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The Gap Decade: When You're Technically an Adult but Really Don't Feel Like It Yet
"A gap decade isn't a cute whim of a decision to take a pause and travel to Italy for a few months. Nah. A gap decade is a cluster of challenging, transitional years that the universe just dumps in your lap. And my lap. And pretty much everyone's lap. It's that twilight zone between 'young person' and 'full-blown adult' that sort of washes in, bringing with it a bit of chaos, growth, and self-discovery. It is a few years of flailing around, trying to figure out what the heck is happening as you move from not old to kinda old. From young adult to adult adult." The gap decade is that sometimes difficult transitional season young adults face in their twenties and early thirties. In this quirky and honest chronicle, Katie Schnack names the awkward realities of living in that gap between adolescence and adulthood. She and her husband go on an unpredictable journey through a decade of never-ending transitions as they make multiple moves across five states, face job interviews and tax returns, and go through anxiety, loss, pregnancy, and countless episodes of The Office .* Along the way, Schnack explores the common experiences of these young adulting The uncertainty of waiting when you're stuck and don't know what steps to take. Learning to trust in God's provision when you are broke like a joke. Admitting your need for help when panic attacks strike. And discovering a life full of grace and joys that can't be ordered via two-day delivery. *Katie has binged all nine seasons of The Office ―four times. Don't do the math about how many hours of TV that is. She doesn't want to know.
224 pages, Paperback
Published October 12, 2021
7 people are currently reading
2366 people want to read
About the author
Katie Schnack
4 books34 followersKatie Schnack is a writer who has been featured in outlets like Romper, HelloGiggles, ScaryMommy, XOJane, TODAY Parents - NBC, Relevant Magazine and more.
For more information please visit katieschnack.com or connect with her on:
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/katieschnackwriter
For more information please visit katieschnack.com or connect with her on:
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www.instagram.com/katieschnack
and
Facebook: www.facebook.com/katieschnackwriter
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 19, 2024
All these 5 star reviews from 40 years old people…this is my review as a gen z going through the gap decade rn
If you are looking for a book that will help you understand and build stronger and personal relationship with Christ, articulate His plan for you, learn more in spiritual discipline and how to have faith and be encouraged in a deep and meaningful way. DON’T READ THIS
This is an autobiography, each chapter is basically a stage of her life with a little anecdote at the end about how God is big brain and we are pea brain(her words). This is not to be read as something that will prompt you to learn and reflect on your own experiences. The title is SO DECEIVING. This should be named “My Gap Decade”instead of whatever this is.
This book also lacks depth. If you have been struggling with things like how to wait, how to have faith, how to listen to God, etc. this book won’t teach you more. It’s an introduction. She barely mentions the name Jesus or quote any scripture at all. I was very disappointed by this. This one chapter she talked about how she ugly cried in a car and “it’s okay to show God your true feelings”…you get it. And then she proceeds to compare her crying to the MATING CALL OF A BALUGA WHALE.
This brings me to the next problem I have with this book. I have presented this book to many of my friends who are in their early to late twenties, everyone told me this is some of the cringiest stuff they have ever read. This book is published in 2021. If generation z starts in 1997, then the oldest gen z turned 24 in 2021. If you think with your pea brain, as time passes, more and more gen z will be the targeted audience, so please, understand your audience????? HAVE YOU EVER TALKED WITH A GEN Z????? There is nothing gen z hates more than millennials trying so hard at pretending to understand gen z humor and language.
If you are someone in need of help, and is willing to go to the lengths of picking up a book to seek help. The last thing you want is probably cringe jokes that totally ruins your reflective mood…I was hopeful when she mentioned the feeling of everything seemingly going great but you feel an itch that something is not quite right, but then she completely ruins the mood by inserting a sentence right after about scratching her butt. I cannot make this shit up.
