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Juicy Crones: Inspirational travel stories of women embracing life post menopause
"The average woman will live 30 years after menopause. You can have lots of fun in that time. This is our third act, the time that many women learn to ROAR! I'm now marinating in all the things I love most and writing about them." After retiring from a distinguished career in education and health, Jay Courtney found life rather beige. "I realized that I didn't know how to do this part of my life" she says. "There was no route map to follow, only a looming ‘Exit' sign, so I went on a quest to find a color that suited me." Courtney's métier turned out to be a mix of travel and inspirational writing, combined with a talent for finding others whose experiences resonate. In Juicy Crones she fêtes the lives of women embracing their ‘third act' with gusto. Juicy Crones is a joyous celebration of post-menopausal women life travellers. ‘Crones were revered as wise women, warriors, speakers of uncomfortable truths, carrying with them the wisdom of life' says Courtney. ‘As for the ‘juicy' part, this is me thumbing my nose at language often used of older women as ‘dried-up', wrinkled, barren. Many older women I have met have been the very beautiful, vibrant, outrageously funny, full of self-knowledge, free-spirited. There is no better group to be part of. What we lack in collagen we make up for in wisdom!'
Courtney's debut is a unique title with an infectious enthusiasm for living life to the full, that blends adventure with feminism, women's health with well-being, and autobiography with self-help. This is a book for the UK's 12 million ‘crones' and anyone who shares their life, for women adventurers and for fans of Raynor Winn's The Salt Path, Caitlin Moran's More than a Woman and Helen Lewis' Difficult Women.
And the first subtitle? ‘Free for the Strangest Adventure' is a quotation from Virginia Woolf in To the Lighthouse. ‘For me it represents the state of mind that enables a Crone to be juicy!' says Courtney. ‘This is when the magic happens.'
Courtney's debut is a unique title with an infectious enthusiasm for living life to the full, that blends adventure with feminism, women's health with well-being, and autobiography with self-help. This is a book for the UK's 12 million ‘crones' and anyone who shares their life, for women adventurers and for fans of Raynor Winn's The Salt Path, Caitlin Moran's More than a Woman and Helen Lewis' Difficult Women.
And the first subtitle? ‘Free for the Strangest Adventure' is a quotation from Virginia Woolf in To the Lighthouse. ‘For me it represents the state of mind that enables a Crone to be juicy!' says Courtney. ‘This is when the magic happens.'
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
4 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 3, 2023
A wonderful book about women who have reinvented themselves in their third age and about the concept of living as a crone. Some of the featured women have experienced adversity, grief, relationship trouble, health issues or Covid-lockdown setbacks, and all reveal inspiring stories about how they have begun new journeys and found new joys.
The author writes from her own experience, at the beginning and end of the book; and the middle of the book is filled with the personal tales of 12 women, with introductions by Jay. At the end is a list of books the author read as preparation, which serves as a bibliography or suggested reading list - a "croneography."
I like the concept of pressing the 'reset' or 'factory setting' button. We are encouraged to "reclaim the ancient status of the crone." The final chapter uses two good analogies: about peaches and figs and asking each other, "How was your crossing?" You'll have to read the book to see what they are.
Read this book, if you want to be inspired.
The author writes from her own experience, at the beginning and end of the book; and the middle of the book is filled with the personal tales of 12 women, with introductions by Jay. At the end is a list of books the author read as preparation, which serves as a bibliography or suggested reading list - a "croneography."
I like the concept of pressing the 'reset' or 'factory setting' button. We are encouraged to "reclaim the ancient status of the crone." The final chapter uses two good analogies: about peaches and figs and asking each other, "How was your crossing?" You'll have to read the book to see what they are.
Read this book, if you want to be inspired.
January 28, 2023
I loved this book. Real life stories of women doing things they have always wanted to do later in for post menopause… when society doesn’t expect them to be doing anything.
Some great stories of women learning to fly, trail run, set up a campsite in Hungry. So if you’re heading to retirement, going through menopause, post menopause, stuck in rut, going through divorce, bad mental health… there is a story of someone just like you.
Well written, educational, funny and hugely enjoyable
Some great stories of women learning to fly, trail run, set up a campsite in Hungry. So if you’re heading to retirement, going through menopause, post menopause, stuck in rut, going through divorce, bad mental health… there is a story of someone just like you.
Well written, educational, funny and hugely enjoyable
January 30, 2023
I found this book a compelling and addictive read, given the personal narrative, concise chapters and themes of empowerment and transformation. Despite being many years away from retirement and menopause - no claim to being a Juicy Crones just yet! - I feel a bit more secure in knowing what this may look and feel like, and how better to support and encourage women I know who are in this season of life. Maybe a badge for Juicy Cheerleaders, who are allies in imagining a world things will be different? Count me in!
February 12, 2023
What an inspirational read! This is far more than just a read for old Crones. I found it a book in three parts. The first part of Jay's experiences gave a superb introduction to the strange adventures of twelve remarkable women.
There is so much in this slim volume that I couldn't read it straight through. I needed to take a breath and dwell upon each adventure before focusing on the next. In fact I have only just read the final words of Jay and feel that perhaps that is the best part of the book!
Altogether a wonderful book which I know I will return to reread and learn more.
There is so much in this slim volume that I couldn't read it straight through. I needed to take a breath and dwell upon each adventure before focusing on the next. In fact I have only just read the final words of Jay and feel that perhaps that is the best part of the book!
Altogether a wonderful book which I know I will return to reread and learn more.
January 28, 2023
Really enjoyed the author's outlook on life and wonderful sense of adventure. Being 50+, finding the freedom to explore, have fun, travel and try new things with a "devil may care" attitude! It's so refreshing; makes you want to join her on her next adventure and/or start my very own travel escapade!
January 28, 2023
Fantastic book that covers so many important issues for women of all ages. I couldn't put this down once I started as I found every story unique yet still relatable.
Will recommend to everyone.
Will recommend to everyone.
January 28, 2023
Well written and very readable. I enjoyed this from cover to cover.
February 1, 2023
An important book for women of any age. Beautifully written, inspiring, funny, poignant and incredibly relatable - I bought extra copies for friends who need to read this book.
February 11, 2023
Inspirational book showing there is definitely life after the menopause and written with great humour
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews