Member Reviews

Some stories were really good, some were not. Ok read. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving this book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

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Loved this book! Essays are a favorite of mine and this one was packed with some of my favorite writers. I laughed, teared up, and applauded. I couldn't put the book down. Being 40ish myself, I saw myself in so many of the essays. But it you're not, don't let the title scare you off. This book has something in it for everyone.

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This was a bit hit and miss for me. Some “essays” were thoughtful and others came across as more lighthearted. I would have appreciated more diversity in terms of profession and class.

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Poignant (and some funny) essays about the highs and lows (mostly highs!) of life in our 40s. I say “our” because I’m right there with these authors. This would make a great gift for anyone in this particular stage. Really enjoyed the collection.

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This is a fantastic collection of essays from 15 women and writers about aging, maturing, and growing into ourselves. Sometimes you just need a pep-talk from someone who is either going through the same thing or has been there; this book is great to help you along your way and realize that you are fine and everything will be okay.

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A group of fantastic short stories about life as a woman over 40. Fun, funny, poignant and something that any woman heading to, out of, or beyond 40 should take a look at.

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When the introduction starts with Martha's Vineyard and a Patagonia fleece jacket, I know this is not one for me.

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Forty is not the end-all, be-all of a woman's existence. I am in my late 40's and had been dreading turning the BIG 5-0 but now I’m okay with life in my 40's and beyond.. I’m no longer going to celebrate the (insert year) of my 30th birthday. I’m actually excited to see what the next phase of my life will bring. This was a nice collection of essays about the life experiences of "seasoned" women. This book shows how important it is for us “40-ish” women to read and know that, through the pains and joys of our 30’s, there’s a beautiful light at the end of the tunnel.

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A salty, delicious collection of essays - illuminating what it means to be a 40-ish woman in today's world. A varied collection of voices provide balm for those navigating this decade. Highly recommended.

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Since I turned 40 this year, I was interested to pick up this title. I did enjoy some of the stories in the collection. There is a mix of good and bad in the tales but the positive outweighs the negative. The essays are all very candid on what it meant for them to turn 40 and what molded them to get there and where they still feel they are going. One positive was the diversity of the women and the diversity of the writing.
Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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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.

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This book is a collection of essays generally about being in your 40s (though weirdly several of the authors are actually in their 50s). Some are very personal, some universal, some are more specifically about this stage of life and some less so. Like any collection, some are better than others - my two favorites were those by Allison Winn Scotch and KJ Dell’Antonia. 3.5 stars.

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This is a great read! I loved reading the personal stories, as this milestone is different for every woman. The writing made this feel like it was written by an older sister or best friend, as it was really intimate.

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As a 43 year old lady myself, I've read lots of these essay collections of vaguely feminist ladies writing about LADY STUFF in my time, and this one did not particularly knock my socks off. These things tend to include authors with a pretty limited range of identity and experience -- living in the Northeast or West Coast, maybe Iowa (Writer's project hangover/teaching job). I've over it.

The Megan Daum one was good tho, b/c Megan Daum is usually good. I also laughed meanly b/c Sloane Crosley got in despite being only 38 while pondering the fate of her face b/c she's Sloane Crosley, you guuyyyyssss.

Anyway, thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

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I'm going to be 40 this year so this book seemed aimed at me. Great range of essays and authors that really explore what it is like nearing 40 at this time in the world.

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I was invited by the publisher to read On Being 40(ish), and I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Fifteen women contributed to these essays on the topic of turning forty. The big 4-0 has always been viewed as a turning point, a milestone, in the same way turning eighteen or twenty-one is; however, there are, arguably, more differences for women at this milestone, according to this thoughtful book.

The essays are equal parts honest and emotional and always personal.

Regardless of their age, I feel like many women find something to relate to and reflect upon here. On Being 40ish is an inspiring, raw, and hopeful collection, and like a great chat with your best girlfriend all in one.

I received a complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.

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On Being 40(ish) is a collection of short stories written by women whom come across different perspectives of their lives after turning the big 4-0 or being over 40.

Different events that happen in each woman's life affects the stories being told here. Some stories, I related with all to well and some? well, they fell a bit short but in all, every story resonated with me as a woman of a "certain age".

The two stories that stuck with me the most were: Same Life, Higher Rent by Meghan Daum & I Don't Have Time for This by Sophfronia Scott.

For the most part On Being 40(ish) done very well and I believe it's going to give us the feels, the fells in a very good way.

*Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review.

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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.

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“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.”

This book came across my radar (via Jill Kargman’s Insta feed) at the perfect time, since I just turned *whispers* 40 😫a few months ago. I’ve been struggling a little with this milestone because I’m suddenly in this weird stage of feeling equal parts IDGAF now (which, by the way, is so freeing!) and random bouts of panic “but 40 just sounds so old! I still have dreams!”😫

Reading these essays was like chatting with girlfriends over coffee. That feeling of, “okay, you get me. I get you. We’re in this thing together- let’s DO this.”

Some were better than others- I loved the pieces by Meghan Daum , Lee Woodruff , Jill Kargman , and especially Catherine Newman (this one gave me Beaches vibes and left me in a puddle on the floor), but could have done without a few others.

Bottom line- if you’re anywhere in your 30’s or beyond, you’ll definitely enjoy and relate hard to this book. It’s a good glimpse ahead for those approaching, and a reassuring high-five for those of us already there.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for a free digital advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

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This is a poignant collection of essays by women about their life experiences and outlook after turning forty.

I don't usually read these types of collections but the description caught my attention, and I'm happy I picked it up. The title includes personal stories from different writers, they explore many themes, from aging, careers, relationships, to the shift in priorities each lived decade.

I related to many of the stories, but my absolutely favorite was THE PEOPLE WHO GOT ME HERE by Julie Klam, I felt emotionally connected from the beginning.

Overall, a meaningful and relatable collection of essays.

Received ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

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