Thirty-Life Crisis: Surviving My Thirties, One Drunk Baby Shower at a Time

by Lisa Schwartz

A hilarious essay collection perfect for anyone dealing with the challenges, indignities, and celebrations that come with being a thirty-something by actor and YouTube star Lisa Schwartz (Lisbug).

THIRTYLIFE CRISIS Lisa Schwartz's stories and musings are all about watching her friends adult like pros, while she tries to understand why she doesn't want or can't seem to find all the things they have for herself. Like a big sister who's already seen it all, Lisa will take readers through her own life experiences to say that one thing we all need to hear: you are so not alone. Unabashed and unfiltered, Schwartz's voice and candor will appeal to anyone in their thirties who just can't deal with the never-ending Facebook feed of friends' engagement photos and baby pictures, the trials of figuring out where their passion meets their career, and everything in between.

So, if you've ever had to figure out...

Parenting Your Parents (Yikes)
Gender Reveal Parties (It's an actual thing.)
Discovering That Your Boyfriend Likes Boys (Surprise!)
Online Shopping Away Your Anxiety (Don't)
or Gender Reveal Parties (Seriously. It's an actual thing.)
This book is your new best friend.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2019

About the author

Lisa Schwartz is an American YouTube personality and actress. Her YouTube channel, Lisbug, has over 2 million subscribers. 

Reviews

[Denise Lauron]

I picked this up because it was available from the library. None of my audiobook holds had come through, but this one was short and a comedy, so I figured I could get through it quickly.

It annoyed me. The author seemed to whine through the whole thing. She's going through a lot of things that others go through, but she makes it seem like she's the only one. I got tired of it, but I wanted to plow through it so I could count it as a completed book for the year.

I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

[booksbikesbooze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was laugh out loud funny!

The title quickly reeled me in; with 50+ weddings, bridal showers, and baby showers under my belt in the past decade, I could easily relate!

This was a short, quick, fun read diving into the life of Lisa. There were laugh out loud pages, but also real, raw, brutal honesty pages.

I easily enjoyed this one!

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy #partner

[Daniel Cuthbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breezy and remarkably relatable, “Thirty-Life Crisis” is a collection of often-funny stories and musings of Lisa Schwartz, the YouTube star known as Lisbug online. Throughout, she talks with readers about online dating, the considerable sameness of wedding-attending, and the importance of therapy in coming to understand yourself as those years of your thirties hit you like a truck.

The book benefits enormously from Lisa’s conversational and light tone, unafraid at making fun of herself as much as the people and situations she has found herself surrounded by. YouTube especially over the last 10-15 years has created a large volume of “Internet Celebrities” as individuals have been able to grab thousands or even millions of subscribers to go along with the same amount of views on their videos. Yet, unlike those celebs of the Hollywood-ilk, YouTube personalities have the benefit of being much more down-to-earth and approachable, a trait that comes out vividly throughout the stories in Lisa’s collection. Much of the advice offered, while not necessarily new, has the advantage of being much more digestible when you realize the person giving is not that much different from you. Everyone is trying to find themselves, it’s just some people’s become much more public than others.

Much in the same way one might choose to “follow” someone on social media, at the end of the day, the content provided by a person is not as important as the personality of the person giving it. In this, Lisa does an outstanding job getting to the messiness that is at the heart of all of us, millennial and otherwise. Perfect not only for those who live by the glow of their YouTube app, but those who have started to find that people are no longer getting their late 90’s pop culture references, “”Thirty-Life Crisis” is a welcoming addition to the celeb biography genre, from a profoundly real and likable literary voice.

(I received a free copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and appreciate the opportunity at providing a voluntary review.)

[Kelsey Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I discovered this book on a Dollar Tree shelf for $1.25 and to be honest the reason I purchased it was because it seemed like the universe had thrown it at me. I am currently in my 30s, unmarried, and feeling particularly frustrated with how the last year had gone. When I got this book, I had just gone through my 33rd birthday (which was completely forgotten by close friends), my car had suddenly died, and half my team had quit at work. I didn't quite make the connection she had to the very problematic Shane Dawson until I made it through the intro, but generally the book itself was what I needed to hear in the moment.

Generally speaking, I wouldn't say that this book has a ton of groundbreaking advice. The stories alternate between funny and relatable to cringey and immature for a ground woman. However, I think the book made me feel better not because it offered some groundbreaking advice, but just because it showed that I'm not the only one who's feeling like they are somehow "doing life wrong". This book is going to appeal to mainly 30 somethings (the unmarried variety especially). Is it a pulitzer prize winning work of art? No. Is it a good one to peruse if you're having a hard time in your 30s? Yes.

