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How to Age Disgracefully
A senior citizens’ center and a daycare collide with hilarious results in the new ensemble comedy from New York Times-bestselling author Clare Pooley
When Lydia takes a job running the Senior Citizens’ Social Club three afternoons a week, she assumes she’ll be spending her time drinking tea and playing gentle games of cards.
The members of the Social Club, however, are not at all what Lydia was expecting. From Art, a failed actor turned kleptomaniac to Daphne, who has been hiding from her dark past for decades to Ruby, a Banksy-style knitter who gets revenge in yarn, these seniors look deceptively benign—but when age makes you invisible, secrets are so much easier to hide.
When the city council threatens to sell the doomed community center building, the members of the Social Club join forces with their tiny friends in the daycare next door—as well as the teenaged father of one of the toddlers and a geriatric dog—to save the building. Together, this group’s unorthodox methods may actually work, as long as the police don’t catch up with them first.
When Lydia takes a job running the Senior Citizens’ Social Club three afternoons a week, she assumes she’ll be spending her time drinking tea and playing gentle games of cards.
The members of the Social Club, however, are not at all what Lydia was expecting. From Art, a failed actor turned kleptomaniac to Daphne, who has been hiding from her dark past for decades to Ruby, a Banksy-style knitter who gets revenge in yarn, these seniors look deceptively benign—but when age makes you invisible, secrets are so much easier to hide.
When the city council threatens to sell the doomed community center building, the members of the Social Club join forces with their tiny friends in the daycare next door—as well as the teenaged father of one of the toddlers and a geriatric dog—to save the building. Together, this group’s unorthodox methods may actually work, as long as the police don’t catch up with them first.
351 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2024
4306 people are currently reading
96308 people want to read
About the author
Clare Pooley
22 books3,719 followersClare Pooley graduated from Newnham College, Cambridge and spent twenty years in the heady world of advertising.
Clare’s memoir - The Sober Diaries - has helped thousands of people around the world to quit drinking.
The Authenticity Project, Clare’s first novel, was a New York Times bestseller, a BBC Radio 2 book club pick, and winner of the RNA debut novel award.
Clare’s second novel - called The People on Platform 5 in the UK, and Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting in the USA - was published in 2022.
How to Age Disgracefully is being published in June 2024.
Clare lives in London and Cornwall, with her husband, 3 kids and 2 border terriers. She loves cooking, walking the cliff paths and wild swimming.
Clare’s memoir - The Sober Diaries - has helped thousands of people around the world to quit drinking.
The Authenticity Project, Clare’s first novel, was a New York Times bestseller, a BBC Radio 2 book club pick, and winner of the RNA debut novel award.
Clare’s second novel - called The People on Platform 5 in the UK, and Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting in the USA - was published in 2022.
How to Age Disgracefully is being published in June 2024.
Clare lives in London and Cornwall, with her husband, 3 kids and 2 border terriers. She loves cooking, walking the cliff paths and wild swimming.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 8,367 reviews
July 27, 2024
At the time of writing this (March 2023), I am the only person in the WHOLE WORLD who has read this book, since I’ve only just finished writing it! Not sure how it popped up on GoodReads already! Anyhow, I’m giving it five shiny stars, because if I don’t believe in it, I can’t expect anyone else to. Good luck, my newest story, as you venture your way out into the world…
May 17, 2024
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The Book Review Crew Blog
This is my third book by Clare Pooley and I have loved every one of them. Both The People on Platform 5/Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting and The Authenticity Project were five-star reads for me and How to Age Disgracefully does not disappoint. Pooley stuck to what she does best...mix in a bunch of strangers and stir the pot to see what happens. Pooley writes engaging stories that have you cheering the characters on. She deftly blends humour and misery and ends up with a story with a cozy mystery vibe...with no mystery, just a bunch of seniors taking the world on by their own rules.
This story was such a fun romp. I adored Daphne even though I didn't like her at first. All the characters were pretty likable and we get many points of view but Daphne is the star. Don't get me wrong, the other characters are wonderfully written but Daphne just seemed to stick out more than the others. The entire time I was reading the book I wondered, can these strangers become friends? Can they be the answer they're all looking for? They were just such an unlikely bunch to become friends and each other's answer to their prayers. Funny, sad, moving and quirky Clare Pooley hits another one out of the park.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Book Review Crew Blog
This is my third book by Clare Pooley and I have loved every one of them. Both The People on Platform 5/Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting and The Authenticity Project were five-star reads for me and How to Age Disgracefully does not disappoint. Pooley stuck to what she does best...mix in a bunch of strangers and stir the pot to see what happens. Pooley writes engaging stories that have you cheering the characters on. She deftly blends humour and misery and ends up with a story with a cozy mystery vibe...with no mystery, just a bunch of seniors taking the world on by their own rules.
This story was such a fun romp. I adored Daphne even though I didn't like her at first. All the characters were pretty likable and we get many points of view but Daphne is the star. Don't get me wrong, the other characters are wonderfully written but Daphne just seemed to stick out more than the others. The entire time I was reading the book I wondered, can these strangers become friends? Can they be the answer they're all looking for? They were just such an unlikely bunch to become friends and each other's answer to their prayers. Funny, sad, moving and quirky Clare Pooley hits another one out of the park.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
June 11, 2024
"She appeared to have jumped out of the frying pan of sexism and into the fire of ageism. The final frontier of isms."
I cannot stress enough how much fun I had reading this book!
From the very first page to the last, the story is compelling and laugh out loud funny. I found myself very attached to the characters, who are so unique and human.
I loved that it is mostly about older people, but without the clichés and the prejudice.
I will probably read it again sometime.
I cannot stress enough how much fun I had reading this book!
From the very first page to the last, the story is compelling and laugh out loud funny. I found myself very attached to the characters, who are so unique and human.
I loved that it is mostly about older people, but without the clichés and the prejudice.
I will probably read it again sometime.
May 5, 2024
Daphne’s 70th birthday prompts her to reflect on her past and the fact that she’s kept a very low profile for many years, venturing out only when necessary. The thing is, Daphne has a very shady past, but could now be the right time to get out there again, act like normal people do? Most importantly would she be safe?
After much thought Daphne decides to join a Senior Citizens Social Club at the local community centre, and while she’s at it, how about a spot of Internet dating?
Let’s just say that Daphne is not the easiest of characters to get along with, but her interactions with others (especially fellow senior citizen Art) makes for some very amusing dialogue. Easy to get along with she is NOT, but she has real hidden depth and this lady definitely steals the show!
The author skilfully presents a diverse cast of characters, from the funny to the malevolent, each bringing their own unique story, and all of them with one thing in common, their determination to stop the local council from closing their community centre. There’s laughs galore, sitting alongside some really emotional moments, so if you’re looking for a fun and entertaining read, then look no further.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers Bantam for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
After much thought Daphne decides to join a Senior Citizens Social Club at the local community centre, and while she’s at it, how about a spot of Internet dating?
Let’s just say that Daphne is not the easiest of characters to get along with, but her interactions with others (especially fellow senior citizen Art) makes for some very amusing dialogue. Easy to get along with she is NOT, but she has real hidden depth and this lady definitely steals the show!
The author skilfully presents a diverse cast of characters, from the funny to the malevolent, each bringing their own unique story, and all of them with one thing in common, their determination to stop the local council from closing their community centre. There’s laughs galore, sitting alongside some really emotional moments, so if you’re looking for a fun and entertaining read, then look no further.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers Bantam for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
September 4, 2025
Oh! Oh! Me! I want to age disgracefully!
