Paul Angone is about bringing truth, hope, and hilarity for anyone going through "Groan Up" life .
Paul's newest book is "Listen to Your Day: The Life-Changing Practicer of Paying Attention", which Publisher's Weekly gave a positive review, writing "Angone鈥檚 encouraging attitude is infectious. Readers will appreciate this solid, down-to-earth entry.鈥�
Paul is also the best-selling author of the books "101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties," "101 Secrets For Your Twenties", "25 Lies Twentysomethings Need to Stop Believing", having sold over 150,000 books and counting!
Paul is also the creator of AllGroanUp.com -- a place for those asking "what now?", which has received millions of visitors from over 190 countries. He is also a sought-after Millennial speaker and organizational consultant.
Paul is married with four kids and lives in Denver, CO. Find him at AllGroanUp.com, PaulAngone.com, and find him on Instagram and Twitter @PaulAngone
I was given this book as a twentieth birthday present, and I only wish I had been given a gift receipt too. Maybe I鈥檓 not the right type of 鈥榯wentysomething鈥� this book is meant for. Maybe it would have meant something different to me had I read it at 23, 25, 29, 40... But all in all this book was nothing special. It鈥檚 about what you鈥檇 expect from a book with that title. I鈥檓 not sure how old Angone was when he wrote this, but at the very least he鈥檚 not very, well, up to date with some of the cool hip lingo we youth are using today, and it really feels like he doesn鈥檛 have a sense of what being twenty in today鈥檚 world is like. Between rolling my eyes at being told to talk to my friends on Google Hangouts and not to Tweet-Stalk people or focus on YOLOing too much, I found very little meat to any of the answers to the questions. Mostly, it was just anecdotes -personal, or about famous people, often with a healthy dose of survivorship bias-or a bunch of trite platitudes about putting yourself out there and taking risks (but not too many risks). I could count on one hand the number of questions that actually resonated with me and that I wanted the answer to, or wanted to find the answer myself. For instance, 鈥渉ow can I find hope?鈥� And, well, apparently God鈥檒l give you hope. Sucks if you鈥檙e not religious, like many if not most twentysomething Americans are these days. At the very least, it was a quick read, and not the worst way I could have spent an afternoon. I can see this potentially benefitting someone who hasn鈥檛 really put a lot of thought into their future at all, and is looking for a starting point. But anyone else? Well, I guess it鈥檚 a step above those internet articles telling you to take walks outside and drink more water, so there鈥檚 that.
I absolutely adore this book, it's made me think about my life and where I want to go with it. Some of the chapters don't relate to me, as I'm unmarried with zero children, but other parts I find extremely relatable. E.g. having friends who love from their strengths and being supportive, and being lost, that was a good one... by good I mean I sat and had a mild existential crisis. Well written and gladly received for a wakeup call!
There's some decent advice here, but it is unfortunately buried under some, in my opinion, baby boomer moralizing. If Angone is a writer for "millennials," he fails to remember that most millennials are not into organized religion and value individual expression. He assumes a very CIShet view of the world, which is why this book has to be taken with a grain of salt. Good advice, but housed in some very traditional, harmful values.
I liked the questions that were asked. They were insightful and made me think. I鈥檒l definitely revisit these questions in the future. Like the author鈥檚 other book, I really wish he didn鈥檛 include anything about religion.
I looked at some of the negative reviews on this book to see why people didn't like it. Some stated that there were too many analogies and examples included. I find this a useful way to "get" how I can relate to the points easier myself. The other biggest complaint I saw was that it was not pertinent toward millennials in a way that they could relate. Admittedly, I am not a millennial by far... but it saddens me that books have to be purposefully written with millennials as the target audience in order to be received by this age group. I think this book is so on point and hits so many real life questions and doubts and ah-ha moments, that it was brilliant. Maybe you have to be 40+ to be able to look back to your 20's and appreciate the depth of this book. Eh, I don't know...
I think this book is a great cheerleader, mini psychologist, and mirror mirror on the wall. If you give it a chance, I think it could give you the tools you may need to be honest with yourself and why you are where you are in life and how to get to where you want to be.
I received this book from the publisher but was not required to leave a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I wish I had Paul Angone's marvelous book when I was in my twenties. 101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties (and let's be honest, your thirties too), is a book anyone of any age can really use. With relevant questions that we often think about, but seldom voice out loud, Paul Angone gives common sense answers for living a life with purpose and intention. Subjects include work, relationships, marriage, using social media, dealing with fear and anxiety, failure, communication, and so much more. I found 101 Questions to be practical, useful, and inspiring. It's a book to return to frequently to encourage personal application and growth. This is definitely a book to journal through, recording the process and journey of personal development. There is a pull-out section at the back of the book with an index of all the questions for easy reference. A detachable bookmark is also included in the front of the book. 101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties is a book that I am pleased to recommend highly. It will guide readers to live a life of purpose, inspiration, and intention at any age.
*I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of 101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties (and let's be honest, in your thirties too) from the publisher. The opinion stated is my own. I have not been compensated in any way.*
Oh dear. It is another one of those books that I have read that I am really not enamoured by.
I really wanted to like 101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties by Paul Angone. I mean, ok, I am out of the twenties bracket but I still have questions. What I found was a bunch of tenuous extended metaphors, analogies and self promotion of previous books. It just didn鈥檛 leave me satisfied or happy as a reader.
101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties by Paul Angone is available now.
For more information regarding Paul Angone (@PaulAngone) please visit .
For more information regarding Moody Publishers (@MoodyPublishers) please visit .
I don't hate the book, but I don't love it neither. The book itself consists of many closed leading questions towards a lifestyle that the author considered everyone should follow. Well not all. In fact, it felt like a collection of Medium posts about self-help only with much less convincing. Even though the book has 101 questions, I feel it can really be bogged down to only few true questions and the rest are quite repetitive. Personally I think he missed those questions about building authenticity that I think is very important in one's twenties.
Something that really annoyed me was how much he inserted religion into the book. I'm not religious, and his narrative became more alienating when he talked about it. He also directly references "The Defining Decade", which I feel is the better read-- as the original source material, it's much richer. 101 Questions is like the instagrammable rip off of that book.
I received this book from Netgalley and am providing my honest review. I wasn't quite sure how to review this one, so I'm just going to post the thoughts I had while reading and my answers to some of the questions.
Each of us is unique with our own experiences, environment, upbringing, personality and more which makes us different than others. Asking the right questions rather than seeking someone else's answers provides us the chance to provide our own answers unique to ourselves.
I've often wondered if life is just a waiting game. Waiting for the work/school day to end, waiting for the weekend, waiting for graduation, waiting for a certain age of phase of life, waiting for this sentence to finish. I'm a forward, big-picture thinker so I always look towards the future, not as invested in my present as I ought to be. Or as I'd like to be, anyway. And I'm working on that. What Paul says about transitions resonates with me for this reason. Because, our 20's are full of change and transitions. Rather than wait for it to end, we can embrace them and live within them. It's the journey, not the destination, right?
Being in the present, figuring things out is when we are most creative. When we're lost and solving the puzzle which is our own life is when we have the most profound revelation and are the most creative. Rather than looking forward and waiting for the future to happen, live as it happens.
There's a section about friends which I can't answer because I basically have one friend. My other friends are still in my California college town, which I moved away from after graduation. I'll only see them once a year at this point.
Great questions.
What is fear keeping you from doing? A substantial part of why I identify so strongly with Hermione Granger from Harry Potter is my fear of failure. Like her, I was thrust into a world of academics with people I didn't have much in common with as far as backgrounds go. I felt like I was surrounded by college prep/AP classmates who had scientists/doctors/lawyers for parents while I didn't and I feared failing because I didn't want to risk being kicked out of that world for not being good enough. Fear of failing holds me back, so sometimes I'll be too afraid to try something for fear of failing at it. From getting a driver's license to operating an intercom at work. This is also something I am working on. Instead of closing in on myself from the pressure of doing things right, I dive headfirst into what I'm afraid so that, if I fail, at least I won't be afraid anymore.
I do appreciate that the God parts are kept to a minimum as I'm not religious at all. I don't believe I have a destined purpose or that I'm put here for a reason. But I am here and any meaning that has is what I make it.
Stereotyped at work for my age? I haven't experienced this, that I can recall, and the person closest to my age is 5 years older than me. But, I am a girl working at a STEM vocational campus with a population of 98% male, so I've had to quickly learn how to be vocal, radiate confidence and stick up for myself.
All in all, a pleasant read. I had a great conversation about some of the questions with my partner in crime, so that was good fun. Thanks!
I give it a three though because, despite many of the questions being useful, I felt that I had to get away from the book to think about the answers, as reading the stories included distracted me from thinking. There are little list-making activities, but I hardly did them, as self-reflection was better for me.
