"Lythcott-Haims speaks frankly but respectfully to her readers, sharing many of her own gaffs, struggles, and successes. As a Black, biracial, and queer woman, she has faced many of the challenges faced by her audience, and she takes on complicated issues, including those pertaining to gender, sexuality, and culture.... For Lythcott-Haims, success is about fulfillment, not money. With direct, encouraging, and heartfelt advice, Lythcott-Haims covers a lot of sensitive, relevant, and crucial territory."
—Booklist (starred review)
“Refreshingly, Lythcott-Haims avoids talking down to readers and instead connects through vulnerability. . . . Those overwhelmed by the demands of adulthood would do well to check this out.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Lythcott-Haims’s conversational prose and can-do energy will entice readers . . . emerging with a greater sense of what adulting means and how to proceed with confidence and enthusiasm.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Age comes naturally. Not being an adult. Your Turn eases the painful adulting struggle. Julie Lythcott-Haims is patient, vulnerable, incisive, and encouraging. She once landed our parents’ helicopters. Your Turn now clears a path to adulthood for us. Let’s take it.”
—Ibram X. Kendi, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist
“Julie Lythcott-Haims has long been one of America’s finest minds and fiercest voices. Now, with this remarkable book, she establishes herself as something else: the mentor our young people deserve. Your Turn is simultaneously electrifying and reassuring—a jaw-dropping, spine-tingling work that will change many lives.”
—Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When, Drive, and A Whole New Mind
“They say there’s no manual for being a grown-up, but former Stanford dean Julie Lythcott-Haims has finally created one—and it’s a must-read. Your Turn is the compassionate, candid, comprehensive guide every young adult needs to navigate smoothly through the world, covering everything from jobs and finances to relationships and emotional health. Julie is part therapist, part tell-it-like-it-is wise older friend whose wisdom will benefit anyone who’s trying to figure out this thing we call life—which is to say, everyone.”
—Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
“This is the one book you need to read if you’re ready to take up the challenge of becoming your true and vital adult self. It is filled with great stories of people just like you, told by a master storyteller. We need more adults in the world and it really is Your Turn.”
—Bill Burnett, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Designing Your Life and Designing Your Work Life
“As a wise person once said, 'Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.' In all the discussions and debates about the challenges faced by young people today, too little effort has been spent helping them feel empowered, excited, and ready for the challenges of adult life. Julie Lythcott-Haims, after her parenting masterpiece How to Raise An Adult, has turned her skill and wisdom into a guide for living a fulfilling, rich, and meaningful life.”
—Greg Lukianoff, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Coddling of the American Mind
2021-01-27
Constructive techniques to help young adults transition into productive grown-ups.
As any adult will tell you, becoming an adult involves so much more than just reaching a certain age. It also requires flexibility, problem-solving skills, and the ability to handle difficult situations without panicking or running to your parents for help. “Adulting can’t be boiled down to ten tips or even a thousand,” writes Lythcott-Haims in this natural follow-up to How To Raise an Adult. “Being an adult is a state of mind that ignites the ‘doing’ that ends up forging your adult self. It’s part wanting to, part having to, and part learning how. The hardest part is that because it’s happening in your own mind you pretty much do it by yourself.” Thankfully, the author, a former Stanford dean of freshman and mother of “two itinerant young adults,” is equipped with a wide-ranging collection of concepts that will make young adults feel like they are not alone in the process. She uses her own life situations as well as examples from people she’s interviewed to help convey the specific message expressed in each chapter. Topics include figuring out how to fend for yourself, developing a good character, learning how to handle your finances (invest early!), and maintaining a healthy body and mind. Regarding the latter, the author delves into mindfulness and the importance of being both grateful and kind, two attributes more necessary now than ever. Although the book is overlong and doesn’t present any groundbreaking discoveries, the author brings fresh, invigorating energy to her mostly common-sense information. Her conversational prose and can-do attitude will entice readers to make it to the end of this lengthy book, emerging with a greater sense of what adulting means and how to proceed with confidence and enthusiasm.
The author’s sensible advice and friendly tone will help many young readers grow into mature, responsible adults.