The best-selling author of Never Unfriended opens up about midlife and what it feels like to have outgrown those teenage jeans—but finally grown into the shape of our souls. “I want to give Lisa-Jo’s book a standing ovation.”—Aarti Sequeira, chef and TV personality Do you ever wonder how you woke up one day with all the responsibilities of a grown-up who secretly enjoys buying groceries in bulk, … who secretly enjoys buying groceries in bulk, can no longer recognize the tween celebrities on the magazines at checkout, but is still surprised when a Starbucks barista calls you “ma’am”—because your inside self is frozen in time to about twenty years ago?
So does Lisa-Jo Baker.
In these intimate reflections on midlife, Lisa-Jo invites us to get a good look at our middles and gives us permission to embrace them—beyond what the media, the mirror, or the magazines say. Through gutsy, beautiful storytelling, she admits out loud what most of us are thinking about marriage, parenting, the bathroom scale, and how badly we all want to buy those matching Magnolia Market mugs.
Her delicious stories come from not being afraid of who she is, because Lisa-Jo knows that the middle might be the best part of the love story of life, kids, faith, doubt, marriage, failure, wonder, and the muffin top—and that these are all good things. She’s not asking you to seize the day, just to make sure you actually see it for all its wildly ordinary glory.
Welcome to the middle!
Praise for The Middle Matters
“What a thought-provoking collection of reflections and wisdom! Through personal stories about love, loss, and life in the middle, Lisa-Jo invites us to take a long look inside our own mind’s secret nooks and crannies, which aren’t nearly as dark, scary, or ordinary as we might think.”—Layla Palmer, The Lettered Cottage blog
“With captivating wit, hard-won wisdom, and breathtaking honesty, Lisa-Jo has written a love letter to the delicious middle.”—Mandy Arioto, president and CEO of MOPS International and author of Have More Fun
“With Lisa-Jo’s guts as our unfettered guide, may we finally learn the sumptuous truth of our years: that a grilled cheese sandwich without the middle is just toast.”—Erin Loechner, founder of OtherGoose and author of Chasing Slow
“Thank you, Lisa-Jo, for reminding women everywhere how important it is to find meaning in the midst of the confusing middle.”—Joy Prouty, artist and educator
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I want to give Lisa-Jo’s book a standing ovation because it’s exactly what’s needed for this particular time, when our ‘ordinary’ lives seem so unextraordinary compared to what we see or hear on our phones. I’m beginning to embrace my middle, physically and metaphorically, and I’m finding the most extraordinary thing: The freedom and the joy I thought was missing in my life? It was there all along.
I enjoyed this book overall, the author Lisa-Jo Baker is funny, down to earth, and a wonderful storyteller.
I would classify it more of a book of memoirs rather than a devotional, but it was still inspiring.
The stories are real and you feel that, I appreciated that Lisa- Jo is as candid about her failures as she is her successes.
I also love that she stresses the importance of our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I would definitely recommend it to wives and moms who are looking for encouragement and a good read.
***Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital copy of this book. All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.***
I think I would give this book 4.5 stars. Overall I did like it. But I think originally when I requested this title from net galley, I thought that it would be more instructional on why the middle part of life matters and less memoir. That being said, Lisa-Jo Baker is a great story teller. The issues that she addressed in this book are one tackled by wives and mothers who are in the middle of it all – marriage, parenting, work-life balance and following Jesus. Even kids sports is one of the featured thoughts.
This book is probably not for someone who is single. Sections could apply to those who are widowed or divorced. Yet the stories are heart warming. Lisa- Jo is equally as honest about her failures as she is about her successes. Through it all, it is apparent that relationships matter – especially our ones with Jesus.
This would be a fun book to share in a friend book club. Since there are several chapters on each book topic, there would be plenty to talk about several weeks. Overall I would recommend it, and all opinions are my own.
This was an awesome read! Unfortunately my “middle” kept getting in the way of my reading time so it took me a bit to finish it as I wanted time to chew on this one as I read it. I loved the chapters on Faith and Friendship and the parenting chapters were spot on. Lisa has masterfully crafted a read that reminds us of the beauty of our everyday lives and that every memory matters! The “middle” is an important part of our lives and I know I needed that reminder. I highly recommend this book!.
This passage really struck me:
I’m not the first one to stand desperate in a boat, desperately afraid of the storm, wondering why the heck Jesus is asleep on the job. Those first shaky disciples and I, we look out at the waves and the dark, angry clouds and we’re so afraid of what’s coming. We want to control it or outrun it or survive it. And all our faith is slipping through our fingers, and out boats are wobbly and our Savior is asleep.
Jesus wasn’t asleep because he didn’t care.
He was asleep because He wasn’t afraid.
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Lisa-Jo Baker tackles middle age with her trademark wit and down-to-earth charm, making every reader feel like they’re sitting on the other side of the table for a coffee chat with the author. Ultimately, this book challenges readers to not only accept but also embrace midlife with all of its messiness, in a way that makes it clear we are not alone. What a gift to read transparent truth from someone who isn’t afraid to write what we’re all thinking!
