Review by Darcie Czajkowski
Middle age
doesn’t have to be synonymous with boring, settling, following a routine. If
you’re like Jen Lancaster and your forties seem predictable and banal, then
it’s time to shake things up.
In her
memoir, Jen Lancaster decides to create a bucket list as a way of challenging
herself to step outside of her comfort zone, try new things, and not succumb to
the feeling that middle age is the beginning of the end.
With Jen’s
proven knack for humor, non-self-deprecating ability to laugh at herself, and
positive attitude, she takes the reader on a journey in which she dabbles in
new hobbies and sets personal goals to better her life.
While Jen
loves being a writer, she knows she has other talents and starts refurbishing
old furniture. She finds that she not only loves it but is also pretty skillful
at it. So much so that she is able to have her own show to sell her work.
Jen learns
Italian for the dual-purpose of connecting with her heritage and being able to
communicate with the locals when she later travels to Italy for her first
international trip since she was a child. She had to apply for a passport
specifically for the trip.
Jen re-committed
to her long-held goal of losing weight and feeling better about her long-term
health. Going hand in hand with this commitment was her accomplishment of completing
a 5K.
And then
there’s learning how to ride a bicycle. Sure, she learned as a child, but she
doesn’t think the old adage – it’s just
like riding a bike – holds true for her. So…maybe she’ll start with a
three-wheeled adult tricycle. That ought to be better for balance, right?
Throughout
it all, Jen inserts life lessons that can resonate with people of all ages. Pick
up a new hobby; you might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. Don’t be too
hard on yourself; we are our own worst critics. Sprinkle kindness everywhere;
it costs nothing. And finally, never stop growing into the best version of
yourself; there is always room for improvement. If you do these things, you
will probably, like Jen, “regret nothing.”
Purchase the book at:
About the Author:
Jen is an American author whose titles have appeared
on the New York Times bestseller list.
As of 2014, she has
ten published books: Bitter is
the New Black; Bright
Lights, Big Ass; Such A
Pretty Fat; Pretty in
Plaid; My Fair Lazy; Jeneration
X; If You Were Here,
her first foray into fiction; The
Tao of Martha and "Here I Go Again" her second fiction
novel; and finally, "Twisted Sisters". She is also an
occasional NPR columnist.
Connect with
the author at:
NAL is giving one lucky reader
A print copy of Jen’s book
I Regret Nothing
US Only
