I can’t believe I waited so long to read this! As a middle age woman, this book truly hit home in so many ways. Well written, tearful at times, laugh out loud funny at others, this is a must read for any women, regardless of her age.

As I spent time in airports and on planes, I was able to read uninterrupted. First up was Kristin van Ogtrop's memoir Did I Say That Out Loud-Midlife Indignities and How to Survive Them. Ogtrop, was the former editor of Real Simple magazine, and her essays on such things as her climb up the corporate ladder from joy to agony as magazines folded up publication, to the time she nearly died from accidentally swallowing a plastic fork tine, to the vacation home her family bought with her sister's family will have you laughing and crying. It makes a good pairing with Sara Arnell's midlife crisis book from a few weeks ago, There Will Be Lobster. While I've been reading books about midlife crisis, I don't think I'm in one. (right?)

I thought this book was very apropo for women in midlife. Ogtrop hits all the right notes that women 40+ can identify with. You can read the review and interview I did with Ogtrop on my blog.

This took me way too long to get through but only due to my lack of reading time. I really enjoyed this book. The reader is treated to stories about aging, parenting, jobs and just life. I found her writing funny and entertaining, even the parts about children (that I don't usually relate to). I would definitely pick up another book from this author.

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Did I Say That Out Loud?' is a collection of funny and timely reflections of Kristin van Ogtrop's life. I've been a fan of hers since she was the editor-in-chief of my still favorite magazine, 'Real Simple.' I've also loved her first book 'Just Let Me Lie Down: Necessary Terms for the Half-Insane Working Mom.' As a 49 year old with a young spirit, I'm continually shocked when my mind and body are moving right along biologically. 'Did I Say That Out Loud?' validated my thoughts that being in the 'middle place' as a woman is simultaneously stressful and freeing. As a mother and step-mother to 7 children between the ages of 17-25, I especially related to the chapter 'My Fratermily,' comparing her family home to a fraternity house. This book will remind you that you're not alone as a (gulp) 'middle-aged' mom just trying to keep yourself, your house and your family in forward motion.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

This is an enjoyable memoir-ish book, really more a collection of mostly humorous autobiographical essays. Basically, it’s written in the style of some of today’s comedic celebrity memoirs, except written by a non-celebrity (though she is the former editor of Real Simple magazine). It touches on everything from parenting to working to family to friendship to pets to mid-life to modern technology and more. It’s very relatable, and even the parts I couldn’t personally relate to were enjoyable to read about, a book that is both funny and poignant. I literally both laughed out loud and cried reading this book, nodded my head in recognition at certain things and felt a lump in my throat about some of the things that were on the horizon for me, like having slightly older kids and parents. I picked this one up because I heard the author was a fellow member of one of my favorite places on the internet, Peloton Moms Book Club, and I’m glad I did.

I enjoyed this candid insightful book. Kristin’s humorous anecdotes and from-the-heart thoughts on family and how the passage of time has changed her made me reflective and nostalgic at times as I identify with similar situations. I enjoyed the flow of Kristin’s words and writing style.

My affections have varied widely over the years—from Matthew McConaughey, to my major journalism-nerd fangirling over Van Ogtrop’s weekly column as the editor in chief of Real Simple magazine. I even planned an entire hall theme around the concept of Real Simple using their magazine template one year as a resident assistant in college. 😂 I was thrilled to be receive an e-arc of her book, and I have had so much fun reading her writing again!

I loved reading her columns so much, and it’s been so fun to get to enjoy her writing again. She has a great sense of humor and is refreshingly authentic. I somehow never read her first book, Just Let Me Lie Down: Necessary Terms for the Half-Insane Working Mom (not surprising since it was published just as I was beginning the challenge of being a working mom myself) but I’m eager to read it now too. I loved the vignettes she includes in each chapter. This would be a perfect gift for your friend with teenage/college-age children or just anyone struggling with the challenges and the blessings of middle age. She writes with such a wonderful mix of poignancy and humor.

Reading this book has brought back all the joys of my magazine reading days!

I was given a copy of this book to review in exchange for an honest review. I was interested in the book because of the title "Did I Say That Out Loud" - a phrase I often use these days. The book is a series of essays that range from mildly interesting to laugh out loud hilarious to extremely poignant. I can relate to her essays because I am a woman who is in mid-life and what grabbed me very early on is when she said this "who looks at the indignities of midlife - sleepness nights, elderly parents, a house full of crap you no longer need, not knowing how to dress, adultish children who persist in finding new ways to worry you..." The essays that follow cover these and more -- with some of my favorites being the listing of all the things you think about at 2:07 am when you can't sleep, boredom and lack of purpose with careers we are in that used to give us energy, difficulty of finding friends as we get older, aging parents, among others. I felt like I could really relate to the author's stories and had a hard time putting this book down. Reading it was like settling into a conversation with a friend who has interesting stories and understands you too. I recommend this book.

