The ABCs of Adulthood: An Alphabet of Life Lessons

by Deborah Copaken, Randy Polumbo (Photographer)

Here's a book of wit and wisdom that's perfect for graduation or any other "welcome to the adult world" moment. From New York Times bestselling author Deborah Copaken and noted sculptor Randy Polumbo come 26 genuine and funny bits of advice as surprising as they are sensible. From "A is for Anger" through "Z is for Zzzzzzz," each entry is paired with the authors' street-smart photography of the matching alphabet letter to create a savvy gift. Based on a viral article written by Copaken when her own firstborn left for college, The ABCs of Adulthood is a delightful, worldly riff on learning your ABCs all over again.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

72 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 2016

About the author

Deborah Copaken is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including Shutterbabe, The Red Book, Between Here and April, and Ladyparts, her most recent memoir of bodily destruction and resurrection during marital rupture (Random House, 2021). A contributing writer at The Atlantic, she was also a writer on the Emmy/Golden Globe-nominated Netflix hit, Emily in Paris, a performer (The Moth, etc.), and an Emmy Award–winning news producer and photojournalist. Her photographs have appeared in Time, Newsweek, and The New York Times. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Guardian, The Financial Times, Observer, The Wall Street Journal, The Nation, Slate, O, the Oprah Magazine, Air Mail, and Paris Match, among others. Her column “When Cupid Is a Prying Journalist” was adapted for the Modern Love streaming series. She is the founder, writer, producer, CEO, and publisher of the Webby Award-winning Substack, Ladyparts.

Reviews

[Luciana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great little alphabet book for adults...emphasizing on what makes life important. Take time to read it & think about things that should be important in your life.

[Katie Harder-schauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program in the hopes that I would leave an honest review.

When I won this book, I was hoping that it would be something like "A is for Alcohol. B is for Boobs. C is for..." I think you get where I'm going with this. That's not what this book is. so as a juvenile minded adult, I was disappointed. Instead, this book focuses on aspects of adulthood in short little advice dumps. As a juvenile minded thirty-two year old woman who has children and therefore supposed to act like an adult, some of those advice dumps will be useful for me, even now. Beyond that, this is a book that I could easily imagine giving to my children when they're getting ready to head off to college. The advice is good and the brevity of the book is ideal for teenagers that will soon be inundated with college level classwork. The photography used for each of the letters was unique and interesting as well.

Overall I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have for all ages, 18 or older. It is the perfect graduation, house-warming, turning legal gift! I think every adult needs to have it on hand at all times, as I have found myself turning to it when I am feeling down and out, stressed, etc. It reminds you of all the small things in life and helps you remember how blessed you really are!! The ABC's of Adulthood is a great idea for a book and I TRULY think that Deborah Copaken Kogan did an amazing job with this book!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

[Sue Parker Gerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful and inspiring book is worth the read and the illustrations are gorgeous. A great gift for yourself or a friend. And according to my 21 year old daughter, who read it curled up in the rocking chair, it's not just for young adults; it's for any age. I agree.

My favorite page is Y is for Yesterday:
"Yesterday is in the past. Tomorrow is in the future. They don't matter. So stop stressing over them." I'm making it my new mantra.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for review and I'm so glad I did. It has some great, encouraging stuff in it (B is for Bed is my favorite and now I shall be sticking to that everyday!) The photographs are intriguing and fit with the theme(s) of the book very well. I would recommend this book to grads, new parents, even new retirees! This is a great book to just put things in perspective and it's such a quick read. 5 out of 5 stars.

[Reading Fool · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

This is a wonderful gift book for someone who is at a milestone event in his/her adult life - graduation, first job, etc. The authors have taken each letter of the alphabet to stand for something significant in life and created a lesson around it. Delightful.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and quirky book with a bunch of advice that I’ve heard many times before and some that I’ve just gotten from the book. I can feel the love radiating from this book. I’d recommend it to a loved one

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and thoughtful book about being an "A" Adult.
Photography is a wonderful matching with the letters.
I read it on Mother's Day and started my day with
a smile and a laugh, need I say more.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, many of these lessons of adulthood are things I've heard elsewhere, but I found the writing style and format to be simple, yet clever. I think this would make a great graduation gift!

