The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You

Baker (Never Unfriended), cohost of the Out of the Ordinary podcast, combines personal anecdotes and scriptural passages in this encouraging paean to self-love aimed at Christian women entering middle age. “You are loved because you were created by a God who is love,” she writes. In short chapters, she uses anecdotes from her personal life as jumping off points to discuss body image, financial challenges, learning how to “fight fair” with her husband, and the challenges and joys of parenting three children. In her discussion of body image, she attempts to locate the moment “where the mirror became a critic instead of simply a reflection of all that beauty.” In one chapter, structured as a “love letter” to her children, she writes: “I want you to inherit freedom from me. The freedom to stretch your long awkward limbs, your mind, your appetite, your wonder at the world.” Unfortunately, the book lacks an apparent structure and tends to read like a series of blog posts. Despite this, Baker’s upbeat tone, self-deprecating humor, and generosity toward others will be appreciated by Christian women looking for parenting and life advice as they enter their middle-aged years.[em] (July) [/em]