Book Review: What Should I Do With the Rest of My Life?

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By Bruce Frankel

~True stories of finding success, passion, and new meaning in the second half of life~

When Lisa from TLC books offered to send me this book to review—the subtitle had me at hello.

Who wouldn’t want to find passion and success at any and all points of our lives? While this book is geared toward those entering their second half of life, it certainly has applications for many other situations such as loosing one’s job as well as dealing with life-altering changes (divorce, an empty nest, or illness).

Please visit Suzen’s post, also on the book tour, for a very well-rounded review where I agree with every one of her points. Since I don’t want to swim water she’s already crossed, here are a few more thoughts on Mr. Frankel’s book from my perspective and some highlights.

Mr. Frankel describes thirteen people’s lives as they dawn into the “second half”. I enjoyed reading these stories since I love to read about people, no matter how old, young, challenged, or sanguine. That’s why I write the Front Porch stories here at JBN, too. I simply want to read about people—to steep in humanity.

Writing as a common-man baby boomer, Frankel’s stories form life canvases where the paints are newly minted activists, entrepreneurs, athletes, and artists. Each story is quite beautiful and inspirational. The resultant paintings are sublime.

For all the stories of wisdom, bravery, and fortitude in his book, Frankel’s writer voice shines brightest in the introduction.

“…I have experienced my own awakening about aging. Each of the elders in this book has challenged my thinking…My conversations with them have altered my own time line. They have convinced me that past failing can as easily prove preparatory as predictive. Age does not itself limit or enable us. The choice is ours.”

I read this statement. Then I read it again. And, yet again.

How powerful this is. Reread it yourself. “Age does not itself limit or enable us.”

How many times have you heard your friends or neighbors or children or yourself say, “I can’t do that now, by the time I’m done with school (or the workshop, or the internship, or labor, or [...]) I’ll be 30 (or 40, or 50, or 60, or 70 or [...]).

Stop! Just say no.

My neighbor is 93. Until very recently, he was more active than most adults I know. He’s a shining star in my eyes—and is still as bright as a comet.

If you want inspiration, ideas, and a real life manual-by-example for delving into meaningful pursuits with purpose, get this book. And if you like stories about people, not super-mega stars, rich, or famous people, but simply stories about people doing what brings them and others pleasure, this is it.

The author has extended to me the courtesy to gift one book to someone. If you are interested in reading this book, please indicate this to me in the comments below or contact me. I will put the names of those interested in a hat (OK, they will probably go into a brown paper bag) and I’ll ask my husband pick a name randomly. If you’re chosen, I’ll email you to provide an address to where you’d like the book to be sent.

That’s it! Easy schmeasy. (Drawing will be on Saturday, March 27th, 10 AM — comment or contact me to enter by 8 AM Pacific Standard Time March 27th.)

UPDATE, MARCH 27th: Lisa Allen (see comment below) has won the book give away—congratulations, Lisa! Let me know your thoughts about the book.

Create a great day everyone.

As my friend who is currently living the second half says, “It’s time to start living or time to start dyin’—it’s up to you.”

Visit TLC Book Tours

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, I have not received compensation for reviewing this book—I received a complimentary reviewer copy of the book. TLC Book Tours does not place restrictions on what I write and post about the book. I have no material connection to the author, publisher, or TLC Book Tours.

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