[Susan The Book Dragon Campton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't find it funny. To quote the Dowager Countess from Downton Abbey, "Vulgarity is no substitute for wit." I don't remember applying for this giveaway.

[*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚Laura˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙* · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should preface this by saying I have no idea who Lisa Schwartz is. I did watch YouTube in the OG days, but I guess she wasn't on my radar (I can see why). Maybe that's why I didn't like this book. Or maybe it's because it's rare I find Americans funny (culture difference in humour), and this book is sold as being funny. I'm not even sure how it ended up on my TR list, but here we are.

Other than some small pieces of advice, it's mostly her drinking her way through awkward or horrible situations/life in general. I get that alcohol is a crutch for many people, but girl PUT THE WINE DOWN.
This is also very ramble-y, and reads more like an autobiography (maybe it is supposed to be one, i'unno). It just wasn't for me, and that's fine.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of thoughs from the delightful Lisa Schwartz. Please see my YouTube review for more. https://youtu.be/9YhPGZHJiSI

[Morelia (Strandedinbooks)]

Perhaps I’ll come back to this one when I’m nearing 30 or turn 30, but even now, I related so hard to a few things. There were some parts that just did it for me and others that I just couldn’t get behind, but overall, I fairly enjoyed this story!

I’ve been a fan of Lisa for as long as I can remember and I am so glad to get a deeper look into her life and take some words of advice with me!

[Taylor]

This was the most basic thing

[Samantha March · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit – between the time I said yes to reviewing this book to the time I swiped it open on my Kindle, I had kind of forgotten what it was going to be about. Instead of spending the extra two minutes to look it up on Amazon, I decided to just jump right in. So imagine my surprise to immediately read the forward by Shane Dawson. As a Youtuber myself, that gave me a pause – and then I spent more than two minutes looking up this book, Lisa Schwartz and her relationship to Shane Dawson.
I didn’t start watching Youtube on the regular until 2012, starting a channel in 2015, so I’m not as well-versed in the OG’s of the Tube as some assume when they realize what I do, but I gave myself a crash course before going any further reading the forward. Satisfied I was now in the know, I continued reading. And then – had trouble putting this one down.
Not only was it fun for me to learn about being a Youtuber before being a Youtuber was a thing, but the stories flowed effortlessly, the giggles were plentiful, and as someone in her thirties who can look back at previous decades fondly while also cringing at herself, I could easily relate to Lisa Schwartz. Maybe not the boyfriend who likes boys sections, but I could appreciate the unfiltered approach to Thirty-Life Crisis and highly recommend this one.
I received a review copy

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking for a light read and found this one on audible. I didn’t know who Lisa was before hand and after listening, I wish I did. This book was self indulgent and whiny. Listening to it was worse. She’s the hero in all of her stories and she basically just complains about mundane things the entire time. Memoirs are supposed to be thought provoking and I got nothing from this.

[Red · Rating 2 out of 5]

One. What the hell is that cover? It's one of those covers that I see and I don't really understand what I'm supposed to take away from it. A plain white background with a woman carrying a corgi and a baby papoose. And I don't know what I'm supposed to think when I look at this, except that Shane Dawson's ex and this is partially written by him?

We start ala Shame Dawson telling us about himself with her, with post shower ice cube shits. Eh??????

Because of that when my grammar app autocorrects his name to shame. Shame Dawson is more fitting.

"My ass sweat soaked the sheets and caused her mattress to mold." I can smell multiple scenes in this book and it's disgusting.

Everything after Shane's introduction is uphill from here. It's not excellent, but it's definitely an improvement on Shane describing his stinky scenes he keeps dropping.

Sadly a big portion is by Shane popping in and taking the lead. There's definitely a destructive cycle being portrayed in this book, and they seem very aware of it, but yet they don't do anything to curb it. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be entertained by this lack of self-care. But I'm not.

I don't know if this is the first or the 50th book that is referred to Seinfeld like it's something you should live your life to. In my opinion you should not live your life according to seinfeld, it's a mediocre show. But a lot of people seem to use it as their basis for some reason. And this one is not unique from that.

"Seinfeld basically outlined my life." Paraphrased, but, no show should have that kind of power to do that.

I really didn't care for reading how Lisa describes multiple times the different types of poop she takes, like I don't want to read about anybody describing how they poop. It's just not a funny thing and really even if she wanted to have a funny poop gag or a relatable how it feels to take a poop joke, it wouldn't need to be said more than once. She says it multiple, multiple times!

I'm not squeamish about poop. I've handled manure and feces galore on farms.

But she's telling her readers her actual pooping schedule!

