Maddie James
Don't Count the Candles: Just Keep the Fire Lit! is a book by Joan Rivers, a comedienne, talk show host, actress, and celebrity known for her wit and humour. The book is a self-help guide to ageing, offering advice on how to grow old without making a spectacle of oneself. Rivers encourages readers to fight ageing through various means such as diet, exercise, makeup, and plastic surgery. The book is witty and entertaining, with a unique brand of humour and spirit. It is a fast and fun read, suited for a middle-aged or older audience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Joan Rivers |
| Type | Book, Audiobook |
| Genre | Self-help, Humour |
| Target Audience | Middle-aged and older people |
| Themes | Ageing, Wit, Common sense |
| Tone | Witty, Entertaining, Uplifting |
| Topics Covered | Wardrobe, Makeup, Fitness, Diet, Surgery, Sex, Lifestyle, Relationships |
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What You'll Learn
Joan Rivers' wit and humour
Joan Rivers was a comedienne, talk show host, actress, and celebrity known for her wit and humour. Her book, *Don't Count the Candles*, exemplifies her unique brand of humour and her brash manner. The book is filled with wit and common sense, offering advice on ageing and how to do so without making a spectacle of oneself. Rivers encourages readers to fight ageing through various means, including diet, exercise, makeup, clothes, and plastic surgery. She advises readers to "go through it with dignity" and provides tips on how to look "the best you can for your age."
Rivers' humour in the book is described as sharp and often used to skewer anyone who crossed her path. Her jokes and discussions about ageing are interspersed with light-hearted quips about the power of gravity on breasts and buttocks. One of her well-known quotes from the book is, "I've had my face revised from time to time. In fact, Darwin would be happy to know that my face is in a constant state of evolution." This quote showcases her self-deprecating humour and her willingness to poke fun at herself, a style that her act relied heavily on.
In addition to her humour, Rivers also offered sensible and practical advice in *Don't Count the Candles*. She provided tips on wardrobe, makeup, fitness, diet, and relationships, aiming to help women stay youthful, healthy, and mellow at any age. Rivers challenged ageist beauty standards and encouraged women to embrace their individuality. For example, she quips that "by the year 2000, more than 75 million Americans will be over fifty," normalising and celebrating ageing.
The book also includes witty one-liners and light-hearted advice, such as "at fifty, confine your piercing to sardine cans and keep your hair short" and "a roll in the hay keeps the doctor away (unless he happens to be in the hay with you)." These quotes showcase Rivers' unique style of humour and her ability to entertain while providing insightful commentary on ageing.
Don't Count the Candles is a fun and fast read that combines Joan Rivers' wit and common sense. Through her humour and advice, Rivers encourages readers to embrace ageing and live life to the fullest. Her self-deprecating jokes and uplifting messages inspire readers to focus on celebrating the moment rather than counting the candles.
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Advice on ageing
In her book, *Don't Count the Candles*, Joan Rivers offers her advice on ageing. While the book is not a laugh-out-loud rant, it is witty, entertaining, and full of spirit. Here is some of Rivers' advice on ageing:
Fight the ageing process
Rivers encourages her readers to "fight it every way you can": through diet, exercise, makeup, clothes, plastic surgery, and even sex with younger men. She advises her readers to "go through it with dignity" and to look "the best you can for your age".
Keep your sense of humour
Rivers' book is filled with jokes, such as those about the power of gravity on breasts and buttocks. She also pokes fun at herself, in keeping with her brand of humour.
Stay informed about the latest trends
Rivers advises her readers to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in wardrobes, makeup, and home decorating. She suggests that an up-to-date wardrobe can be a "little trashy" but not "TRASHY".
Maintain your relationships
Rivers encourages her readers to maintain their relationships and sex lives as they age. She includes discussions of sex in her book, stating that "a roll in the hay keeps the doctor away—unless he happens to be in the hay with you".