I had to put this book down when I read the sentence “I couldn’t get myself out of a funk, and this was one of the funkiest funks I had ever funked with”
Wow, that was one of the wordest word I had ever worded with. Oh and how about comparing the feeling of loneliness when God is seemingly silent to God UNFOLLOWING you on Facebook. Comparing the pain and frustration of a silent God to unfollowing on social media, especially Facebook? FACEBOOK??? Should have said God unsubscribing to your mailing list. So so so cultural relevant, much funny, big clever, shoot me right now
our lives are already filled with fast humor, fragmented conversations, and using jokes to cope with trauma. We need spaces for serious conversations around this topic of feeling lost that is particular to this time. Please, this is a cry for help, stop this shit, I am begging you.
Who edited this? Who is the editor? How can you let a joke about beluga mating call slide. You let the intrusive thoughts won, congrats.
If you are looking for a book that will help you understand and build stronger and personal relationship with Christ, articulate His plan for you, learn more in spiritual discipline and how to have faith and be encouraged in a deep and meaningful way. DON’T READ THIS
This is an autobiography, each chapter is basically a stage of her life with a little anecdote at the end about how God is big brain and we are pea brain(her words). This is not to be read as something that will prompt you to learn and reflect on your own experiences. The title is SO DECEIVING. This should be named “My Gap Decade”instead of whatever this is.
This book also lacks depth. If you have been struggling with things like how to wait, how to have faith, how to listen to God, etc. this book won’t teach you more. It’s an introduction. She barely mentions the name Jesus or quote any scripture at all. I was very disappointed by this. This one chapter she talked about how she ugly cried in a car and “it’s okay to show God your true feelings”…you get it. And then she proceeds to compare her crying to the MATING CALL OF A BALUGA WHALE.
This brings me to the next problem I have with this book. I have presented this book to many of my friends who are in their early to late twenties, everyone told me this is some of the cringiest stuff they have ever read. This book is published in 2021. If generation z starts in 1997, then the oldest gen z turned 24 in 2021. If you think with your pea brain, as time passes, more and more gen z will be the targeted audience, so please, understand your audience????? HAVE YOU EVER TALKED WITH A GEN Z????? There is nothing gen z hates more than millennials trying so hard at pretending to understand gen z humor and language.
If you are someone in need of help, and is willing to go to the lengths of picking up a book to seek help. The last thing you want is probably cringe jokes that totally ruins your reflective mood…I was hopeful when she mentioned the feeling of everything seemingly going great but you feel an itch that something is not quite right, but then she completely ruins the mood by inserting a sentence right after about scratching her butt. I cannot make this shit up.
I had to put this book down when I read the sentence “I couldn’t get myself out of a funk, and this was one of the funkiest funks I had ever funked with”
Wow, that was one of the wordest word I had ever worded with. Oh and how about comparing the feeling of loneliness when God is seemingly silent to God UNFOLLOWING you on Facebook. Comparing the pain and frustration of a silent God to unfollowing on social media, especially Facebook? FACEBOOK??? Should have said God unsubscribing to your mailing list. So so so cultural relevant, much funny, big clever, shoot me right now
our lives are already filled with fast humor, fragmented conversations, and using jokes to cope with trauma. We need spaces for serious conversations around this topic of feeling lost that is particular to this time. Please, this is a cry for help, stop this shit, I am begging you.
Who edited this? Who is the editor? How can you let a joke about beluga mating call slide. You let the intrusive thoughts won, congrats.
April 24, 2022
Summary: A first-person account of navigating the decade of one’s twenties, the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
I first noticed the idea of this book in my work with grad students. They were living on their own, most were working while pursuing grad studies, they had cars, health insurance, paid taxes, and in some cases were married or had even started families. They looked like adults and I thought of them that way. Yet they did not yet feel they were “adults.” Perhaps part was that they saw themselves as “still going to school.” They described some of the things I’ve mentioned in the preceding sentences as “adulting” which suggests a kind of rehearsal for adulthood. I came to discover that this is descriptive of many in their twenties.
Katie Schnack captures this in her book, The Gap Decade. The title comes from the idea of a “gap year,” which many take before or after college as a kind of transition. Schnack suggests that the gap decade isn’t a choice, but a host of transitions “that the universe just dumps in your lap” that come with a ton of emotions from loneliness or even depression to exhilaration and joy and intimacy.