If there's a how-to book out there, they can just take my money. Though if I'm being honest, I'm probably doing just fine on my own.
I can scrape the bottom of the barrel with the best of them as is. In fact, I may actually be what's waiting at the bottom of the barrel that the rest of y'all are trying to scrape.
So, yes. The title caught my eye, and I grabbed it.
I love the elderly mystery/adventure trope. And I love it when a book brings the kind of real sass that I see every day in my friends and family who were born in the Jurassic era. Give me ballsy, funny, interesting, older people who want to live life all the way. I can't possibly be the only one whose bucket list includes plans to get an STD in my 90s.
The skinny gist is that a community center that has become not just an opportunity for seniors and other groups to meet, but also houses a low-income daycare, is under threat of being shut down.
And of course, after some feel-good moments where all of the crazy old timers reluctantly decided they like each other, they decide to take matters into their hands and save not just the center, but the middle aged woman who is supposedly wrangling them, and a young teenage father who uses the daycare for his daughter.
Toss in a little bit of romance, a few secrets, some dangerous scrapes, and you've got the overall plot in a nutshell.
Clare Pooley gives us a book with a group of flawed characters who have lived life, made mistakes, and are still active participants in their own stories.
It was cute, right in my wheelhouse, and I thought it was fun.
Recommended for fans of the genre.
If there's a how-to book out there, they can just take my money. Though if I'm being honest, I'm probably doing just fine on my own.
I can scrape the bottom of the barrel with the best of them as is. In fact, I may actually be what's waiting at the bottom of the barrel that the rest of y'all are trying to scrape.
So, yes. The title caught my eye, and I grabbed it.
I love the elderly mystery/adventure trope. And I love it when a book brings the kind of real sass that I see every day in my friends and family who were born in the Jurassic era. Give me ballsy, funny, interesting, older people who want to live life all the way. I can't possibly be the only one whose bucket list includes plans to get an STD in my 90s.
The skinny gist is that a community center that has become not just an opportunity for seniors and other groups to meet, but also houses a low-income daycare, is under threat of being shut down.
And of course, after some feel-good moments where all of the crazy old timers reluctantly decided they like each other, they decide to take matters into their hands and save not just the center, but the middle aged woman who is supposedly wrangling them, and a young teenage father who uses the daycare for his daughter.
Toss in a little bit of romance, a few secrets, some dangerous scrapes, and you've got the overall plot in a nutshell.
Clare Pooley gives us a book with a group of flawed characters who have lived life, made mistakes, and are still active participants in their own stories.
It was cute, right in my wheelhouse, and I thought it was fun.
Recommended for fans of the genre.
July 12, 2024
4.75⭐️ 70 y/o fmc and 75 y/o mmc with a man called ove vibes 💟
How to age disgracefully 😎
Tip 1: Ghost as many people as possible whose business are none of your business
Tip 2: Keep abreast with technology
Tip 3: Old age isn't a good reason to be unfashionable! Stay overdressed!!
Tip 4: Be as selfish and cynical as possible. THAT IS, BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, HAVE A GOOD ANSWER TO- "WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME?"
Tip 5: Be feminist enough to not let ageism or sexism get in the way of your opinions being heard
Tip 6: Invest in pilates/yoga or flexibility/movement training, also weights is good for osteoporosis
Tip 7: Always take advantage of being underestimated
Tip 8: Don't waste time being perfect
Tip 9: When you have to choose between two best or worst options, ask yourself "which of them is the best way to die?"
I was going back on forth between 4 stars and 5 stars and the reason was that I wanted Art and Daphne to have had more romantic moments together and I was just kinda salty about that and second reason was that a story and plot as a whole was very original but some aspects felt familiar to me.
In the end, I thought those aren't good reason not to give this masterpiece the 5 stars it deserves. Because I loved Lydia and Ziggy. I loved all the characters and their weird quirks and friendship dynamics. It felt real. It was almost like the author has once lived this story and now I want to live it too! I have said it before and I will say it again, I love books that make it difficult to forget about them, that's the whole point. 💖💖
***
because i'm literally looking for tips 😎📝
How to age disgracefully 😎
Tip 1: Ghost as many people as possible whose business are none of your business
Tip 2: Keep abreast with technology
Tip 3: Old age isn't a good reason to be unfashionable! Stay overdressed!!
Tip 4: Be as selfish and cynical as possible. THAT IS, BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, HAVE A GOOD ANSWER TO- "WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME?"
Tip 5: Be feminist enough to not let ageism or sexism get in the way of your opinions being heard
Tip 6: Invest in pilates/yoga or flexibility/movement training, also weights is good for osteoporosis
Tip 7: Always take advantage of being underestimated
Tip 8: Don't waste time being perfect
Tip 9: When you have to choose between two best or worst options, ask yourself "which of them is the best way to die?"
“You’re still not very nice,” said Art. “Well, you’re still far too nice,” said Daphne. “So between us, we’re perfect.”
“And be careful, Daffy, because when I look at you now, I’d almost think you were capable of love.” “Actually, you’re the one who should be careful,” said Daphne. “Because when I look at you now, I’m starting to think I just might be.”
I was going back on forth between 4 stars and 5 stars and the reason was that I wanted Art and Daphne to have had more romantic moments together and I was just kinda salty about that and second reason was that a story and plot as a whole was very original but some aspects felt familiar to me.
In the end, I thought those aren't good reason not to give this masterpiece the 5 stars it deserves. Because I loved Lydia and Ziggy. I loved all the characters and their weird quirks and friendship dynamics. It felt real. It was almost like the author has once lived this story and now I want to live it too! I have said it before and I will say it again, I love books that make it difficult to forget about them, that's the whole point. 💖💖
***
because i'm literally looking for tips 😎📝
June 22, 2024
4.5⭐️
Laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming, featuring a diverse cast of characters (including a charming dog named Maggie Thatcher), How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley is a delightful read that will touch a chord in your heart.
As she approaches her seventieth birthday, reclusive Daphne decides to make some changes to the way she leads her life. For starters, she decides to be more sociable, which motivates her to join the Senior Citizens Social Club at the local Community Centre. Daphne isn’t the easiest person to be around – secretive and opinionated – she’s off to a bumpy start but gradually makes friends with the other members - Art (and his friend William who often joins the group activities), Ruby and Anna– a diverse group of people, each of whom is dealing with their own difficulties in life, including fifty-three-year-old Lydia, who runs the group. An empty nester whose husband mostly ignores her has,she just started in her new role and wasn’t prepared for the spirited group of seniors whose idea of fun doesn’t quite translate into quiet group activities. When the city council decides to sell the crumbling building that houses the community centre, the club members join forces with the daycare (also housed in the same building) and Ziggy, the teenage father of one of the toddlers to raise funds to save the building – not an easy task, with Daphne struggling to keep her dark past hidden and each of the members dealing with their own life problems.