Don't count the candles, but enjoy the glow
This phrase, which appears on a birthday card, serves as a fun reminder to celebrate the moment, not the number of birthdays you've had. In other words, focus on the present and don't get too caught up in the number of candles on your birthday cake.
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Wardrobe, makeup, fitness, and diet
In her book, *Don't Count the Candles*, Joan Rivers offers advice on various aspects of ageing, including wardrobe, makeup, fitness, and diet.
Wardrobe
Rivers advises her readers to look "the best you can for your age". She suggests that wardrobes can be a "little trashy" but not "TRASHY". In other words, while it's fine to experiment with more revealing clothing, it's important to avoid taking it too far. Specifically, Rivers recommends going easy on short skirts and low necklines.
Makeup
Rivers acknowledges that makeup preferences and trends change over time. She uses the example of Estée Lauder potentially running an ad showing the shade that looks best with diapers. This comment suggests that Rivers encourages adapting one's makeup choices to fit one's current stage of life.
Fitness
Rivers emphasises the importance of staying physically active as one ages. She includes discussions of symptoms of ageing that are usually reserved for doctors or hairdressers, implying that fitness plays a role in managing these symptoms.
Diet
Rivers includes diet as part of her strategy for fighting ageing. She encourages readers to "go through it [ageing] with dignity" and provides tips on how to do so, with diet being one of the key components.
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Plastic surgery
In her book, *Don't Count the Candles*, Joan Rivers offers a unique take on aging. She advises readers to "stay young or die trying", and offers tips on everything from wardrobe and fitness to plastic surgery and dating younger men. Rivers, who has undergone plastic surgery herself, encourages readers to fight aging through various means, including diet, exercise, makeup, and clothes.
The book has been praised for its entertaining and humorous tone, as well as its practical advice. Rivers' wit and honesty about her own experiences with aging and plastic surgery have been well-received by readers.
However, it is important to note that the perception of plastic surgery is not always positive. A survey highlighted two major losses for plastic surgeons: the public perception of "cosmetic surgeons" as legitimate, and the lack of association of plastic surgeons with reconstructive procedures. This has led to a dilution of the specialty. In addition, there is a concern that patients seeking plastic surgery may not be fully aware of the qualifications and training of their surgeons, as many non-plastic surgeons perform cosmetic surgery outside their scope of practice.
Rivers' book provides a lighthearted and informative perspective on aging and plastic surgery, but it is important for individuals considering plastic surgery to thoroughly research their surgeons' qualifications and the potential risks involved.
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Relationships
In her book, *Don't Count the Candles*, Joan Rivers offers advice on relationships, among other topics. While the book is not a laugh-out-loud comedy routine, it is witty and entertaining, with plenty of spirit. Rivers' trademark humour and common sense are on full display as she tackles the varied aspects of ageing.
Rivers, a comedian, talk show host, actress, and businesswoman, was known for her brash manner and self-deprecating humour. She brought these qualities to her book, offering an enlightening and uplifting take on staying young. She encourages readers to fight ageing in every way possible, including through diet, exercise, makeup, clothes, and even plastic surgery.
In terms of relationships, Rivers advises women to have sex with younger men to stay youthful. She also includes a playful joke about sex with doctors. While some readers found this focus on plastic surgery and physical appearance off-putting, others appreciated her practical advice on wardrobe, makeup, and lifestyle choices.
Overall, *Don't Count the Candles* is a fun and fast read, offering a unique perspective on ageing. Rivers' advice on relationships and other topics is delivered with her trademark wit and spirit, making it an enjoyable and engaging guide for middle-aged and older audiences.
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Frequently asked questions
'Don't Count the Candles' is a self-help book by Joan Rivers, offering advice on ageing.
The book covers topics such as wardrobe, makeup, fitness, diet, surgery, sex, lifestyle, and relationships.
The book is witty and entertaining, with a unique brand of humour. It is described as a "fast, fun read".
