It Ain't Over... Till It's over: Reinventing Your Life - and Realizing Your Dreams - Anytime, at Any Age

by Marlo Thomas

We’ve heard it all before:
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
“When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”

But anyone who has ever tried to make a big life change knows it can be a bit more complicated — and frightening — than that. How do you get up the nerve and confidence to actually take the leap? No one knows better than the women profiled in this powerful book by actress, activist, and bestselling author Marlo Thomas.

It Ain’t Over... Till It’s Over introduces us to sixty amazing women who are proving that it’s never too late to live out a dream—to launch a business, travel the world, get a PhD, indulge a creative impulse, make a family recipe famous, escape danger, find love, or fill a void in life with a challenging new experience. Meet a graphic artist who fulfilled a childhood ambition by going to med school at age forty-two; a suburban mom whose innovative snack recipe for her daughter’s lunchbox turned into a multimillion-dollar business; a private-practice psychiatrist who convinced her husband that they should quit their jobs and take off on an exciting, open-ended, cross-country adventure—in a giant bus, no less!; and a middle-aged English teacher who, devastated to discover that her husband was cheating on her, refused to be a victim, filed for divorce, and began the challenging journey of rebuilding her life.

Brimming with anecdotes that will inspire smiles, tears, and — most of all — hope, It Ain’t Over speaks to women of all ages with an empowering message: The best is yet to come!

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Business, Inspirational, Adult

400 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Margaret Julia "Marlo" Thomas is an American actress, producer, author, and social activist best known for starring on the sitcom That Girl (1966–1971) and her award-winning children's franchise Free to Be... You and Me.

Thomas serves as National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which was founded by her father Danny Thomas in 1962.

Reviews

[Marta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish two stars didn't seem like an insult-okay really isn't the same as bad. Marlo Thomas' idea to collect inspirational stories from women in their mid-life is an admirable one and the world can probably use more true life stories that inspire hope and optimism. What's missing are practical pull out points or other ways to use the book for learning or reflection. It feels a bit like the diet stories in Self magazine- without the helpful hints side bar. Very pleasant, yet not a lot to hold a reader for 373 pages.

[Lynne Spreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are stories about women who faced difficulty in their lives, sometimes incredibly so, and managed, through grit and resilience, to recreate their reality for the better. Some of the stories are very relatable, some are really more representative of privilege, but all are inspiring. Also, I could read as much or as little as I wanted and walk away feeling like I'd gotten a boost of positive thinking.

[Ellen Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for my honest review.

I loved learning more about the women featured in this book. I found their stories very motivational because after seeing the obstacles that they overcame, it made me feel more confident about overcoming mine. They weren’t rich, famous women. They were everyday people just like you and me – suburban moms, teachers, women who struggled to pay their bills and get ahead. I loved learning more about each woman but probably felt the most connection with the women who had financial limitations. I have lots of dreams but most of them cost money and I feel like that stops me many times. Reading the stories inspired me to search out some alternatives.

If you enjoy motivational, self help books, you will definitely want to read It Ain’t Over … by Marlo Thomas. Of course, an added bonus is that I am a huge fan and it was wonderful to be able to read one of her books.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, invigorating, inspiring stories!! Now to find a niche of renewal for myself some day...

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It Ain't Over...Till It's Over...Reinventing Your Life - and Realizing Your Dreams - Anytime, at Any Age" (2014), edited by Marlo Thomas, is a collection of true stories about women of all ages forced, or inspired, to make dramatic changes in their lives. All of them, despite the odds and challenges, were eventually successful. All of their stories demonstrate the characteristics that determine success, according to Paul Tough, author of "How Children Succeed" like grit, optimism, curiosity, self-control, gratitude, social intelligence, and zest! Their stories were especially inspiring to me as I begin the transition into "retirement," leaving a thirty-six year in education. As these women demonstrate, the possibilities are endless!

The writing here is passable, not great - but it is the stories that are the focus here. I liked the fact that each segment included a photograph of the woman whose story is being told. The fact that I could just read a couple of stories at a time as I had time - nothing pressing here - was also enjoyable. Just what I needed.

Recommended for women who are facing, or looking for, change in their lives.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the kind of book I would typically read, but something about it made me pick it up off the library's "new reads" shelf. The book is very straight forward: dozens of accounts of women who have taken set-backs and turned them into triumph by starting new businesses, going off on new adventures, or giving of themselves in new ways. I found every story inspiring! A lot of these women had every reason to give up and they didn't. Many formed companies I know of or would like to know about.

