On Being 40(ish)

By: Lindsey Mead - editor

Narrated by: Janina Edwards, Madeleine Maby, Soneela Nankani, Joy Osmanski, Candace Thaxton

Fifteen powerful women and writers you know and love—from the pages of The New Yorker, The New York Times, Vogue, Glamour, and The Atlantic—offer captivating, intimate, and candid explorations about what it’s really like turning forty—and that the best is yet to come.

The big 4-0. Like eighteen and twenty-one, this is a major and meaningful milestone our lives—especially for women. Turning forty is a poignant doorway between youth and...what comes after; a crossroads to reflect on the roads taken and not, and the paths yet before you. The decade that follows is ripe for nostalgia, inspiration, wisdom, and personal growth.

In this dazzling collection, fifteen writers explore this rich phase in essays that are profound, moving, and above all, brimming with joie de vivre. With a diverse array of voices—including Veronica Chambers, Meghan Daum, Kate Bolick, Taffy Brodesser-Akner, Sloane Crosley, KJ Dell’Antonia, Julie Klam, Jessica Lahey, Catherine Newman, Sujean Rim, Jena Schwartz, Sophfronia Scott, Allison Winn Scotch, Lee Woodruff, and Jill Kargman—On Being 40(ish) offers a range of universal themes—friendship, independence, sex, beauty, aging, wisdom, and the passage of time.

On Being 40(ish) reflects the hopes, fears, challenges, and opportunities of a generation. Beautifully designed, this is “a must read for anyone 40ish or beyond...Like a pep talk from your big sister, favorite cousin, and wise best friend” (Joanna Goddard, Cup of Jo).

Anthology Reflects on Middle Age

When I read an excerpt in this month’s issue of Reader’s Digest, I was intrigued, although my forties are long gone. I must admit I’d never heard of many of these writers. This made their insights all the more refreshing. Besides essays on topics related to being in their forties, contributors complete sentences like “The most important thing I learned in my forties is...” with thought-provoking responses. If you’re a woman who hasn’t reached your forties yet, this collection may serve as a sort of preview of coming attractions. If you’re past your forties, you can read this and reflect on your own prime of life.