Book Review - 30 Things...

Call it cliche but in commemoration of turning 30, when I saw this book, yes I wanted to read it. Now one thing I didn't do was pay for it, which I really don't think for the price is worth it ($9.50 for the e-book or $13 for the hardcover). Although you wouldn't have thought it was a highly sought after book I did have to wait a couple months to check this out and it wound up coming to me a month after my 30th birthday not that I needed to read it on my birthday.

Book Title: 30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30 by Pamela Redmond Satran, the Editors of Glamour

Book Summary (from Amazon): Featuring advice, wisdom, and observations from an array of prominent and beloved women, 30 Things is an essential guide (and perfect gift) for women on the brink of thirty—and for those who are already there!

Fifteen years ago, Glamour published a list of distinctive yet universally true must-haves and must-knows for women on the cusp of and beyond the age of thirty titled, “30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30.” It became a phenomenon.

Originally penned by Glamour columnist Pamela Redmond Satran, The List found a second life when women began to forward it to one another online, millions of times. It became a viral sensation, misattributed to everyone from Maya Angelou to Hillary Clinton—but there’s only one original list, and it stands the test of time. Quirky and profound, The List defines the absolute must-haves (#11: “A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra”) and must-knows (#1: “How to fall in love without losing yourself”) for grown-up female happiness.

Now, Glamour magazine has gathered together its editors and an incredible group of notable women to expand on each of the items on The List in wise, thoughtful, and intimate essays. Kathy Griffin meditates on knowing when to try harder and when to walk away. Lisa Ling explores the idea that your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over, and Lauren Conrad shares what she has learned about what she would and wouldn’t do for money or love. Other personal insights come from Maya Angelou, Rachel Zoe, Taylor Swift, Katie Couric, Portia de Rossi, Kelly Corrigan, ZZ Packer, Bobbi Brown, Padma Lakshmi, Angie Harmon, and many more.

Along with essays based on The List, writers share their feelings about what the milestone of turning thirty meant to them. 30 Things is the one book women of all ages will turn to for timely and timeless wisdom.

Book Review: For what it is I thought it was a quick, fun, enjoyable read. I read the whole book in two short sittings, maybe about 2 hours total, an hour on each section, if that. It was a compilation of short little stories (esssays) from various celebraties on their experiences with turning 30 and how it related to the different items on the list. I personally did not learn anything from this book, but I also wasn't looking for some insightful meaning of life type of discovery. I thought there were a couple cute little stories from women on their life experiences. There were some good stories, or tibits from some respectable women from Suzi Orman who wrote a chapter on finances to Maya Angelou. I def wouldn't put Lauren Conrad or Taylor Swift in that category but there were some good stories in there. My parting words on this one would be if you have two hours you want to pass the time reading some short stories on other women as they turned 30 and you can get a free copy of the book from the library then I say go for it. And as the list on, I have to say so far I agree that life begins at 30!

As for the list itself that each chapter is based on here it is:


By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you. 
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded. 
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry. 
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra. 
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it. 
13. The belief that you deserve it. 
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few facets of life that don’t get better after 30. 
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself. 
2. How you feel about having kids. 
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend with-out ruining the friendship. 
4. When to try harder and when to walk away. 
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next. 
6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town. 
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to. 
8. Where to go—be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat—when your soul needs soothing. 
9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents. 
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love. 
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long. 
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally. 
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault. 
15. Why they say life begins at 30!