What do you think?
Rate this book
I'm Wearing Tunics Now: On Growing Older, Better, and a Hell of a Lot Louder
An honest and hilarious memoir about second acts, self-acceptance, and celebrating what happens when a woman gets older, wiser, and a lot more excited by sales at Eileen Fisher.
A late bloomer who came to her career later in life, humorist Wendi Aarons shares the joys, stumbles, and outfit mishaps she’s experienced on her road to no longer giving a f***. It's a journey from chunky heels and bad choices from the juniors department to the panache of a comfortable linen tunic (metaphorically, but also literally), enjoying her second act and unapologetically chasing her dreams. With relatable personal anecdotes, an irresistible comedic voice, and inspirational takeaways—you, too, can find self-acceptance and also age-appropriate fashion pajamas—I’m Wearing Tunics Now is a comic memoir with humor and heart.
A late bloomer who came to her career later in life, humorist Wendi Aarons shares the joys, stumbles, and outfit mishaps she’s experienced on her road to no longer giving a f***. It's a journey from chunky heels and bad choices from the juniors department to the panache of a comfortable linen tunic (metaphorically, but also literally), enjoying her second act and unapologetically chasing her dreams. With relatable personal anecdotes, an irresistible comedic voice, and inspirational takeaways—you, too, can find self-acceptance and also age-appropriate fashion pajamas—I’m Wearing Tunics Now is a comic memoir with humor and heart.
Audiobook
Published November 15, 2022
199 people are currently reading
3874 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
May 26, 2023
I'm Wearing Tunics Now: On Growing Older, Better, and a Hell of a Lot Louder is one of the funniest books I have read or listened to. Wendi Aarons' comedic memoir is one that helps us laugh at ourselves as we move into and thrive during middle age.
Aarons wrote a letter to the male brand manager leader at Proctor and Gamble after reading a marketing message on a Maxi-Pad that said, "Have a happy period." Her letter went viral and is available to read in her book as well as online with an easy Google search. She became known as the "Angry Period Letter Writer."
Aarons covers body shaming, clothing, Botox injections, finding friends with Moms at school events, career decisions, raising children, menopause and its younger sister, peri-menopause, with belly busting humor. This is definitely the hardest I have laughed while listening to an audiobook, which Aaron narrates.
Some readers and reviewers have not liked some of her political opinions. To me, the broader story is about women transitioning into middle age and using their voice to express their opinions rather than shrinking themselves to fit in.
Highly recommend!
Aarons wrote a letter to the male brand manager leader at Proctor and Gamble after reading a marketing message on a Maxi-Pad that said, "Have a happy period." Her letter went viral and is available to read in her book as well as online with an easy Google search. She became known as the "Angry Period Letter Writer."
Aarons covers body shaming, clothing, Botox injections, finding friends with Moms at school events, career decisions, raising children, menopause and its younger sister, peri-menopause, with belly busting humor. This is definitely the hardest I have laughed while listening to an audiobook, which Aaron narrates.
Some readers and reviewers have not liked some of her political opinions. To me, the broader story is about women transitioning into middle age and using their voice to express their opinions rather than shrinking themselves to fit in.
Highly recommend!
September 12, 2022
A light-hearted memoir on aging ungracefully. 4.5 stars
November 6, 2022
This audiobook was supposed to be "an honest and hilarious memoir about second acts, self-acceptance, and chasing one's dreams".
"Toxicity" was not in the publisher's blurb and, therefore, I was ill-prepared to listen to a narcissistic author with an elevated opinion of herself ridicule and chastise political figures who did not share her beliefs.
Yes, it was the author's political rants that prompted me to push the "stop" button when I was 40% into the book.
Please note that I respect this author's political views and beliefs.
However, I dislike it when authors interject their own political views in a book without warning readers upfront.
I listened to the audiobook read by the author.
TO SUM UP: I liked the book's title and premise.
Everything else about the book was not for me.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Toxicity" was not in the publisher's blurb and, therefore, I was ill-prepared to listen to a narcissistic author with an elevated opinion of herself ridicule and chastise political figures who did not share her beliefs.