I'm always starving for a woman's humor that doesn't involve vagina talk, period talk, all those types of things. The whole children are terrifying, children are wonderful, children are snotty but if they're my child they're suddenly an angel and stuff really bores me. There's a couple of female comedians I absolutely adore but most of them all fall back on the same tried and true thing that really doesn't work and makes them fade into the background. Meanwhile I always struggle because male comedians who fall on penis jokes also bore me. I like to hear a little daily life things, I think Brian Regan has never made a penis joke in his life. I just really don't care for body emissions humor. Especially the graphic details.

"I love a good poop."

Then periods are "Gross".

Excuse me, blood isn't as gross as shite!

Not a fan of this type of humor at all, or obsessions with describing bowel movements ad nauseam.

And this book fell deep into that.

2 stars.

Too much misogyny for me.

[Caitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because I needed something to read on long car rides (when I'm not the driver) where I find myself swirling into an anxious frenzy due to overthinking. I like Lisa a lot, and figured, "she's probably entertaining in book form too, right?" Boy was I correct. Not only was this the perfect chuckler-producer, it also got rather deep and thought-provoking at times, something I really appreciated. Lisa really lays it all out there for us. I find myself having similar fears as she did, and reading along felt like we were in it together. Or better yet, she was my cool older sister who was ready to hand down her wisdom. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end, and guess what - those long car rides were a breeze with this book in my hand.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable read, that’s beyond relatable though I am currently in my twenties. Her voice and humour shines through. Lisa makes you feel like you’re on first name basis friendship and helps to make you feel like a normal little human being.

I do wish, however, she would expand on some of her anecdotes. She only scratches the surface of some (not saying she need to give us all the gritty of her personal dating life) but there were a few stories that I wished she lingered on a bit more.

[Amanda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

For being a youtuber book I didn't have alot of faith in this being such an engulfing book. Boy was i wrong, I couldn't put it down finished it in one evening. There are sad moments and happy moments the amount of her life that she was willing to share was admirable. Even if you don't follow her on the internet you could still get enough from this book to appreciate who she is and where she came from. It has been one of the more relatable bio type books that I have read recently.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and completely relatable... Being in your mid-twenties to mid-thirties range is that strange time where half your friends are engaged, married, and/or already have kids... while the other half are still hitting the club till 3am. And it feels kinda weird when you're the odd one out.

Lisa delivers a hilarious memoir of her misadventures cover to cover - one drunk baby shower at a time.

[Kailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve watched Lisa on YouTube for a while, and when I saw her book at the library I decided to give it a shot. It was completely genuine and I laughed and cried. I quickly read through all of her silly and heartfelt stories. There is wisdom to be gained from all of her experiences and in turn I realize from all of my experiences. This is a great book about self acceptance and growth.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in my mid twenties but I feel like I'm behind my friends so this book came at a perfect time. Funny and insightful. Too be clear, I had watched Lisa from YouTube when she was dating Shane so I'm familer with her. This book is good, not perfect or life changing or anything but a good book that I needed at the time i read it.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I related to this way more than I'd like to admit and it was surprisingly comforting to know I'm not the only thirty-something that kind of hates, or at least majorly questions, a lot of the things other people this age seem to live for.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barely to my 20s, but this book helped me so much. Her insight gives a real and raw perspective on life that has made an impact on me. Would totally recommend to anyone who can handle the mature language/

[Theresa Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you for the giveaway copy. The vulgarity and lack of real humor made it difficult to finish this one. I cannot recommend it. Young women are encouraged to make better reading choices than this book.

[Amy Rienguette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as funny as I thought it would be when it is described as being “hilarious”. It’s ok, easy read. I agree that it’s sometimes Whiny, and not really creative in her way of dealing with things. But I will still watch her YouTube videos

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are a married female with children in her 30s hoping to read a book to relate to someone going through the same experiences as you, do NOT read this book! The author has a very strong aversion to marriage and motherhood. Had I known that, I would have disregarded the book entirely.

[Jessi Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book actually had me laughing out loud! It's so funny and so relatable! I love how she just puts it all out there. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK to anyone who is in their 30s or wants a glimpse of what 30 is like! Awesome book!

[Rachael Hobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t care for some of the jokes, but I really liked how sincere and vulnerable Lisa got in the book.

[Bibi Yaneva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to be kind but i didnt particularly like it. I listened to the audiobook read by the auther and while i like her cute and chirpy voice in her utube videos, it was a bit irritating for a long listen. I found the book filled with cliches and not that much originality. It just felt a bit short and i didnt find it funny or much amusing.

[Poppinka · Rating 3 out of 5]

#poppyreads2019

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frightfully honest look at growing older that everyone will relate to in one way or another.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear this could be made into a rom-com or similar tv show. So entertaining!

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only was this book fun charming hilarious and insightful it was well done. I highly recommend getting it on audio, her voice and inflections really bring something amazing to the story!