In an informal and quirky style, Schnack describes her own journey through the transitions of this decade. One is the finding of new friends in the places where one moves. Another is the waiting (sometimes literally at tables) one does on the way to find the work one wants to do. Then there is the work (or #werk) and the crazy things that happen like the boss who up and quit, throwing her stapler across the office (how not to quit). She describes a couple years in Austin where she learned to “embrace the stuck” while her husband completed an MFA program.
Working on taxes taught her and her husband how to make the hard things like doing taxes more endurable–snacks and pizza with champagne afterwards made it easier–and learned to apply that lesson to other hard things, like Tuesdays. She writes about finding the balance between tidy (which she is not) and good enough, and between taking care of oneself and enjoying one’s body, and going crazy in some exercise program. She describes the new appreciation of her home in Minnesota after living in other places, including knowing how to bait a fishhook and de-ice a windshield. It also means accepting change–that Christmas celebrations, even with family are different than childhood.
Living in a tiny apartment where both worked from home in New York exposed all their shortcomings, the grace and self-forgiveness they needed to practice, as well as some good life hacks–and the value of a bigger place to live. Like many couples starting out (especially during the recession that began in 2009), finances were tight and lean into their faith:
“When all my go-to comforts are stripped from me–a sense of physical and financial security, an understanding of what outcomes I can expect, my tangible needs and emotional needs being met–I have learned just to lean hard on God, with the expectation he will show up with enough to get me through. How? Just by the good ol’ “cry out to God” method because sometimes that is all we have to offer” (p. 124).
Another move, this time to Memphis led to a mental health crisis as Katie went through profound depression. She speaks candidly of the stigmas that still exist in the Christian community around mental health–particularly the stigma that one should not need medication. And she writes about the transformative experience of going to a therapist (not a Christian), an elderly woman with an eye problem who she dubs “Dr. Magic Wizard.” She finally was able to process the death of her closest college friend.
The concluding part of the book describes her and her husband’s journey into becoming parents–the deep grief of a miscarriage, carrying and birthing her daughter, and that as a mom it is still OK–or not–to wear a bikini. You can even survive showing up to register your daughter for daycare with a stray piece of pink underwear hanging out the back of your shorts, that you discover only after you leave.
Schnack is real, vulnerable, and funny. She lets you know you are not the only one to go through all of this stuff–a lot of people are. She describes a life of learning that she doesn’t have to have it all together. She tells stories of leaning into her faith in all sorts of practical ways–God shows up and she keeps showing up. The book ends with her turning thirty–far from flawless but also marveling how far she has come.
This is an encouraging book. I enjoyed the quirky writing style as well as the skill of weaving a number of “adulting” transitions into her narrative. This is a great book if you are wondering if you are the “only one” or know someone who is.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I first noticed the idea of this book in my work with grad students. They were living on their own, most were working while pursuing grad studies, they had cars, health insurance, paid taxes, and in some cases were married or had even started families. They looked like adults and I thought of them that way. Yet they did not yet feel they were “adults.” Perhaps part was that they saw themselves as “still going to school.” They described some of the things I’ve mentioned in the preceding sentences as “adulting” which suggests a kind of rehearsal for adulthood. I came to discover that this is descriptive of many in their twenties.
Katie Schnack captures this in her book, The Gap Decade. The title comes from the idea of a “gap year,” which many take before or after college as a kind of transition. Schnack suggests that the gap decade isn’t a choice, but a host of transitions “that the universe just dumps in your lap” that come with a ton of emotions from loneliness or even depression to exhilaration and joy and intimacy.
In an informal and quirky style, Schnack describes her own journey through the transitions of this decade. One is the finding of new friends in the places where one moves. Another is the waiting (sometimes literally at tables) one does on the way to find the work one wants to do. Then there is the work (or #werk) and the crazy things that happen like the boss who up and quit, throwing her stapler across the office (how not to quit). She describes a couple years in Austin where she learned to “embrace the stuck” while her husband completed an MFA program.
Working on taxes taught her and her husband how to make the hard things like doing taxes more endurable–snacks and pizza with champagne afterwards made it easier–and learned to apply that lesson to other hard things, like Tuesdays. She writes about finding the balance between tidy (which she is not) and good enough, and between taking care of oneself and enjoying one’s body, and going crazy in some exercise program. She describes the new appreciation of her home in Minnesota after living in other places, including knowing how to bait a fishhook and de-ice a windshield. It also means accepting change–that Christmas celebrations, even with family are different than childhood.
