Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Beverly Rykerd, VP, Director of Publicity
brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com
(719) 268-1935
Secondary contact: Chelsea Woodward, Associate Publicist
cwoodward@penguinrandomhouse.com
(719) 268-1915
Best-Selling Author Lisa-Jo Baker Reflects on Midlife, Empowers Women to Find Beauty in the Ordinary “I want to give Lisa-Jo’s book a standing ovation because it’s exactly what’s needed for this particular time, when our ‘ordinary’ lives seem so unextraordinary compared to what we see or hear on our phones. I’m beginning to embrace my middle, physically and metaphorically, and I’m finding the most extraordinary thing: The freedom and the joy I thought was missing in my life? It was there all along.”—Aarti Sequeira, chef, TV personality, journalist and author Special trips, extravagant celebrations, and YouTube proposals are awesome, but they aren't where real life really lives. When these moments flood women’s screens, be it on their social media feeds or in the latest romantic comedy, their lives can suddenly feel boring, ordinary and terribly routine.
In her new book,
The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You (7/23/19, WaterBrook) best-selling author, podcaster and speaker Lisa-Jo Baker frees women from the pressure to live up to everyone else’s expectations of what a meaningful life should look like. Rather than asking them to
seize the day, she encourages them to simply change the way they
see each day—because the very best stories really do grow out of the soil of ordinary life.
Through a series of gutsy, intimate reflections on midlife, Baker bravely admits what most women in the middle are thinking about marriage, parenting, body image, failure, and how badly they all want to buy those matching Magnolia Market mugs. She gives them permission to embrace their middles as she shares how she has made peace with her own—and yes, even with her muffin top!
This beautiful collection of essays is a must-read for the woman who is shocked to find herself at the midpoint of her life and needs to hear how things
actually are rather than how they are supposed to be. They may be surprised to find that the thousands of ordinary, not-so-picture-perfect moments of the middle are what make a truly extraordinary life.
As host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast and blogger with more than 75,000 followers, Baker has garnered a following of women who look to her to see beauty in the ordinary and Divine in the everyday.
She can speak to:
• 5 fast ways to change how we see our ordinary lives
•
Seeing the day instead of always trying to
seize the day—spotting the “extra” in the ordinary
• Opening our front door to start building community even when we feel inadequate
• Dealing with faith doubts in midlife and guiding our children through their own doubts
• Embracing the extraordinariness of being seen and cherished by God
• Handling failure in our marriages, families, finances and careers
• Learning to love and appreciate our bodies in midlife
“These are the days of miracle and wonder,” writes Baker. “These are the stories that will line our empty nests one day. We are living the memories that will be passed down to the ones who are still living their beginnings. The middle is the gift you didn’t know you were right in the middle of, friend.”
For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
LISA-JO BAKER, a former attorney and longtime Community Manager at (in)courage, is the best-selling author of
Never Unfriended and
Surprised by Motherhood. Her writings have resonated with thousands and have been featured on Huffington Post Parents, Bible Gateway,
Fox News,
Christianity Today, IF Table, and more. She is the co-host of the Out of the Ordinary Podcast and a sought-after national speaker who considers connecting with women in real life the best part of her job. She and her husband of over 20 years live just outside Washington, DC, with their three very loud children. For more information, visit www.lisajobaker.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LisaJoBaker
Twitter: @LisaJoBaker
Instagram: @LisaJoBaker
PRAISE FOR THE MIDDLE MATTERS “Baker (
Never Unfriended), cohost of the Out of the Ordinary podcast, combines personal anecdotes and scriptural passages in this encouraging paean to self-love aimed at Christian women entering middle age… (Her) upbeat tone, self-deprecating humor, and generosity toward others will be appreciated by Christian women looking for parenting and life advice as they enter their middle-aged years.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“With captivating wit, hard-won wisdom, and breathtaking honesty, Lisa-Jo has written a love letter to the delicious middle. Filled with riveting personal stories along with innovative takes on all the things we struggle with most, this is the kind of book you will want to read once a year, simply to get a refresh on all the truths and practical ideas contained inside.”
—Mandy Arioto, president and CEO of MOPS International and author of
Have More Fun
“For any adult who still sometimes feels like the shy, insecure kid from junior high, Lisa-Jo Baker is the breath of fresh air you’ve been waiting for. She gives us permission to fully embrace our lives— imperfections and all—and reminds us that it’s okay to feel like you totally do not have life all figured out.”
—Jennifer Fulwiler, SiriusXM radio host and author of
One Beautiful Dream
“No one writes about motherhood, marriage, and life as Lisa-Jo Baker does. Whether you are entering the middle, are in it, or are beyond it, you’ll find not only yourself in this book but wisdom and encouragement.
The Middle Matters is a vulnerable, compelling read that I want to gift to every friend I know.”
—Jessica Turner, best-selling author of
The Fringe Hours and
Stretched Too Thin
Contact Publicist