The narrative is presented from multiple perspectives that allow us to get to know the characters and their backstories. I loved the characters, enjoyed their banter and loved how they grew to care for one another, banding together not only to save their community centre but also to help one another. Daphne is a fascinating character and I enjoyed following her character arc, not to mention her dynamic with Art. Ziggy is an endearing character. I was rooting for him to get his life sorted. Ruby and Anna were wonderful characters. I sympathized with Lydia but also admired her resolve. I really liked how she was able to emerge out of her shell with the help of her new friends! The author approaches several serious themes such as aging, loneliness, infidelity, emotional abuse, teenage parenthood and complicated family dynamics and much more with heart and insight. You might have to suspend disbelief on occasion, but that does not detract from the overall reading experience.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting story about unlikely friendships, living life on your own terms and new beginnings. I didn’t want the story to end and would love to meet these characters again!
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Viking for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on June 11, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
Laugh-out-loud funny and heartwarming, featuring a diverse cast of characters (including a charming dog named Maggie Thatcher), How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley is a delightful read that will touch a chord in your heart.
As she approaches her seventieth birthday, reclusive Daphne decides to make some changes to the way she leads her life. For starters, she decides to be more sociable, which motivates her to join the Senior Citizens Social Club at the local Community Centre. Daphne isn’t the easiest person to be around – secretive and opinionated – she’s off to a bumpy start but gradually makes friends with the other members - Art (and his friend William who often joins the group activities), Ruby and Anna– a diverse group of people, each of whom is dealing with their own difficulties in life, including fifty-three-year-old Lydia, who runs the group. An empty nester whose husband mostly ignores her has,she just started in her new role and wasn’t prepared for the spirited group of seniors whose idea of fun doesn’t quite translate into quiet group activities. When the city council decides to sell the crumbling building that houses the community centre, the club members join forces with the daycare (also housed in the same building) and Ziggy, the teenage father of one of the toddlers to raise funds to save the building – not an easy task, with Daphne struggling to keep her dark past hidden and each of the members dealing with their own life problems.
The narrative is presented from multiple perspectives that allow us to get to know the characters and their backstories. I loved the characters, enjoyed their banter and loved how they grew to care for one another, banding together not only to save their community centre but also to help one another. Daphne is a fascinating character and I enjoyed following her character arc, not to mention her dynamic with Art. Ziggy is an endearing character. I was rooting for him to get his life sorted. Ruby and Anna were wonderful characters. I sympathized with Lydia but also admired her resolve. I really liked how she was able to emerge out of her shell with the help of her new friends! The author approaches several serious themes such as aging, loneliness, infidelity, emotional abuse, teenage parenthood and complicated family dynamics and much more with heart and insight. You might have to suspend disbelief on occasion, but that does not detract from the overall reading experience.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting story about unlikely friendships, living life on your own terms and new beginnings. I didn’t want the story to end and would love to meet these characters again!
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Viking for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on June 11, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
July 13, 2024
I just want to RAVE about this book. The author writes the words of Dylan Thomas "Do not go gentle into that night. Old age should burn and rave at the close of day." This comedy is just so good. Daphne is a well-drawn character who grows and causes the other characters of the book to shine. There is a mystery to the backgrounds of Art and Daphne and an entire cast of elderly people who are so much more than meets the eye. I read this over 2 days and didn't want to put it down.
March 2, 2025
In a Nutshell: A contemporary fiction filled with many quirky characters and some entertaining moments. Geriatrics, toddlers, and a dog make for a fun combo. However, quite over the top and fairly predictable in execution. Enjoyable if you don’t overthink it. This is a slightly outlier review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Ever since Fredrik Backman’s ‘A Man Called Ove’ came out, a new genre has started, having a curmudgeonly senior citizen in the lead whose heart turns around over the course of the story, thanks to the good-hearted people who don’t leave them alone. Then when Richard Osman’s ‘The Thursday Night Murder Club’ was published, a new subcategory started: senior citizens in a group/club working together for some common goal. The concept was innovative once, but is getting repetitive now. I still like reading novels with senior citizens. (In fact, I’d rather read these than books with self-centred YA protagonists.) But I wish the storylines wouldn’t blend so much into each other.
Bookish Yays:
🥳 The choice of writing the story from four distinct POVs, each of whom has nothing in common with the others. Might not work for those who don’t enjoy multi-character perspectives, but I relished the journey.
🥳 The distinctness of each character’s backstory and their present conundrums adds good drama to an otherwise saccharine plot. Every character has some learning and growing to do, even if they are old.
🥳 The young kiddos in the story, especially baby Kylie – adding the perfect touch of cherubic cuteness to a plot dominated by the golden oldies.
🥳 Margaret Thatcher the dog, adding some canine pizzazz to the proceedings. Wish there had been more of her.
🥳 I LOVE that the story has a teenaged boy shown as a single parent! It is so typical to see fictional teen girls have babies and struggle with raising them alone while the guy who impregnated them vanishes from the scene. Ziggy’s story is a refreshing one thanks to the role reversal. I also like how he wasn’t shown as the perfect parent just because he was in an active parenting role.
🥳 The praiseworthy stance against ageist stereotypes, and against how senior citizens are always shown as either boring or ignorant or ready to give up on life. (Of course, this feedback is true for most books that have geriatric main characters.)
🥳 Some truly funny scenes and pranks and banter. This is British humour, so it is at a very different level. You either love it or you don’t. I enjoyed the wittiness more often than not.
🥳 The author's note – interesting and heartfelt.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🤔 While the prologue is interesting, I am never a fan of prologues that simply rehash a scene from the later part of the book. Moreover, thanks to the details provided, the target of the scene in question is already clear to readers. It spoils the fun of discovery. Also, this track doesn’t get closed properly.
🤔 The geriatric characters - Not typical seniors, they are flawed and funny. But of the members of the club, we get to see only Art and Daphne in detail. Anna and Ruby deserved more page time, but they were mostly included only for comic effect. I connected with Lydia the most, though our situations and ages are very different. Her inferiority complex comes out well in the first half.
🤔 How is it possible for a book filled with so many adults to have only one normal main character – that too, a high-schooler!?!? With 5-6 senior citizens in the club, at least a couple of them could have been shown as regular old people, but the only relatable senior characters are in secondary roles. The main cast has an overdose of ‘eccentric’, which is fun but also gets boring after a while.
🤔 Though the running track is that of a community centre being threatened of closure by the local council, there is no overarching plot as such. Each character has their individual struggles and the story works through each of them in parallel. Every subplot had scenes I liked and scenes that annoyed me.
🤔 The pacing is quite slow, especially considering the genre. A part of it could be explained by the character-driven narration, but combined with the lack of a strong plot and the fairly predictable storyline, the result was that I zoned out many times and still missed nothing.
🤔 The first half still had enough to keep me going, but the second half was way over the top. Everything appeared too contrived and convenient.
Bookish Nays:
😒 Personal preference, but I am really bored of the ‘grumpy geriatric’ trope. Daphne is a great character, but after a point, it became tiresome to see her sneering and grumbling her way through every scene without disgruntling anyone. Why should bullying be condoned in senior citizens?
😒 Another trope I am tired of is the ‘interfering geriatric’, à la Mabel Beaumont and Vera Wong, where the senior character happily pokes her way through everyone’s business and no one has any issues with it. (Or rather, they can’t do anything even if they have issues with it.) And of course, the nose-poking always saves the day.
😒 There are two sorta-antagonists in the plot, and both are described & judged by the “flaws” in their physical appearance. Not cool.
All in all, this isn't a bad book, and I can even see why it has garnered such strong positive feedback from many readers. But I didn’t find myself ‘enjoying’ the book as much as I had expected to. I did like it enough, but not to the extent most other readers seemed to have. OTT situations rarely work for me, so this might be more of a ME problem than a BOOK problem.