Living in a tiny apartment where both worked from home in New York exposed all their shortcomings, the grace and self-forgiveness they needed to practice, as well as some good life hacks–and the value of a bigger place to live. Like many couples starting out (especially during the recession that began in 2009), finances were tight and lean into their faith:
“When all my go-to comforts are stripped from me–a sense of physical and financial security, an understanding of what outcomes I can expect, my tangible needs and emotional needs being met–I have learned just to lean hard on God, with the expectation he will show up with enough to get me through. How? Just by the good ol’ “cry out to God” method because sometimes that is all we have to offer” (p. 124).
Another move, this time to Memphis led to a mental health crisis as Katie went through profound depression. She speaks candidly of the stigmas that still exist in the Christian community around mental health–particularly the stigma that one should not need medication. And she writes about the transformative experience of going to a therapist (not a Christian), an elderly woman with an eye problem who she dubs “Dr. Magic Wizard.” She finally was able to process the death of her closest college friend.
The concluding part of the book describes her and her husband’s journey into becoming parents–the deep grief of a miscarriage, carrying and birthing her daughter, and that as a mom it is still OK–or not–to wear a bikini. You can even survive showing up to register your daughter for daycare with a stray piece of pink underwear hanging out the back of your shorts, that you discover only after you leave.
Schnack is real, vulnerable, and funny. She lets you know you are not the only one to go through all of this stuff–a lot of people are. She describes a life of learning that she doesn’t have to have it all together. She tells stories of leaning into her faith in all sorts of practical ways–God shows up and she keeps showing up. The book ends with her turning thirty–far from flawless but also marveling how far she has come.
This is an encouraging book. I enjoyed the quirky writing style as well as the skill of weaving a number of “adulting” transitions into her narrative. This is a great book if you are wondering if you are the “only one” or know someone who is.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
December 29, 2021
Ironically, in spite of all that’s been written about the struggle of Gen Z and millennial young adults launching into “grown-up” life, I actually vacillated more than my kids did. Therefore, I read The Gap Decade: When You’re Technically an Adult but Really Don’t Feel Like It Yet wishing someone had been addressing this topic forty years ago, particularly with Katie Schnack’s gift for weaving memoir with sound wisdom around her own exploration of the onramp to adulthood.
It’s been a long time since I chuckled while reading a book, but Schnack has a gift for addressing serious topics with both humor and aching vulnerability, so you will chuckle along with her no matter what stage of life you presently inhabit if you have experienced the silence of God, if your journey includes mental health challenges, or if you are simply captivated by a fresh, sparkling metaphor. Her story demonstrates the sovereign love of a God who is intimately concerned with every detail of his children’s lives, while furiously guarding their autonomy.
Her experience with God’s guidance has been that “some people may know what they want to do with their life and what lights them up like a neon retro motel sign, and that is awesome. But for others, discovering what they love and what fulfills them may come about more subtly and slowly, and that’s okay too.” (31) Me, too, and I appreciated the reminder!
Many thanks to IVP for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
It’s been a long time since I chuckled while reading a book, but Schnack has a gift for addressing serious topics with both humor and aching vulnerability, so you will chuckle along with her no matter what stage of life you presently inhabit if you have experienced the silence of God, if your journey includes mental health challenges, or if you are simply captivated by a fresh, sparkling metaphor. Her story demonstrates the sovereign love of a God who is intimately concerned with every detail of his children’s lives, while furiously guarding their autonomy.
Her experience with God’s guidance has been that “some people may know what they want to do with their life and what lights them up like a neon retro motel sign, and that is awesome. But for others, discovering what they love and what fulfills them may come about more subtly and slowly, and that’s okay too.” (31) Me, too, and I appreciated the reminder!
Many thanks to IVP for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
March 25, 2022
I enjoyed this one. It's more of a memoir than self help but I really enjoyed Katie's writing style.
