the book
Her writing does what a heartbreakingly beautiful photograph does to my insides. It’s hard to use words in the way she does, so seemingly out of balance at times, yet always joined and cohesive. It gets past the act of reading very quickly and becomes a soaking-in. A quiet intrusion of healing to the brain that has shut down any offers of sage advice.
-Carrie Evans
Great read that breeds reflection. This book makes you stop and think about life…your life. It’s filled with anecdotes that are relatable and cause you to reflect on things happening around you. One of my favorites is about how everyone, even your manicurist, needs to pick up a gallon of milk on their way home. It’s a book that can be enjoyed piece by piece or as a whole. I recommend it to everyone…not just those that are “pre” middle aged.
-M. King
Loved it. This was one of those books I read cover to cover in one evening, without putting it down even for a minute. I love a good book like that; there are only a handful of books that have done that “I can’t stop reading!” thing for me in my pre-middle age life.
The book is so good (in my opinion) for many reasons: It’s honest, relatable, funny, thoughtful, endearing and heartfelt. Very few books capture such an authentic spectrum of this present time in life: the joy of rental car awareness, electricity… (or sometimes, the lack thereof) yet capturing something sweet we all wish more people held onto of the past (saying “Good day” or holding the door- for anyone).
I know I will reread this book several times along my journey through life, I thank Ms Cole Harmonson for publishing her journey for all of us to share in, learn from and remember.
I hope for a part two of this book.
-A. Maida
Inspirational. From Pre Middle Age: “I want to hear your words. I’m sorry for all the times and years someone rushed you. So very sorry for the years you lost in turning your life into bullet points and sound bites feeling as if you had five minutes or 15 seconds to run down the deep furrowed worries of your heart and your brain and your soul. Your words matter. The big ones and the small ones and the ones you say loud and the ones you say soft and especially the ones you say gasping for breath through muffled tears. You don’t have to muffle them. Well, you’re going to make a scene, but I’m okay with scenes.”
Reading this book was like sitting down in a comfortable overstuffed chair, warm drink in hand, and chatting with someone you felt you’ve known forever. Here is a woman sharing her all with us; how can we not be captivated? Her thoughts are like juicy pieces of pastry that melt in your mouth, but contain a subtle substance that satisfies as only pure knowledge can.
Cole is the type of writer, dreamer, life-liver who makes another want to rise to the occasion, full of their own creativity and love of life and strive to be present for whatever may be coming around the corner.
When I finished reading this book, I felt a bit better about being a divorced 41-year-old woman. I felt inspired. Incredibly inspired. Let’s see what I can do with this energy. I hope everyone else who reads this book finds themselves feeling the same way.
Thank you Cole. Thank you for inspiring and challenging me by sharing yourself with us.
-D. Gray
Perusing the inevitable. I’m a dude. And I’m a dude who has little tolerance for things like Sex and the City and anyone who says “you go girl.” So I was admittedly reluctant to delve into Pre Middle Age.
But I’m thrilled that I did.
Is it a guy’s book? No. But it really isn’t a girl’s book either. The general theme (as the title hints) is the acceptance of inevitable realities and the relishing of the beauty that lies within them. I don’t agree with everything that Harmonson says—but I appreciate her slant and think that we could all benefit from taking it occasionally.
A great triumph for a first-time author. I look forward to a follow-up.
-I. McFarland
Amazingly Wonderful. I am a pre-middle age kind of gal and I laughed with Cole, cried with Cole and even stopped and thought with Cole. Her book made me appreciate the smaller things in life and made me more aware of what we have and don’t have. I will probably reread this book over and over just to experience the joy that I felt when reading about her life.
The museum will always be a better place to me now that Cole has described it in her book. Thanks for that…
-C. Thomas
