30 Before 30: How I Made a Mess of My 20s, and You Can Too: Essays

by Marina Shifrin

A charming, relatable and hilarious collection of essays documenting a young woman's attempt to accomplish thirty life goals before turning thirty.

Something was nagging Marina. As a freshly minted adult with student loan payments, a barely hospitable New York apartment, a "real" job she hated that paid her enough to get by if she also worked two other jobs, something needed to change. Over a few bottles of Two Buck Chuck, Marina and her friend each made lists of thirty things they'd do before the age of thirty. The first thing on Marina's list was, "Quit My Shitty Job." So she did, and just like that the List powered her through her twenties.

In 30 Before 30, Marina takes readers through her list and shares personal stories about achieving those goals. Ranging in scope from the simple (Ride A Bike Over the Brooklyn Bridge, Donate Hair) to the life-changing (Move to A Different Country, Become internet Famous), each story shows readers that we don't all have it figured out, and that's okay. But for Marina, she did become internet famous (a viral video of her quitting her job after moving to Asia has nearly 19 million views on You Tube) and now writes for Comedy Central's hit show @Midnight, is also an in-demand stand up, and had a very popular Modern Love column published in the New York Times. None of that would have happened if she didn't start her list that night. Thank you, Two Buck Chuck.

Told with humor and heart, 30 Before 30 will entertain, motivate, and challenge readers to get out of their comfort zones and live their best lives.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Essays, Humor, Writing, Self Help, Personal Development

336 pages, Paperback

Published July 24, 2018

About the author

Marina Shifrin was born in the Soviet Union and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. She spent her childhood translating and writing notes for her parents and has loved writing ever since.

In her 20s she bounced around from Missouri, to New York, to Taiwan, before settling in Los Angeles where she currently lives.

Her debut novel "30 Before 30: How I made a mess of my 20s and you can too!" was released in June of 2018. She currently writes for TV.

Reviews

[Emilycorak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, witty, and a reminder that it's OK to shake shit up at any age. Also reminds me that I'm so glad my twenties are a thing of the past and that hangovers are a special occasion rather than a weekly special.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of essays. Don't be fooled by the title- It's not a list of 30 things the reader should do (which is good because I'm not really into those types of lists/books), but actually a memoir of things the author accomplished throughout her 20s. Her unique experience is shared in a funny, self deprecating way and great for a quick, enjoyable read.

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the strongest stories in the collection relate to Shifrin’s Russian immigrant family. They are both funny and touching. But while Shifrin was very comfortable poking fun at herself, she almost seemed a little protective of her parents, revealing some parts, but reluctant to expose them too much in others. Being an immigrant—albeit one who arrived as a toddler—has clearly strongly shaped Shifrin’s ideas about herself and what she owes to society and her parents. Although plenty of the stories were cringe-worthy, and I suffer mightily from vicarious embarrassment, I still genuinely enjoyed reading about a contemporary stumbling along the same messy path to adulting. more

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the style of the inviting (and almost nauseatingly relatable) young voice of Alida Nugent, with the comic chops in the likes of Amy Schumer, Marina Shifrin proved that when you set your mind to something (and hate your job THAT much) you can make yourself a viral sensation and hold yourself accountable to checking off all of your slightly ridiculous list of things you must accomplish before your 30th birthday. Although it's not a particularly unique concept, she brought new attention to the ruts we so easily find ourselves in as a 20-something and how despite the unlimited possibilities for connectivity, it's so easily to be alone, especially when you're daring enough to move a dozen times in half as many years, get a job in another country, and embarrass yourself on the internet. There are several items on Marina's list I'd like to accomplish myself like, take a writing class (I am currently), write a book (duh), live in another country, quit a shitty job (I have and will again), submit an essay to to the New York Times (I've been sitting on a Modern Love essay for years) etc. And there are several others I'd edit to make my own, but I loved how she wrote about each one and technically failed to achieve a couple, but in the end the point is to take advantage of your years and don't let them pass you by- which is such a simple concept so easily forgotten in the bustle and expectations of NYC.