You can't really dislike That Girl!, although even if you do, she is not "in" this book. Each story is told in a news article format, with an upbeat yet authoritative, journalistic voice.

If you need a shot in the arm, I highly recommend this book.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great thing about this book is that you can pick it up and put it down at any time because the individual stories of the 60 women are each about 5 pages long. Many of these women are of average means who follow their dreams and do things like creating healthy snacks (now sold at Trader Joe's) or follow their passion of painting and become quite successful. I wish some of the photos were directed a little better at each individual's success. That is my only real criticism. The book is very uplifting and I highly recommend it.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a 25 year old female and I still found this book very relatable. It was inspiring, although more so a reminder to all women that it is never too late to follow a dream or make a new one.

I agree that these short stories should be read a little at a time or they all start to sound the same. Also, because they are short they are just the surface of the struggles and successes.

But I read this book for the reminder of what I am capable of. Not a step by step guide of how to be successful. So I enjoyed it for what it was.

A quick, good feeling read.

[Lynetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

BE ENCOURAGED

Too much time is wasted on worrying about outcomes when success lies at the end of action rather than inaction. It Ain't Over is full of warm stories to encourage connecting with our purpose (passion, calling). There is a familiarity in each of the stories to remind us of what is important in life and how much more wonderful life can be be when we are aligned to our purpose, our calling, our passion. After searching the world over, one only has to listen to the summons from within.

[Mina De Caro (Mina's Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Some women are afraid of change. Others thrive on it." A collection of inspirational stories about personal reinvention that was truly worth reading. Read my full review on MINA'S BOOKSHELF http://minadecaro.blogspot.com/2014/0... and MISS A http://askmissa.com/2014/07/10/review...

[Toni Daugherty · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first this book caused me to feel super motivated! Then, story after story, its novelty wore off and I started to disbelieve the successes. Even the non-successes were portrayed through rose-colored glasses which was a bit of a turnoff. I DID love how the author had women in their mid-life which is why the stories warrant a read.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to listen to on audio. It was very inspirational and positive. It reminds us that it is never too late to make a change in your life especially if you have an unfulfilled dream. If I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up I would definitely be out pursuing it now. This book reminds me that it life is full of change and risks and can be rather dull if you don't take them.

[Parri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very inspiring stories of women reinventing themselves. A few stories didn't do much for me, but there were several that I found truly inspiring. Now my wheels are spinning as to how I can stop working for "the man" and create something of my own!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cute vignettes, but I’d rather hear a longer memoir from an individual woman. Not these two-page life summaries. Too many business-y stories… apparently everyone’s inner dream is to start a business?

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter is a different persons story of how they changed their life, pursued a dream, or started a business. Most were well over the age of 40 and some into retirement age. I thought it was very interesting and inspiring.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read a few other compilations by Thomas and really enjoyed them. I expected to like this as well but found it not as interesting and a bit forced. Some of the stories were inspiring but others -- not so much. Not a favorite.

[Tricia]

Skimmed it...inspiring I'm sure, but made me feel a tad inadequate and a bit of a lazybones! Not sure I'd recommend it!

[CathyMW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read all of the inspiring stories. A little bit of how-to would have been helpful, but that doesn't seem to be the aim of the book.

[Katie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to read a little at a time. Like at breakfast each morning. love to hear about women who have made their dreams come true.

[Tori Sodek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the individual stories and loved the fact that I could read one or two each night and feel inspired! Very uplifting.

[Nancy Seamons · Rating 3 out of 5]

a compilation of stories about women who have changed careers later in life.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much substance...just a lot a very quick stories and not really getting into what and how they got motivated to make a change.

[Candy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring, but it should be read in small doses...

[Sarah Ewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring collection of anecdotes by Marlo Thomas. This is required reading for when you get the 'down in the dumps', ' woe is me' days. The best is yet to come...

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. I really enjoyed it.

[Diana Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motivating

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great inspiration for those craving to start all over, and just a feel good read.

[Kyna Lenhof · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need to read a book about inspiring stories. This was one of those times.

[Quiltyknitwit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting short stories of middle-aged women who made career changes.

[H. Dair Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring, as expected!