Being 40

An empathetic, practical, and deeply relatable exploration of midlife today—and a field guide to do it your way.

AN OPEN FIELD BOOK FROM MARIA SHRIVER

Your forties can feel like navigating a relentless wave of pressure. Questions such as “Am I where I ‘should’ be?”, “Should I be married?”, “Have kids?”, “Switch careers?” often dominate our thoughts. For too long, society has marked this decade as one of decline and predictability. Today, though, it’s anything but. Shaped by thrilling possibilities, your forties can be a time of profound self-discovery. You know yourself better than ever, and are finally ready to let go of the “shoulds.”

In Being 40, journalist Stacey Lindsay crafts a new narrative that captures the diverse experiences of women entering midlife today, shattering the limiting stories. Through insights from experts such as Dené Logan, Vanessa Cornell, and Tara Mohr; candid interviews with real women; and her own journey, Lindsay provides a modern, bold exploration of marriage and relationships, living with and without kids, beauty standards, career transitions, and health shifts. Each chapter includes questions and prompts to help you uncover what you truly desire in this phase of life.

Being 40 is a brave and inclusive reframing of what it means to be a woman today, and a compass for anyone ready to trust their intuition, embrace change, and step fully into who they are.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs