Choose Your Own Adulthood: A Small Book about the Small Choices that Make the Biggest Difference

by Hal Edward Runkel

Congratulations, reader! You've successfully navigated through the trials of childhood and adolescence. Now, as you voyage through high school to college and beyond, you're set to begin your next big adulthood. A few big decisions await you, from majors and minors to jobs and careers (and maybe even marriage!). However, in between the big ones, you'll make a million other smaller, subtler choices that will underpin everything from your friendships to your bank account. These are the daily choices that will truly define you . . . so how will you choose?

Choose Your Own Adulthood helps you approach these choices from a more thoughtful, curious, and ultimately self-aware perspective. You'll learn why responding is so much better than reacting, how loyalty is really overrated, which risks are worth taking and which are best avoided, and so much more. Exciting things await you on your journey toward which path you take is for you to decide. Choose wisely!

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Parenting

160 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2017

About the author

HAL RUNKEL is a world-renowned relationship expert, licensed marriage and family therapist, conflict mediator, and internationally acclaimed speaker. Hal’s books, including e New York Times bestseller ScreamFree Parenting, have reached hundreds of thousands around the world, and have been translated into twelve languages. Hal has been featured in hundreds of media outlets, including over forty appearances on NBC’s Today Show. Hal and his high school crush Jenny have been married for twenty-three years, and they’re in the process of launching their two teenagers into adulthood.

Reviews

[Ally Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in March from a Goodreads giveaway.
I really enjoyed reading Choose Your Own Adulthood! The book had about fifteen chapters, each with a different lesson, so you could focus on one "improvement" each week. The chapters were the perfect length and contained a variety of amusing stories and serious advice. Rather than stating the obvious ("manage your time" or "be kind to everyone") the book gave unique advice in a more/less format, like "more creating, less critiquing."
As a high school student, I really enjoyed this book, and I'd recommend it for any high school or college students.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

yet another book i had to read for school but ended up falling in love with

[Vanessa Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this book is supposed to be for high school graduates. At 33, I'm way far removed from high school, but found this book to be a phenomenal read and have been recommending it to EVERYONE young and old. This is a legit life survival guide.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this book! The writing and format are great and it guides the reader through chapters focused on how the small choices make the biggest difference in one's life. I rarely reread books but I think I will in this instance! Good information regardless of your stage in life!

[Gosia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not saying that this book is bad, I just really hate all the ”self-help” books that talk about everything and nothing, while trying to turn the most obvious facts into huge phenomenons and nuances. Yes, healthy communication is important and I think everyone already knows that. Nothing new or innovative. Just simple advice that my parents have been giving me over the course of my life. Nothing more than that.

[Divvy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for my first book of the year because uhh I'm a clueless adult too. I agree with most of his advice, and the way about most of the small choices people make in their lives that add up to make big impacts in our lives. He has an engaging writing style; I smiled a lot while reading chapters. Also helps that the chapters are so short.
But, Mr. Runkel, sir, there is no way in hell I am confronting my parents calmly about their shortcomings. No way. I live in a brown household. You wrote from an American perspective. It will never add up. Help ;-;

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much wisdom packed into this short read. Not only is it great advice for incoming college students, but these are great reminders for all of us at any stage of adulthood. I can't wait to give it to my daughter when she is old enough to be ready for it.

[Alex Reborn · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the introduction I was led to believe that this book was written by a father to his daughter to prepare her for college life. It sounded fantastic and I couldn't wait to read it! But, while reading and getting further into the chapters, it started to sound more and more like a business book. The entire emotional built-up dissipated into personal examples and rigid descriptions. Even if the initial book was written by father to daughter (which I don't really believe since the author mentioned how difficult it was to sit down and write it, with no mention at that point of the reason behind it), it lost too much by re-writing it for the public. Besides, I dislike books in which the author makes it clear that he or she is a writer and the reason for writing this book was to make a living -- which would be fair and honest up to a certain point. But that's not how you make a living, in my opinion. A more efficient approach is to actually write something that engages the reader at an intelectual and emotional level.

All that aside, I did find some interesting ideas that made sense. I may not agree with everything, but some of the chapters were quite inspiring and motivating.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet — a father's advice to his college-aged daughter about making choices as an adult. I enjoyed the down-to-earth wisdom; this book is an encouragement to live with integrity and courage.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very easy to read and helps you zero in on different choices we make in our life. The fact that it is written specifically for young adults is significant to me as well because, in my eyes, that's the phase of life when most major decisions are being made. But the main attraction of it is that the author is trying not to impose one way of living on anyone who reads his work (the times he does get overly persuasive are the ones that took one star down). This way, we are left with the choice, and that's the main lesson of all - we are responsible for our life, and that's what adulthood is about no matter how we try to run away from the thought.

