At first glance of the title, you may believe that My Formerly Hot Life: Dispatches From Just the Other Side of Young by Stephanie Dolgoff is a book packed with superficial notions about aging women, how age (and age alone) determines a “hot” life and that this book will only perpetuate the ageist and sexist societal ideologies towards women over the age of 40. I know that was my first impression without even reading the first page. However, as someone who should know better, I quickly learned something: don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Although you’re going to find the cliched quips about aging sagging skin, slowing metabolisms, newly developed crows feet, and the trial and errors of clothing a middle-aged body, My Formerly Hot Life goes beyond skimming the superficial surface of growing older and explores the other side of young in much more in-depth way. Dolgoff tackles the important issues like parenting, marriage, “having it all,” and healthy vs. unhealthy friendships with a good dose of wisdom and wit.

As we age and take on other lifestyles and responsibilities we say goodbye to our old identities, hence we become what Dolgoff coins as a “Formerlie” – formerly hot, formerly wild, formerly single and childless, etc… But while many of us may look back at our former selves with bittersweet nostalgia and wonder what happened to our youth, Dolgoff reminds us that the best part of life is still to come. With age comes more confidence, more wisdom, and a more carefree attitude about the ridiculous things in life, like trying to mold ourselves to the ideal standards of our youth-obsessed culture. “Formerlies” are neither young nor old. Their priorities and values have shifted from their younger days and they have a much better sense of who they are and what kind of life they want to lead. They have discarded unhealthy relationships and have a close circle of beloved family and friends that brighten their days with love and laughter. Formerlies are women like me and probably like you, women trying to navigate our way through lives that are filled with countless responsibilities and pressures and just doing the best we can. You can longingly look back at the hot life you once had all you want. But, if you look back too often, you’ll likely miss out on the fabulous life you lead today.

Give-away time!

I have been offered to give-away TWO copies of My Formerly Hot Life to my readers. To enter this give-away, please leave a comment below. For additional comment entries, subscribe to AYMB, follow AYMB on Twitter, tweet this post, or post this review and give-away on Facebook and/or your blog. Make sure to leave an additional comment for each item. I will select two winners via www.random.org on Tuesday, August 17th.

Good luck!

Disclaimer: I was give a copy of My Formerly Hot Life and offered two copies for a give-away, courtesy of the publisher.