Midlife Bites

A smart, personal, darkly funny examination of what it's like to be at the crossroads of a midlife crisis, from the New York Times bestselling author of People I Want to Punch in the Throat.

Jen Mann had what appeared to be the perfect life: a successful career as a bestselling author and award-winning blogger, a devoted husband, teenage kids who weren't total jerks, and a badass minivan. So imagine her surprise when, at forty-seven years old, a midlife crisis kicked her straight in the ladybits.

In an attempt to deal with the resulting range of emotions and physical changes in midlife, Jen posted a completely honest now-viral post, "Anyone Else Falling Apart Or Is It Just Me?" The response was instantaneous and overwhelming. Women from all over the country flooded the comments section, glad to see they weren't the only ones experiencing this feeling of isolation and dissatisfaction. It was the beginning of a movement. Midlife Bites encompasses these important conversations and observations and creates a space for women to navigate through this major point in their lives together, offering valuable insights and takeaways.

Jen shares her own story as well as advice and wisdom from the online community she built. Please note, this is not your mother's midlife crisis. Different from the typical self-help author, Jen tackles everything that bites about midlife, and nothing is off-limits with her no-nonsense approach. Subjects include: raging hormones; sex (after forty); finding your purpose; learning to make new friends (yes, even as a grown-up); moving out of your comfort zone; having conversations that count, no more small talk; and how to deal with rogue chin hairs (and other nuisances).

Midlife Bites is Jen Mann's call to action. She is leading the movement to create a new space where middle-aged women can share openly and honestly with one another. This no-BS collection of essays will help start the conversation and keep it going, because as women, we all have a right to be happy, fulfilled, and whole, no matter what stage of life.
“One part instruction manual (or maybe destruction manual?), one part group therapy, and all kinds of hilarious, Midlife Bites made the prospect of hitting my mid-forties seem a lot more manageable and a lot less mystifying. Jen Mann is leading the midlife revolution, and I am so here for it!”—Sarah Knight, New York Times bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck

“Raw, hilarious, and liberating . . . Jen Mann has a way of showing us that despite our gray hair, soft middles, and boring marriages, we’re actually entering the best part of our lives. It’s good to know we’re not alone.”—Karen Alpert, New York Times bestselling author of I Heart My Little A-Holes

“Thank you, Jen Mann, for writing the manual on middle-age in the most authentic, relatable way ever. I inhaled this book in one sitting. Jen’s writing is fresh, funny, fearless, and fantastic. Midlife Bites is more than a book. It’s a movement, a must-read for anyone over forty. This should become the gift all girlfriends give one another. Thanks, Jen, for making me feel less alone, entertaining me, and telling it like it is. Preach!”—Zibby Owens, host of the award-winning podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books

“A rollicking, free-flowing collection of joyful, fierce wisdom from Jen Mann, a writer known for not pulling any punches.”—KJ Dell’Antonia, New York Times bestselling author of The Chicken Sisters