Enjoyable. Relatable. Poignant. I miss KVO at the helm of Real Simple. Thank you to Little, Brown and Company, Kristin Van Ogtrop, and Net Galley for the ARC! #didisaythatoutloud #netgalley

Reading a book on how to deal with the indignities of middle age for me is sort of akin to locking the barn door after the horse is out (I just celebrated, or more accurately, bemoaned, my 80th birthday). But curiosity got the better of me: Were my experiences similar to the author's? If not, how (and maybe why) were they different? Besides that, the book description included the word "hilarious." Far be it from me to pass up a chance to laugh - even if it's at myself.

And chuckle I did - sometimes out loud - and not infrequently (nor insignificantly) I was reminded of one of my all-time favorite writers, the late, great Erma Bombeck (a longtime syndicated newspaper columnist and best-selling book author who wrote very funny things about suburban home life). And for sure, I could identify with much of the author's experiences and insights; one that stood out in particular is being a very competent person - especially at work - but clueless about operating a TV remote. I've been saying for a couple of years now that should anything happen to my husband of nearly 60 years, I'd need help with just two things: How to work at least one of our five TV remotes and how to pump my own gas.

Still other points - like the dubious ability to break a toenail at the drop of a hat - are intimately familiar as well. For me, though, it's the whole toe - which comes as a result of refusing to wear shoes indoors (or outdoors, every time I can get away with it). Not a year goes by that something - like an errant bedpost - jumps out to nail one of my toes.

My favorite section, though, came at the end in the form of cautionary lists. Most are spot-on and yes, I've been there. Still, I couldn't resist adding a couple of personal notes that come from living a good 30 years longer than the author, to-wit:

Things that are annoying but unavoidable: Needing reading glasses to make dinner. Yep - or if, like me, you've worn glasses for many years, you'll suddenly need bifocals. And then, somewhere between age 50 and 70, you'll develop cataracts that render all types of lenses ineffective. On the plus side, cataract surgery can for many people, including me, mean you won't need glasses at all. How long that lasts, of course, remains to be seen: Stay tuned.

Things that aren't worth it: Trying to open clamshell packaging without using scissors. I second that (with painful cuts to prove it) and add that I've lost count of the number of fingernails I've broken a fingernail trying to open any cardboard packaging before I see the spot designated "Open Here." So keep the scissors handy as well as your glasses (unless you've had cataract surgery).

Things that will always be confusing: How sometimes leaves on a plant turn yellow because you're underwatering and other times because you're overwatering. By the time you're my age, you stop caring. I just water mine every six months whether they need it or not; yellow leaves simply mean they better match my kitchen walls. Brown is quite another matter and kind of fun; I get to toss the whole plant and start again.

Things you learn along the way: Eventually you will have too many scented candles. Also knick knacks, frayed dish towels long since relegated to cleaning rag status, sheets that don't fit any bed in the house, plastic shopping bags stuffed with dozens of other plastic shopping bags and, with a tip of the hat to the COVID-19 pandemic, toilet paper. Don't believe me? Just ask our daughter, who grows more concerned every week about how she'll get rid of all that stuff when I'm gone.

All told, this is a delightful and entertaining book that I don't hesitate to recommend to all ages. Mid-lifers can commiserate (boy, how you'll commiserate), while spring chickens can learn what to expect and seniors like me can have the satisfaction that comes from saying honey, you ain't seen nuthin' yet. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a pre-release copy to read and review. Well done!

I enjoyed these essays life experiences from beginning to the end.I related to the author laughed commiserated band understood situations she found herself in. I read this in a few days at times laughing bout loud,#netgalley#randomhouse

“So let’s just feel happy to be here. To cry sometimes, when the occasion calls for it, but to laugh as often as we can—that is enough.”

DID I SAY THAT OUT LOUD? is a collection of essays by @kvanogtrop , former editor-in-chief of Real Simple magazine. I sat down with this book over the weekend and finished it in just a couple of sittings because it was so relatable, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud funny. my absolute favorite essays were the ones on friendship, marriage, and aging parents, but the entire book felt like a couple of hours with a friend in delightful conversation. and isn’t that what we all really need right about now? Recommending this one to anyone who enjoys non fiction essay collections! This one will touch readers of all seasons of life and ages.

This was more enjoyable and humorous than I thought it was going to be. I am very glad this was not a preachy self help book but a collection of true stories and hilarious, witty, brutally honest insights. This gave me a much needed laugh. A little long but it did not bother me because it reads fast.

Highly recommended for anyone who needs a laugh during the coronavirus pandemic.

Thanks to Netgalley, Kristin von Ogtrop and Little Brown & Company for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 4/13/21

Thank you #Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this hilarious book! I laughed so much that I was annoying to my husband in bed beside me. It was the perfect last book of 2020 to read - don't we all need a lift? I love a book in which the author brings up mundane things about life and points out how funny they are. Life is funnier than I realized, and I'm grateful to Kristin van Ogtrop for pointing out so many things to laugh about. It's a book that will appeal most to women in their 50's and 60's, especially those who have raised children, have dogs, and aging parents whom they love. Definitely buying for my library.