Book Review: Older Wiser Shorter a Non-Fiction Work by Jane Seskin

Older, Wiser, Shorter: An Emotional Road Trip to Membership in the Senior Class, by Jane Seskin, ISBN 987-0578447247, New York, 2019, 74 pages, $15.00 (paperback)

This book of poems is for all the women or men who have embraced the gray hair on their heads and those they have found in other places. It is also for those who are struggling to accept who they are becoming, “older,” “wiser” and perhaps “shorter.”

Jane Seskin is a licensed clinical social worker and author of numerous books, non-fiction articles and poetry. Her works have been featured in naional magazines and journals. She served as the writer-in-residence for the Vermont Studio Center and Noepe Center for Literary Arts. She counseled survivors at the Crime Victims Treatment Center in New York and currently maintains a private psychotherapy practice. Ms. Seskin also maintains several other side hustles and income streams.

In Older Wiser Shorter: An Emotional Road Trip to Membership in the Senior Class, Ms. Seskin thoughtfully describes her daily life as a woman in transition. She causes the reader to reflect on, meditate upon and celebrate life in its fullness. She also encourages us to rebel and reject thoughts, beliefs or interactions that dampen our spirit as we age.

I found Older, Wiser, Shorter to be more potent than the musings of young people who brazenly post every minute of their day on Instagram, Twitter and countless other social media. Perhaps that is because I can relate to the “oil change” reference in the poem Real Life. The poem In The Moment also invoked sensually, sweet memories of past romantic encounters.

Ms. Seskin has captured the essence of growing older with wit, wisdom and warmhearted honesty. Read it in book club, as daily meditations or recommend it to others. Either way, it is a must read.

Marcyline Bailey, ACSW, LCSW is the author of Five Smart Questions Social Workers Should Ask if They Want to Boost Their Social Work Income e-book Starter Guide and Planner. Both available as a free downloads.

“I work with social workers and hard working professionals who want to be happy. I would love to hear from you.”

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