If you're feeling stuck and alone and lost in your twenties, this book while make you laugh and cheer you up :)
If you're feeling stuck and alone and lost in your twenties, this book while make you laugh and cheer you up :)
September 27, 2021
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul sarcastically boasts about how he is a better follower of Christ because he has suffered much in his serving. His focus is on showcases that the weaker we are, the stronger we are in Christ because his strength compensates for what we lack.
In "The Gap Decade," Katie Schnack doesn't provide a silver bullet for how to get through your twenties and thirties. She doesn't show case the "top 5 ways to survive being a twentysomething" or anything like that. Instead, Schnack narrates the difficulties of learning to become an adult in a culture that tends to do little to prepare youth for ascending higher levels of personal and social maturity. She does this through personal anecdotes and stories from her own life.
I did like that she is witty, easy to read, and at times relatable. This book, I'm sure, will speak to a great number of people as Schnack's life struggles are the typical, American everyday-life struggles. Effectively, "you are not alone" is the great emphasis of this book as culture has us comparing everyone else's victory moments with the failures in our own lives on a regular basis.
What I did not like was lack in depth. Each chapter was personal testimony with a touch of the divine, but mostly narration on how she and her husband failed, or felt miserable, or struggled. Again, there is a touch of "feeling God" throughout each chapter, but little in the way of how spiritual discipline or formation played any impact in her or her husbands life. It reads like 23 blog posts about life and daily struggles.
Overall, good book with a few gold nuggets.
In "The Gap Decade," Katie Schnack doesn't provide a silver bullet for how to get through your twenties and thirties. She doesn't show case the "top 5 ways to survive being a twentysomething" or anything like that. Instead, Schnack narrates the difficulties of learning to become an adult in a culture that tends to do little to prepare youth for ascending higher levels of personal and social maturity. She does this through personal anecdotes and stories from her own life.
I did like that she is witty, easy to read, and at times relatable. This book, I'm sure, will speak to a great number of people as Schnack's life struggles are the typical, American everyday-life struggles. Effectively, "you are not alone" is the great emphasis of this book as culture has us comparing everyone else's victory moments with the failures in our own lives on a regular basis.
What I did not like was lack in depth. Each chapter was personal testimony with a touch of the divine, but mostly narration on how she and her husband failed, or felt miserable, or struggled. Again, there is a touch of "feeling God" throughout each chapter, but little in the way of how spiritual discipline or formation played any impact in her or her husbands life. It reads like 23 blog posts about life and daily struggles.
Overall, good book with a few gold nuggets.
January 17, 2023
take a shot anytime she mentions "carving", chips and cheese, wanting to be with arts and culture, or slapping something onto a sweatshirt or mug.
March 14, 2024
A friend let me borrow a copy of this because the title seemed interesting and very relatable to where I am in life. Spoiler alert: this book was neither of those things.
The author is very quirky and tries to have all the personality in her writing, but it doesn't always translate the best and falls flat. This isn't a book explaining a gap decade- as opposed to a gap year, where the term was spun from- and it isn't an uplifting book about how and why a gap decade is a good/bad idea or sometimes a necessity. The continuation of the title "For When You're Technically An Adult but Really Don't Feel Like It Yet" makes it seem like this is going to be helpful in some way facing being in this weird in between and facing the differences between societal expectations, life stages, and everything that goes along with falling into a gap. Nope!
This is nothing more than a short autobiography of the author's own experiences with a sentence here or there thrown to the reader telling them to trust in God's plan or that "hey, it's okay". Nothing more, nothing less. The quirky writing and joking style didn't lend to any real in depth review of scenarios and everything was very surface level unless it was focused on the autobiography. I will never take someone talking about mental health stigmas seriously when they start with "Mental Mental Health Y'all".
When I read this, I did not realize it was Christian Non-Fiction, so I wasn't prepared for all the religious references in the book. It's cool, whatever. Not my cup of tea, but that's on me for not checking. Realistically this book could have been boiled down to: "Hi, I'm (insert Author name) and the past ten years have had some ups and downs, but my husband and I kept trusting in God and his plan for us."