This book did ask good questions, but it was bogged down with stories of why the question was important. It was almost information overload. I think while the questions are good, and some are good regardless of age, the stories should be spaced out more or not all shared. It would add something to it if not every question seemed life or death serious.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The author is very judgmental on topics regarding sexuality and interjects personal religious beliefs and opinions that at best, many readers will not connect with. At worst, many readers will not live their truth and will carry additional shame with them after reading this book. When I read a book, especially a self help book, I am not looking for more shame. I am looking to be refreshed and energized and gain wisdom.
101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties is an easy to read book that I found intriguing. Once I started to read, I just kept on reading it. There were a lot of great questions found here. Then there were the typical questions one would have asked this writer. I found interesting how he went through each question with a flair that made it not boring. It was nothing like what I had expected. No dull boring words filling up pages that would fall on deaf ears. Instead, I got exactly what the book said I would get. A deep thorough examination of myself. In other words, I got to explore where I was at, what I was doing, and where do I want to be.听
Paul Angone is a motivational speaker. I did not need to read the back blurb to see that. Instead, I just read his book. I can see the intelligent words and wisdom they offered. It was like flashing a light into a dark tunnel. It inspired hope. The writing was clear and organized. Each chapter was divided into a particular subject with some of the writer's own personal experience attached. I did not feel alone. This book, made me feel like I was understood and being heard. As a twenty-something, I had no clear idea where I was headed. But reading this book, I know where to go and what needed to be done. Overall, I would recommend this book to high school students and those who planned to enter college. It was a great read.听
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
For a book that totes the importance of good friends that ask good questions, the questions asked herein and the author anecdotes and context grounding them i found to lack any particular insight, and to be grounded in dated, normative notions of social equity, relationships (in particular marriage), career trajectory, etc in ways that I found to reinforce a number of toxic norms. References to Judeo Christian capital G God could also be off-putting to those who don't subscribe to these belief systems, or who do but don't appreciate it being used as a crutch when in ruts in your personal life. Poorly written, with little given in the books opening chapters as to why the authors insights should be trusted. Also lacking in the authors self professed hilarity and overly promotional of other content published by the author.
A random audiobook i picked up and didn't particularly care for, but finished as it perfectly timed out with a drive i was on.
101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties is the second book from author and speaker Paul Angone. While I haven't read his first book, All Groan Up, I enjoyed 101 Questions. Angone uses humorous personal anecdotes to challenge twentysomethings (and even thirtysomethings) to think through various aspects of their lives. The tone used throughout the book is very understanding of young people who are trying to navigate adulthood.
Even though there are 101 questions to read through, the book is split up by the questions rather than by chapters which I believe its target demographic will appreciate in light of the many responsibilities they are balancing in this season of life.
These questions guide readers through how to be successful in various types of relationships, how to pursue doing what you enjoy rather than just a 9 to 5 job, how to cultivate your creativity and how to avoid the negativity that comes with the Millenial stereotype.
I don't agree with every source that Angone referred to, (specifically the use of quotes by Anne Lamott and Oprah - see pages 84 and 216).
Although Anne Lamott speaks and writes of Jesus, I am not sure that she loves and follows Him. Regarding her faith, blogger and author Tim Challies found the following as he read her book Grace (Eventually), "Lamott seems to embrace a very wide faith that extends far beyond the bounds of Scripture. She celebrates things the Bible forbids and hates things the Bible commands us to love."
Regarding Oprah, Al Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has stated, 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听". . . Oprah offers forgiveness without atonement. Confession of inadequacy is presented as a sufficient remedy for sin and wrongdoing. God is effectively out of the picture as lawgiver or judge, and there is no room for the cross of Christ as atonement for sin."
I'm not saying that Christian authors can never use sources outside of the Bible. I am saying, however, that Christian authors must exercise a particular level of caution as to which sources they use. I have seen too many brothers and sisters easily trust sources that are referred to by other Christians (or sources that claim to be Christian) without knowing how those sources truly align with Scripture. I do believe a reader has a responsibility to research what they are reading. I also believe an author has an equal, perhaps even greater responsibility due to the audience they will reach as a result of their platform.
I don't think Paul Angone agrees wholeheartedly on every single thing with the ladies whose quotes he included. Rather, it seems that their quotes were fitting with what he was writing about. I don't think it was wrong or sinful for him to include them in the book but I am unsure as to whether it was wise.
The questions asked in the book are indeed thought-provoking but since the book was released by a Christian publisher, I would have enjoyed seeing how the questions are supported by specific verses of the Bible.听Since little Scripture was used throughout 101 Questions, I wonder if the questions asked will truly cause sustainable growth in the lives of young people as the听questions are not pointed back to God who causes growth.