[Michelle Arredondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Marina Shifrin gives us 30 Before 30: How I Made a Mess of My 20s, and You Can Too. A funny..witty..quick read...brought to us as 30 essays. 30 essays depicting and sharing with us little quips and memories of Shifrin's life, stories of her family, and lessons that she has learned the hard way...along the way. It's written as essays....but it reads like a memoir and I really enjoyed that unique style.

The stories themselves are quite entertaining. I had a few laughs. I had a few relatable moments and the things that were so foreign to me....so out of this world...things I could not relate to on any level because I have never had those experiences....even those things were still great stories to read about. She was a bit of a "wet blanket" towards many of those experiences...and maybe that comes off as being a little negative...but I understood it. Dry humor..trust me, I get it.

Solid read if you want to get through something fairly quickly.

Thanks to the good people of goodreads and to author Marina Shifrin for my free copy of this book via giveaway. I received. I read. I reviewed this book honestly and voluntarily.

[Alyssa Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Goodreads. This is an honest review.*

30 Before 30 is a series of essays that feels more like a memoir, detailing Shifrin’s experience with crossing off all the things she wants to do before she’s thirty, including riding a bike across the Brooklyn Bridge, move to a different country, donate her hair, etc. Each chapter is a different essay focusing on a different item on her list.

The essays have a humorous slant; Shifrin has a uniquely dramatic personality and it’s easy to see that she loves to tell a good story. I found myself liking her at the outset, with her self-deprecation and easy wit; this is one funny and relatable book. There are some experiences that not everyone has gone through, of course, but she tells it in a relatable way, focusing on her crappy boss (we’ve all had those), awkward romances, and weird moments that come along with being a new adult. It’s a quick read, and I love how personal she gets with it; it feels like a no-holds barred tell-all about how she spent her twenties.

Along with the humor, though, is genuine insight and advice for those just starting out in the world; I would definitely recommend this book to someone in their early twenties, because I think they’d get a lot out of it. Even as someone who’s on the cusp of turning thirty, I found this book immensely rewarding, both because I agreed with her advice and because there were stories that are just so relatable for someone who’s gone through their twenties. Her buying an air conditioner and trying to bring it to her apartment herself to prove that she was a Strong Independent Woman was a story that spoke to me so much. One of the best stories, though, was her visiting Russia to see her family and get back to her roots; it was incredibly heartfelt.

If you’re a fan of funny memoirish nonfiction, then definitely pick this up. I had a fun time reading this, and if Shifrin writes another book, I’ll be in line to read that one as well.

Also posted on Purple People Readers.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! Received this as an ARC!

This a lighthearted and entertaining collection of 30 comedic essays, each based on a goal the author made and accomplished before turning 30. There were definitely a few parts that made me lol and some that I could relate to, though my experience as a 20-something has been vastly different from hers. I totally admire her grit and determination in accomplishing her dreams, and I now feel inspired to create my own list of goals and stick to them. (James seems doubtful, probably because I have about as much discipline as a a four year old whose parents don’t believe in consequences or the word no.)

My biggest complaint is that some of her comments/jokes felt a little crass/rubbed me the wrong way, which may make me overly sensitive or a prude, but it felt a bit like a cheap shot at getting a laugh and also made it hard to connect with the author at times.
Overall, though, it was a feel-good, lighthearted memoir that made for some relaxing beach reading and inspired me to roll up my sleeves and get er done!

[Kevin Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, funny, insightful ... these 30 essays bring us into the mind, heart and life of a woman in her twenties (and a Russian immigrant, too) ... which, for me (middle age white man), is a relatively unknown world. Her skills as a writer are evident. I’m glad I found her book on the library shelf.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received this ARC in a Goodreads Giveaway).

I really, truly enjoyed Marina Shifrin's collection of essays, 30 before 30. Honestly, the title is the only synopsis you even need! In 30 essays (or chapters in some cases), Shifrin addresses a kind of bucket list she made for herself of accomplishments to achieve prior to turning 30.

