Turning Thirty – Mike Gayle

I have to say that 30 is a very weird age. You don’t have the youth you once had, and yet you’ve not reached the stage of a full-blown mid-life crisis.

By the time you hit 30, you start to ask yourself – “Have I achieved everything I dreamed of when I was a youngster?” This book is an homage to us 30-somethings.

I am 29 and will be 30 in October – and I often find myself asking questions about my life so far. I’ve been to university, I’ve been a journalist in London, I’ve bought a house and am in a job I love… but unlike many of my friends I’ve not yet found “the one” or settled down and had kids.

It’s hard to describe this feeling, but once again Mr Mike Gayle hits the nail on the head.

“Turning Thirty” tells the story of 29-year-old Matt Beckford. When he finally splits up with his American girlfriend he leaves his New York lifestyle behind and flies back to England. Moving back with his parents as a stop-gap before his new job in Australia, Matt meets his high-school sweetheart.

As Matt struggles to cope with his parents (moving back to the nest after flying it is never a good idea!), he reminisces about the past and how you didn’t have a care in the world.

It’s so true.

I wish I could be 18 again, before my life started to become some sort of story which Eastenders would be proud of.

But anyway, it’s a cracking true-to-life tale. I especially loved Mike’s observations of living with your parents. How they can p*ss you off without needing to say a word….

It’s not as strong as his other books, and I did get a bit frustrated with the “email chapters” where Matt emails his New-York ex and she emails back, but apart from that it’s a book which needs to be read by anyone approaching the dreaded 30 milestone.

The Book Boy Rating – 3/5