What I like about the book is that it does not have a heroine, someone too tomboy or someone too girly/ needy or anything like that. People who seem normal but each has their weakness and the ability to blend all these characters and their struggles out of this stagnant phase in their life is what makes this book an engaging read. Check out Lise Jewell’s website here.

This book really got my attention after a pastor at my home church in Singapore devoted an article on this book in the church magazine.

The version I read is the 2nd (expanded) version and the first 200 pages really blew me away and had me thinking to myself ”yes, this is what is happening right now in our world, what should I be doing now to ensure that I am well prepared?”

Thomas Friedman, the New York Times columnist and acclaimed writer of a few books such as From Beirut to Jerusalem and The Lexus and the Olive Tree (check out his site here) wrote about how the world is flat i.e. connected. He discussed 10 forces that had flattened the world, from the fall of the Berlin wall to internet and the one that stays on my mind is how UPS becomes part of the supply chain of so many companies, not just delivery but even repair & maintenance!

However, it got a little less interesting for me as the book went on to talk about how America is (not) prepared for the flat world and how different developing countries run along with it or resist it. Another point though is that in various examples, it’s mentioned that freelancers (think graphic designers!) actually become competition in our connected world.

I got a greater sense of urgency and awareness of the need to prepare, embrace, run along and run ahead in this connected world but not so much on how to prepare for it.. Not sure if the 3.0 version has the answers but I guess nothing beats keeping my eyes and ears open!

The feelings in this book: disappointment with life, settling for something less, courage to differ, courage to face obstacles are so real that believe me, I cried more than once reading through the book. Definitely going to read more of Douglas Kennedy’s books.

Her detective cast is the usual Alan Dagleish who with his two other team members have to investigate a death on the Combe Island. It is amazing how the entire book is set on this isolated island where PD James has the skill to make me stay engaged, on my toes as to who could be the murderer. Definitely a good read with no fanfare that you typically find in a crime novel. This is serious detective work.

As with most inspirational books, this one does inspire with dares of ”doing something not your age”, ”do now, not later” etc. In fact, I gave this book to an air stewardness as I finished reading on the plane; of course, I felt it is a good enough book to pass on to another female.

Not life changing impact for me, but you can check out the Daring Female site for community support.

Only drawback is that there is an advertisement on almost every alternate page. Some of the advertisements are pretty informative while others like the Neutrogena one below looks great.

p.s. I like the design and though the ad tagline is ‘very dry skin has a new way of fighting back’, the first message I get is punching the fats away!