These essays are fun, funny, and even a bit crude. Being 28 myself (and one of those dreaded Millennials), I could easily relate to quite a few of Marina's experiences. (The fact that both of us spent time in Taiwan was by far my favorite similarity). In addition to being loud and in your face at times, Marina's voice also comes across as heartfelt and honest. I love memoirs in which people attempt to connect with their audience through telling the story of their own lives. Marina's essays are not solely for herself, but also for her readers.

I'm happy to say Marina's collection of essays will be officially published tomorrow (July 24th, 2018), and I truly recommend you pick up a copy!

[Blagica · Rating 4 out of 5]

30 Before 30 How I Made a Mess of My 20s, and You Can Too: Essays by Marina Shifrin. I would like to thank Netgalley and all parties involved for giving me an arc of this book. It was a diamond in the rough for sure! I will be the first to admit that this is usually not my cup of tea. This is not your bucket list kind of book the author does not list 30 things that you have to do before you turn 30. But more a combination of 30 adventures the author has had in her life before she turned 30. I don’t want you to be scared of the idea of the fact that this is essays but It really does read like a charming memoir that makes you want to have your own adventure at any age.

[Michaela · Rating 2 out of 5]

---- Disclosure: I received this book for free from Goodreads. ----

This was an amusing, & fairly quick read. She has an interesting familial background, which always lends itself to good stories. I enjoyed everything, except for when the author hit upon my pet peeve & used "anarchic," to mean "chaotic" at the start of Ch. 15. (Um, no. Don't bloody do that. FFS, don't bloody do that!) I took a star off for that.

[Vivien Leung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm about to hit my 30s and thought this would be a good read but didn't know what to expect....It was definitely better than I expected and now I have Kanye West's "Gone" stuck in my head (read the book if you don't get the reference!)

I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it those who want to have a good time!

[Kristina Aziz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a neat enough concept, and had the potential to be a great collection of stories were it not for the author trying to remind us she's a comedian. While a decent read in general, some of the quips felt forced and were distracting.

Whether a celebrity is actually well known or not, I find this sort of thing annoying in any book trying to appeal to an established fan base, so that might just be my pet peeve.

[Kimberly Sheasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Received an advance reader copy through a Goodreads Giveaway.*

Perfect book to read before I turn 30 (on Saturday)! Funny, entertaining, and made me reflect on my own 20's. A great quick read!

[Amy Strouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Could I relate to the author’s experiences? Not really. Are these 30 things something *I* would want to do before 30 years old? No. Should I have read this sooner than 28? Yes, I wish I would’ve.

All that said, I laughed out loud a lot during this book. I felt the connection of excitement and frustration that is 20-30 years old. It made me reflect a little bit on where I am now vs where I was. Currently starting a retroactive list, and adding some new things to accomplish in my late 20s.

52 book club #39: non-fiction rec. from a friend.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's written in the format of essays that flow beautifully, think David Sedaris-style. It's packed with hilarious, relatable stories but also with sage advice. I'm in my early 30s and this book resonated with me. Even though my 20s were different than the author's, I think her experiences will read familiar to any young woman/person living in this era. I didn't find the book to be TMI or braggy but rather intimate and fun to read, like an e-mail from a friend. It feels modern and it's not a cheesy listicle. The advice is cogent, arguably applicable to anyone at any age. (I especially enjoyed the chapter where she discusses lessons learned though doing stand-up.) I think this is a great read for anyone questioning what they're doing with their life (aren't we all?)

[Verne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...when you greet fear with open arms and laughter, the fear diminishes, first within yourself, and then within those around you."

3.5 stars
I'm a sucker for making grand to do lists and accomplishing those big (and the mundane) life achievements and I also love reading about other people's journeys on these quests, so this was a fun read for me. Shifrin's humor springs from the page, engaging the reader with every new adventure. It was a fun, light read.