These qualms aside, I found 101 Questions easy to read and enjoyable. Although I'm almost out of my twenties I found myself both challenged and encouraged by many of the questions asked in this book.
I received 101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties compliments of Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
This is a great book for anyone of any age looking for advice when feeling lost in their life, career, or relationship. I do not think the problems of twenty-somethings affect only twenty-somethings, but I do know I have had a rough time in my twenties. I turn 30 in a few months, and I am still waiting to feel like I have life figured out even a little bit. This book came at a perfect time for me, and I especially welcome the advice about growth that Paul offers. I want to be my best self, and asking myself the questions in this book really made me think of how to improve my attitude and thought processes to excel in all areas of my life.
I like the organization of the book. Each question has a category, so if you really want to focus on one area like career, you can easily find the questions related to that topic. Some questions leave spaces to list answers, but I think keeping a journal would be an excellent way to really talk your way through each question.
He uses a lot of metaphors - at what point do I ask, 鈥渉ow many metaphors are too many metaphors?鈥� I understand he鈥檚 trying to make the issues relatable or he鈥檚 simplifying complicated thoughts, but sometimes it鈥檚 too much.
The following lines resonated with me because I always compare myself to others鈥� life successes. I am a late bloomer, I guess, and I see my friends鈥� paths and wonder why my path is not as straight as theirs. It is important to remember that not everyone takes the same path, and each path is unique. Mine is filled with twists and turns, and I have had to learn to accept my path and grow with it.
鈥淭he path to your purpose is rarely straightforward.鈥�
鈥淵our twenties aren鈥檛 about them going as planned. But how you adapt, change, and grow when they don鈥檛.鈥�
The questions that feel the most important to ask myself in my life situation:
鈥淗ow do I make a choice when I don鈥檛 know what to choose?鈥�
I have struggled with indecision my whole life. I entered college with an undecided major, started one, chose another, left college with no job lined up and wondering why I studied that major. But I tried, and I can keep deciding to try jobs to find something I enjoy rather than be stuck after making the choice to do nothing.
鈥淒o you work hard and are you easy to work with?鈥�
I want to stand out as an excellent employee and coworker. I have always been an overachiever. I want to be the person who people want to work with, who my bosses see as someone with potential, who can grow within the company. I will ask myself this question and reflect on my behavior and efforts at work.
Overall, I liked the book - it is filled with wisdom, anecdotes, important questions to ask, and inspiring quotes - what鈥檚 not to like?
鈥淚n every great story the hero always experiences an 鈥榓ll is lost鈥� moment before the dramatic rise.鈥� I have had many of these moments, and I always find a way to rise, but I am still waiting for the struggle to end and my winding path of ups and downs to lead me to success. I will continue to use this book to make myself ask questions that can lead me in the right direction and help me think about life in different ways.
*I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of 101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties (and let's be honest, in your thirties too) from the publisher. The opinion stated is my own. I have not been compensated in any way.*
If I were to create a list of absolute must-read books for anyone aged 20-35, Paul Angone鈥檚 newest release would definitely be near the top! 鈥�101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties (and let鈥檚 be honest, your thirties too)鈥� is a fantastic resource from Moody Publishers that, if applied, will undoubtedly help young adults begin thinking and living with intention and purpose. I know it has helped me immensely.
With hilarity and humility, honesty and hope, Paul Angone walks his readers through 101 thought-provoking questions, each accompanied by anecdotes and wisdom from his own experiences. It is crystal clear that for each question he poses, he鈥檚 been there, done that, bought the t-shirt to prove it, and his warmth of writing style makes the entire book feel like you鈥檙e chatting with a good friend. As an added bonus, he鈥檒l often make you laugh until you cry, or maybe cry until you laugh, with his humor and oh-so-true points.
So what are some of the best questions (at least in my opinion) that have most inspired and challenged me? Well, at the moment (and this will probably change) my top 5 are:
#7: Am I seeing the other side of people鈥檚 Instagram photos (you know, the side they鈥檙e not exactly posting pictures of)?
#20: When have others seen me most alive?
#58: Am I recognizing the 鈥渘ot-so-chance鈥� encounters in my life?
#82: What are my 3-5 favorite stories (books, movies, plays, historical accounts, etc.)? and #83: Can I spot any themes and similarities in these favorite stories that resonate with my own life story?
#97: What do I need to do while I wait to do what I was born to do?
Okay, that was more than 5, but it was tricky to narrow it down to only these few! As a few added draws for this wonderful book, I was delighted to discover that in the very front there is an insert promising that if you send a picture of you with the book, or your receipt, to Paul, he will generously gift you with a Super Care Package for twenty-somethings. I am delighted to have received this gift, and have already learned so much from these resources as well.
