The Juicy Tomatoes Guide to Ripe Living after 50

by Susan Swartz

The Ripe Stuff Jane Fonda, Judy Collins, and Isabel Allende are in their juicy years. So are a Midwest banker and Boston professor, a therapist who became a Mexican inn-keeper, an empty nester who took up Contra dancing. Author Susan Swartz likes to call this model of the new fifty-plus woman a Juicy Tomato, someone who enjoys her lushness, and, to push the metaphor, squeezes the most from life. The generation of women who fought to have a career, guilt-free sex, and their say in all things now insists on the right to make the second half of life as meaningful and ground-breaking as the first. Juicy tomatoes know that experience is an asset, not a liability and that wisdom and power are a lot sexier than a flat stomach. They don't apologize for their age and they don't hide their spunk and savvy. Sure, there are regrets, losses, and laugh lines, but juicy tomatoes don't look back. Long after breaking barriers for women in their youth they are remaking the image of midlife and beyond. The Juicy Tomatoes Guide to Ripe Living After 50 introduces you to over 100 such women, some well known and some as regular as the friends you call for coffee and comfort. They have clout and daring and humor and the reason they stand tall is not simply because they take their calcium. In candid interviews with the author they tell how they forged ahead and kissed those aging stereotypes goodbye. The Juicy Tomatoes Guide to Ripe Living After 50 will inspire you, tickle you, and may even spur you to find your own juice.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros: Peppy, entertaining writing. Good resources and role models.

Cons: As another reviewer noted, it's dated (written in 2006). It is by a Boomer, for Boomers; so it has that smug self-congratulatory Boomer tone, ie, "we are aging better than any generation in the history of humanity, ever" or "we're cooler grandparents than our parents could ever be" kind of stuff. I still recommend it, but everyone over 50 not a Boomer, control your gag reflex.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I met the author and had to buy this book after hearing her speak. I began reading it and found the stories entertaining, funny and encouraging especially for women who are "ripened". Early on into the book I lost it and recently discovered it when I went to retrieve yet another book that fell under my bed one night. I will continue to retrieve it until I finish it this time. :-)

I was talking to my bookclub about this book and it was chosen as our 'holiday' selection. It is an easy read and a great book for women becoming or experiencing her 50's + .
Susan is a talented writer and it is evident that she did extensive research for this book.
She includes interviews and 'case studies' of women, famous and not, but all extraordinary who are living life after 50 on their own terms. Some change careers, lifestyles, and locations and are happier for it. In other parts of her book she discusses common experiences, medical and otherwise that women over 50 face and the different ways different women deal with them. For example, to color or not to color and plastic surgery or au natural.
This book gives hope that there is life after 50 to those who believe they are done with living most of their life and strength and courage to those who want to make changes but just need a little encouragement and especially for those women who are afraid to grow older.
I would also recommend this book to younger women who are curious about aging and to men for insight and to help understand their counterparts.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone having difficulties coming to grips with being in their 50s. After reading this book I've decided not to worry anymore about being in the 50-60 section on the yoga feedback form and remember that 'wisdom and power are a lot sexier than a flat stomach'

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable but somewhat dated. Women's issues after the age of 50. I expected it to be more humorous remembering Swartz's column in the Press Democrat of some years ago. Snippets of interviews with women on topics such as careers, menopause, beauty,and aging.

[Kay]

Cyber gift - Debra - B'day 2008

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very true.

[Willa Guadalupe Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am really starting to enjoy the menopause books!