66 Books Like It's A Wonderful Midlife Crisis

This was the first contemporary fantasy book I read with a female protagonist over the age of forty. 

I love the Savannah, Georgia setting, and I think the blend of fantasy, action, magic, and humor is just right. It's got a touch of romance but isn't entirely focused on it. An all-around fun read!

I fell in love with K F Breene’s wisecracking heroine, Jacinta Evans, in the first few pages. When she gets to Ivy House, the story takes a turn for the weird—even for a slightly off-beat genre like this. 

Speaking of early PNWF works, K. F. Breene’s book is probably the first book I read in this niche. March 2020, and I wanted something different to read after a months-long stint of space opera. This book delivered it with bells on, a creepy butler who always wore a cape, and a vampire gardener. Toss in a few shifters. The odd gargoyle. I got my wish and then some. I love this whole series.

One Word: Unputdownable! Mandy knows how to weave a story with believable characters and kickass paranormal world-building. I've always been a fan of her Urban Fantasy. In fact, that's the first genre I read from her. She's rocking Paranormal Women's Fiction, and I so want to rent a house in Grimm Cove. Or at least a vacation rental.

Elizabeth Hunter’s foray into Paranormal Women’s Fiction, before it was even A Thing, starts slow. She takes the time to introduce Robin Brannon and her world through the commonest of lenses—divorce, kids, finances, friends, obligations, and crappy knees. All of it.

Laying the “nothing to see here” life out on full display before dropping in the fireworks when it all goes wrong. This was one of my earliest PNWF reads, and I loved it.

I loved this book because I related to it in so many ways. During 2017, I stood at the crossroads of uncertainty as corporate layoffs reverberated through the U.S. economy. The weight of being laid off was heavy on me and my peers. For seven years afterward, I submitted tens of thousands of applications without receiving an interview. After a short while, each rejection took an emotional and psychological toll on me. But I am relieved this author knew exactly what I went through. Over time, I saw myself not as a corporate mid-level employee but as a resilient innovator who can navigate a rapidly changing world. 

I, too, believe we Gen Xers have been often overlooked but are rich with untapped potential. The world has changed dramatically. The COVID-19 pandemic, a divisive political environment, and rapid technological advancements have forced my fellow Gen Xers and me to adapt to… show more.

I recommend this book because it made me reflect deeply on where my financial success derailed. Since 2017, I have strongly advocated for the rapid expansion of innovative technology like Bitcoin, crypto, and artificial intelligence, through hosting podcasts and writing books. After reading this book, I was shocked that I agreed with the need for a more cautious approach. I thought about the benefits and drawbacks of rapidly advancing technology and why it makes sense to be more careful.

I believe Gen X is not just the bridge between the analog and digital worlds but also the connectors and innovators that will drive our global economy forward. I grew up not feeling special, but this book helped change my perspective. I have shared traits, such as resilience and adaptability, with my fellow Gen Xers. I now wish to use my voice to strengthen relationships in our increasingly digital age. I… show more.

This book resonated deeply within me because, just like the author, I have always relied upon music to drive my emotions. Music played an integral role in shaping my life, especially during times of tremendous grief. This was especially true during the devastating death of a dear friend during my teenage years who succumbed to his demons and the quiet void left by my father’s passing. Each loss felt like a piece of my soul was gone. Music helped me grapple with my mortality.

Being let go from my corporate job was another brutal grief-ridden separation because it felt as if I had lost a part of my identity. Gen Xers like me often navigate the treacherous waters of untapped, sidelined potential. I was reminded that resilience spawns from pain and suffering. Personal battles forced me to confront my fears as I moved forward into today’s digital age. Like Hanif,… show more.

This work of fiction arrived at the tail end of the Reagan Era. Read without context, it’s an enjoyable romp through the life of “Gen X’ers” and their pre-professional lives. However, much as psychologists of the 1950s ascribed one root cause of the growing problem of “Juvenile Delinquency” to fears of atomic war, Coupland’s characters are similarly disaffected from growing up during a period of similar fears—fears confirmed when one character dreams of dying in an atomic explosion. In tracing the lives of three fictional characters of this last Cold War generation, Coupland shows the emotional impact of growing up knowing that they could die any day. Seen in this light, Generation X captures the disaffection, disillusion, and dissatisfaction of a generation.

I thoroughly enjoyed Jeff Gordinier’s book because I found myself engaged in worlds of reflection and revelation. I have long battled with the disconnect and discomfort between my achievements and self-promotion. I struggle mightily with an innate desire to contribute meaningfully and with powerful anxiety that pulls me back into the shadows of reclusiveness and isolation.

Leadership often requires daring to step into the light, to share one’s voice, and to embrace the potential of vulnerability. It’s easy for me to become jaded and to succumb to despair in a world where I feel increasingly less prepared to tackle. Gordinier offers reflections of hope and compassion in this digital age. I find glimpses of light in small acts of kindness, where empathy shines brightest amid growing chaos. I want to dare not just dream of a better world but take those initial courageous steps toward making Gen X “teen spirit”… show more.

Foley depicts a struggle of finding oneself and learning where one belongs, and holding onto the everchanging definition especially when the geography surrounding us suddenly changes. Maggie and her family migrate from Chicago to Ireland, leaving behind her favorite uncle, and musical influence, the wayward Kevin. Add to this the backdrop of the anticipation of attending a Nirvana concert and you have all the fixings for a well-rounded tale of love, loss, and living. Having had the pleasure of meeting Foley a time or two, I can attest that her sense of setting is as apparent in her identity as an Irish Chicago resident as ever, and this comes through in her characters, who illustrate the same.