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Adventures in Retirement: A wonderful collection of humorous essays on fun retirement activities and hobbies
Wondering what you will do with all the free time you’ll have once you retire? You are not alone! Adventures in A Humorous Journey into the Unknown World of Excess Time, Limited Responsibilities and an Uncertain Future focuses on the author's efforts, over the course of one year, to prepare for retirement by reconnecting with the hobbies and interests of his youth, while also finding innovative ways to express his creativity and connect with people. Along the way, readers join the author in • The scary side of fishing; • Why it’s wrong when board games become blood sports; • The unexpected connection between cooking classes and true romance; • How the author's cat convinced him to take up yoga (and why that was a terrible idea); • Golfing for the ball challenged; • The thrill of jumping out of an airplane without risking your life; • The eternal appeal of Elly May Clampett; and, • How to do nothing without feeling guilty about it.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2017
172 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 31, 2023
Loved this one! As a fairly recent retiree it really hit the spot! Doyle goes through a journey of experiencing many different activities that he hopes might help him deal with "excess time, limited responsibilities and an uncertain future," and we are invited along for the ride -- and what a ride it is!
Along with the humor in almost every situation, the reader gets to know some of Lawrence Doyle's strengths, as well as his insecurities. And overall, it is a riot! I highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you are close to retirement. A lot of it rings very true :)
Along with the humor in almost every situation, the reader gets to know some of Lawrence Doyle's strengths, as well as his insecurities. And overall, it is a riot! I highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you are close to retirement. A lot of it rings very true :)
January 25, 2020
Recently I needed, not wanted, something funny to read as I just recently passed through a fairly challenging gait in what can be seen as retirement Trivial Pursuit. As a Baby Boomer, I find this final season of life to be uniquely challenging and really quite odd. Cases in point - reinforcing the ole boy with body parts made with exotic metals. My list now reads as a Goodreads challenge with the contest being over who knows when. New eyes (LASIK, really the most cool of all of ones listed), gall bladder, bleeding ulcer, right hp replacement and now left knee replacement. It’s odd to not mention “Wally”but why bore you with tales of perfection.
I guess the main reason for writing this review is that if you’re looking for something a little more seasoned, this ain’t it. Therefore you have been forewarned. If you like wonderful tome written with sprinkling of Millennial, or dimension-xfairy dust , then have at it.
I guess the main reason for writing this review is that if you’re looking for something a little more seasoned, this ain’t it. Therefore you have been forewarned. If you like wonderful tome written with sprinkling of Millennial, or dimension-xfairy dust , then have at it.
January 21, 2020
I am not ashamed to say that I am 63 years old and looking forward to retirement - probably in about 5 years - wish it would be sooner but, well, you know how things are. This book spoke loud and clear to me as although I am never at a loss for something to do, I wonder at times if retirement is going to be a bigger challenge than I expected. No fear! Lawrence Doyle has shown me that there are so many things to look forward to that I can hardly wait to face it head-on! His delightful conversational way of writing made me laugh, gave me pause to consider, and completely spoke to me! Hooray for you dear Lawrence - I am keeping this book to remind myself that the best is yet to come! Thank you so much :-) Looking forward to reading your next book!
May 15, 2018
I thought the book was about Doyle's retirement, not his search for what to do when he eventually retired.
It seemed like this was a lot of columns he had written over the years and then strung them together, adding a graph or two in each one about retiring. The joke writing was over the top; the set ups were telegraphed way in advance and Doyle reverted to exaggerations for his humor. I know exaggeration is an important part of funniness, but these reminded me of a nervous, young stand-up comedian using cliche's to get through his or her first live show.
Still, there are some funny ideas here and it's a decent book to read in brief moments. A good bathroom book.
It seemed like this was a lot of columns he had written over the years and then strung them together, adding a graph or two in each one about retiring. The joke writing was over the top; the set ups were telegraphed way in advance and Doyle reverted to exaggerations for his humor. I know exaggeration is an important part of funniness, but these reminded me of a nervous, young stand-up comedian using cliche's to get through his or her first live show.
Still, there are some funny ideas here and it's a decent book to read in brief moments. A good bathroom book.
October 2, 2019
Be afraid. Be VERY afraid!
It IS hard adjusting to having no schedule. But I’ve become quite good at doing nothing. In fact, I feel put out if I have an appointment. I never get bored or lonely because I know I have any number of activities waiting for me. I especially liked the chapter - how true! - on taking care of elderly parents. What keeps me patient is knowing I’m on the same path. I do miss the office parties but not the work. Just don’t put off having fun until you’re severely limited by physical deterioration. I bet this book is particularly interesting to ages 50 to 75. Be prepared is the message, and keep a sense of humor.
I’ll
It IS hard adjusting to having no schedule. But I’ve become quite good at doing nothing. In fact, I feel put out if I have an appointment. I never get bored or lonely because I know I have any number of activities waiting for me. I especially liked the chapter - how true! - on taking care of elderly parents. What keeps me patient is knowing I’m on the same path. I do miss the office parties but not the work. Just don’t put off having fun until you’re severely limited by physical deterioration. I bet this book is particularly interesting to ages 50 to 75. Be prepared is the message, and keep a sense of humor.
I’ll
November 29, 2022
I want to start out by saying I'm not sure how much the younger generation(s) will be able to appreciate this book. There's something unique about facing down suddenly having a lot of free time that isn't just a summer vacation. I loved following along with Doyle's adventures into finding new hobbies and things to fill his suddenly open schedule after retirement. There was plenty of humor and interesting stories filling the pages of this book, that I'm sure many who have faced the same challenges will find funny!
August 31, 2019
Humorous and Timely
I appreciated the author 's willingness to try new things--and grow as a result. Change can be scary, but it is inevitable. That's one reason why it is good to embrace change in the context of community. Thanks for the lighthearted read! I'm reevaluating my plan for the weeks and months ahead!
I appreciated the author 's willingness to try new things--and grow as a result. Change can be scary, but it is inevitable. That's one reason why it is good to embrace change in the context of community. Thanks for the lighthearted read! I'm reevaluating my plan for the weeks and months ahead!
August 30, 2018
A Guidebook for the Rest of Us
My husband and I have talked about what we'll do when we retire, so this definitely hit home. This is definitely one of the best retirement planning books I've read. I loved the author's humorous take on the whole endeavor.
My husband and I have talked about what we'll do when we retire, so this definitely hit home. This is definitely one of the best retirement planning books I've read. I loved the author's humorous take on the whole endeavor.
February 26, 2021
Good laugher book for advice on retirement
Humorous take on retirement. Good advice on avoiding bird do thieves. I enjoyed the book. Good advisory on staying active in retirement. First Kindle book for me.
Humorous take on retirement. Good advice on avoiding bird do thieves. I enjoyed the book. Good advisory on staying active in retirement. First Kindle book for me.
February 17, 2023
Oh gosh! This was such a funny book -- highly relatable. I think that the fact that I seriously had so much in common w/ Doyle is what bumped my 4.5 stars up to 5. If you need a laugh-out-loud break, pick this one up.
October 24, 2017
Fun read
Fun but all too short read that attempts to answer the pesky question of what to do in retirement. Recommended light reading!
Fun but all too short read that attempts to answer the pesky question of what to do in retirement. Recommended light reading!
April 21, 2018
This was a great book to read 2 months from retirement. The humor gave me a new perspective on what can be a scary situation.
May 9, 2018
Challenge category - funny
July 15, 2018
Amusing, not hilarious
I felt like the author was trying too hard to be funny and that this book was a ploy to fund his retirement. I wish I’d kept my ten bucks for my retirement!
I felt like the author was trying too hard to be funny and that this book was a ploy to fund his retirement. I wish I’d kept my ten bucks for my retirement!
September 4, 2018
Reminds me of Bill Bryson. Funny at times.
December 10, 2018
I can relate
I recommend this book for anyone planning to retire. Take it easy and enjoy. Funny and informative aa well. A good balance.
I recommend this book for anyone planning to retire. Take it easy and enjoy. Funny and informative aa well. A good balance.
December 10, 2018
OK - no Carl Reiner but not dull - no wisdom either - just a bio of his exploits.
November 12, 2019
Insightful and very funny
Well written book that is insightful, funny and instructive. If you enjoy Dave Barry, you'll love this book, as well.
Well written book that is insightful, funny and instructive. If you enjoy Dave Barry, you'll love this book, as well.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews