Life Expectancy

by Rachael Maddux

The Year of Magical Thinking meets Ladybird in this millennial coming-of-age memoir, a wry rumination on growing up mortal in the American South at the turn of the 21st century, obsessed with the question of how to live when you know you're going to die. For fans of Sloane Crosley's Grief Is for People and Maggie O'Farrell's I Am, I Am, I Am.

Advance praise:

“Life Expectancy is a memoir of regular life, but in Rachael Maddux's hands, the pedestrian becomes extraordinary, the personal becomes expansive, and existential dread coexists with agile wit. The care with which she writes about her younger self is so abundant — an invitation to see our past selves in all their foolishness and glory, to love them despite and because. Life Expectancy is an intimate, tender book — never sentimental — and an absolute joy to read.”
—Jaime Green, author of The Possibility of Life: Science, Imagination, and Our Quest for Kinship in the Cosmos

“Very few people are capable of expressing the central confusion of existence with the grace, humor, smarts, and elegance of Rachael Maddux. It’s a terrible cliché to say her writing makes me feel less alone, but it does—she’s warm but frank, a voice to follow and cherish. I’m so glad she’s written this book.”
—Amanda Petrusich, author of Do Not Sell at Any Price

“Rachael Maddux writes with tremendous heart, candor, and warmth. Processing grief, heartbreak, and existential anxiety alongside her feels like having a long talk with a friend—communing, commiserating, cracking dark jokes, closing down the bar."
—Anna Wiener, author of Uncanny Valley

Genres: Nonfiction

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 24, 2026

About the author

Rachael Maddux is a writer and editor living in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Chiara Bammert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Rachael Maddux for providing me with an advance copy of Life Expectancy.

I was first drawn to this book by its beautiful cover, and I stayed for the brilliant story inside. I devoured this memoir in just one day, something I absolutely did not expect. Maddux tells her coming-of-age story while weaving in the theme of death and her anxieties surrounding it throughout. I found this approach both fascinating and innovative, something I have never encountered before.

In many passages about her anxiety, constant overthinking, and the dread of confronting mortality, I saw so much of myself reflected. In a strange but comforting way, it helped me feel less alone with these thoughts. It also highlighted how our daily exposure to frightening news in today’s world only intensifies these fears.

I also really enjoyed the dry humor woven throughout. There were several moments that genuinely made me laugh out loud, and even more moments where Maddux’s beautiful writing made me sob. As someone who is not religious, I did struggle a bit to connect with the sections discussing her religious influences, but I think many readers will relate to them.

Overall, I really appreciated this book and will definitely keep an eye out for more from Rachael Maddux in the future.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Maddux for an advanced readers copy!

I so enjoyed meandering through Maddux’s mind in her memoir. She has such voice throughout the story through her dry humor and how intimately we get to know her family and friends. I audibly laughed many times, but mostly at, “I had a pony tail and she had a bowl cut and our primary shared interest was suffering”. Maddux seamlessly weaved relatability and morbidity and each story all had such character. Her memoir reads like a friend’s journal or letter, and she made an overarching morbid topic digestible.

[Polly Jenefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, 10/10 for the stunning cover art ✨

I feel odd rating memoirs as I think many of us do, rounded this up from a 3.75⭐️

I too have always had/ have death on my mind so when I saw the title and read the synopsis I was very intrigued.
This is a memoir where Maddux uses her experiences with death as the central theme taking us on her journey from childhood to adulthood.

My favourite chapters were those on girlhood/ coming of age and travel/ nature musings. I related heavily to Maddux's pondering, the questions she asked herself that no one around her seemed concerned about and the meanings she took away from her experiences in formative years.

That being said, I think being British prevented me from connecting to the chapters centred around her schooling and family dynamics/ religious influence but I think you'll find more value in them if you're an American who grew up in the Midwest or Mideast.

In parts I felt it meandered a little too long before reaching a point or linking back to one and sometimes the writing style felt a little monotonous despite the dry humour sprinkled throughout. However overall I enjoyed my time and will keep an eye out for other works by the author, specially if they explore female identity or travel writing.

Thank you NetGalley and Maddux for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review 🩵

[Amanrit Uppal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir is a personal meditation on death and the many big and small losses that shape a life. The author reflects on her fears around mortality through everyday experiences such as the deaths of pets, family members and moments that remind her of life's impermanence.

While the writing is sincere, the book didn't resonate with me. When I read memoirs, I'm normally hoping for a sense of insight, transformation or a perspective that I can carry into my own life. Here, the reflections remained very intimate and observational, but I found myself wanting a deeper or more cohesive exploration around the theme of death.

I believe those who appreciate gentle and meandering memoirs will find comfort in this book. For me, it was not a book that lingered or shifted my understanding in a meaningful way.

Thank you, NetGalley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley.

Life Expectancy is a millennial coming-of-age memoir that centers around loss. It brings levity to themes of death, grief, mental health, young love, and figuring out feelings. I love that the stories meander through Rachael Maddux's young life; this story is somewhat but not entirely linear. I am also a millennial woman in the Southeast USA that grew up anxious about death (and other things) and tackled mental health issues, so I greatly resonated with this memoir. I teared up at some of the scenarios regarding death (real or philosophical). I laughed at her perception of Heaven, and so much more, despite the serious, deep topics covered. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future!