The author is very quirky and tries to have all the personality in her writing, but it doesn't always translate the best and falls flat. This isn't a book explaining a gap decade- as opposed to a gap year, where the term was spun from- and it isn't an uplifting book about how and why a gap decade is a good/bad idea or sometimes a necessity. The continuation of the title "For When You're Technically An Adult but Really Don't Feel Like It Yet" makes it seem like this is going to be helpful in some way facing being in this weird in between and facing the differences between societal expectations, life stages, and everything that goes along with falling into a gap. Nope!
This is nothing more than a short autobiography of the author's own experiences with a sentence here or there thrown to the reader telling them to trust in God's plan or that "hey, it's okay". Nothing more, nothing less. The quirky writing and joking style didn't lend to any real in depth review of scenarios and everything was very surface level unless it was focused on the autobiography. I will never take someone talking about mental health stigmas seriously when they start with "Mental Mental Health Y'all".
When I read this, I did not realize it was Christian Non-Fiction, so I wasn't prepared for all the religious references in the book. It's cool, whatever. Not my cup of tea, but that's on me for not checking. Realistically this book could have been boiled down to: "Hi, I'm (insert Author name) and the past ten years have had some ups and downs, but my husband and I kept trusting in God and his plan for us."
October 22, 2021
I read this book in just a couple of days! It was so easy to get into, and Katie's voice leaps off the page. She had me laughing all throughout, but there was also something in each section that hit close to home and made me feel seen and encouraged. She talks about her experiences surviving her twenties in a young marriage, changing states and jobs and making it through various struggles. While not everyone can relate to being married so young, I believe most people know financial stress, the hardships that come with becoming an independent adult and dealing with grownup things, mental health struggles, and even grief. I especially resonated with her talking about how hard it is to make friendships as an adult––especially in a new state––but how important it is to have that community around you, and it encouraged me to pursue this for myself (I am several years into living in a new state without much rooting me here, and it's HARD). This book was truly relatable and uplifting, and I enjoyed every word!
July 26, 2024
Now some of the critiques of this book is that some of the writing is corny, particularly her jokes and quips throughout. And I would have to agree--she didn't need to have a good majority of them, and it seems like that whole millennial, trying to be relatable thing that just is not necessary. But, I did in fact enjoy it because underneath those silly quips, the stories and anecdotes were engaging and there were certain chapters that were well-written, particularly the first chapter about meeting her future husband when they were only 12 and the chapter where she goes over the impact of the death of her best friend when she was only 19. I think the only reason it works underneath all the cringy jokes (though I will say there were a few that actually did make me laugh) is that the author is genuinely authentic in what she's writing about.
February 15, 2022
Interesting, informative, and witty. The Gap Decade is not just a book resourceful and useful for teenagers and young adults but it works for adults of all ages. Actually, I almost regret that I hadn't read a book like this when I was a young adult and when I could have used this information the most. Katie Schnack has a way of drawing the reader in and truly penetrating the heart with relatable stories that stick. It's just a really wonderful book that has to be read to understand the magnitude of its usefulness.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to the good people of GoodReads and to IVP for my copy of this book. I received. I read. I reviewed this book honestly and voluntarily.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to the good people of GoodReads and to IVP for my copy of this book. I received. I read. I reviewed this book honestly and voluntarily.
October 23, 2021
Using humor, transparent honesty and insightful introspection, Katie offers her readers a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of her own journey. As an “empty nest” dad to three young adults of my own, I appreciate the reminders of what this age group currently faces. I was also challenged to think more carefully about how I approach my own kids in their struggles. Katie has written a wonderful book to encourage those in the middle of the struggle. Parents of this group can also benefit from her writing, as we all learn how to best encourage and support the next generation.
November 30, 2021
This was absolutely brilliant. I appreciate a well written book. I appreciate a hilarious and witty book. And I definitely appreciate a book that makes me feel seen. The Gap Decade was all three. It’s just the book I needed right now. Relatable and poignant, TGD reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and we certainly shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by them. As someone in their twenties right now, it gives me hope and makes me feel like it might not be that bad. TGD is one I will definitely come back to time and again when I start to feel like ‘adulting’ isn’t going very well 😂
September 25, 2021
I couldn’t put this book down. This book felt personal, real, and raw. In a world where many of us hold back from sharing the hard (or embarrassing) paths we’ve walked, Katie published hers to the world. We need more of this. Her writing is friendly and funny. What she wrote about is relatable for so many and even though it’s just a book, it makes you feel less alone when reading. Highly recommend.
