Official Review: We're Not Sixteen Anymore

[bookowlie]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "We're Not Sixteen Anymore" by Becky Andersen.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Becky Andersen’s We’re Not Sixteen Anymore: A Baby Boomer’s Adventures with Online Dating is a witty non-fiction book that can be categorized in the humor and self-help/relationships genres. It explores the author’s experiences when she dips her toe into cyber-dating. Meeting men online takes getting used to as Becky is fairly computer illiterate and hasn’t dated since the first astronauts stepped on the moon. As you can imagine, dating in your sixties carries its own set of challenges - wrinkles, sagging skin, no longer having a youthful figure, and, of course, being out of practice.

Right before she turns sixty-one, Becky decides to turn to the internet to meet men. It doesn’t hurt that one of her daughters already set up a dating website account on her behalf. It’s been a few years since Becky’s husband passed away and even her eighty-year-old mother tells her that she should start finding “friends” (translation: men).

The central theme takes a little while to get going. In the beginning of the story, the author reminisces about growing up in Iowa in the 1950’s and 1960’s, marrying her high school sweetheart at age twenty, and the fashion and beauty trends that were popular back then. Once Becky completes her profile on a dating site, the book becomes more absorbing.

I enjoyed this humorous account of a woman at a crossroads in her life. The author writes in a casual, conversational style that feels as if she is having coffee with an old friend. In most cases, each chapter focuses on a particular first date or follow-up date. There are also a few prospective suitors who seem promising during online chats, but an actual meeting fizzles out.

The author’s feelings about meeting men later in life are realistically written. Becky doesn’t want to waste time on men she doesn’t feel a romantic spark with. Still, she approaches the cyber-dating process with poise and a positive attitude.

My main gripe is there is hardly any mention of the author’s late husband. There is a brief backstory early in the story of how the couple met and then a tie-in during a later scene on a picnic date with an internet suitor. Since she had been married almost forty years, I thought there would have been more introspection about the difficulties of moving on and dating anyone. Instead, the story is light and breezy, with mostly funny vignettes about the different men she meets.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It is a quick, interesting read that can be read in a day or two. I would recommend the story to readers who enjoy humorous memoirs and stories about dating in the age of technology.

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We're Not Sixteen Anymore
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[gali]

A a witty non-fiction book that explores the author’s dating experiences sounds entertaining. Odd that there is hardly any mention of the late husband, but then maybe she preferred to keep that part private. I am not fond of memoirs, but I am glad you enjoyed it. Awesome review!

[inaramid]

I loved the cover, the title, and everything else you've written down here. While I also find it odd that the late husband wasn't mentioned as much as expected, the rest of the narrative sounds like a blast! Thanks for this review!

[liftedbooks]

This sounds like a funny, interesting book. Thanks for the review.

[gen_g]

This sounds like a humorous and light read. Thanks for the review!

[Kendra M Parker]

The title sounded really cute, and it looks like the book is more of the same.

[Kemunto lucy]

A fascinating book.I will check it out. Thanks for the review.

[K_man]

I will check it out it sound like a nice book to read

[bookowlie]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! Gali, you might be right that the author wanted to keep parts of her life private. I think she probably didn't want to discuss her late husband too much since she wanted to keep the tone of the book light and humorous.

[Helen_Combe]

Internet dating for computer illiterates. It sounds like a recipe for disaster. I love this kind of fun, life experience book.

[bookowlie]

Internet dating for computer illiterates. It sounds like a recipe for disaster. I love this kind of fun, life experience book.

I suspect her computer skills weren't as bad as she stated. She certainly became addicted to the dating website within a short time.

[alisonedgee]

great review, this sounds really fun any enjoyable. light entertainment with a heart. i'm on board.

[Jgideon]

I am very eager to find out if she actually met someone who she could spend the rest of her life with. It sounds like an epic book. Thanks for the review.

[bookowlie]

I am very eager to find out if she actually met someone who she could spend the rest of her life with. It sounds like an epic book. Thanks for the review.

No spoilers. You will have to read the book to find out.

[Samantha Simoneau]

This sounds like a breezy, funny read for lying in my hammock while my kids play. I've never read a book quite like this one and I'm interested to see things from the author's unique but relevant point-of-view. Thanks for the great review!