The Big Life by Ann Shoket

This book read like a magazine.

I have been a fan of Ann since my adolescent years. I knew her from reading Seventeen magazine. I always borrowed the magazine from the library or skimmed through it while waiting for mom to finish shopping. It was a magazine that satisfied something in me. Oh, and I always entered their sweepstakes(never won anything).  Of course, years had gone by and I stopped reading the magazine. 

I got busy with school and work. And of course, I wasn’t 17 anymore. But I will always be taken to the past when I see the magazine on the shelves.

One thing I didn’t grow out of was following Ann Shoket. What is she up to, her adventures and her new accomplishments. She is a role model after all. I want to have the same aura she has. The successful woman who is inspiring many women. I wanted that.

When I saw her book in the library, it was as if light was coming out of it. I picked it up right away.

Reading this book felt like reading a magazine. The format was almost like how a magazine layout looks like. For example, the title of the chapters was in bold with a black background. There were interviews posted before the end of a chapter. There were take away notes that summarized important pieces (I wish all self-help books had that since I have a goldfish memory).

Reading this book really felt good. I am in a stage where I have nothing figured out. This book made me realize that I am not the only one feeling frustrated and lost.

This book showcased successful young ladies throughout the book. But those ladies didn’t have it all figured out from day one. They had to get a job, any job to start out because it was about the journey, not the destination. They had big dreams but they didn’t know from where to start.

I felt relatable to those girls. I realized that each one of us has a struggle and it is our role to overcome it.

I think this book is a great fit for those who are dreaming big. For teenagers, to know that it is fine to have nothing figured out. For young adults to know that they are not the only ones in this maze.