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via Goodreads First Reads.

This little book was a book I probably should not have entered to win from Goodreads, but I have a Goodreads giveaway addiction. So I entered. And I won. Then I put off reading it for 6+ months, and really only read it because Katie @ Just Another Girl and Her Books told me I should because it would be a quick way to get some points for #TeamHufflepuff in the #BeatTheBacklist #HogwartsMiniChallenge.

So today I sat down and read this book. Short as it is, it was a struggle.

I went to school for photography. I’m a book cover designer. I appreciate photographs and art but…. The images in this book are just boring. If you’re into those art pieces that were oh so popular a few years ago, where people took random photos of objects in nature and cities that look like letters, then put them together to spell out last names to hang in a frame on a wall, then you’ll appreciate the photographs in this book. I was never a fan of those though. I think I’d have much rather seen beautiful landscapes, or whimsical drawings, or something instead to accompany each bit of advice.

Perhaps I would have enjoyed this more if I was younger. I guess, because I pretty much suck at adulating, I’d hoped to read something inspiring, but there really wasn’t anything new or original brought to the table here. There is some good advice (don’t let anger get the best of you, learn to cook, it’s okay to say NO sometimes, etc) but as a whole it felt anemic. I get that it’s supposed to be a small book to give as a gift to a graduate or what have you, but for a retail price of $14.95 I’d expect a little more substance than was offered. Or at least some humor.

I’m glad I didn’t waste my money buying this book and probably will not gift it along to someone else. It’ll end up in the donation box. Perhaps those fresh out of high school will appreciate and learn more from this book. Maybe I’m just bitter and jaded in my “old age”. On the bright side, it was very short and didn’t take up too much of my time.

[Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eww.
A is for anger - “a totally useless emotion.” Wow. No - anger is useful - it tells us we’ve been wronged, and we deserve to be treated well. It protects us. This is a good and healthy thing, which we as adults need to embrace and make peace with instead of guilting ourselves and denying it.
S is for Sex - “you don’t have to be in love with someone to have sex with them.” How many STDs, unwanted pregnancies, and emotional traumas could be avoided if we didn’t reduce sex to a meaningless body function? But don’t worry - the author contradicts themselves two seconds later, when they command us to “stare into your LOVER’s eyes.” So… ya don’t gotta love them to be their lover, eh? Nah, fam.
I’m adult. An adulty adult.
This book… isn’t it.

[Lois · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m reviewing this because this really isn’t a good book and I spent my time reading it.

Basically every sage advice mom telling you everything she wants in a cute way. Except it’s not sage but really cliche even though it’s trying hard. It also isn’t cute, nor effective photography. Really isn’t worth anyone’s time. Or money.

[Blogger6Fowl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book. Really quick, really practical. It covers most things most people need to know, without being boring. I enjoyed it. The F surprised me and I was delighted to read sections on topics that other books don’t cover.
If you like Chicken Soup for the Soul, I’m positive you’ll like what the author is going to tell you here, too.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughtfully crafted, with interesting alphabet photographs.

Nice idea for a gift.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where was this 15 years ago? Could have been so handy when I was entering adulthood. Shows you options, sets expectations.

[Maura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was great for giving someone graduating high school and becoming an adult. However, the S for sex made it a bit much. I personally couldn't see myself giving it as a gift. Some of the other letters were great.. Words to living by. More good than bad.

I won this book through goodreads.com giveaways

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book with great, simple pieces of advise. Great for someone just starting out, or someone that needs a little help or advice.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is cute and witty and filled with wisdom! For people like me, that are quite messy and scared about their adult life, is perfect.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read but spot on. And neat photos.

[Bonnie Plante · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for my college freshman son. He has yet to read it but I think it is a great little book. It is chock full of wisdom with a side order of humor and wit.

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good book for a young adult. It provides lessons based on the letters of the alphabet.