Recommended to those who enjoy stories with whimsical old characters and hyperbolic situations. The combination of old and young and canine ought to work well if you are looking for something not taxing. This is a heart-book and not a head-book, but as you can see, my head refused to switch off.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to Penguin Group Viking and Pamela Dorman Books for providing the DRC of “How to Age Disgracefully” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Fifty-something Lydia has just opted for the job of running the Senior Citizen Social Club at the local community centre. She has devised a good plan of quiet afternoons together, knitting and playing card games and sipping tea. Unfortunately for her, the senior citizens in the club have a very different idea of what a ‘club’ should do.
When the council decides to sell off the shabby community centre for a new luxury complex, the senior citizens club partners with their neighbours – the daycare centre and its little members – to save the building. Joining them on this valiant quest is a teenaged father of one of the daycare babies and an old dog who is still learning new tricks.
The story comes to us in the third-person perspective of four characters – Lydia, seventy-five-year-old Art (a failed actor who has a new agenda for making money), seventy-year-old Daphne (a recluse who has suddenly decided to reenter the world in her domineering way), and Ziggy (baby Kylie’s teen dad who yearns for his free days but also loves his little one.)
Ever since Fredrik Backman’s ‘A Man Called Ove’ came out, a new genre has started, having a curmudgeonly senior citizen in the lead whose heart turns around over the course of the story, thanks to the good-hearted people who don’t leave them alone. Then when Richard Osman’s ‘The Thursday Night Murder Club’ was published, a new subcategory started: senior citizens in a group/club working together for some common goal. The concept was innovative once, but is getting repetitive now. I still like reading novels with senior citizens. (In fact, I’d rather read these than books with self-centred YA protagonists.) But I wish the storylines wouldn’t blend so much into each other.
Bookish Yays:
🥳 The choice of writing the story from four distinct POVs, each of whom has nothing in common with the others. Might not work for those who don’t enjoy multi-character perspectives, but I relished the journey.
🥳 The distinctness of each character’s backstory and their present conundrums adds good drama to an otherwise saccharine plot. Every character has some learning and growing to do, even if they are old.
🥳 The young kiddos in the story, especially baby Kylie – adding the perfect touch of cherubic cuteness to a plot dominated by the golden oldies.
🥳 Margaret Thatcher the dog, adding some canine pizzazz to the proceedings. Wish there had been more of her.
🥳 I LOVE that the story has a teenaged boy shown as a single parent! It is so typical to see fictional teen girls have babies and struggle with raising them alone while the guy who impregnated them vanishes from the scene. Ziggy’s story is a refreshing one thanks to the role reversal. I also like how he wasn’t shown as the perfect parent just because he was in an active parenting role.
🥳 The praiseworthy stance against ageist stereotypes, and against how senior citizens are always shown as either boring or ignorant or ready to give up on life. (Of course, this feedback is true for most books that have geriatric main characters.)
🥳 Some truly funny scenes and pranks and banter. This is British humour, so it is at a very different level. You either love it or you don’t. I enjoyed the wittiness more often than not.
🥳 The author's note – interesting and heartfelt.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🤔 While the prologue is interesting, I am never a fan of prologues that simply rehash a scene from the later part of the book. Moreover, thanks to the details provided, the target of the scene in question is already clear to readers. It spoils the fun of discovery. Also, this track doesn’t get closed properly.
🤔 The geriatric characters - Not typical seniors, they are flawed and funny. But of the members of the club, we get to see only Art and Daphne in detail. Anna and Ruby deserved more page time, but they were mostly included only for comic effect. I connected with Lydia the most, though our situations and ages are very different. Her inferiority complex comes out well in the first half.
🤔 How is it possible for a book filled with so many adults to have only one normal main character – that too, a high-schooler!?!? With 5-6 senior citizens in the club, at least a couple of them could have been shown as regular old people, but the only relatable senior characters are in secondary roles. The main cast has an overdose of ‘eccentric’, which is fun but also gets boring after a while.
🤔 Though the running track is that of a community centre being threatened of closure by the local council, there is no overarching plot as such. Each character has their individual struggles and the story works through each of them in parallel. Every subplot had scenes I liked and scenes that annoyed me.
🤔 The pacing is quite slow, especially considering the genre. A part of it could be explained by the character-driven narration, but combined with the lack of a strong plot and the fairly predictable storyline, the result was that I zoned out many times and still missed nothing.
🤔 The first half still had enough to keep me going, but the second half was way over the top. Everything appeared too contrived and convenient.
Bookish Nays:
😒 Personal preference, but I am really bored of the ‘grumpy geriatric’ trope. Daphne is a great character, but after a point, it became tiresome to see her sneering and grumbling her way through every scene without disgruntling anyone. Why should bullying be condoned in senior citizens?
😒 Another trope I am tired of is the ‘interfering geriatric’, à la Mabel Beaumont and Vera Wong, where the senior character happily pokes her way through everyone’s business and no one has any issues with it. (Or rather, they can’t do anything even if they have issues with it.) And of course, the nose-poking always saves the day.
😒 There are two sorta-antagonists in the plot, and both are described & judged by the “flaws” in their physical appearance. Not cool.
All in all, this isn't a bad book, and I can even see why it has garnered such strong positive feedback from many readers. But I didn’t find myself ‘enjoying’ the book as much as I had expected to. I did like it enough, but not to the extent most other readers seemed to have. OTT situations rarely work for me, so this might be more of a ME problem than a BOOK problem.
Recommended to those who enjoy stories with whimsical old characters and hyperbolic situations. The combination of old and young and canine ought to work well if you are looking for something not taxing. This is a heart-book and not a head-book, but as you can see, my head refused to switch off.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to Penguin Group Viking and Pamela Dorman Books for providing the DRC of “How to Age Disgracefully” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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July 31, 2024
Where's the fun in ageing gracefully?" said Daphne. "Personally, I intend to age as disgracefully as possible."
Clare Pooley knocked it out of the park with this one. Magnificent storytelling, laugh out loud humor, and loveable and memorable characters, not to mention an inspiring and remarkably written found family trope.
First we meet Daphne, our 70 year old FMC, who hardly leaves her house, doesn't have any friends or family, talks to her plants, and stalks her neighbors. On her 70th birthday she decides to re-engage with the world and for that she needs a plan.
💡MAKE SOME FRIENDS
💡BE MORE TRUSTING
💡NO SHOUTING OR GLARING
💡TAKE UP A HOBBY
💡JOIN A CLUB
💡USE THE INTERNET
💡FIND A PARTNER
In an attempt to accomplish her new plan, she joins the Senior Citizens social club where she meets Lydia-a 50 year old woman going through menopause and marital problems who runs the club, and Art-a 75 year old "actor" and petty thief, and Ziggy-a teenage father who keeps finding himself in bad situations. When the community center is threatened to be closed and tore down this unlikely bunch of characters band together to try and save it. This story is both entertaining and inspiring following the wacky situations this group of characters gets into. I had so much fun with it!
"Pah. I prefer my friends to have experience, wisdom, and a few guilty secrets."
Thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Viking, and Clare Pooley for access to this arc in exchange for an honest review.
✨Pre-Read Review✨
I have heard this one is hilarious so fingers crossed this is better than my last read!🤞❤️
January 16, 2025
“life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely, but rather to "skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!” Hunter S. Thompson
A buddy read with Marialyce, this is one of the most fun “lighter novels with substance” that I’ve read.