Yes, it was the author's political rants that prompted me to push the "stop" button when I was 40% into the book.
Please note that I respect this author's political views and beliefs.
However, I dislike it when authors interject their own political views in a book without warning readers upfront.
I listened to the audiobook read by the author.
TO SUM UP: I liked the book's title and premise.
Everything else about the book was not for me.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2022
A friend of mine sent our group chat the McSweeney’s link to the the title essay, and I died laughing. Upon my resurrection, I immediately hopped on NetGalley and was able to get an audiobook - woohoo! This is a perfect, funny, snarky, hilarious series of essays about being a middle aged lady that had some lovey poignant moments about friendship and building community, but it mostly just made me cackle out loud so many times.
This book is like Aarons wrote a love-letter to those of us who suddenly find ourselves in a Chico’s (CHICO’S FFS) buying a sensible sequin-covered dress to wear to our husband’s boring work holiday party and feeling like a real dummy for not just going there first.
I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it on audio (especially because it’s read by the author)!
* thanks to Andrews McMeel for the NetGalley audiobook review copy. I'm Wearing Tunics Now published November 15.
This book is like Aarons wrote a love-letter to those of us who suddenly find ourselves in a Chico’s (CHICO’S FFS) buying a sensible sequin-covered dress to wear to our husband’s boring work holiday party and feeling like a real dummy for not just going there first.
I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it on audio (especially because it’s read by the author)!
* thanks to Andrews McMeel for the NetGalley audiobook review copy. I'm Wearing Tunics Now published November 15.
January 14, 2023
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard while listening to a memoir before! I’m Wearing Tunics Now: On Growing Older, Better, and a Hell of a Lot Louder by Wendy Aarons made me bust a gut about a million times! Do you ever finish a book and then say to yourself, “I am the exact target audience for this!” I couldn’t believe how much I related to the author’s experiences. If you’re 30+, the shy, introverted, and awkward type like myself, I’m sure this memoir will really speak to you as well. Aarons absolutely nailed it with her thoughts on motherhood, marriage, fashion, menopause, finding a creative outlet as a SAHM, and making friends as we age. Her sense of humor matches mine completely, and I wish we could be BFFs, for reals. Just a heads-up, the language gets a let foul, sassy, and cheeky. The F-bombs are plentiful! Ha! I also want to mention that this memoir is very politically-charged. If reading about one’s political views makes you uncomfortable, or just simply isn’t your thing, I’d probably skip this one. I just wanted to put that out there. 5/5 hilarious stars for I’m Wearing Tunics Now! It’s out now!
November 6, 2022
I love reading books by kindred spirits.
This memoir reminded me of Glennon Doyle's 'Untamed' but way more snarky. Wendi Aarons tackles topics like being a SAHM, mom groups, re-entering the job market after 40, Botox, and menopause.
Wendi is relatable and comforting through her antidotes and humor. She could be too foul-mouthed for some but it was the right amount for me.
This memoir reminded me of Glennon Doyle's 'Untamed' but way more snarky. Wendi Aarons tackles topics like being a SAHM, mom groups, re-entering the job market after 40, Botox, and menopause.
Wendi is relatable and comforting through her antidotes and humor. She could be too foul-mouthed for some but it was the right amount for me.
January 31, 2023
I’ve looked at the one star reviews for this book. Seriously?! How did you pick up and read this book without knowing this woman is a left wing, full on liberal, militant feminist writer?! She’s a McSweeney’s satire author and star. Did you think she would be writing about how much she loves guns and Fox News?
I listened to this book on Audible and this is a rare memoir where I wish I had read the book as an ebook or paper book. I think it’s because I wish I was hearing my own voice in my head. Then I could fully live the feeling where we were living parallel lives.
Yes, I’m few years older than Wendi but we have a lot in common.
I loved reading about:
- loneliness as a new mom
- trying to fit in after moving away from everyone you know
- the delights and isolation of being a SAHM
- the joy of blogging in the early 2000s just to TALK
- the experience of living in a state where you felt like a politically out of step
- the ups and downs of making friends as an adult
- waking up after ignoring politics for most of life
I just loved this whole thing. Just don’t go into it if you’re going to be infuriated at her left wing politics. Read something else. This, for me, is “singing my life with her words…”
I listened to this book on Audible and this is a rare memoir where I wish I had read the book as an ebook or paper book. I think it’s because I wish I was hearing my own voice in my head. Then I could fully live the feeling where we were living parallel lives.
