Queen Lessons by Holly Shaw documents Shaw's transition through midlife, and the physical, hormonal, and social changes she terms the “queen years.” Shaw talks about shifting from coaching to standup comedy in her forties, and shares her experiences with sexism and age bias. She speaks on how early social conditioning limited direct expression of desire, especially among women, and how she learned to advocate for herself by asking clearly for what she wanted. Shaw describes the role of attention in performance and life, including strategies for managing audience interaction, emotional regulation, and reclaiming visibility. Shaw digs into the impact of shame and the process of developing self-loyalty through comedy. Drawing on personal and professional examples, she outlines ways to succeed through midlife transitions by reconnecting with creative ambitions and authentic self-expression.

Queen Lessons by Holly Shaw is a really inspiring look at Shaw's midlife reinvention and the power she has found while grounding herself in what she wants. Yes, this is a book about a comedian and does contain tips for comedians, but this is genuinely a book for all women. Shaw draws from her work in standup comedy to illustrate how women can reclaim their voice by embracing visibility and surrendering the weight of others’ expectations. I love the concept of “Tempestas,” which harnesses the energy needed to transform any environment, whether on stage or in life. Shaw’s memoir encourages readers to recognize attention as a vital force, and she takes it further by offering the tools to tackle it with intention. The result is a personal and heartening guide for readers who are finally looking to show up fully and authentically in their own lives. Very highly recommended.

Holly Shaw is not only an author, but she has been a professional dancer, gives talks, and is a hypnotherapist and a stand-up comedian. In Queen Lessons, she shares her thoughts on life for women as they leave their maiden years and enter the queen stage. It’s the age when forty to fifty-year-old women experience menopause and become invisible. Shaw has lots of practical advice on how to handle this time of life. First, by shedding the nice girl society expects and the conditioning of how girls are expected to behave. That is the caring, subservient, and obedient upbringing of girls. As the hormonal changes kick in around midlife, she introduces us to Earthquake Woman, Wise Woman, and Comedian. In many examples, she imparts tips on how to free yourself in later life and build a sense of shamelessness and the courage to ask for what a woman wants. It's a rebirth of many social norms as middle-aged women tend to fade into the background. The book is full of anecdotes that illustrate how she has achieved this in one of the most brutal careers, that of stand-up comedy.

If you are a woman about to enter your queen years, around menopause or perimenopause, then this is the book for you. Author Holly Shaw strips away the boundaries and opens the door to a more emancipated womanhood. This was an interesting read, introducing attitudes that will be new to many females, and provides much food for thought. While not writing in a linear memoir fashion, Shaw covers many of her real-life stories and explains how she handled each one in simple-to-understand language. Reading this book could help many women who feel they have become invisible to redefine their place in the world and become more assertive. She gives a clear explanation of how our souls are evolving and how to cope with the changes that come. A provocative and informative read.