If necessity is the mother of invention, impeding irrelevance is the mother of reinvention. And nobody knows reinvention like women in their 40s and 50s. Whether you’re looking for a little self-help, a bit of inspiration, or just a few laughs along the way, you’ll find them in this list of books by women who began again.
It Ain’t Over … Till It’s Over, by Marlo Thomas
Actress, activist, and author Marlo Thomas introduces 60 women who prove that it’s never too late to launch a business, lose weight, discover a hidden talent, escape a dangerous relationship, fall in love, or do something new. (You hear that?)
I’ve Been Thinking, by Maria Shriver
“It’s time. Time to rethink everything. How do I know that? Call it a woman’s intuition. Call it my gut. All I know is that I feel it deep in my soul.” That’s a quote from a 2017 post on Maria Shriver’s blog. Her new book will help you do just that.
The New Old Me, by Meredith Maran
When Meredith Maran loses her life savings, best friend, and marriage, she decides to transform her life. This funny, smart, feisty author executes a Plan B that shows that it’s never too late to try something new, even against all odds.
Happier Than a Billionaire, by Nadine Pisani
Fed up with her life, Nadine Pisani quit her job and moved to Costa Rica — a place ranked one of the happiest on Earth. The red-tape-riddled risk yielded a book filled with zingy one-liners and inspiration for anyone who has ever wanted to ditch it all and begin again someplace else.
Life Reimagined, by Barbara Bradley Hagerty
Barbara Bradley Hagerty pauses “to evaluate how to move forward in life.” Letting neurology, psychology, biology, genetics, and sociology — as well as her own experiences — inform her, she redraws the map and plots a new course of midlife renewal and refocus.
I Remember Nothing, by Nora Ephron
Beloved writer Nora Ephron wrote this book when she was 69 and facing a new cancer diagnosis. With her usual wit and insight, she tackles the big topics: what it’s like to age and what it means to live.
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, by Anna Quindlen
Anna Quindlen’s memoir celebrates passage into middle age with wise, candid observations about sex, politics, religion, and enduring friendships. She cuts through the usual clutter with essays that induce aha moments.
It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again, by Julia Cameron
She guided us through The Artist’s Way, so of course we turn to Julia Cameron to answer “What’s next?” Her spring 2016 release is a 12-week course designed to help you discover creativity and meaning anew.
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