses of friends and family, and other events. But mostly the book is about love, friendship, and independence.
Martin's writing is humorous and heart breaking, and everything in between, but most of all it is raw and real.
Great book.
I really enjoyed this book. Maran's writing is very relatable even as she describes specific experience I have not personally had. She has a knack for describing the base emotion in a very relatable way. From grief to love, fear to joy, pain to acceptance, the experiences may not be the same, but the emotions felt certainly are. In this book, Maran recounts her divorce, breakup, losing her job, deaths and illnesses of friends and family, and other events. But mostly the book is about love, friendship, and independence.
Martin's writing is humorous and heart breaking, and everything in between, but most of all it is raw and real.
Great book.
candidceillie's review against another edition
2.0
I liked this book, but there were several things that really bothered me about it.
Read my full review here!
Read my full review here!
riversong's review
5.0
I loved this book. The author writes about her many struggles with love and loss and comes to a realization about her dependency on alcohol. This is not a typical feel good at the end memoir, which I appreciate. At the end of this book, you realize that happiness, love and live are a journey and not a destination because there is always something around the corner that will rock your world, for good or bad. The blurbs recommend this for people who are aging. I'm 30 and got a lot of wisdom from this book. It helps to realize that having it all together is a myth. At 60, Meridith Maran thinks she is making young, stupid mistakes, but the truth is she is just adapting to the changes in life the best way she can. I want to re-read this book every year - there are so many gems of wisdom here.
mikolee's review
1.0
I was disappointed by this memoir about a 60 something writer whose 20 year marriage breaks up and she must reinvent herself.
I began to get tired of her whining about her life when there are so many other deeply difficult problems for other people.
I couldn’t finish this.
I began to get tired of her whining about her life when there are so many other deeply difficult problems for other people.
I couldn’t finish this.
naonao's review
5.0
A lovely walk amongst the flowers of memories and the building of new ones.
A slightly slender book (I would have loved more!), but a delightful and easy read. It gives many women "of a certain age" a lot of hope.
If I were to change anything:
Make it clear if "not real name" is being used---it's tempting to go down a Google rabbit hole trying to find the "real" Bellissima, etc.
Perhaps more backstory or clear details on some choices---like why the author attends Al-Anon but drinks (is perhaps a former partner or spouse an alcoholic?). Not judging, but it's a point of confusion that could have been cleared up quickly. "After a former partner put me through the wringer with their alcoholism, I've come to depend on my AA meetings...".
More description of friends before they are introduced as characters or plot points. I loved her wild group of amazing female friends, and wanted to know more!!
A slightly slender book (I would have loved more!), but a delightful and easy read. It gives many women "of a certain age" a lot of hope.
If I were to change anything:
Make it clear if "not real name" is being used---it's tempting to go down a Google rabbit hole trying to find the "real" Bellissima, etc.
Perhaps more backstory or clear details on some choices---like why the author attends Al-Anon but drinks (is perhaps a former partner or spouse an alcoholic?). Not judging, but it's a point of confusion that could have been cleared up quickly. "After a former partner put me through the wringer with their alcoholism, I've come to depend on my AA meetings...".
More description of friends before they are introduced as characters or plot points. I loved her wild group of amazing female friends, and wanted to know more!!
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