[Jay Lickus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - creative and well written. I am a 60 yr old grandfather and I read the book in hopes of sending some sage advice to my grandkids that are approaching adulthood. I was pleasantly surprised with Hals' narrative and it's "to-the-point" focus. I will be sending this book to my my oldest granddaughter shortly. I'm positive it will be a big help to her.

P.S. I even found that I needed to take a look at where I am in life and the choices that still loom before me.

[Laura Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for my teenage son, but it has great advice for everyone. Hal Runkel is funny and insightful. He doesn't expect people to do everything right all at once, but to start choosing more of a good thing, and less of a not-so-good thing. This easy-to-read book looks at real-life situations and encourages you to slow down and think before making choices. Really worthwhile for anyone who wants to successfully navigate adulthood.

[Donna Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small and mighty book for people of all ages though written for high school and college students. The lessons are short, easy to read and understand. Though I'm in my 80's and have already made my choices, I felt validated. I will pass this book on to my grandchildren (high school and college age) as well as my great-nieces (high-school) and others.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book was great! It's easy to pick up and put down since the chapters are their own topic such as "Train more, Try less" and "Invest more, Save less" I liked his phrase "immature parenting". The fact that he wrote it for his daughter and is now sharing it with us is sweet. I'm older than the targeted audience but I still enjoyed it.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this book! While written for older children and college-aged kids, it has excellent lessons for adults as well, especially if you are trying to adjust your life as you continue to move through adulthood. A very insightful author, with excellent examples for each lesson. This book is a keeper!

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the chapter format of the book. It really made it a quick read.
This book was full of lots of advice that hopefully every young adult will look at.
I am going to pass this book on....



Thanks Goodreads First Reads Program for an advanced copy of this book.

[Susan Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for transitioning teens!

I am buying this book for some graduating seniors. I believe the information in this book will be worthwhile to them, but is also a book they will actually read.

[Mares · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple tips for having a good life as an adult.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I'd had this book when I was in college! I thought there was a lot of good advice and helpful in navigating the complexities of "adulting."

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good lessons, others aged badly. I’ll look over it again take what I like which is the reasonable response

[daisy]

Recommended by my AP Euro teacher, read it once and will reread in the future because i actually only grasped one or two lessons this book taught to be honest.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A quick, inspirational read that helps young people navigate their way through life. My only issue was that I wished it had been longer.

[Melanie Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short book but a great one. I think everyone can relate in someway to the choices even if they can't all relate to the examples. The fact that they use personal experiences as examples though, helps to get a picture of the meaning of the choices.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised at this advice book aimed at high school and college-aged adolescents. The advice was outside of the usual 'self help' genre. The author gave heartfelt wisdom without feeling condescending or trite.
I loved that it was originally a handwritten book of advice from father to college-bound daughter. The introduction made me tear up!
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Lesley Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great inspirational book that makes the perfect gift for high schoolers getting ready to graduate or for college kids. I gifted it to my teenaged daughter who absolutely loves it.

[Michelle Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be read by every young adult, and anyone else who needs a reminder of how to seek those things that matter most.

[Cassondra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book for any graduate. I wish I had it when my nephew graduated but now I will save it for my daughter. It's about balancing what you want right now with what you need to do to be successful in the future so that you can do all the things you want to do with your life. Too many kids enter college and think it's just one big party until they have flunked out and then reality hits. This book explains why that's not a good idea.

[Gio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I had this book when I came of age. Rankul's father wrote it for her as a gift when she was ready to leave the nest and go to college. That's usually a time for self-exploration, freedom and experimentation... it's ripe with possibilities but also terrible mistakes you'll regret later on.

This quick guide shows you how even the smallest choice can help you take advantage of the former and avoid the latter. In each chapter, he presents his daughter with a dilemma and explores how both choice will affect her life. The tone is entertaining so you never feel like you're being preached to.

It's a good read for everyone about to go to college... and a good remainder for older adults!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book may be targeted to young adults, but anyone can gain some positive takeaways after reading this book. This book is a survival guide on how to be a better person to yourself and others. The advice and suggestions provided was written in a compelling matter that will encourage the reader to apply that advice in real life. This book is definitely worth rereading from time to time as a quick refresher. I recommend this book to anyone in any stage of life.

I received an ARC of this book through Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you Goodreads.