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I’ve always wanted to learn how to be a grown-up. I mess stuff up all the time. How do I file my taxes? How should I decorate my living room? Can I put tacos in my purse? When I saw this title from Kelly Williams Brown, I knew this would have (some of) the answers to my questions. It delivered sound and humorous advice on my initial questions plus 465 more. Here is my Adulting book review.
Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps Summary
Full title: Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps (published in 2013)
Actually, there is an UPDATED edition that adds 67 useful steps == Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 468 535 Easy(ish) Steps (published in 2018)
Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown is a humorous, practical guide for young adults navigating the transition into adulthood. The book is divided into easily digestible steps, ranging from basic life skills to handling more complex emotional and social situations.
“Adulting” Key Themes and Content:
- Household Management: domestic tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and maintaining a functional living space.
- Financial Responsibility: financial basics, such as budgeting, paying bills on time, saving money, and understanding taxes.
- Career and Professionalism: advice on finding a job, writing resumes, acing job interviews, and navigating workplace dynamics.
- Social Etiquette: advice on common social situations like how to make new friends, handle difficult conversations, and behave appropriately in professional settings.
- Emotional Health: mental and emotional well-being, including tips on self-care, managing stress, and dealing with failure.
“Adulting” Tone and Style:
Adulting is delivered in a light, witty tone. Brown offers her guidance with empathy and humor, helping readers (presumably young adults) feel less overwhelmed by the complexities of adult life.
Who is Kelly Williams Brown?
Kelly Williams Brown is an American author and journalist best known for her books Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps (you know, the one you are reading about) and Gracious: A Practical Primer on Charm, Tact, and Unsinkable Strength. She gained widespread recognition for Adulting, which humorously guides young adults through the challenges of transitioning into adulthood.
Brown has written for various media outlets, including The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, and The Washington Post. Her writing often focuses on topics such as personal growth, social etiquette, and navigating life’s complexities. She has also spoken on themes related to adulthood, mental health, and personal development.
Her work resonates particularly with millennials, offering practical advice delivered in a humorous and relatable style. She continues to be a voice for those finding their way through the often-confusing world of adult responsibilities and social norms.
Who invented the word “Adulting”?
Apparently, Kelly Williams Brown first coined the phrase “Adulting” via this book! Wikipedia says so, therefore it must be true. Remember, Adulting is a verb.
Now onto the rating! My Adulting book review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 2/5
I debated this one. This book contains lots of useful information that could benefit a young person entering adulthood. I would recommend it to my daughters, who are on the verge of full-blown adulthood. However, there are some of the 468 steps that cover decidedly “non-wholesome” topics. Like steps 336-346 that explore “Hookup Etiquette”. Perhaps useful advice, but it doesn’t meet my arbitrary criteria for wholesomeness. Also, plenty of swears, which automatically impact my wholesomeness score.
Hilarity Score: 4/5
Hilarious quotes and quips galore. Brown’s “Adulting” book covers some deep, serious topics. But most of the 468 steps are infused with serious humor. Kelly Williams Brown is darn funny. Some examples below:
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 4/5
This book was a super easy, entertaining and enlightening read. It was easy to consume in bite-sized chunks. Despite the apparent 20-something, single female target demographic, “Adulting” has wide appeal. And it’s just darn funny.
Things I liked:
- Lists! I like lists. Grocery lists, all-time MLB home run leader lists, etc.
- easy-to-consume in bite-sized chunks. Just pick up where you left off in the list of easy(ish) steps
- graphs, charts, drawings and even recipes to break up the text
Things I didn’t like:
- The advice was from a perspective of a 20-something, single woman. I am not those things. Great advice throughout. However, the content didn’t always resonate with me as an old, married, father of 3 who doesn’t shave his legs. OK, mostly I’m embarrassed that this single, 20-something apparently has a much better handle on adulting than I do.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts on “Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps”
This was the finest Adulting novel I have ever read. Maybe not so much a novel, as it was a handbook on how to tackle adulthood with confidence and grace. This would make a great gift for a high school or college graduate. As long as you include a caveat that you don’t endorse “hooking up” nor the etiquette thereof.
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