Disclaimer: I did receive a free copy of this book from goodreads giveaways.

[Leeann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marina walked into my life on the Modern Love podcast with her captivating essay. I had to know more about her and though my Googling found this book. And it feels like it came to me at the moment I needed it most.

As a 25-year-old, I’m all sorts of turned around about where I’ve been and where I’m going. Marina’s bravery, boldness, and confidence to do whatever she wants, consequences be damned, isn’t going to work for everyone. People without the supportive family and top-notch education she received might sigh at her sudden move to Taiwan or “I Quit” video. But I loved it. Her perspective on making your 20s the time to experiment, make mistakes, and go for your dreams is fresh. She allowed me to take a look at my own life by diving into hers, and remind us all that if we take ourselves a little less seriously and be a little more brave, we might find ourselves living a life we’re proud of.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every single sentence of this book. I am feeling more inspired than ever to make my 20s the craziest, most well-spent years of my life.

[Benjamin Bookman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well edited/crafted, but just too young for me. I can’t help but be turned off by pages of drunkenness and “I was young and stupid.” Many of the individual chapters were interesting, don’t get me wrong, and it was an easy read (in a good way), with definite moments of strength. But I am not the target audience and just couldn’t relate to many of the choices.

[Cynthia K]

I won an Advance Readers Copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway and that's the only reason I finished the book.
I'm a sucker for list books. Or lists in general. I'm all the time joining list challenges that I don't finish. That's why I signed up for this giveaway. I like reading about people who have their shit together enough to finish their lists.
Unfortunately, I'm well past making a mess of my 20s. In fact, I managed to mess up my 30s, too. For that reason, I should have shied away from this essay collection. While there were a few relatable moments for me, I'm just not the target audience for this book. If the writing were tighter, I could maybe ignore the fact that I've never drank or dated as much as the author. I think this book needed a stronger editor to tell Shifrin to show and not tell and to advise her to murder her darlings. You can see her potential as a writer in the "Modern Love" essay included at the end and there were a few other good moments but not enough for me to recommend to my friends who are readers.

[Tiffany Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining read. I read it quickly and in sections. You can read this book cover to cover or in segments. I liked that she chose 30 things to do before turning 30. This book was inspiring and funny too. I liked reading how the author went about accomplishing everything on her list.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

[Carin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a list. If it's a list where I can already cross off a whole bunch of things and feel accomplished for having done nothing more than read a list, all the better! So while it might seem a little unusual for a 43 year old to read a book about 30 things to do before you're 30, I figured this sounds like a list where I can check everything off!

Of course not. That's not how a book like this goes. If it's all boring, everyday stuff that most everyone has done, it's not a book. Yes, I've done a few (donate hair) and I could do others if I felt like it (ride a bike across the Brooklyn Bridge) but a lot fell in the category of I didn't want to do them, but it was fun watching someone else (Become Internet Famous.) That one in particular crossed off two things, because it was her epic viral video in which she quit her job that made her famous, so I give Marina big points for that.

For the past several years, stomping on Millennials has felt like a sport, one that is rather mean-spirited and unfair (I'd guess 70% of the things we Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers claim are Millennials being entitled are simply things everyone--including us Gen-Xers and Boomers who apparently have really terrible memories--did ourselves when we were early 20-somethings not because of our generation, but just because of the lack of real-work experience that age dictates. Don't believe me? Rewatch Reality Bites and Friends and the first three seasons of The Real World and get back to me. I'll wait.) I super-appreciate that while Marina's book is an obvious push-back to that attitude, she never names it. Instead, she's happy to let it die a quiet death. Meanwhile, she will try to be positive and uplifting, without being cloying or peppy or annoying, which is a great attitude to have.