Yes, I’m few years older than Wendi but we have a lot in common.
I loved reading about:
- loneliness as a new mom
- trying to fit in after moving away from everyone you know
- the delights and isolation of being a SAHM
- the joy of blogging in the early 2000s just to TALK
- the experience of living in a state where you felt like a politically out of step
- the ups and downs of making friends as an adult
- waking up after ignoring politics for most of life
I just loved this whole thing. Just don’t go into it if you’re going to be infuriated at her left wing politics. Read something else. This, for me, is “singing my life with her words…”
Read
September 1, 2022Loved this! This is the book Nora Ephron would have written once she STOPPED feeling bad about her neck :). It's so smart and on point, and I was constantly shouting YES! ME TOO! Fellow Gen Xers, grab this.
November 19, 2022
In my foray into audiobooks, I decided to try something that wasn’t straight informational non-fiction, but I already have access to most of the fiction books I want to read and I’m not quite ready to jump into an Audible subscription (how many subscriptions can one person possibly maintain?) So I turned to memoir, preferably humorous memoir, and landed on this one. I’m a Gen Xer, roughly the same age as the author with kids roughly the same age, so I figured this would be an enjoyable choice. And who doesn’t want to arrive at work in a good mood after listening during the commute in?
The problem became almost immediately apparent: I didn’t find the author’s brand of humor funny. I chuckled along at the brief mention of Bunko, sympathized at the horror of trying to fit into a neighborhood mom group that doesn’t click for you, the dismissal of menopause by the male population (it’s real and it’s ugly), and often just feeling like a fish out of water. But that’s about all I got out of this book - one or two quick laughs and a few grimaces and head nods. It had a lot to do with the fact that the author and I have wildly different worldviews and things we place importance on. I could have enjoyed her point of view if she didn’t have to be quite so opinionated that the other side ought to be eliminated (seriously, I didn’t pick up this book to hear a political diatribe). I skipped part of that chapter.
No, what really wrecked this book for me was the author’s voice. I realize that the narrator of a memoir ought to be the author, but she sounds like she’s Gen Z, not Gen X. Her internal remarks came across as snarky/whiny, and I finished listening with the impression that she’s still insecure, possibly shallow, and the world is never going to live up to her expectations of how it ought to be.
I didn’t rate this lower than I did because I’m aware it might appeal to a lot of women and I did recommend it to a coworker’s daughter, but I cautioned she might want to read it rather than listen to the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio for providing the ARC audiobook. I’ve left my review honestly and voluntarily.
The problem became almost immediately apparent: I didn’t find the author’s brand of humor funny. I chuckled along at the brief mention of Bunko, sympathized at the horror of trying to fit into a neighborhood mom group that doesn’t click for you, the dismissal of menopause by the male population (it’s real and it’s ugly), and often just feeling like a fish out of water. But that’s about all I got out of this book - one or two quick laughs and a few grimaces and head nods. It had a lot to do with the fact that the author and I have wildly different worldviews and things we place importance on. I could have enjoyed her point of view if she didn’t have to be quite so opinionated that the other side ought to be eliminated (seriously, I didn’t pick up this book to hear a political diatribe). I skipped part of that chapter.
No, what really wrecked this book for me was the author’s voice. I realize that the narrator of a memoir ought to be the author, but she sounds like she’s Gen Z, not Gen X. Her internal remarks came across as snarky/whiny, and I finished listening with the impression that she’s still insecure, possibly shallow, and the world is never going to live up to her expectations of how it ought to be.
I didn’t rate this lower than I did because I’m aware it might appeal to a lot of women and I did recommend it to a coworker’s daughter, but I cautioned she might want to read it rather than listen to the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio for providing the ARC audiobook. I’ve left my review honestly and voluntarily.