The novel opens when a police officer pulls over a bus full of mostly seniors, all who, without being asked, are quick to confess to a variety of crimes.
From there we go back in time to find out led to the present dilemma.
Eccentric Daphne, having just celebrated her 70th birthday, alludes to a mysterious past, is tiring of her solitary life, and decides to join the senior center. Here she meets a motley crew including:
* Lydia, the program director, is a woman in her mid-50s who is married to a complete ass and needs to find her backbone and her voice
* Art, an aging actor with a bad habit and an estranged family
* William, Art’s best friend
* Ziggy, an 18 yr old single father trying to go to school & care for his infant daughter
* Anna, who knits, but she’s not knitting potholders. I won’t ruin the fun by disclosing why she’s knitting oversized projects, but they are irreverent, a bit (ok, a lot) naughty, and hilarious.
* an adorable aged dog named Margaret Thatcher
* The children at a day care center
But the real star of the show here is Daphne who made me laugh out loud more than once. She’s completely delightful! She’s witty, snarky, opinionated, minces no words, and bears no fools. And she gets things done.
It may seem like a lot of characters but they each have a unique voice and story arc , so they are easy to follow. They all come together to save the community center but it’s about is much more than that.
Not only does this book destroy stereotypes of aging, these seniors are vibrant and intelligent, who have much to offer society and show the younger members of their group a thing or two. I loved the bond and intergenerational sense of community they built.
Don’t miss the author’s note at the end where she tells us her inspiration for the story.
I may not be aging as disgracefully as this group but I sure did have fun with them!
* I received a digital copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
A buddy read with Marialyce, this is one of the most fun “lighter novels with substance” that I’ve read.
The novel opens when a police officer pulls over a bus full of mostly seniors, all who, without being asked, are quick to confess to a variety of crimes.
From there we go back in time to find out led to the present dilemma.
Eccentric Daphne, having just celebrated her 70th birthday, alludes to a mysterious past, is tiring of her solitary life, and decides to join the senior center. Here she meets a motley crew including:
* Lydia, the program director, is a woman in her mid-50s who is married to a complete ass and needs to find her backbone and her voice
* Art, an aging actor with a bad habit and an estranged family
* William, Art’s best friend
* Ziggy, an 18 yr old single father trying to go to school & care for his infant daughter
* Anna, who knits, but she’s not knitting potholders. I won’t ruin the fun by disclosing why she’s knitting oversized projects, but they are irreverent, a bit (ok, a lot) naughty, and hilarious.
* an adorable aged dog named Margaret Thatcher
* The children at a day care center
But the real star of the show here is Daphne who made me laugh out loud more than once. She’s completely delightful! She’s witty, snarky, opinionated, minces no words, and bears no fools. And she gets things done.
It may seem like a lot of characters but they each have a unique voice and story arc , so they are easy to follow. They all come together to save the community center but it’s about is much more than that.
Not only does this book destroy stereotypes of aging, these seniors are vibrant and intelligent, who have much to offer society and show the younger members of their group a thing or two. I loved the bond and intergenerational sense of community they built.
Don’t miss the author’s note at the end where she tells us her inspiration for the story.
I may not be aging as disgracefully as this group but I sure did have fun with them!
* I received a digital copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
March 30, 2024
This is my first book by Clare Pooley, and oh my gosh, why didn't anyone tell me about her brilliance before?! Like, seriously, I've been living under a rock not reading her stuff sooner!
Lydia, main protagonist, unwittingly thrust into a world teeming with eccentricity and mischief. Pooley has crafted a cast of characters so vibrant, so alive, that they practically leap off the page. Art, with his penchant for pilfering; Daphne, haunted by secrets buried in the recesses of her past; and Ruby, the Banksy of knitting—each one a masterpiece in their own right. So, when the city council decides to bulldoze their beloved hangout spot, that golden team isn't about to take it lying down!
This book had me laughing so hard. and I'm talking belly laughs that'll have you clutching your sides. But don't get it twisted—there's some serious heart in here too. Like, I'm not ashamed to admit I shed a tear or two (okay, maybe more like a waterfall) at some of the heartfelt moments.
I love how this book is totally fresh and unique! Like, how often do you see a book with a squad of seniors as the main crew? Clare Pooley totally nailed it with this one and I can't wait to read more of her works!
Lydia, main protagonist, unwittingly thrust into a world teeming with eccentricity and mischief. Pooley has crafted a cast of characters so vibrant, so alive, that they practically leap off the page. Art, with his penchant for pilfering; Daphne, haunted by secrets buried in the recesses of her past; and Ruby, the Banksy of knitting—each one a masterpiece in their own right. So, when the city council decides to bulldoze their beloved hangout spot, that golden team isn't about to take it lying down!
This book had me laughing so hard. and I'm talking belly laughs that'll have you clutching your sides. But don't get it twisted—there's some serious heart in here too. Like, I'm not ashamed to admit I shed a tear or two (okay, maybe more like a waterfall) at some of the heartfelt moments.
I love how this book is totally fresh and unique! Like, how often do you see a book with a squad of seniors as the main crew? Clare Pooley totally nailed it with this one and I can't wait to read more of her works!
December 7, 2024
“Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day.” – Dylan Thomas
As readers, our first introduction to this motley crew of senior citizens (for the most part) is when they are being commandeered by an officer of the law. Everyone has an opportunity to release their reasons for the officer to want to take them in. What kind of past are they hiding from, that all these guilty voices would be rising in this calamitous moment?
“How could you create a future when you had no past you would admit to?”
As it turns out, they all have come to the local senior center to find companionship. Told in multiple P.O.V.’s everyone has their own story and reason for wanting to find others. If nothing else, other than to overcome their own sense of loneliness as they recognize their advanced age and uncertain purpose at this stage of their lives. And, some come with a spectacular attitude.
“Where’s the fun in aging gracefully? Personally, I intend to age as disgracefully as possible.” (Hence: the title of the book!)
But as we connect with their inner lives, we watch how things change for them as they connect with each other. And, our curiosity as readers, especially with that introductory prologue, makes us wonder, who were they really before they were the people they are now?
They are on a mission to save their senior center. And, these gallant six geriatric individuals, along with a young man, an infant and child with his own issues…including a sweet dog named Margaret Thatcher, (or versions of that name) make their own splash into the hearts of readers.
Still, in some ways, it was difficult to fully engage with the plot. The characters weren’t always likable, or even always liking each other (in the beginning) and it took some time to connect with them. But eventually there were moments, out-loud-laugh moments, that made it easier to appreciate and understand them.
This may be a book that readers will just want to sit back, take it in, relax with it, and watch the trouble the characters seem to make. And not take yourself to seriously while enjoying the reading experience.
3.5 stars rounded up.
As readers, our first introduction to this motley crew of senior citizens (for the most part) is when they are being commandeered by an officer of the law. Everyone has an opportunity to release their reasons for the officer to want to take them in. What kind of past are they hiding from, that all these guilty voices would be rising in this calamitous moment?
“How could you create a future when you had no past you would admit to?”
As it turns out, they all have come to the local senior center to find companionship. Told in multiple P.O.V.’s everyone has their own story and reason for wanting to find others. If nothing else, other than to overcome their own sense of loneliness as they recognize their advanced age and uncertain purpose at this stage of their lives. And, some come with a spectacular attitude.
