Reviewed by:  Angie Knight, wife and mom in Upland, Indiana, and an active freelance writer

Introduction

Title: Journey to 50: How to Live with Gratitude, Grace, and the Effects of Gravity

Author: Laurie Russell

Publisher: Elevate Faith

Publication Date: 2016

Format: Hardbound, Paperback, and Ebook

Length: 259 pages

OVERVIEW

The 14 chapters of this book are divided into five sections: Overwhelmed No More; Open Relationships; Optimal Health; Organic Faith; and Outrageous Fun. The book is targeted at women in their forties and fifties, acknowledging that this age group faces unique issues. Russell tells of her personal challenges and experiences as they relate to parenting, assisting aging parents, dealing with personal physical struggles, coming to term with serious doubts, and navigating future plans. Russell competed in Iron Man events for several years, so some of her information relates to the importance of exercising for strength, not just for cardio development. She also provides information from other experts in the areas of health, exercise, psychology, and theology.

The fifth section offers sincere words of encouragement, as well as pragmatic tips and ideas on how to brainstorm about ways to make a brighter future and how to create a roadmap for reaching worthy goals. Russell nudges readers to create a bucket list and to pursue it.  Spiritually, the book offers biblical guidance throughout. She tells women in section four, “The number 1 weapon used against us is not believing in ourselves, but a woman walking in God’s strength can do anything.”

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

4 stars

Suggested Audience

Females, ages 40 – 60

Christian Impact

Many books write of female empowerment and ability, but this one is different. It celebrates female strengths by showing where the strength really comes from.

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