Like others, I thought this would be a how-to, self-help kind of book. That is not what it is at all. Unlike others, I did not enjoy the part-autobiography and part-memoir aspect of it. I had a hard time getting interested in Cross's bucket list approach, and I didn't find it particularly insightful. If I had better understood the concept of the book, perhaps I would not have had such a hard time relating to Cross. Her writing style is easy, very conversational and fluid. I just don't have anything in common with a stay at home mom and it was too hard to bridge that gap. ( )

A quick read, I found this book enjoyable but not particularly life-changing. I expected something that was more in the self-help genre and less memoir, but enjoyed reading about the author's experiences. ( )

Creating a list of items to complete before the next big birthday hit close to home for me. Prior to turning the BIG 40 - I had my own list that I worked on; however mine did not have as many exciting and entertaining items as the author.

I enjoyed the concept greatly and it has inspired me to create another mini-list to accomplish every few years.

I found this book to be an enlightening, laugh-aloud read filled with open, honest glimpses into Susan's world with constant doses of humor.

I have recommended this book to several family members and friends. ( )

I thought this would be a how-to, self-help kind of book, but it ended up being more part-autobiography and part-memoir of designing and completing all the goals on the author's 40 item (some wild, some simple, some meaningful) life list. Even though it wasn't exactly what I expected, I still found it to be a helpful book, since it's great to be able to watch and learn from others' experiences and get new ideas for what you might like to do with your life from them, so it definitely wasn't a total loss! Susan Cross is very candid and conversational. I couldn't really relate to a lot of her life, but I could relate to wanting to live life to the fullest.

If you're looking for more of a self-help, instructional book in this area, try Don't Miss Your Life!: An Uncommon Guide to Living with Freedom, Laughter, and Grace by Joe Robinson. ( )

I'm not huge into life-changing motivational books, but this one seemed like something I would like. I mean, Cross makes a list of things she wants to do. I live by lists. I love them. They remind me of what I need to be doing. And once I started reading the book, I realized, "hey, maybe I can actually use this book.." because even though I'm not on the brink of 40 like Cross was when she started her list, I do feel like now that I have a full time job and bills to pay that I forget about the things I used to dream about doing in my 20s. I'm sure you've all had that feeling too!

Of course, Cross is a stay at home mom when she starts her list, so it probably wasn't super hard to find the time to do a lot on her list. Yeah, she had to watch the kids, but they are in school all day anyway.

Overall I loved the concept of the book. I thought Cross did a great job with the book and I liked reading about how she got through her list. I could definitely connect with her on some points. She is a very likable narrator but at times she did grind on me a bit. Or that could have been because I read this book on a Saturday afternoon when it was in the 90s and I was miserable! All in all though, I did like the book and it did inspire me to want to check some things off of my bucket list. This was a great read for a hot summer day when you don't have the energy to get wrapped up in a fictional plot. ( )

The author wants to do all the things she could think of that she hadn't done already before she turned the dreaded age of forty. But I couldn't help wondering why none of the things on her list seemed very worthwhile, nothing more than what anyone would do perhaps on a Saturday afternoon.
The self introspection that went with each project was good. Some tasks yielded answers about herself and led to personal resolutions. As a result of reading about her adventures, I have found myself stopping to wonder why I haven't accomplished more in my life and what I might do if I had the chance, so that was worth the read. Nothing that she did seemed to have a very big impact on her or anyone else, and I found that disappointing. ( )

At 36 Cross was worried about the big 4-0 because by this time in her life she thought she would have "done more, seen more, become more". So she makes a list of the things she wants to accomplish before her 40th birthday. There are a few worthwhile entries but there are so many like
"crash a party, sun bathe topless, ride my bike" that the book seems silly to me (oh, write a book is number 40 by the way). Maybe a younger person (I'm in the middle of middle age) would like it better. ( )

This book was extremely inspiring to create your own list, and be aware of when opportunities might come to check them off. There is a lot of humor and a great writing style to be found in this book.

I thought the book had a totally different premise when I received it in early reviewers. I thought it was to help coach people on making your own lists. As I read the first chapter it became clear that this was a book about Susan. At first I was a little disappointed, but I continued to read and once I was over the disappointment very much enjoyed her stories and her list and how she knocked them off, one by one.
At the end, I realized that it doesn't matter how you make the list or what you put on it, just that you do it! ( )

The bucket list. Seems like it's everywhere these days. The trick is to put a unique spin on it, and this book really didn't. Sure, Susan Campbell Cross learns a few things about herself that she didn't know before. She crosses off all #40 "challenges" on her list -- spoiler alert, #40 is writing a book. Awwwww, what a cool (read cliche) ending. Cross tries to portrait herself as an Everywoman, but she's anything but.

She challenges herself to "Invite someone to lunch whom I don't know well, but admire", she's conveniently able to pick a neighbor, author, playwright, and television producer Nancy Alspaugh, former wife of Matt Lauer. By the end of lunch, Alspaugh is telling Cross that she should be on her own television show. I don't know about you, but that hardly ever happens to me anymore. Cross tries to come off an unassuming, but can't help sharing with the reader that she lives across the street from Shaun Cassidy. Now, I KNOW I don't live anywhere near this woman, literally and figuratively.

When she wants to take her first girls' weekend ever, she heads out to Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. When she wants to try travelling alone, she heads to Kauai. When she wants to do something to honor her grandparents, she sends out a few checks. When she thinks it might be fun to become a sports fan, she goes to the Super Bowl AND an amazing A-list after party.

Okay, maybe I'm jealous. But I was also surprised at how many of her efforts turned out badly, at least in her opinion. Ojai was nearly ruined by a snoring friend, her kids whined when she took them camping, she hurt herself pretty badly when she tried to learn trapeze, and she only rode her bike two blocks before deciding the seat was too hard and quitting.

Cross' book bobs around between self-deprecating, name-dropping, and very occasionally inspirational. Nothing special. ( )

At a certain age in your life you start thinking about all the things you dream of doing but had not. This is the case for the author. I found the book to be relate-able because I am around that age as well. This book is very specific in its _target market. I don't think men, child, elderly women and men would necessary enjoy this book. I love the idea of the book because it is a twist on the "bucket list." The book is about the author and her journey. Its worth the read. ( )

Good book. The only thing I would have liked to be a little different was that it was all about the author. I was expecting more of a self-help type of book. ( )

I loved the movie "Bucket List" and now I have a "The Fab You List" that is written by a women's prospective. I love the concept and have decided to make a list of my own to accomplish. The book was written in a combination style of self-help and how she accomplished each item on her list. It was a learning experience for the author and I felt I learned something myself from this book. It inspired me to start my own list of things I always wanted to do but never had the time too. Really good read. ( )

This is Susan Campbell Cross’s list of 40 things she wanted to do before she turned 40, written in a very chatty, very lightly edited personal voice. The last item for her was Write a book.

I found it challenging to engage with this book. I couldn’t relate to this LA Mom who said she’d put aside her own life to raise her children, and then let that stop her from doing what she wanted. Right in her introduction, she owns up to it, though: “In taking on the challenge of fulfilling my list I discovered what the real obstacle was. Me. More accurately, me and my fear.”

Although I never could really relate to her lifestyle and some of her challenges, I found her hints on writing a personal list helpful, and her attitude open and nonjudgmental. She encourages readers to fine-tune their own lists—to the length, activities, and goals that suit them best—and not to worry too much about editing or removing things from the list later. “The important thing,” she says, “is to get motivated, set the wheels in motion.” She suggests thinking of the list as a “set of step-by-step instructions for building a better life.”

Her challenges are varied; some more interesting than others, ranging from riding her bike to getting a paid acting job. She acknowledges that there are good reasons she hasn’t done some things (like riding her bike) for a while, but concludes that having accomplished each task, she understands herself better. She recommends looking for themes among your own goals. “Hidden within those themes are secret messages all about you.”

If you need a little push to get out of a rut, or are looking to make your own challenge or bucket list, some of her chapters may be helpful to you. This is not a deep or literary work, but there are fun moments, and you may find you are able to relate to or learn from some of her hurdles and from her experiences.

Susan Campbell Cross has written about a time in her life that many mothers eventually reach. She has given so much time and thought to raising her family that she neglected to nurture her personal ambitions. Before turning 40, Cross decides to complete a 40 item to-do list of personal challenges – activities that will push her to learn and grow as a woman, not just as a wife, daughter, or mother.

I found that many aspects of her life were difficult for me to relate to. It is obvious that she has much more money and resources than I will ever have and her dreams and ambitions are quite far from mine. (Clubbing in Vegas is on my list of things I never want to do, and even if I wanted to, I sure couldn’t afford it!)

Cross didn’t write this particular list to give her audience a specific list of things to cross off their bucket lists, though. What she meant to do is inspire us to make up our own personal lists of activities that will challenge us to reach for our own personal dreams and goals. By honestly disclosing her fears and how she faced up to them, she has started me thinking about what I could do to conquer my own fears. ( )

I received this Uncorrected Proof from a giveaway on LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book by Susan Campbell Cross. It was a fun, quick read and held my interest throughout. It's a cross between memoir/self-help/inspirational. Three genres in one book! I am not easily motivated to do something like Ms. Cross did: make a list of 40 things she has always wanted to do and to do them before her 40th birthday; however, I am giving it some thought. She tells us her reasons for each of the items on her list and some are very deep-seated resulting from her childhood. She also tells us how each task was accomplished. The ambition she had to complete her list was amazing to me.

Those of us not in the same economic bracket as Ms. Cross may have to aim at a cheaper version of something we'd like to do, but it can still be done. Just use your imagination and stay within your budget. ( )

In her late 30's Susan Campbell Cross realizes that her life has gotten into the wife / mother rut and makes a personal project to-do (before age 40) list. In each chapter she describes why each item was added to the list and how she accomplished each goal. The book is touching, uplifting, realistic, confidence-building and fun.

She recommends we make our own lists of goals/dreams we allowed to slip away mostly out of fear of failure. She explains that the list is not a just of group of to-do's; we can benefit from the process of learning and understanding more about ourselves. Why do we avoid certain activities and choose others? What makes us fearful or anxious and how do you get past that?

I enjoyed the book, particularly the chapters on searching for religion and honoring her parents and grand-parents. ( )

I found myself relating to Susan Campbell Cross and her journey quite easily. I just turned 36 and have also struggled with my contributions and victories and what it all means as I get older. I also found the idea of creating a list and tackling it to be an inspirational notion- and overall, I enjoyed reading about her experiences in the book. That being said, the book read like a list to me- because it explored each item on the list and discussed the process of discovering herself and crossing the item off the list, I found it to be somewhat formulaic. Susan Campbell Cross has an easy writing style and has written a very accessible and motivational book- it is a good read for anyone grappling with his or her own identity. ( )

I felt this book suffered from an identity crisis. Is it a memoir, self-help guide, or how-to book? It leans more toward memoir. I had expected more advice on how to create one's own life list, but Susan offers little of that. She is a good writer with an easy, conversational style. It felt toward the end of the book as if she was struggling to fill space to reach her last goal - which was writing a book. In one of the last chapters, she shares her opinion of several classic movies, which just seemed strange and out of place. I enjoyed reading about some of her adventures - a few which were more like cautionary tales of what not to do. A light read that might get you thinking about things yet to do on your life's to-do list. ( )

Truly inspiration and exceptionally funny read. I would recommend it for both men and women as a way to get motivated to go after the things you want out of life. ( )

Since I am the author, my own review may be biased. SO...I'll put Publisher Weekly's review instead!

Yours in ADVENTURE,

Susan

PW Review:

"In this deceptively simple yet surprisingly uplifting tome, Cross demonstrates the transformative power of a simple list. Right after her 36th birthday, she decided to compose a list of challenges and goals she would endeavor to check off before she turned 40. Ranging from the secular to the saintly, the 40-item list included simple activities like skinny-dipping and finding a church (“Pick a religion, any religion”), grand schemes (“Get Googleable”), and life-changing challenges (learning to surf required Cross to overcome an intense fear of drowning). Along the way, the first-time author (“Write a book” was #40) addressed past traumas, made new friends, learned how to communicate more capably with her children, and—yes—even took a dip in her birthday suit. The plucky Cross narrates her journey—failures and all—and the end-product is an inspiring mix of anecdote and advice that will empower readers and encourage them to follow their own dreams. “I’m not a certified life coach—or a certified anything else for that matter,” she says in conclusion. “What I am, is someone who’s been through a lot, and is not just willing, but thrilled to share what she’s learned.” And readers will be thrilled to hear what she has to say. (Sept.)"
Reviewed on: 07/22/2013
Release date: 09/01/2013 ( )

I have to admit that I thought this book would have more advice on how to create your own FabYouList rather than a whole book about the author's list! However, it was an enjoyable read and I appreciated the author's honesty about the challenges she faced crossing off each item on her list. Though I can't say a lot of us would have the privilege or the means to do some of the things she named, I will be looking to create a list of my own... ( )

To be honest, for the first few chapters of this book I thought, "Oh great, another book by a skinny, rich, entitled and overly-privileged woman with first world problems." The author complained about not taking time for herself amidst her child-rearing years, no time to take ballet, learn to surf, or travel to Hawaii. Boo hoo. Her idea of doing charity work and of honoring her loved ones is by writing checks - not exactly honorable. But as I read on, I did warm up to Cross, who described her mental and emotional challenges as she worked through a list of 40 things she wished to accomplish by the time she turned 40. We all eventually wake up one day and ask ourselves, "Is this all there is? Am I really __ years old already? I thought I would have accomplished so much more by now!" Cross turned her mid-life panic into an excuse to get out of her comfort zone and meet new people, learn new things, and travel to new places. By the end of the book, I had actually written down some of her words of wisdom. A pleasant surprise. Worth a read if you're a suburban mom looking to expand your horizons a bit. ( )

This gem of a little book left me laughing and enthusiastic to start checking off my own list! With a writing style as sharp as it is inviting, Cross takes the classic "bucket list" and turns it on its head, inspiring her readers not to wait another day to turn old dreams into reality. She chronicles how she conquered the 40 items on her list, but not without challenge, missteps, and a whole lot of self-questioning along the way. It's in these missteps that The FabYOUlist finds its greatest strength--Cross's humility is as reassuring as it is inspiring, and the stories she spins of her misadventures range from wacky to touching. Her final takeaway is one that sticks: you can jumpstart your life with a list (whether it looks anything like Cross's or not!), but that's just the beginning of the journey to come. Cross is plucky, spunky, and hilarious, and the FabYOUlist reads like a big, electrifying breath of fresh air. ( )

I loved this book! It's about a woman in search of herself who uses a list of goals -- some simple, some ambitious -- as the road map for her journey of self-discovery. The author, Susan Campbell Cross, is warm, funny, and entertaining. While reading the book I felt engaged the way I would talking to a dear friend. Cross has a lot of heart and a great sense of humor and I highly recommend this to anyone looking to make change in their life happen. ( )