Didn't My Skin Used to Fit?

by Martha Bolton

A lively, entertaining book about middle-age that will prove that laughter and longevity go hand-in-hand.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Womens, Comedy

185 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Bob Hope's first female staff writer, working for the legendary comedian in the 1980s and 1990s. She has received nominations for an Emmy, a Dove, and a WGA Award. The author of 88 books, including her newest, Dear Bob... Bob Hope's Wartime Correspondence with the GIs of WW2, which was awarded the Christian Market Book of the Year and the AWSA Memoir of the Year at the Golden Scrolls 2021. She was also named AWSA Member of the Year for 2021. Martha is also a prolific playwright with shows playing in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Two of the musicals are based on her novels, Josiah for President and The Home Game. Martha has also written for Phyllis Diller and numerous other comedians.

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually had tears in my eyes from laughing. My mom passed this book on to me when I reached fifty. I had a hard time believing the writer was going through all this at forty, but it still was a good way to look at aging. I also liked her inspirational comments.It is true, and funny, and a positive way to look at what happens to us all, as we get older. I am a more glass half full kind of thinker, so I stay pretty positive. Comments like hoping your brown age spots just eventually link together so you looked tan, is just a hoot. There are plenty more. Be thankful, and grateful, and live your life with joy. The alternative isn't very pleasant for anyone. plus keep your sense of humor.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. Maybe I would have found it more relevant in my younger years and maybe I would have found it funnier then, I don't know. I chuckled in a few places and it did have some poignant points that got to me.

Here is a quote to show you the humor in the book.
"You know you're getting old when... getting 'in the groove' means your walker hit a crack in the sidewalk." pg 17

Here is one poignant point...
"Did you know that the emotional wounds we suffer in life can also form adhesions around them? These make it difficult to get through-not impossible, however. God's love can cut through even the toughest scars.
If you've been scarred...chances are you've developed some adhesions to protect that wounded area. These may prevent further injury, but they also keep you from making repairs on the inside. In this second half of your life, maybe it's time to allow God to do what he does best-cut through those adhesions and mend your heart and spirit. The longer you wait the tougher the scars become."pg 155

The other chapter that really got to me was chapter 18 pages 76-79 on Regrets. That was a good chapter but I can't copy the whole thing here.

I read this book because I have had it on my shelf for a while and I needed a book for the Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt –
# 16 - A book with a question in the title

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute. Bolton is kind of a poor man's Erma Bombeck, and while she doesn't quite live up to the master (few do) she holds her own. This light little collection of short (most fewer than 3 pages) comedic essays is a quick read. All the entries focus on aging (although they aren't all about appearance, as the name implies). This is an ideal book for times when you might be easily distracted (say the doctor's office waiting room) and want something that's not too demanding and can be dipped into quickly.

[Bidasari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a feel good book with a reality check on life once you celebrated your 40th birthday that touch on death, aging, memory loss, beauty (sagging skin, wrinkles, etc), making memories, financial, marriage, friendship, sorting out the priorities, etc.

The writting is so on point, simple and yet touch the nerves in the very witty and kind way (reminding but not belittle).

[Andrea Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read from start to finish

Read from start to finish in one sitting. M. Bolton has a wonderful way of pulling you in from the start. Relatable, funny and honest. All in all definitely a great book that will have you not only smiling, buy also fully interested.

[LyndaIn Oregon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun collection of short musings on the foibles of getting older.

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Sunny9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely sense of humor about aging.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and witty book about growing older. The challenges we encouner are treated in an anecdotal way and wth love and humor.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book of funny insights into life for those in their middle ages.

[Jackie Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!

Insightful with laugh out loud moments. Great book on how to view aging. A must read for anyone anxious about getting older.

[84-The_enlightment_of_Doctor_Grace_part5_Jesus]

Didn't My Skin Used to Fit by Martha Bolton is a comical little book about getting older. Bolton takes all the signs of aging {sagging skin, forgetfulness, impatience} and mixes them with her own experiences and advice to get through it. at the end of each chapter there is a quote, sometime funny sometimes meaningful. One quote is "The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it." One of the funnier ones was, "You know you're old when getting in the groove means your walker hit a sidewalk crack." It was a funny book.
This book is about dealing with aging. Sure I'm nowhere near to being a old woman,{I found the book in my grandmother's house} but I enjoyed the book very much. I don't feel so bad about getting old now. Really hysterical, I think I'll recomend it to some of the "not as young as I am" people I now.

[Jamie Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

[b] Didn't My Skin Used to Fit?: Living, Laughing, Loving Life after Forty!Martha Bolton

This was funny and I enjoyed reading it. I'm not quite at the life point of this book but it's nice to know what to expect. And some of it sounds like fun, sort of.

There are some nice bits of wisdom in there too, friends and priorities it's not just a crazy old lady moaning about wrinkles and losing the marbles.

I'm not sure being 100 years old would let you pay off three consecutive mortgages. They don't give mortgages to ten year old people.

The author claims to have a picture of her grandmother over her bed. That seems a bit strange to me...

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are past 40 or not yet there you will find this book most entertaining. Martha Bolton takes growing older with a slab of humor. From hearing lost to becoming my own grandpa this book will leave you laughing not only at yourself but with others that are suffering from the effects of living a long live.
It was a book that I didn't want to put down and didn't want it to end. I will be looking into her other books and hoping for as much levity as possible.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny. She wrote for Phyllis Diller and Bob Hope & her quips are naturally in that style. Seemed very familiar.

You might as well find the humor in aging, it doesn't do any good to fight it.

I had to read this book in small doses, the one-liners got old for me when I read too much at once. Good one to read in doctor's offices though.

[Lidia ZuniReds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me gusto mucho este libro, muy divertido pero sobre todo muy cierto, me hizo reir, me hizo reflexionar pero sobre todo disfrute mucho desde el principio al final.
Recomendable al 100% y se que aun no tengo mas de 40 años pero no me impide leer este agradable libro que me ha gustado bastante.

[Cyn Delia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soild book of little essays about getting older. Some essays were funny and I felt myself nodding in agreement, however there were just as many that fell flat.

[Carolyn Denson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just for fun!!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought this was real cute. An easy read to pass the time while waiting for my husband to have tests run in the hospital. Helped to lift my spirits.

[Larik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilariousness!! i loved it!!! It is so funny that i would meet with my sisters and reread parts of it so they will laugh too. People buy it and you wont regret it.

[Cindi Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and funny look at life as we age……brought a smile to my face and few chuckles as well.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about growing old. Even takes a few pot shots at men. Martha Bolton is a modern day Erma Bombeck.

[Eileen E Cartwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing and so true

I enjoyed this book. It was amusing but contained a lot of truth and wisdom. When I reached the end, I wished it was longer.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the hummer in this book.

[Cynthia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this at all.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a way to help us see the humor and embrace getting older. It's a fun read with many laugh out loud moments.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much, Read a chapter daily with my devotions.

[Traceylee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why

I didn't read to much of it because it just seems stupid. The whole book so I deleted it. Not comical

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too cliche. Most of the writing seems to be repeated tired old sayings. Supposed to be funny but I barely cracked a smile, let alone a laugh.

[Linda G · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok book of short stories. Recommended by Honey.