October 12, 2021
This book is light in a time when things are feeling so hopeless. I was cracking up in the prologue and in tears by page 9 (in a good way) If you’re looking for a laugh and encouragement at the same time.. this is it. A sweet reminder of how life goes in between and in the waiting.
Hope is worth holding on to. And so is a great sense humor.
Hope is worth holding on to. And so is a great sense humor.
July 15, 2021
Schnack tells her story with great humor (probably one of the funniest books I've read in a long time) and honesty. I particularly appreciated how she didn't sugarcoat her story, admitting how strange and confusing your twenties can be.
August 26, 2021
The Gap Decade was a breath of fresh air! Katie is relatable, funny, and poignant when sharing her adventures through her 20's. I walked away from this book feeling happy and grateful for my life. That alone is reason to read it!
December 20, 2021
It’s like if Tina Fey wrote a book on her 20’s: fun, helpful, relevant, and non stop laughter laced with impactful stories and a God-redemptive view.
I will be using this as a gift for me graduating senior college students.
I will be using this as a gift for me graduating senior college students.
February 25, 2022
Katie Schnack writes with humor and vulnerability about the challenges of the "gap decade." It's like getting advice from your best friend. I especially appreciate her honest and heartfelt discussion of mental health and how she helps destigmatize seeking help.
October 13, 2022
DNF.
This book was not what I expected. More memoir than interesting cultural analysis. Which would’ve been fine if it also didn’t read like a missionary trying to proselytize to their audience. Overall disappointing.
Can we PLEASE stop click-baiting books?
This book was not what I expected. More memoir than interesting cultural analysis. Which would’ve been fine if it also didn’t read like a missionary trying to proselytize to their audience. Overall disappointing.
Can we PLEASE stop click-baiting books?
November 16, 2024
I am Gen Z. Some of the book was relatable and spoke to some of the things I am going through. However, I feel like I have to agree with someone else’s review which said that the book is less of a self help or devotional book and more an autobiography. Each chapter sums up with a devotional paragraph, with a couple chapters integrating the theme more thoroughly.
It wasn’t a bad book, I just felt like it was marketed as one thing and ended up being something else.
Also, the unnecessary foot notes were annoying to me.
It wasn’t a bad book, I just felt like it was marketed as one thing and ended up being something else.
Also, the unnecessary foot notes were annoying to me.
July 5, 2022
Mostly anecdotes from her life with personal insights built-in but entertaining read with some practical takeaways for young adults.
July 27, 2022
Fun little memoir. Liked it.
January 28, 2023
It was more a memoir than a self help or how to kind of book but it was pleasant enough.
February 12, 2024
Great book, applicable to many life stages. Overall a really easy to read book and storyline!
July 21, 2022
This book was so relatable! I'd recommend it to anyone who's about to enter their twenties, already in their twenties, or transitioning into their thirties. I'd give it 4.5 stars - only because there were occasionally parts of the book I couldn't read clearly just because of the wording, sentence structure, or font. Reading this book was like having a heart-to-heart with my sister, coworker, or friend about life experiences. I've personally been in a season of my own life where I've felt stuck or left behind in the "Life Stages Timeline." Having this book to read was like having someone there who could relate to what I was going through.
The stories that I connected with the most were the ones about "Seasons of Waiting" and the period where the author learned more about how to manage her own mental health. I felt like that is the stage of life I'm in right now, and reading it from someone else's perspective made me feel much less alone. This is a book I will probably be rereading once I prepare to transition again.
The stories that I connected with the most were the ones about "Seasons of Waiting" and the period where the author learned more about how to manage her own mental health. I felt like that is the stage of life I'm in right now, and reading it from someone else's perspective made me feel much less alone. This is a book I will probably be rereading once I prepare to transition again.
September 6, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though I am well beyond my Gap Decade, I could relate to the trials and tribulations of becoming an adult. Katie had me feeling all the drama while laughing at the irony of it all. A great read!
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