So, in the end, if you are anywhere near the ages of 20-30, I cannot recommend this book enough. And if you are older or younger, I believe that most of the questions Paul guides us to ask are universally beneficial, so basically everyone is bound to receive a generous helping of inspiration, motivation, and hope from 鈥�101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties鈥�.
I received this book courtesy of Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Over the past couple of years I have looked forward to visiting Paul Angone's site听 and reading his books. He offers a fresh perspective on being in your twenties and thirties and makes the sometimes (okay, all the time) confusing journey into a witty and meaningful ride. That is why when I heard he was releasing a new book,听101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties (and let's be honest, your thirties too),听I couldn't wait to dive into it. It definitely was the fun, sound advice, and honest book I was hoping it would be (which did not surprise me, already being a fan).听
This book captures the questions you should be asking in your twenties and thirties and combines exercises and examples that really help you think and put these questions into action. Here are some questions that really grabbed me:
60. What am I going to regret NOT doing?
61. Who will you not be able to help if you give up now?
82. What are my 3-5 favorite stories (books, movies, plays, historical accounts, etc.)?听
Thinking about our regrets retroactively is easy, but thinking about what we can prevent regretting, now that will get you pondering. I also liked the second one because it really puts into light how your story is important, so important that if you stop now, it will be noticed, felt and missed. Wow. As an avid story seeker I also enjoyed the question about what my favorite books and movies were and what that meant in the context of who I am and where I want to go in life. And these are just some of the awesome questions, seriously, they are all great.听
Paul uses his experiences and his candor to paint a picture that is easy to relate to and that helps us delve into our own questions. So if your question is "should I check out this book?"....I can help you with that one, yes!听
It started out nicely, with a story. But then I was confused when the questions started out with the story or introduction to them instead of the question itself. I also found many of them coming in the not-so-logical order (at least for me) which gave the impression of them being scattered and not edited. However, the biggest strike for me was all the anecdotes, stories, sentences, and mentions of marriage. I understand it's an essential part of the author's life, but frankly, I couldn't care less about marriage. And while we're at it, I think the 20s and 30s should be more about figuring out what we want and who we are and not about fitting in with other people. It is sort of like those people who are never single, have 5 loves of their life in a year, and then claim to be very self-aware. How, if your whole life you were chipping pieces of yourself to fit in with other people? Unless you're the bulldozer in the relationship and don't care much for others at all, then I rest my case.
Anyways, I'm digressing. The book didn't meet my expectations. This is the shame because I want interested in the premise and there were a few questions that I did like.
Finally finished this good book. In the middle of reading this book, I felt the need to stop because it somehow felt like a chore. But I am glad I finally did finish reading this book. This book has so many advices and qustions that make me feel like I am not alone in this journey of adulting. I am really happy I found and read this book!
A note about this book is that aside from all the good advice and thought-provoking questions, you will feel somr Christian reference in this book. It was not a big deal for me as reading it strengthens my faith, but for some people who do mind, please take note that there will be references to faith and God.
Overall, reading this book is like talking to a friend and listening to a friend talking. It makes you feel like you are not alone in this 鈥済roan up鈥� journey. Read a few chapters of his another book, 鈥�101 Secrets for Your Twenties鈥�, and it looks like another good read. An easy and enjoyable read, highly recommended for all twenty-somethings out there.
Who should read this book? Those in their 20s. It's like a mandatory reading. You get all the Q&A you didn't get from school or work. It's hell of a good advice book.
I have been looking forward to reading this book for a while now, but after finishing it, I am unfortunately pretty disappointed. There were a few gems here and there but overall the delivery ruined it for me. The author鈥檚 attempts at making this book relatable to a young audience came off as cringey and missed the mark.
There were a few too many self-references with the author quoting himself every other page, with a lot of them being close adaptations to existing quotes by other thought leaders.
The author is also Christian and faith is written multiple times as a point of inspiration and/or end goal, which I think should be advertised to readers ahead of time. As someone who is not religious, I felt like the fifth of the book that is dedicated to faith was irrelevant to me and would have appreciated the heads up.
The explanation for some of these questions were not well organized or necessarily relevant, and a lot of the examples were personal anecdotes that are outdated. Overall, the book reads more like a blog and I didn鈥檛 get much out of it. I think it will be better received either by teenagers, or someone in their twenties who is venturing for the first time into a self-help genre as I didn鈥檛 find the questions original.