With Lisa-Jo’s guts as our unfettered guide, may we finally learn the sumptuous truth of our years: that a grilled cheese sandwich without the middle is just toast.
For any adult who still sometimes feels like the shy, insecure kid from junior high, Lisa-Jo Baker is the breath of fresh air you’ve been waiting for. She gives us permission to fully embrace our lives— imperfections and all—and reminds us that it’s okay to feel like you totally do not have life all figured out.
Life is a circus. As the ringleader, I often find myself forgetting to enjoy any of it. In The Middle Matters, Lisa-Jo gives us all a motivational mission and a plan for making it happen. Here’s to finding glory in the middle!
The middle of anything can feel messy and mundane. In this witty and heartwarming book, Lisa-Jo Baker makes a case for why the middle matters. And just like an Oreo wouldn’t be the same without the cream in the middle, those seemingly mundane and messy middle years can actually be where some of the best stuff of life happens!
This incredible book is like a magic mirror. It showed me just how marvelous my ordinary life already is. Lisa-Jo’s hilarious and honest stories won’t push and prod you toward some better version of yourself. Instead, in fun and funny prose that fairly dances off the page, The Middle Matters opens our eyes to the wonder of the lives and loves that are ours to receive in these middle years.
Through all seasons, we need a compassionate and kind guide. In the best-case scenarios, we get a guide like Lisa-Jo—a friend who is funny and gracious and gives us the heads-up that we’re headed the right way. In a world that is telling every woman to speed up and get to the good part or slow down because you’re about to miss it, I’m so grateful a message like The Middle Matters is bringing the grace and truth and good news that we need. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and prepare to take a deep breath. This is where it gets good!
I knew, when I chose to read and review The Middle Matters, that I was well beyond the targeted age group and that I have already experienced much of the subject matter. I am so glad that I had this opportunity becauses my age hasn’t prevented me from gaining valuable information and receiving insight from this book. Author Lisa-Jo Baker touches on topics such as aging and weight during the middle years; marriage after the early years; parenting older children; friendships that have endured through the years; and our faith during the middle years. I was expecially drawn to this last section because I truly believe that faith is ever-changing. I don’t mean that during your middle years your faith isn’t valuable; I just know that my faith has grown and deepened as I have matured. I especially appreciated a quote from For the Thomases, a chapter in Why the Middle of Your Faith Matters. On page 234, Baker states that “I can feel how He likes me. Not the pretty version of me, although I’m sure He likes that part, too.” “He isn’t ruled by my rules or insecurities. He is the God of the wide-open sky and and the wide-open road, who comes running to meet His kids and knows each of us by name. Who loves us, and more than that, who likes us.” I consider these as wonderful words of encouragement for all ages!
Baker shares her own personal experiences to show that life is made up of happy times, difficult times, and the times of “ordinary, uneventful times” and she offers encouragement and some wise advice for dealing with all of these times. And even though I would recommend this for women experiencing their own middle years, I feel certain that everyone will benefit from reading The Middle Matters.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy from the author and Waterbrook Multonomah and I was not required to write a review. These are my honest opinions.
The middle is the place where we might have outgrown the shape of our teenage jeans but ave finally grown into the shape of our souls.” This sums up Lisa-Jo’s book “The Middle Matters” The author talks about how our bodies and lives change as we get older and how we can embrace that change.
Each chapter is an intimate reflection on midlife, Lisa-Jo invites us to get a good look at our. Middles and gives us permission to embrace them—beyond what the media, the mirror, the magazines or our teenagers say. The author knows that the middle might be the best part of the love story of life, faith, doubt and marriage.
I enjoyed reading the chapter and found myself relating to her although I am over 50, I could still relate.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
My emotions were all over the place during “The Middle Matters,” by Lisa Jo Baker. I haven’t read her work before, but after this, I am seeking out whatever else is out there.
Written in essay format, “The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra) Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You” is a collection of the author’s thoughts on multiple issues, from sports with kids, finding true friendships, navigating middle aged marriage (!) to finding our faith in seasons of doubt.
Every time I thought I had found THE chapter that most applied to my life at the moment, I found another that was even closer to what I was facing. I can’t say for sure that Lisa Jo doesn’t have spies around, because she hit THAT close to home, but I really felt like this book spoke to me right where I am for this season.
I would recommend this book for any woman who is approaching the “middle” portion of their lives. To realize this time is not a stopping or slowing down point, but a wonderful place of acceptance and acknowledgement is very freeing. Lisa Jo delivers this message in a thoughtful, supportive way. She writes as if she is that friend who has been where you are and still pushes you to walk with your head held high to be the best YOU for this season of life.
I don’t think you can find an essay in this collection that won’t touch your heart, make you laugh, or make you weep. Lisa Jo has her own unique style, rife with honesty and vulnerability. This book will remain nearby, as I have quotes I would love to retain for future reference. Take this title down and order, because I know you will love it as much as I do!
I was excited to be a part of the early readers group, thanks to Penguin Random House. I was not required to leave a review, yet honored to be able to! This book has really spoken into my life.