Sure, some of the things she does like move to another country where she doesn't know the language, are things I do not aspire to, but hey, I've done things she probably wouldn't enjoy either, and we each get to pick our own life lists. Overall, it was a series of essays that ended up being a memoir, about a 20-something working hard to figure out this Real World and her place in it and how to make a go at it without falling on her ass. That's what most of us were trying to do at that same age, with varying levels of success, and I think other 20-somethings will really identify with her and find her journey inspiring. I found that it reassured my faith in this younger generation who are finding their way through some rather rough terrain.

[Anna A-P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, 30 Before 30 was a fun, quick read with kernels of keen observations and advice. This book would make a great post-college graduation gift. As I read it in my final year of my twenties, I reflected on some of my own "30 before 30" defining moments of the past decade. I first learned of Marina through her viral video in which she quits her job by dancing to Kanye West's "Gone." I have experienced being so miserable in a job that I daydream of wacky and elaborate ways of quitting. It was empowering (and hysterical) to see a young woman go through with quitting in dramatic fashion, so I was excited to learn that she had written a book. Marina's go-getting, fearless energy and her desire to live life fully radiate off the page.

That said, many of the essays were hit and miss for me. The broader framework of the book—the 30 items—is based off a to-do list she wrote in her early twenties, which she managed to complete entirely by the time she turned 30 (including becoming famous and falling in love). Perhaps because of this, some of the essay endings felt too neatly tied up.

Still, Marina navigates challenges (a creepy, inappropriate boss, heartbreak, negotiating her Russian roots with her suburban Chicago upbringing) with candor and humor. Her knowledge of her own strengths and weaknesses is admirable; when she eats a meal alone (one of her items), she observes that doing things alone "gives you a chance to fill your head with your own thoughts and strengthens a sense of security within yourself." She adds that she sees why so many people in Los Angeles meditate, quipping that she "would totally try if you were allowed to eat while doing it." Also, I enjoyed her doodles throughout, particularly "How to Cry At Work" (highlight: "Smile as wide and frenzied as you can. Smile until your neck hurts and your eyes disappear behind your cheeks").

Her chapters about her family are particularly moving, especially "Watch All Three Godfather Movies," "Cook A Five-Course Meal," and "Visit Russia." The image of her father coming home from his job in Chicago's Jewelers Row and wiping "glittery jewelry dust" off his face is one that will stay with me. I am cheering for Marina and excited to see where life takes her next.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of "essays," detailing the author's attempts at meeting a certain set of goals prior to their 30th birthday. (Obviously).

For everyone, those goals look different, but for writer and viral content creator Marina Shifrin, the list included everything from the seemingly mundane (riding by bike across the Brooklyn Bridge, meeting a local radio personality from her youth), to the somewhat explosive (the intricately intertwined "Quit Shitty Job" and "Become Famous" chapters, which she tackled in one go with a popular video of her leaving her abusive workplace to the tune of Kanye West's "Gone," back in 2013). Some she admits she fails at, while others are lofty successes, but the same sense of energy, action, uncertainty and bewilderment at their completion permeates them all.

That isn't to say that they're redundant; they're just familiar. What 20 or 30 something doesn't dream of living in a different country, falling in love, or flying first class? Shifrin's voice speaks to plenty with ambitions and interests, and abundance of opportunities that are maybe unmatched with a cohesive sense of direction.

But Shifrin sorts through that madness, using the goals of a narrative structure by which she can detail some of the lessons that life has doled out along the way, from the importance of knowing your personal value, taking time to understand your roots, and finding a place in the world where you feel a sense of belonging. Yet, she is also the first to acknowledge that not everything in your 20s has to be imbued with some sense of deliberation or intention, glibly admitting, "Holy cow, not everything was a lesson."

[Beth Radziewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

30 Before 30 by Marina Shifrin is a series of essays that are exactly what the title says: 30 essays on 30 goals she wanted to complete before age 30 ranging from adopting a dog to returning to Russia. Simple enough.

I liked Shifrin's easy to read, conversational writing style. She was, at times, relatable and funny, like I laughed so hard sometimes I woke up my husband funny. She gave good advice in some chapters that anyone, regardless of age, could use in life, pursuing goals, careers, hosting, and other topics.

