My What If Year - by Alisha Fernandez Miranda (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A People Magazine "Best New Book"

"Hailed as the next Eat, Pray, Love" --CNN International

An exuberant, hilarious memoir about a woman who pauses her successful career for a year and explores the "What If" jobs of her dreams.

DELIGHTFULLY IRREVERENT, My What If Year recounts the adventures of a successful, Latina CEO and mother of twins who-on the cusp of turning forty-takes a break from her job for one year to explore the dream careers she never pursued. Alisha's hilarious internship adventure takes her to Broadway, the London art scene, a posh Scottish hotel, and the workout world. Her experiences--both challenging and extremely humbling--teach her the real meaning of success.

Also by Alisha Fernandez Miranda, Someone's Gotta Give: A Novel.

Review Quotes

"Miranda's case of missing identity, even as a successful CEO, is an ultimate triumph story in reclaiming oneself. In this funny, heartwarming 'what if' journey, Miranda teaches us that sometimes uprooting our lives backward is what leads us and our families forward."
--Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space

"This book is like a balm for the soul of every overachiever who has ever wondered what is on the other side of 'having it all.' With irreverence, unflinching honesty, and irresistible warmth, Miranda gives us permission to get curious, hold tight to the wisp of a new idea, and honor the voice that whispers, 'What if there is more?'"
--Alicia Menendez, host of American Voices on MSNBC and author of The Likeability Trap

"This hilarious, witty memoir had me saying 'YAY YAY' from the very beginning! An inspiring read that will make every reader want to supercharge their own careers."
--Meaghan B Murphy, Editor in Chief, Woman's Day, and author of Your Fully Charged Life

"When we have everything we think we want, it's hard to admit we want more. Or something different. Yet that hesitation to embrace all of our dreams, even the wackiest ones that rattle our brains at the most inconvenient junctures, keeps us from being everything we can be. I loved following Miranda as she chased her wildest--in every sense of the word--dreams. I admired her willingness to start at the bottom, loved learning about new fields like art dealing right along with her, and cheered as she crossed the finish line in a very different place from where she was aiming when she started. This is a book for every woman who imagines a different life and tells herself, 'You just can't.' You can, Miranda shows us, and in the process of trying on the lives in your fantasies, you just might find the one you want for real."
--Pamela Redmond, author of Younger

"It is always a gift when you find a book that speaks to the questions that echo inside us all. What if? Miranda's bold decision to answer that question is delivered to us with such refreshing audacity and wild charm. For anyone looking for a breath of inspiration or that big gasping sign that it's time to reclaim yourself and find your own answers, Miranda's book is here just in time."
--Marisa Renee Lee, author of Grief Is Love

"Miranda writes with humor, grace, and a joyful curiosity that's a delight to read. My What If Year is a thought-provoking exploration of what we're made of and what we could make of ourselves still."
--Bianca Bosker, author of Cork Dork

"With her winning combination of chutzpah, self-deprecating humor, and determination, Miranda turns midlife (or mid-career) malaise into a hilarious memoir that is both engrossing and inspiring. My What If Year should come with a trigger alert--Warning: this book will change your life."
--Annabelle Gurwitch, author of I See You Made An Effort and You're Leaving When?

"What if there's a bigger adventure waiting on the other side of 'having it all?' In this brave and beautiful memoir, Miranda takes you on the wild ride of leaving a stable career to pursue grown-up internships at every job she's ever dreamed of. Miranda has the perfect plan, and it all goes right before it all goes hilariously wrong, with incredible growth and learnings woven all the way through. This book is winsome and wise; a cozy conversation with a new best friend that will leave you wondering, 'what if?'"
--Allison Trowbridge, author of Twenty-Two: Letters to a Young Woman Searching for Meaning

"This self-help memoir, ideal for readers of Gretchen Rubin and Helen Russell, suggests reclaiming a beginner's mind--a humbling, invigorating experience."
--Shelf Awareness

"Miranda's case of missing identity, even as a successful CEO, is an ultimate triumph story in reclaiming oneself. In this funny, heartwarming 'what if' journey, Miranda teaches us that sometimes uprooting our lives backward is what leads us and our families forward."
--Eve Rodsky, author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space

"This book is like a balm for the soul of every overachiever who has ever wondered what is on the other side of 'having it all.' With irreverence, unflinching honesty, and irresistible warmth, Miranda gives us permission to get curious, hold tight to the wisp of a new idea, and honor the voice that whispers, 'What if there is more?'"
--Alicia Menendez, host of American Voices on MSNBC and author of The Likeability Trap

"This hilarious, witty memoir had me saying 'YAY YAY' from the very beginning! An inspiring read that will make every reader want to supercharge their own careers."
--Meaghan B Murphy, Editor in Chief, Woman's Day, and author of Your Fully Charged Life

"When we have everything we think we want, it's hard to admit we want more. Or something different. Yet that hesitation to embrace all of our dreams, even the wackiest ones that rattle our brains at the most inconvenient junctures, keeps us from being everything we can be. I loved following Miranda as she chased her wildest--in every sense of the word--dreams. I admired her willingness to start at the bottom, loved learning about new fields like art dealing right along with her, and cheered as she crossed the finish line in a very different place from where she was aiming when she started. This is a book for every woman who imagines a different life and tells herself, 'You just can't.' You can, Miranda shows us, and in the process of trying on the lives in your fantasies, you just might find the one you want for real."
--Pamela Redmond, author of Younger

"It is always a gift when you find a book that speaks to the questions that echo inside us all. What if? Miranda's bold decision to answer that question is delivered to us with such refreshing audacity and wild charm. For anyone looking for a breath of inspiration or that big gasping sign that it's time to reclaim yourself and find your own answers, Miranda's book is here just in time."
--Marisa Renee Lee, author of Grief Is Love

"Miranda writes with humor, grace, and a joyful curiosity that's a delight to read. My What If Year is a thought-provoking exploration of what we're made of and what we could make of ourselves still."
--Bianca Bosker, author of Cork Dork

"With her winning combination of chutzpah, self-deprecating humor, and determination, Miranda turns midlife (or mid-career) malaise into a hilarious memoir that is both engrossing and inspiring. My What If Year should come with a trigger alert--Warning: this book will change your life."
--Annabelle Gurwitch, author of I See You Made An Effort and You're Leaving When?

"What if there's a bigger adventure waiting on the other side of 'having it all?' In this brave and beautiful memoir, Miranda takes you on the wild ride of leaving a stable career to pursue grown-up internships at every job she's ever dreamed of. Miranda has the perfect plan, and it all goes right before it all goes hilariously wrong, with incredible growth and learnings woven all the way through. This book is winsome and wise; a cozy conversation with a new best friend that will leave you wondering, 'what if?'"
--Allison Trowbridge, author of Twenty-Two: Letters to a You

About the Author