What's Next?: Navigating Transitions to Make the Rest of Your Life Count

by H. Norman Wright

Bestselling Christian Counselor Gives Readers Tools to Make Good Life Transitions

The aging paradigm has "cresting the hill" no longer means being "over the hill." In his latest book, Wright shows baby boomers--and all those wanting to make the second half their best half--how to embrace the coming changes and navigate life's transitions with passion and purpose. Topics addressed getting ready for the next chapter of life, learning healthy ways to handle change, living with change and loss, discovering the difference between aging and getting old, and facing eternity. He provides concrete advice to those facing uncertainty or upheaval, stressing the qualities and character traits that will allow readers to make good decisions and discover new purpose.

Genres: Inspirational

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

H. Norman Wright is a well-respected Christian counselor who has helped thousands of people improve their relationships and deal with grief, tragedy, and other concerns. He helps couples bring vibrancy to their relationships through counseling, seminars, and more than 90 books, including Before You Say “I Do” and After You Say “I Do.” Norm also reveals insights for spiritual growth, great relationships, and success in devotionals that include Strong to the Core, Quiet Times for Every Parent, and Truly Devoted: What Dogs Teach Us About Life, Love, and Loyalty. www.hnormanwright.com

Reviews

[John]

I'm not quite yet in the age where this book is mainly written to, but I kind of found it written to a time - not an age. See, he addresses the boomers, and the boomers are old now, or a few years back, and when somebody picks this book up in 50 years it has lost some of its relevance. Not that the information here cannot withstand time, it can, but the book feels less of a timeless book and can never achieve the class of a classic just by that. Maybe harsh, but the book is good - but a bit on the dull side to be fair, telling us a lot that we kind of already know kind of things.

[Bill Redinger]

Best book I have read on the topic of transition from work to retirement that does not include finances. Very practical, with great stories of real people. I wish I had read it 15 yeas ago to shape my trajectory of career, books to read, legacy to leave and figures to have been influenced by.

[IrenesBookReviews]

This is an encouraging and uplifting book about the last half of your life here on earth. The author takes subjects and talks about them in the light of being older. From being parents and grandparents to marriage and becoming a widow or widower, he touches on subjects that will come into most of our lives at some point.

The author writes in a very open and humble style. I enjoyed all the chapters but a few of them really stood out. I liked his chapters on marriage. He talks about the different marriage relationships and the different stages of marriage. The information is very helpful and those chapters alone are worth buying the book for. His chapters on being great grandparents were very helpful also. Showing the different ways to be there for your family were enlightening.

I enjoyed the lists, questions and quotes placed throughout the book. The end does have discussion questions if you decide to use the book in a group setting. I think anyone over the age of 30 can take away something after reading this. You will learn things to help you today and also as you grow older. You will not feel depressed after reading this book! You will feel encouraged to live your life at your best everyday starting today!

I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.

[Wanda]

This book looks at the transitions and choices in our lives from middle age on until death. The author addresses such issues as the empty nest, the boomerang generation, caring for elderly parents, widowhood, remarriage, retirement, aging, and facing death. All of these are heavy subjects and must be faced by everyone. The author tries to show that these are normal and not to feared, but rather to be prepared for. Each chapter contains insightful and thoughtful information about meeting each of these challenges with grace and peace. The next to the last chapter was my favorite, a very thought provoking article about ways to leave a lasting legacy and write an ethical will. Summed up—this was a very informative book on an important subject. While the subject was interesting, I had a hard time finishing the book as the author’s presentation style did not hold my interest. That was just my personal experience and does not in any way reflect on the significance of the material covered.

I received this complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers for this review. A positive review was not required—just an honest opinion.

[Hope]

Perfect for those pondering what God holds for the rest of their lives as they face the empty-nest. What is His plan for my next 20 or 30 years? What will my legacy be? This would be a good book club or Sunday School discussion book.

[Jay]

Not a lot of real content for me. Really a book for the 55+ crowd