I did not like how the list was created. I expected it to be goals she had wanted to complete her whole life, or goals to put herself back together after a major fall or let down. No, it was a list made on a drunken night. Disappointing. I also didn't like how inaccessible most of the goals were for typical people. Not everyone could just pick up and move overseas or skinny dip on a beach in the tropics. I was disappointed in how unrelatable and unrealistic the goals were for a typical twenty something. 

30 Before 30 by Marina Shifrin will be published July 24, 2018 by St. Martin's Press. This book is in the Biographies and Memoirs genre. 

Overall, I gave 30 Before 30 3 out of 5 stars. It was very funny at times but mostly unrealistic for its target audience, which is 20 something-year-olds. 

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's press for the opportunity to review this book. I was given a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway**

30 Before 30 is exactly what it sounds like: a list of 30 goals that Marina Shifrin wanted to (and, for the most part, did) accomplish prior to her 30th birthday. These goals vacillated from simple (ride bike across Brooklyn Bridge, donate hair) to involved (go to India, live in a different country) to the outlandish (become famous).

Shifrin is a writer and comedian who rose to "fame" after a video she uploaded to YouTube went viral, although I was unfamiliar with her prior to receiving this book. The child of Russian immigrants, she has an interesting outlook on millennial culture and the attitudes that many attribute to her generation.

Overall, this book was fine. There were a few moments that I connected with her writing; her essay on what falling in love can really feel like stuck out as honest and relatable, I found myself nodding along to her essay on becoming a good host, and, as someone who lives in New York City, I enjoyed her humorous assertions that NYC is a place that thrives on struggles.

Ultimately, though, I just couldn't care enough about Shifrin and her voice to fully invest myself in reading 30 essays about her life. She had funny moments, sure, but the book often read as if written by someone who thinks she's funnier than she actually is (although Shifrin is a comedy writer, so perhaps we just don't share a similar sense of humor).

[Kaitlyn Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Review Copy of 30 Before 30: How I Made a Mess of My 20s and You Can Too by Marina Shifrin from the publisher St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Marina Shifrin made a bucket list of 30 things she wanted to accomplish before she turned 30 and guess what?! She accomplished all of them. This book recounts these experiences and the other things that were going on in her life surrounding each of these events.

What I Loved: Marina Shifrin can write a really moving essay and hilarious essay at the same time. One of the essays that really struck me was watching the Godfather movies to feel close to her father since their political disagreements had really strained her relationship. My father died after we had a serious debate about politics and since then I feel like I have to connect with my father through watching TV and this essay made me feel like I wasn’t alone. Most of the essays like this balancing heart and humor.

What I didn’t like so much: As in any essay collections there are some that lag. But such is life.

Who Should Read It: Twenty-somethings who love essay collections. People who want to read essays about growing up, making mistakes, and learning. People who like essay collections with heart and humor.

General Summary: An essay collection that recounts growing up, making mistakes, and learning.

[Carianne Carleo-Evangelist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this.

I see a lot of myself in Shifrin's "30 before 30" goals. Her Taiwan was my Japan, her India was my Australia and well, I'm still working on that real furniture thing and will probably never cook a five course meal, but I did find a job I still love at 38. Although I'm more Mediterranean than Eastern European, I too wish I had a leather jacket to hide early teenage arm hair. She's a bit younger than me, so some of the viral elements didn't apply to my 20s, but there's something about a life goal wishlist that just works across generations.

This collection of stories can either be read cover to cover as I did, or as standlones as there's enough info in each to catch the reader up on the stories that cross chapters. My only issue was I struggled somewhat with the sequence. She was riding a bike on the Brooklyn Bridge when she was visiting New York, but as I'm not otherwise familiar with her I found myself wondering whether that was between Taiwan and LA, or at another time in her life.

Overall, a really fun, light collection of reads. I wonder whether it will apply to men as much as it does to women, but this is definitely one for women of all ages.