January 27, 2023
I saw the author in my local library and bought the book. At first I just couldn’t believe how negative and judgmental it was. The author is just like what she is describing how people are in her book. I thought “Man, if this woman would just play more positive tapes in her head she’d find way more joy in life.” I felt bad for the school district moms described when she entered into school mom life. I don’t believe most of the moms are as described. I just don’t see the world like she does. The political stuff didn’t bother me. I pride myself on being able to tolerate and respect BOTH far sides of the political arena. Finally, half way through the book, parts I could relate to. The physical changes of aging (that and I do love Barry Manilow). I even chuckled a few times. The author’s obsession with the “f”word is just….idk…awkward. She relaxes at the end to encourage us to “find our own village”. It does sound like she’s chilled and found her people to experience joy and acceptance with…while wearing tunics. I like the title.
Read
December 6, 2024As a rule I don't dnf books very often. I figured there's a chance down the road where it'll appeal to me again, or perhaps my reading tastes will change and I don't want it listed as a DNF. The only other book I've officially dnf'ed this year was another "light hearted" book on aging. But it's December and I'm trying to meet my goal of 125 books this year (down from 133 last year) so I'm going to dnf this so it counts.
I only got past the sections of maternity pants and twin sweater sets (chapters are divided by what Aarons was wearing at the time, so pregnancy and grade school/PTA times)...when you're 65 you're *really* over talking about having babies and no sleep, or the nastiest PTA behaviors. In fact it circles around and you start thinking life wasn't really so bad then.
Her comedy isn't for me, and most of the time I was thinking, why is she so angry? I was probably too, back in my 40s but now...naptime and white wine slows down life.
I only got past the sections of maternity pants and twin sweater sets (chapters are divided by what Aarons was wearing at the time, so pregnancy and grade school/PTA times)...when you're 65 you're *really* over talking about having babies and no sleep, or the nastiest PTA behaviors. In fact it circles around and you start thinking life wasn't really so bad then.
Her comedy isn't for me, and most of the time I was thinking, why is she so angry? I was probably too, back in my 40s but now...naptime and white wine slows down life.
November 17, 2022
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Wendi Aarons
Content: 3 stars ~ Narration: 4 stars
Complete audiobook review
I'm Wearing Tunics Now is Wendi Aarons' memoir. I must admit that I didn’t know the author before reading. She is a writer and humorist. Her works appeared in McSweeney's and the New Yorker. The author included in this memoir different themes, from raising children to aging. Here and there is also some political opinion.
For me, some things are relatable, and others aren’t. I liked the first part better than the rest of the audiobook. I don’t agree with all the views and actions. But hey, this is Wendi Aarons’ memoir, not mine. I’m Wearing Tunics Now will be interesting for some 50+ female readers. It could be relatable also for a bit younger readers.
Thanks to the Andrews McMeel Audio for the ALC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Content: 3 stars ~ Narration: 4 stars
Complete audiobook review
I'm Wearing Tunics Now is Wendi Aarons' memoir. I must admit that I didn’t know the author before reading. She is a writer and humorist. Her works appeared in McSweeney's and the New Yorker. The author included in this memoir different themes, from raising children to aging. Here and there is also some political opinion.
For me, some things are relatable, and others aren’t. I liked the first part better than the rest of the audiobook. I don’t agree with all the views and actions. But hey, this is Wendi Aarons’ memoir, not mine. I’m Wearing Tunics Now will be interesting for some 50+ female readers. It could be relatable also for a bit younger readers.
Thanks to the Andrews McMeel Audio for the ALC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
September 1, 2022
I received an advance copy of this book (and still have it preordered for pub day) and absolutely loved it. Wendi’s essays on how she has changed as a person and come into her own over time, culminating in the person many of us hope to be at midlife (comfortable with who we are, not caring much about what anyone else thinks about our opinions while strongly caring for our families, communities, and world through activism and good deeds) are packaged so well within the covers of this book (or whatever is the equivalent when you’re reading an e-copy!). I highly recommend every woman approaching (or already at/in) midlife get this book in October!
