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  • If I Knew Then

  • Finding Wisdom in Failure and Power in Aging
  • Written by: Jann Arden
  • Narrated by: Jann Arden
  • Length: 3 hrs and 14 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (616 ratings)

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If I Knew Then

Written by: Jann Arden
Narrated by: Jann Arden
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Publisher's Summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Jann Arden—bestselling author, recording artist and late-blooming TV star—is back with this funny, heartfelt and fierce memoir on becoming a woman of a certain age. The power, gravity and freedom she's found at fifty-seven are superpowers she believes all of us can unleash.


Digging deep into her strengths, her failures and her losses, Jann Arden brings us an inspiring account of how she has surprised herself, in her fifties, by at last becoming completely her own person. Like many women, it took Jann a long time to realize that trying to be pleasing and likeable and beautiful in the eyes of others was a loser's game. Letting it rip, and damning the consequences, is not only liberating, it's a hell of a lot of fun: "Being the age I am—that so many women are—is just the best time of my life."

Jann weaves her own story together with tales of her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and the father she came close to hating, to show her younger self—and all of us—that fear and avoidance is no way to live. "What I'm thinking about now aren't all the ways I can try to hang on to my youth or all the seconds ticking by in some kind of morbid countdown to death," she writes, "but rather how I keep becoming someone I always hoped I could be. If I'm lucky one day a very old face will look back at me from the mirror, a face I once shied away from. I will love that old woman ferociously, because she has finally figured out how to live a life of purpose—not in spite of but because of all her mistakes and failures."

©2020 Jann Arden (P)2020 Random House Canada

What the critics say

“Storyteller. Counsellor. Life coach. Canadian singer Jann Arden wears all those hats—and more—in her latest memoir . . . If I Knew Then will strike vibrato chords with readers. Like her song lyrics, Arden’s phrasing is simple, authentic and rich. It resonates. She wears her wounds on her sleeve, and isn’t afraid to show her scars." —Winnipeg Free Press 

Featured Article: Outstanding Female Authors Everyone Ought to Listen to


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What listeners say about If I Knew Then

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I wish it was longer!!

Jann is such an eloquent writer and storyteller. And FUNNY!! 🤣
As with Feeding My Mother I must go back and write down all the witty, wise words and phrases. Such raw honesty and heart... So good.
Jann, your parents are so proud, I am sure.
I'd love to sit and share a pot of Earl grey and a plate of carbs with you any day!
💖

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I feel like she is writing my life..my thoughts,

Brilliant work in clear and straightforward style that is 100% authentic. my favorite piece is that it is her telling her story...not someone reading me a story. thankyou Jann.

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Jann unplugged

I listened in one sitting. Such an honest brave account of her life. Best of all narrated by Jann.

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Motivational and Extremely Entertaining

I have been listening to this book over and over again!!! I love it!!! Jann is a “artist to the core”. The words she uses paint a perfect picture with feelings that made me gasp in laughter! I find myself listening to it on the mornings that I need a good chuckle and pick-me-up. I work in a school but much of the books meat is relatable. It is so easy to listen to beginning in any chapter and I would love to see her live just to put a face to my current compass....and yes, I’ve just turned 50 and “the crone in me has been set free”.

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ENLIGHTENING

What a wonderful book by a truly wonderful woman. It was so good to hear how someone I have always loved has made it to who she is today. I could have listened to her for hours more, reflecting on her wisdoms!

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Review

Thanks for strength and wisdom! What a gift you have Thanks for your honesty. Thanks.

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Humorous Relatable a Must Read

I have played it twice in less than a week. Thoughtful, thought provoking, funny. Chapter 1 on Dying and WILLS should be mandatory reading. I loved this book. I am a Jann Arden fan, but those not familiar with Jann will enjoy this.

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Thoroughly enjoyable read

Jann Arden is a pleasure to listen to and she makes the book even more interesting with her voice. I love it when she quotes her mom. Loved it.

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Amazing insights

Thank you for sharing such a candid account of your trials and tribulations as you have navigated this thing we call life. Crohns unite!

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THE HEALING POWER OF JANN ARDEN!

This is such a great book on many levels from dealing with life's up and downs to aging to just dam good advice! I am of similar age to Jann and have enjoyed her music for many years as well as attended some of her shows. I always leave them feeling uplifted. We both fight the good fight when it comes to animals. Keep on rocking, writing and kicking ass for the animals, Jann, especially the horses being shipped to Japan for slaughter for sushi!

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  • Michelle Leonard
  • 2020-12-14

Jann is amazing

This was amazing. An adult child of an alcoholic myself, I certainly identify with things she says. I need to take her word and make some changes. At 52, I find myself doing some things she speaks about and knowing I need to change. Thank you.

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  • Nancy T
  • 2022-02-14

if you're over 50 you'll absolutely love it

I haven't laughed this much, I listened in the car and laugh all the way to work. she makes my day!!!

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  • Sam Jenkins
  • 2023-11-07

Went too fast...

I just loved this book so much. It made me reflect on my own life/experiences in a new way. Jann is a fantastic storyteller, and I immediately went to check out her other books. I wish she came to the United States more often, would love to see her on a music or book tour.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2023-08-23

Perfect for this phase in my life

Eat listen that is so relatable and freeing! Highly recommend and will be sharing with my “crones”!

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2023-04-24

Exactly what I needed

This encompasses exactly some things that I have needed to hear at this point in life in my early 30s. After having quite a few stories and pitfalls and sorrows and taking the time to work on myself and grow from it all, this is a loving reminder to be kind to yourself in reflecting and to keep moving forward. Good things come from bad is brought up several times and in the moment when going through the worst it is impossible to see sometimes but in many cases there is a silver lining even if it takes ages to realize it all later on. Take whatever you will and learn and grow.

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  • Susan
  • 2023-03-17

Truly amazing, and the best narration I’ve ever heard.

Even the best narrators, often come across as reading the book, Jann is talking to you from her heart, and I never once sounded like she was reading a word off of a page. I’ve listened twice and then just bought the hard cover book because there are so many gems in here that I want to earmark and refer back to. Truly perfection and profound. Thank you so much for sharing your story and wisdom.

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  • Phil Burns
  • 2022-12-01

A New Perspective

I really enjoyed Jann’s book. I could definitely relate to a lot of aspects but it also gave me a different perspective and made me reflect. Grateful for the lessons in life and the journey. I also love that she narrated it herself. Easy voice to listen to. I enjoyed this book.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2022-11-05

A welcome to Croneism

Fabulous perfect timing just what I needed to hear and realize, confirming.
THANKS...I knew I knew this it's actualizing it I need to work on, very helpful & timely....

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  • marie
  • 2022-10-12

Started on topic… then????

Started out on topic. Somewhat boring. A lot of non topic story telling. Was ok.

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  • Barbara A. Gulino
  • 2022-09-16

Fabulous!

I’m going to listen to it again and recommend it to my most precious friends!

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