“Where’s the fun in aging gracefully? Personally, I intend to age as disgracefully as possible.” (Hence: the title of the book!)
But as we connect with their inner lives, we watch how things change for them as they connect with each other. And, our curiosity as readers, especially with that introductory prologue, makes us wonder, who were they really before they were the people they are now?
They are on a mission to save their senior center. And, these gallant six geriatric individuals, along with a young man, an infant and child with his own issues…including a sweet dog named Margaret Thatcher, (or versions of that name) make their own splash into the hearts of readers.
Still, in some ways, it was difficult to fully engage with the plot. The characters weren’t always likable, or even always liking each other (in the beginning) and it took some time to connect with them. But eventually there were moments, out-loud-laugh moments, that made it easier to appreciate and understand them.
This may be a book that readers will just want to sit back, take it in, relax with it, and watch the trouble the characters seem to make. And not take yourself to seriously while enjoying the reading experience.
3.5 stars rounded up.
January 16, 2025
Growing old...something we can't escape from, but when it is done as these characters do, it becomes a romp through fun, friendship, and finding you have not lost what makes you..you!
Clare Pooley shows us how the collision of a retirement club, a nursery, and AA meeting in the same run down building can create a story of need, fulfillment, and the ability to make connections long ago thought to be impossible.
They often say that age makes one invisible and perhaps you may have found that to be true already, but these oldies mixed in with the young prove that life only starts when you want it to. Art, Daphne, and Ruby provide some very different approaches to a life lead and one yet to live. Led by a mousy Lydia, a charming baby, a teenage father, and of course Margaret Thatcher, (the dog), they gather to save a crumbling building and in the process build lives that once again add the spark to having fun and finding the joie di vivre.
If you want to have some enjoyable fun and humor you need to sign onto this story. It was an escape from the madness of today!
Fun read for Jan and I!
Clare Pooley shows us how the collision of a retirement club, a nursery, and AA meeting in the same run down building can create a story of need, fulfillment, and the ability to make connections long ago thought to be impossible.
They often say that age makes one invisible and perhaps you may have found that to be true already, but these oldies mixed in with the young prove that life only starts when you want it to. Art, Daphne, and Ruby provide some very different approaches to a life lead and one yet to live. Led by a mousy Lydia, a charming baby, a teenage father, and of course Margaret Thatcher, (the dog), they gather to save a crumbling building and in the process build lives that once again add the spark to having fun and finding the joie di vivre.
If you want to have some enjoyable fun and humor you need to sign onto this story. It was an escape from the madness of today!
Fun read for Jan and I!
June 13, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded up - Although it dragged at times, I did enjoy this look a a rag-tag group of seniors, Gen Z's & Alphas and a doggo all working together to save their community center. Very quirky & heart-warming, maybe a tad trite, but still what I expected (and I loved Maggie T. the dog!)
September 6, 2025
The librarian told me this book was hilarious so naturally I had to give it a read…
Conclusion: She was, in fact, correct 👍🏽 This was SO much FUN 🤩
"Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day." - Dylan Thomas 💖✨
An incredibly uplifting book, filled with memorable characters, that not only entertains you but also makes you think…
This book was yet another win for Clare. I was already a Clare Pooley fan, having read 2 of her books; The People on Platform 5 and The Authenticity Project and this one did not disappoint!
"Where's the fun in aging gracefully? Personally, I intend to age as disgracefully as possible." 🙆🏻♀️
We are first introduced to the senior citizens of the group, which then collides with a daycare. Everyone has their own story to tell and their own reason for wanting to attend this group. However, the real fun is revealed when we get into their lives behind closed doors: From Art, a failed actor turned kleptomaniac to Daphne, who has been hiding from her dark past for decades to Ruby, a Banksy-style knitter who gets revenge in yarn, these seniors look deceptively benign-but when age makes you invisible, secrets are so much easier to hide 👀
As per usual, it is the quirky characters that are the key to Pooley’s writing style. I love how she creates such diverse, relatable characters, and gives them each a POV. I found all of the characters to be very likeable, despite their flaws. However, Daphne was a favourite of mine, she definitely shone through this storyline like a beam of light.
Furthermore, the humour in this book was second to none, and it only got funnier as the story continued. There were definitely some laugh out loud moments to be found! However, there were some underlying meaningful messages at the core of this book, which I always appreciate.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable reading experience. Clare’s writing is easy to read and keeps you wanting to come back for more. I loved that there was a main storyline but then some other sub-plots added via the multiple POV. And finally, WHAT AN ENDING 😱 Clare totally took me by surprise 👏🏽 that in itself rewarded an extra 1/2 star 💫 bringing it up to a very well deserved 4.5 🌟
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Conclusion: She was, in fact, correct 👍🏽 This was SO much FUN 🤩
"Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day." - Dylan Thomas 💖✨
An incredibly uplifting book, filled with memorable characters, that not only entertains you but also makes you think…
This book was yet another win for Clare. I was already a Clare Pooley fan, having read 2 of her books; The People on Platform 5 and The Authenticity Project and this one did not disappoint!
"Where's the fun in aging gracefully? Personally, I intend to age as disgracefully as possible." 🙆🏻♀️
We are first introduced to the senior citizens of the group, which then collides with a daycare. Everyone has their own story to tell and their own reason for wanting to attend this group. However, the real fun is revealed when we get into their lives behind closed doors: From Art, a failed actor turned kleptomaniac to Daphne, who has been hiding from her dark past for decades to Ruby, a Banksy-style knitter who gets revenge in yarn, these seniors look deceptively benign-but when age makes you invisible, secrets are so much easier to hide 👀
As per usual, it is the quirky characters that are the key to Pooley’s writing style. I love how she creates such diverse, relatable characters, and gives them each a POV. I found all of the characters to be very likeable, despite their flaws. However, Daphne was a favourite of mine, she definitely shone through this storyline like a beam of light.
Furthermore, the humour in this book was second to none, and it only got funnier as the story continued. There were definitely some laugh out loud moments to be found! However, there were some underlying meaningful messages at the core of this book, which I always appreciate.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable reading experience. Clare’s writing is easy to read and keeps you wanting to come back for more. I loved that there was a main storyline but then some other sub-plots added via the multiple POV. And finally, WHAT AN ENDING 😱 Clare totally took me by surprise 👏🏽 that in itself rewarded an extra 1/2 star 💫 bringing it up to a very well deserved 4.5 🌟
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
July 28, 2024
She appeared to have jumped out of the frying pan of sexism and into the fire of ageism. The final frontier of isms.
Better than I expected. An entertaining story sprinkled with humor and observations about aging. While the focus was on irascible, secretive, 70 year-old, alpha Daphne, the story was also about Lydia, Art, and Ziggy (a teenage father). The narrative was from all four points of view.
They, along with two other seniors, Ruby and Anna, (and good dog, Margaret Thatcher), come together at the Mandel[a] Community Center where they build unlikely friendships through unlikely schemes—all done without the help of jigsaw puzzles or macrame plant holders. I was never bored, but I wish some of their end games wrapped up with a little more oomph. I could see this becoming a movie.
Better than I expected. An entertaining story sprinkled with humor and observations about aging. While the focus was on irascible, secretive, 70 year-old, alpha Daphne, the story was also about Lydia, Art, and Ziggy (a teenage father). The narrative was from all four points of view.
They, along with two other seniors, Ruby and Anna, (and good dog, Margaret Thatcher), come together at the Mandel[a] Community Center where they build unlikely friendships through unlikely schemes—all done without the help of jigsaw puzzles or macrame plant holders. I was never bored, but I wish some of their end games wrapped up with a little more oomph. I could see this becoming a movie.
October 11, 2024
Lots of fun amidst real life problems and the unique way they are solved. The book starts with a very humorous scene featuring seniors, preschool kids, the police,and a dog traveling in a bus. Then we go backwards to see how they all came to be on said bus. A senior club, upstairs of a daycare, also used by AA and a karate studio is in peril of being demolished. All come together to save the building, in some very funny ways.
Who says seniors have to be dull? Accept changes in their lives? Change themselves? Share a talented pup named Margaret Thatcher and find meaning in their lives again. Yes, it can be done but only with the problem solver, Daphne. These characters are wonderful, getting to know them was a joy. I adored Daphne by the way, enjoyed this book immensely.
Who says seniors have to be dull? Accept changes in their lives? Change themselves? Share a talented pup named Margaret Thatcher and find meaning in their lives again. Yes, it can be done but only with the problem solver, Daphne. These characters are wonderful, getting to know them was a joy. I adored Daphne by the way, enjoyed this book immensely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2025
Of course I LOVED this book. The protagonists were the best of the elderly, and their friends were my other favorite demographic - babies (well, babies and a bit older than babies)!
Daphne is the woman I want to be when I retire (in five weeks!) and when I live unencumbered. Lydia is the woman I want to find when I examine myself. Art is the friend I want to be to everyone.
I hope Ziggy and Lucky grow up into the most upstanding citizens who find love and partnership and purpose. I hope Kylie remembers her sitters fondly and always demonstrates kindness to that population.
Daphne is the woman I want to be when I retire (in five weeks!) and when I live unencumbered. Lydia is the woman I want to find when I examine myself. Art is the friend I want to be to everyone.
I hope Ziggy and Lucky grow up into the most upstanding citizens who find love and partnership and purpose. I hope Kylie remembers her sitters fondly and always demonstrates kindness to that population.
April 13, 2024
Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Read my full review on my blog! Thank you NetGalley for offering an advance read of this novel!
Join the escapades of Daphne, Art, Ziggy, and Lydia as they band together to save their beloved community center from closure. With Lydia at the helm and a motley crew of characters by her side, expect laughter, mischief, and a hefty dose of British charm. From Daphne's fearless quest for friendship and to re-enter society to Art's knack for playing dead (on screen, that is), this quirky tale promises a journey through the highs and lows of aging disgracefully. Get ready for a read that'll have you chuckling from start to finish!
Read my full review on my blog! Thank you NetGalley for offering an advance read of this novel!
Join the escapades of Daphne, Art, Ziggy, and Lydia as they band together to save their beloved community center from closure. With Lydia at the helm and a motley crew of characters by her side, expect laughter, mischief, and a hefty dose of British charm. From Daphne's fearless quest for friendship and to re-enter society to Art's knack for playing dead (on screen, that is), this quirky tale promises a journey through the highs and lows of aging disgracefully. Get ready for a read that'll have you chuckling from start to finish!
May 28, 2024
Maybe the author was just trying to cash in on the current craze for "old people" novels, but this worked for me. I loved the multi-generational cast, unlikely friendships, and wacky situations. Anyone looking for a hilarious, upbeat novel to cleanse the palate after a downer book - this is the one. It's sheer fun from beginning to end!
Thanks to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the ARC.
August 13, 2024
5/5 ⭐️ This is my second book by this author and I loved it just as much as Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting! It just made me so happy. It was heartwarming and full of humor! The characters were all flawed which made them feel real and relatable. This entire book felt like a warm hug and it left me with a big smile on my face! I also liked how they all came together to try and save the community center! And how they were all there to help each other with their personal problems 🥺💖.
December 7, 2024
3★
“ ‘And I’m not sure that playing with cigarettes is a good idea,’ added Ziggy, congratulating himself on his calm understatement. His mother would be proud of him. Although even she might let loose a few choice swear words at this scenario.
‘Oh, no need to worry. I took the lighter away from her,’ said Daphne. Was she joking?”
Poor teen-aged dad, Ziggy. He’s sole-parenting his baby daughter, while trying to finish school, and he needs an emergency babysitter. His mum’s at work, and kindly old lady, Daphne, offers to stay with Kylie for a little while. Until now, she has successfully avoided having anything to do with babies.
“Still, it couldn’t be that hard to keep a tiny human alive for an hour, could it? Her father, Ziggy, was only a child himself, and he seemed to manage it.”
Of course, Daphne’s had no experience. We learn early on that she’s had a colourful life, but it’s not until much later in the story that she reveals the full extent of it.
On her seventieth birthday, she resolves to meet people, get out and about, and ends up at the local community centre. Janine, in her fifties, is setting up a new group for seniors and has great plans for activities.
The centre is an old building in need of serious renovation, so the local council reckons it’s cheaper and easier to demolish it. There you go – they have an instant project. Protest!
There’s a children’s playgroup in the same building, so the author puts them all together in an effort to lobby the powers-that-be.
Meanwhile, there are some family dramas going on. Janine is facing marital problems and Ziggy is doing his best to avoid the local thugs.
“It was impossible to survive on Ziggy’s estate without pledging allegiance to one of the rival gangs, who found the local teenagers useful as lookouts, messengers and couriers.
. . .
Being found carrying one of Floyd’s packages might not land him in an adult prison, but it would most definitely lose him custody of his daughter.”
I found this slow-going, and had it not been a NetGalley preview, I probably wouldn’t have continued, but it kept me interested just enough to see where the author would take her characters. As it turned out, there weren’t any surprises, just a bit more back story and some humorous pranks which I did enjoy.
I like heartwarming stories, and I don’t mind some corniness, but this missed the mark for me. I know it has plenty of enthusiastic fans, so I suggest that anyone reading this should read some of their reviews and don’t be put off by mine. It is mostly light-hearted fun.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Random House Bantam for a copy of #HowToAgeDisgracefully for review.
“ ‘And I’m not sure that playing with cigarettes is a good idea,’ added Ziggy, congratulating himself on his calm understatement. His mother would be proud of him. Although even she might let loose a few choice swear words at this scenario.
‘Oh, no need to worry. I took the lighter away from her,’ said Daphne. Was she joking?”
Poor teen-aged dad, Ziggy. He’s sole-parenting his baby daughter, while trying to finish school, and he needs an emergency babysitter. His mum’s at work, and kindly old lady, Daphne, offers to stay with Kylie for a little while. Until now, she has successfully avoided having anything to do with babies.
“Still, it couldn’t be that hard to keep a tiny human alive for an hour, could it? Her father, Ziggy, was only a child himself, and he seemed to manage it.”
Of course, Daphne’s had no experience. We learn early on that she’s had a colourful life, but it’s not until much later in the story that she reveals the full extent of it.
On her seventieth birthday, she resolves to meet people, get out and about, and ends up at the local community centre. Janine, in her fifties, is setting up a new group for seniors and has great plans for activities.
The centre is an old building in need of serious renovation, so the local council reckons it’s cheaper and easier to demolish it. There you go – they have an instant project. Protest!
There’s a children’s playgroup in the same building, so the author puts them all together in an effort to lobby the powers-that-be.
