My Year with Eleanor: A Memoir

I confess right now that I was a bit dubious when I started this memoir, apprehensive that I -- not much of a celebrity gossip fan -- wouldn't enjoy what this former celebrity blogger had to say or care about her year of transformation.

Boy, was I wrong.

By page five I was ready to like Hancock and by page twenty or so, was totally charmed by her. Erroneously I had mentally decided Hancock's Manhattan-centered world and celebrity blogging meant one thing, but in reality, she was like any of my friends: overly dedicated to work, sociable but anti-social, insecure, apprehensive, and a little bit paralyzed by 'what now?'.

Frankly, I wanted her to be my friend.

Actually, one of the aspects of Hancock's book that stood out to me was her small show more coterie of loyal friends, who featured in her adventures as much as she did. I so appreciated that Hancock's journey allowed for others to participate and that in sharing the story with us, she highlighted those relationships and connections. I also enjoyed Hancock's sense of humor: she's wry and sarcastic (without being cutting) with a lovely sense of introspection that allows for reflection that felt meaningful rather than self-absorbed.

Even though this seems a bit like a trendy project-a-year memoir, I found this book to be insightful, charming and inviting. As someone who is greatly inspired by women from history, I adored Hancock's premise and found it to be deeper than a mere gimmick. I'm a few years past 30 but I feel some of the same apprehensions about who I am and where my life is heading, and Hancock's book gave me ideas for being bolder and braver as well as some comfort that I'm not alone in my feelings. A real delight to read! show less

A pretty fun book overall. It's in the category of books where an author decides to do something for a year & then write a book about it. In this case, the author is having a young-life (age 28 or 29) crisis after she got laid off from work. She decides to follow advice from Eleanor Roosevelt & face her anxieties by doing one thing a day that scares her. `(There is some debate about that really being an Eleanor quote, but c'est la vie -- the book still works regardless.) The book highlights the bigger things she faced/did & goes from being more frivolous in the beginning to more mature by the end. If you're looking for light non-fiction, this may be something to check out. A solid 3-star book filled with humor & adventure. I enjoyed show more it. show less

I loved this book! Noelle is smart and funny and just like the rest of us she struggles with being afraid. After being fired from a celebrity blogging job she is at loose ends, until she sees a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt that changes her world - at least for a year. "Do one thing every day that scares you." is taken to heart as Noelle begins her year of fear. Karaoke, skydiving, small airplanes, past boyfriends are a few of the fears she faces. I didn't want her year to end and look forward to reading more by this author.

Noelle Hancock provides us her experience of a year of facing her fears head on. I found her very easy to read, funny and insightful. Often I found myself unexpectedly pausing to reliving my own experiences and whether I handled them as best I could or did I take the easy way out and why did I. I also found the book as a good introduction for me to Eleanor Roosevelt. I knew very little about Eleanor but am thoroughly intrigued now to read more about her as she seems to be a fascinating person who accomplished amazing things and apparently put her mark on this country.

I'm not a big memoir reader, but, every once in a great while, I come to one that absolutely calls to me before I ever open the book. Noelle Hancock's is one. When I read the description of the book, I just knew that I had to read it. I knew it would be funny, yet deeply enlightening book about facing your fears. I've had a few fears that I wish I could have taken on the way Noelle did, that's for sure. I mean, I'm sure everyone's got some fear of something. Noelle's book of how she tackled them will help you get through them!

I loved the writing style the Noelle used. It read so fast and easy like a fiction novel. It was entertaining in the way that she created her life story,after being laid off , and how Eleanor Roosevelt inspired show more her. She really pulled me into the heart of her work, and took me for a ride beside her! And, oh what a ride it was!

One quote was all it took to turn Noelle's life into a whirl wind of challenge. Seeing the way it changed Noelle after her fear facing year, really made me think about my fears and whether or not I have TRULY faced any of them. And, the answer is no. I haven't completely faced them at all. But, after this, I will definitely be making a list of my fears and working hard to face them all!

If you are a memoir lover, or someone looking for an inspiring and laugh out loud, un-put-downable book, then I HIGHLY recommend this fantastic 5 star book by Noelle! You'll certainly be thinking about that one year challenge long after you've shut the book! Great job, Noelle! show less

Noelle Hancock loses her job as a blogger for a website for one of the current celebrity magazines. With no job in sight and having read a few books about Eleanor Roosevelt, she decides to spend the year dealing with her fears. They included skydiving, swimming with sharks as a few of the major fears. She tried to put herself out there in her fear every day in some manner.
It was an interesting book because it made me want to know more about Eleanor Roosevelt! I sometimes had trouble reading about someone who although she probably could have gotten a new job quickly - didn't. She spent the year spending money on adventures to conquer her fears - and write this book, so I guess there was an end to the means!
Enjoyable, quick read and I show more enjoyed the Eleanor insight. show less

It is impossible not to like Noelle Hancock in her year long journey of self-discovery. Yes, she is lucky to be able to take a year away from paid employment to devote herself to nothing but facing her fears but she does not allow herself to paint an overwhelmingly flattering picture of herself.
Eleanor Roosevelt is a supporting character in the book and receives the same honest assessment that Hancock gives herself.

This book would be recommended for fans of books like Julie and Julia and similar memoirs as well as
self help fans looking for something along the lines of Augusten Burrough's recent book, This is How.