November 10, 2022
Wendi Aarons is not an asshole; she’ s actually “in the years between being hip and breaking one”; a 50+ year old, straight talking, middle age woman who dishes on everything from motherhood to menopause to Barry Manilow😂 This memoir in essays was laugh out loud hilarious. Listening to Wendi read her memoir added to the joys and snark of being an outspoken, often overlooked woman of a certain age. This would make a fabulous gift for all your besties. Available Nov. 15, 2022 🥳
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for gifting me an ALC. In exchange for the free listener’s copy, I offer my unbiased review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for gifting me an ALC. In exchange for the free listener’s copy, I offer my unbiased review.
December 28, 2022
Whatever preview I saw of this book was really charming and funny, I was really excited to read her story. Two painful chapters in and I’m quitting, which I completely struggle with - I am not good at walking away. The funny glimpses are buried in pages of incessant whining by a woman who seems entirely unable and/or unwilling to make friends and enjoy all the moment life throws at her. I’m also really tired of authors including their political views in books that don’t require any discussion of the current state of politics in America. If I wanted to be dragged into that dark hole I could log into Facebook. One star, not for me,
June 28, 2023
This book had me laughing with the accuracy. A little crude, but so real! It's a story of aging and not understanding what's happening or liking it at all, but living through it anyway.
December 29, 2022
I snort-laughed my way all the way through listening to this gem, narrated by this Texas-based author (and all the glory of her oh-so-not-Texas accent). Since she and I are exactly the same age, it was glorious to giggle and groan at what we women-of-a-certain-age have in common. Lots of comfort and validation in these pages, too. HIGHLY recommend as long as you don't mind a well-placed F-bomb or twenty. (*SNORT*)
November 24, 2022
I couldn’t finish this book. I wanted to like it so much. I appreciated the author’s humorous takes on getting older, but had a hard time getting past: a lot of time spent on parenting, a lot of complaining passed off as humor, and use of the words moron/moronic more than once. No thanks!
October 5, 2024
If you are in your mid 50s, you just might appreciate this book. Wendi and I are the same age, and I had to laugh at all of the things I could relate too...which is most of the book.
It was fun to listen to while at the gym. There are a LOT of f* bombs. Half could have been cut out because the word lost its impact, especially when it was used multiple times in the same paragraph.
There are some political statements that I could have done without, but it didn't impact my enjoyment of the book.
It was fun to listen to while at the gym. There are a LOT of f* bombs. Half could have been cut out because the word lost its impact, especially when it was used multiple times in the same paragraph.
There are some political statements that I could have done without, but it didn't impact my enjoyment of the book.
November 22, 2022
I knew nothing about the author before I went in. Yet, I had read her Maxi Pad Letter, just didn't connect the two.
I enjoyed this immensely. I like Aarons' sense of humour. There are lots of truths about being a woman in western society in this book.
I enjoyed this immensely. I like Aarons' sense of humour. There are lots of truths about being a woman in western society in this book.
May 6, 2023
Libby Kindle. This is hysterical.
November 18, 2024
Only fun if you’re the target audience, but some sentences and sections were hilarious.
December 21, 2022
This was a fun read. I related to many of her stories and there were several laugh out loud moments.
December 4, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio, Andrews McMeel Publishing for accepting my request to audibly read and review I'm Wearing Tunics Now.
Author: Wendi Aarons
Narrator: Wendi Aarons
Published: 11/15/22
Genre: Entertainment
Absolute garbage. From the exaggerated performance to different every day scenarios to the unbelievably high opinion Aarons has for herself as well as her self imposed high achievements this is insulting.
Again, blah blah blah -- Not every book is meant for ...., the book is better than the movie ....profanity doesn't bother me, blah blah blah.
Who pitches this? Someone point me please to the psychology of the people who genuinely find value in this. I have held my head up, and fought through trenches of garbage with my NetGalley requests; no more. I have about 300 books on Kindle, 200-300 physical books, and 130 approved on NetGalley; and each one I am interested in. I am not wasting anymore time on trash.
I knew by the 3% mark, this wasn't going to bode well with me, at 20% I was done.
My question to the author: With pride you mentioned your sons (I hope they feel the same towards you.) was F or F-ing their first words?
I usually will give 2 stars as a low; this book is why, one star is generous.
