The Middle Matters

Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You

By: Lisa-Jo Baker

Narrated by: Lisa-Jo Baker

The best-selling author of Never Unfriended opens up about midlife and what it feels like to have outgrown those teenage jeans - but finally grown into the shape of our souls.

“I want to give Lisa-Jo’s book a standing ovation.” (Aarti Sequeira, chef and TV personality)

Do you ever wonder how you woke up one day with all the responsibilities of a grown-up who secretly enjoys buying groceries in bulk, can no longer recognize the tween celebrities on the magazines at checkout, but is still surprised when a Starbucks barista calls you “ma’am” - because your inside self is frozen in time to about 20 years ago? So does Lisa-Jo Baker.

In these intimate reflections on midlife, Lisa-Jo invites us to get a good look at our middles and gives us permission to embrace them - beyond what the media, the mirror, or the magazines say. Through gutsy, beautiful storytelling, she admits out loud what most of us are thinking about marriage, parenting, the bathroom scale, and how badly we all want to buy those matching Magnolia Market mugs. Her delicious stories come from not being afraid of who she is, because Lisa-Jo knows that the middle might be the best part of the love story of life, kids, faith, doubt, marriage, failure, wonder, and the muffin top - and that these are all good things. She’s not asking you to seize the day, just to make sure you actually see it for all its wildly ordinary glory. Welcome to the middle!

Praise for The Middle Matters

“What a thought-provoking collection of reflections and wisdom! Through personal stories about love, loss, and life in the middle, Lisa-Jo invites us to take a long look inside our own mind’s secret nooks and crannies, which aren’t nearly as dark, scary, or ordinary as we might think.” (Layla Palmer, The Lettered Cottage blog)

“With captivating wit, hard-won wisdom, and breathtaking honesty, Lisa-Jo has written a love letter to the delicious middle.” (Mandy Arioto, president and CEO of MOPS International and author of Have More Fun)

“With Lisa-Jo’s guts as our unfettered guide, may we finally learn the sumptuous truth of our years: that a grilled cheese sandwich without the middle is just toast.” (Erin Loechner, founder of OtherGoose and author of Chasing Slow)

“Thank you, Lisa-Jo, for reminding women everywhere how important it is to find meaning in the midst of the confusing middle.” (Joy Prouty, artist and educator)

©2019 Lisa-Jo Baker (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“I want to give Lisa-Jo’s book a standing ovation because it’s exactly what’s needed for this particular time, when our ‘ordinary’ lives seem so unextraordinary compared to what we see or hear on our phones. I’m beginning to embrace my middle, physically and metaphorically, and I’m finding the most extraordinary thing: The freedom and the joy I thought was missing in my life? It was there all along.” (Aarti Sequeira, chef, TV personality, journalist and author)

“What a thought-provoking collection of reflections and wisdom! Through personal stories about love, loss, and life in the middle, Lisa-Jo invites us to take a long look inside our own mind’s secret nooks and crannies, which aren’t nearly as dark, scary, or ordinary as we might think. Chapter after chapter, I absorbed the powerful reminder that ‘there’s a rich inheritance waiting for us to claim if only we could get over ourselves and get fully on board with the delight of championing what God is doing’ in our lives - even in our forties!” (Layla Palmer, The Lettered Cottage blog)

“No one writes about motherhood, marriage, and life as Lisa-Jo Baker does. Whether you are entering the middle, are in it, or are beyond it, you’ll find not only yourself in this book but wisdom and encouragement. The Middle Matters is a vulnerable, compelling read that I want to gift to every friend I know.” (Jessica Turner, best-selling author of The Fringe Hours and Stretched Too Thin)

Encouraging

Such an encouraging read for the push-and-pull stage of mid-life. It gave me a little more wind in my sails.

perfect for moms in the middle

this was a great story of encouragement and truthfulness. highly recommend to other moms in their 40s or the middle.

Loved and needed this!

Thanks Lisa Jo for speaking to me where I am. . . . . .

The true stories of a woman

This was a very meaningful book to read. So many of the stories I identified with, as this is where I am in life right now. I appreciate Lisa-Jo’s ability to tell amazing stories with simplicity and depth at the same time. I was encouraged, challenged, humored, and many more emotions scattered throughout the book. For any woman walking this life with family, trying to follow, Jesus, navigating the ups and downs. This is a great read.

Love

Honesty, love and real life. Lisa Jo Baker is very refreshing. I love how relationships are very important to her and I want them to be to me. Friendships, family, spouse, etc

Religious book in disguise

was not clear from description how much religious parts will be in this book. It seems like it's a book about inspiration for life in general but it had a lot of religious elements that were not right for me and I wouldn't buy it if it were clearer...

Not for me

This really seemed like the perfect book for the time I am in my life. After listening to books by Rachel Hollis and Bob Goff, this seemed to line up just right. I’m pushing myself to get through it because I don’t like wasting my credits and giving up. I’m just not a fan of the dramatic, wordy, artful (I can’t think of the right word) way this book is written and vocalized. It just seems a little too fluffy and pretentious. It’s just too unrealistic and cheesy for me. I’d like to say that I would like to see the world as she describes that she does, but I don’t even believe she does. Perhaps if I read the book, instead of listening to it, I might enjoy it a little more (this lovely voice is better suited for a Shakespeare reading....just not for me.)
I believe the overall message is good, so I really don’t want to give a terrible review. I’m a couple of chapters in and can only picture a beautiful woman with the perfect life, who “just wants to lose that last 5lbs to get into her size 2 jeans” who says and does the perfect things with her children, and she’s surrounded by lots of wonderful, perfect, loving, friends and family. That’s a beautiful thing, but, quite frankly, a boring listen, and not relatable to me.
Please note: I am not a negative person, but I’m trying to write a review that I would’ve appreciated reading before I Purchased this audiobook

Good performance but no content.

No substantive content. Only repeat and repeat the author's feelings. Good for emotional persons but not for someone who looks for something that can be learned.