If I'd Known Then: Women in Their 20s and 30s Write Letters to Their Younger Selves

The by-product of a good book is one that keeps you thinking of the subject long after you finish. "If I'd Known Then" does that by stimulating the inner conversation we all need to have with ourselves. The everyday wisdom you'll find solicits the reminders we all need to constantly remember - about life and love, success and failure. It's not about the book, but about what you do with it. And since you'll get out of it what you put into it, I suggest you take the author quite literally and encourage the young women in your life to write a letter to themselves. They'll wish they had and be glad they did.

There are few things in life that can transend everyday distractions long enough to actually inspire me - but this book did. As a 30 year old myself, I felt a mirrored twinge of heartbreak, longing, confusion and self exploration that is written so poignantly by these women. I recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants a little reminder of how you became who you are today.

This wonderful book is a series of letters from smart, successful, accomplished women (some bona fide stars) in their 20s and 30s who are writing letters of advice to themselves at a younger age--often during their middle or high school years. Who knew that Sasha Cohen or Jessica Alba or Danica McKellar ever had a moment of insecurity or disappointment or feelings of utter failure? The letters are brave and honest and inspiring. As a mother of girl who is about to be a teenager, I look forward to sharing this book with my daughter- in the hope that the sense of perspective these woman have on those years will help her grow up strong and happy.

This is a lovely book - readable, touching, and insightful. The letters from young women (young to me, anyway!) to their younger selves are surprisingly wise. Ellyn Spragins has managed to create a cohesive style even while making sure the individual voices of these very different women come through loud and clear. This book is a wonderful read for women and men, old, young and middle-aged.

If I'd Known Then is a perfect addition to the What I Know Now series. While advice may come from 20 and 30 year old women, their words of wisdom are universal: they show no age or gender boundaries. As an undergraduate I chose to share some of the stories with my graduating peers. These friends of mine have been very worried about graduating college and insecure as to what comes next. After reading these stories aloud to them we laughed, cried, and realized that there is no pressure to discover the answers. Without outwardly giving advice (this is what you should do), If I'd Known Then helps you reach your own personal conclusions. This is the kind of book that makes you want to think, reflect, and most importantly grow. The book is a remarkable achievement and will undoubtedly impact readers for a long time.