They say life is like a river. They also say education prepares you for the real world, crash diets work, and “we should catch up sometime” means it. Clearly, they have a shaky relationship with the truth. Meet Jake Vincent—chronic overthinker, professionally confused adult, and lifelong member of the Academically Average Club. While toppers claimed the front row and rebels ruled the back benches, Jake perfected the art of surviving in the middle—visible enough to be counted, forgettable enough to be ignored. The only thing he’s ever been certain about? What he doesn’t want to become. Welcome to the world of middle-benchers: not failing badly enough to spark concern, not succeeding wildly enough to inspire envy. Swimming in the Middle isn’t a transformation story. It’s a witty survival guide for the gloriously confused—because life may be taking you somewhere, even when you have absolutely no idea where you’re going. Disclaimer: The writers’ only intent is to sell books and never to inspire. In case you get inspired somehow, it is purely accidental and unintentional.