Meanwhile, there are some family dramas going on. Janine is facing marital problems and Ziggy is doing his best to avoid the local thugs.
“It was impossible to survive on Ziggy’s estate without pledging allegiance to one of the rival gangs, who found the local teenagers useful as lookouts, messengers and couriers.
. . .
Being found carrying one of Floyd’s packages might not land him in an adult prison, but it would most definitely lose him custody of his daughter.”
I found this slow-going, and had it not been a NetGalley preview, I probably wouldn’t have continued, but it kept me interested just enough to see where the author would take her characters. As it turned out, there weren’t any surprises, just a bit more back story and some humorous pranks which I did enjoy.
I like heartwarming stories, and I don’t mind some corniness, but this missed the mark for me. I know it has plenty of enthusiastic fans, so I suggest that anyone reading this should read some of their reviews and don’t be put off by mine. It is mostly light-hearted fun.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Random House Bantam for a copy of #HowToAgeDisgracefully for review.
April 14, 2024
Loved every bit of this... miss these people already. Excited to add the hardcover to my collection when it releases:) Will be passing this onto my sister at some point. 👍🏼 👌
I think Daphne and Elizabeth from Thursday murder club would get along famously, in my humble opinion.
Someone make this into a movie 🎬 pretty please!
This was just a fun book with people who grow on you quickly. I wanted hug everyone and get into mischief with them 😄 🤣.
A certain masterpiece of "yarnsy" in the book had me cackling... I could see that being filmed and ending up in a Charlotte dobre video as well.
This'll give you some laughs and some tears, so enjoy the ride:).
Bit over top at times, but no complaints from this girl. It just made everything more fun.
The way Daphne took care of some "obstacles" for people... 👏 👏 Bravo!
I want to adopt her as a grandparent and have her on my team if a zombie 🧟♂️ apocalypse happened.
I think Daphne and Elizabeth from Thursday murder club would get along famously, in my humble opinion.
Someone make this into a movie 🎬 pretty please!
This was just a fun book with people who grow on you quickly. I wanted hug everyone and get into mischief with them 😄 🤣.
A certain masterpiece of "yarnsy" in the book had me cackling... I could see that being filmed and ending up in a Charlotte dobre video as well.
This'll give you some laughs and some tears, so enjoy the ride:).
Bit over top at times, but no complaints from this girl. It just made everything more fun.
The way Daphne took care of some "obstacles" for people... 👏 👏 Bravo!
I want to adopt her as a grandparent and have her on my team if a zombie 🧟♂️ apocalypse happened.
April 5, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
Not sure if anything will compare to Iona Iverson but I loved this chaotic bunch of characters. Everyone was perfectly casted and I fell in love with Daphne. What a hoot. There was enough depth to humanize everyone but my favorite was the classic Clare Pooley chaos and quick witty writing. I laughed I cried and it was an absolute delight.
Not sure if anything will compare to Iona Iverson but I loved this chaotic bunch of characters. Everyone was perfectly casted and I fell in love with Daphne. What a hoot. There was enough depth to humanize everyone but my favorite was the classic Clare Pooley chaos and quick witty writing. I laughed I cried and it was an absolute delight.
January 20, 2025
Delightful!
I love that part of Clare Pooley’s inspiration for this book was to shine light on septuagenarian stereotypes!
I love that part of Clare Pooley’s inspiration for this book was to shine light on septuagenarian stereotypes!
November 7, 2025
Geriatric slay
July 15, 2024
Take a handful of disgruntled seniors and add an inexperienced activities director - and there is bound to be mayhem and anarchy, especially if the author of the story is the ingenious Clare Pooley!
The first few chapters are devoted to introducing the cast of characters in this story who will eventually band together to stop the demolition of their decrepit community center.
I didn't know what to make of Daphne at first, but in the end I was in her corner all the way. Nothing really phazed her - she invariably had "a plan" and, like the secret super-heroine she obviously was, she came to the rescue of the doomed local community center and breathed life back in to that rag-tag group of retirees.
There are quite a few mysteries to solve and "stings" to perform, and justice (of a sort) prevails in the end - but no spoilers here!
Great story-telling and I bet you will come to love Daphne as much as I did. What a bag of tricks she turned out to be!
I highly recommend this lighthearted, well written comedic drama. The quirky characters are unforgettable: another winner for Clare Pooley! I'm rating this one a 5 out of 5 because I was always wanting to return to this story despite the many demands on my time these days.. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The first few chapters are devoted to introducing the cast of characters in this story who will eventually band together to stop the demolition of their decrepit community center.
I didn't know what to make of Daphne at first, but in the end I was in her corner all the way. Nothing really phazed her - she invariably had "a plan" and, like the secret super-heroine she obviously was, she came to the rescue of the doomed local community center and breathed life back in to that rag-tag group of retirees.
There are quite a few mysteries to solve and "stings" to perform, and justice (of a sort) prevails in the end - but no spoilers here!
Great story-telling and I bet you will come to love Daphne as much as I did. What a bag of tricks she turned out to be!
I highly recommend this lighthearted, well written comedic drama. The quirky characters are unforgettable: another winner for Clare Pooley! I'm rating this one a 5 out of 5 because I was always wanting to return to this story despite the many demands on my time these days.. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2024
If you’re looking for a read that simply makes you say . . . .
Clare Pooley might just be the gal for you. All of her books sort of follow the same thing – a ragtag bunch of folks finding unlikely friendship and a common cause. The cause this time around is saving the local community center from demolition. The ragtag friend group starts with some senior citizens and the woman who has been hired to run a social club for them. A high schooler, his baby, the kids from the nursery school and a dog eventually get added to the mix to bring on the saccharine sweet feels.
The story here jumps off with the community center van being pulled over by the cops who are looking for one suspect in particular. Nearly every occupant begins confessing to why they are the one the police are looking for – while the actual suspect is making a break for it. Then it does a rewind to introduce you to all of the characters, their backstories and eventually ends back at the beginning.
If you’re a fan of the Thursday Murder Club folks (particularly Elizabeth) and want to have some more fun with geriatrics, but without a body count, this one might work for you.
3.5 Stars and rounding up because it’s nice to smile sometimes : )
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Clare Pooley might just be the gal for you. All of her books sort of follow the same thing – a ragtag bunch of folks finding unlikely friendship and a common cause. The cause this time around is saving the local community center from demolition. The ragtag friend group starts with some senior citizens and the woman who has been hired to run a social club for them. A high schooler, his baby, the kids from the nursery school and a dog eventually get added to the mix to bring on the saccharine sweet feels.
The story here jumps off with the community center van being pulled over by the cops who are looking for one suspect in particular. Nearly every occupant begins confessing to why they are the one the police are looking for – while the actual suspect is making a break for it. Then it does a rewind to introduce you to all of the characters, their backstories and eventually ends back at the beginning.
If you’re a fan of the Thursday Murder Club folks (particularly Elizabeth) and want to have some more fun with geriatrics, but without a body count, this one might work for you.
3.5 Stars and rounding up because it’s nice to smile sometimes : )
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2024
I was excited to read this! The synopsis sounded witty, fun, and interesting. While it was definitely witty, that’s about the only element of this book that I enjoyed. It was incredibly slow-paced and couldn’t hold my attention. The writing was long-winded and often monotonous. The characters aggravated me to no end and I found myself dreading having to read. The concept was good, the execution just fell flat for me.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for this ARC*
*Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for this ARC*
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