Author: Wendi Aarons
Narrator: Wendi Aarons
Published: 11/15/22
Genre: Entertainment
Absolute garbage. From the exaggerated performance to different every day scenarios to the unbelievably high opinion Aarons has for herself as well as her self imposed high achievements this is insulting.
Again, blah blah blah -- Not every book is meant for ...., the book is better than the movie ....profanity doesn't bother me, blah blah blah.
Who pitches this? Someone point me please to the psychology of the people who genuinely find value in this. I have held my head up, and fought through trenches of garbage with my NetGalley requests; no more. I have about 300 books on Kindle, 200-300 physical books, and 130 approved on NetGalley; and each one I am interested in. I am not wasting anymore time on trash.
I knew by the 3% mark, this wasn't going to bode well with me, at 20% I was done.
My question to the author: With pride you mentioned your sons (I hope they feel the same towards you.) was F or F-ing their first words?
I usually will give 2 stars as a low; this book is why, one star is generous.
March 20, 2023
I thought this book would be about a middle-age woman finally accepting (maybe even loving?) her body and embracing the view that getting older is a privilege. Boy, was I wrong. Lots of anti-fat bias and buying into the idea that youth is the ideal. One chapter goes on and on about how upset she was to be called “ma’am.” I’m 44 and I’ve been called “ma’am” plenty of times AND I WORK THAT ISH. Yes, I’m an older woman and you WILL honor me! I’ve worked my ass off to get to this point, and I have no more effs to give for nonsense! That’s the kind of book I thought I would be reading. Nope. There were lots of funny moments, for sure, but not enough to make up for the anti-fat bias and framing of middle-age women as pathetic has-beens.
February 13, 2024
I don’t know why this book was recommended to me, but when it came up in my library queue, I read it. I always have to read the entire book even if I’m not enjoying it. That’s the law.
The book is written by a somewhat liberal, slightly witty, middle-aged mommy blogger, who lives in Texas, in a neighborhood of conservative families, whom she enjoys insulting. She whines endlessly about being invisible once a woman reaches that certain age. She laments her waistline and her wrinkles (and gets plenty of Botox). She is quite a name dropper, which is not very impressive. If you’re like me, you won’t find it funny, and you won’t learn anything new, so what’s the point?
The book is written by a somewhat liberal, slightly witty, middle-aged mommy blogger, who lives in Texas, in a neighborhood of conservative families, whom she enjoys insulting. She whines endlessly about being invisible once a woman reaches that certain age. She laments her waistline and her wrinkles (and gets plenty of Botox). She is quite a name dropper, which is not very impressive. If you’re like me, you won’t find it funny, and you won’t learn anything new, so what’s the point?
September 1, 2023
I wanted to like this book more than I did. Some chapters were better than others. I appreciate the theme but ultimately I was discouraged by Aarons disempowered approach and perspective on aging. She seemed way too shaken at being called "ma'am" and I almost stopped reading after her chapter where she voraciously justifies her cosmetic procedures. I don't want to judge her for doing that for herself but I would rather learn and be guided through the aging process by an older woman who more forcefully rebels against those expectations.
November 28, 2022
I've followed Wendi's writing for years-- possibly since the "Have a Happy Period" letter. She's published essays widely and I've read most of it. I read 80% of this book in one sitting and finished it as soon as I regained consciousness. I truly did laugh and cry. Hitting midlife as a woman is totally different than I expected it to be and I absolutely felt less alone reading Aaron's take on all things midlife. I can't wait for her to publish another book. Get on it, Aarons!
April 2, 2023
I found this book pretty funny and laughed out loud multiple times. I related to much of what the author discussed. I did not find the author to be vain/full of herself as some other readers did. On the contrary, I thought she showed the ability to laugh at herself. She does make her political beliefs quite clear, which can be a turn-off for a lot of people. Advice: don’t read this if you are strongly Republican.
August 5, 2022
(I got an advance copy of this one, probably because of my vast collection of midlife caftans...) If you know Wendi Aarons' writing, you know she's funny - and this book just extends her streak. If you're a woman in midlife and need some belly laughs and encouragement to not take yourself too seriously, Wendi's the perfect guide.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews