What Old Broads Know: Musings on life, grief, joy and growing older

by Patricia Hack

You don’t wake up one day and find yourself an old broad. You get there slowly—through love and loss, belly laughs and heartbreak, bad decisions, good wine, and the kind of lessons life only teaches the hard way.

In What Old Broads Know, Patricia Hack—teacher, mother, grandmother, and co-author of six bestselling cookbooks—serves up a heartfelt, humorous, and sometimes raw collection of essays drawn from decades of living, loving, grieving, and growing. From the pain of widowhood to the joy of multi-generational travel, from losing your glasses for the hundredth time to finally understanding the wisdom of your mother, this book speaks directly to the women who’ve been through it all—and are trying to come out the other side with grit, grace, and a sense of humor intact.

Perfect for fans of Nora Ephron, Erma Bombeck, or anyone who knows what it means to be the “strong one,” What Old Broads Know is part memoir, part celebration, and part permission slip to live out loud—bra optional.

Whether you’re sixty or just hoping to get there with style, this book will make you laugh, nod in recognition, and maybe even cry a little. Because old broads know things.

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2025

Reviews

[Dan Wachal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gift, not only for Patti's children, grandchildren, friends, and extended family, but also for me; someone she has never met and likely never will. I’m so thankful for her willingness to share her life, the ups and downs, the beautiful parts and the broken ones. I read most of it while sitting at my family cottage, and her reflections caused me to pause, reflect, and remember. I laughed and cried through her stories and came away encouraged to pursue the stories of my own family with greater intention.

There’s something in this book for everyone, but it resonated deeply with me in this particular season of life, as a father, a teacher, and a son navigating the “sandwich” years. I loved the rural anecdotes, the encouragement to explore the world, and the wisdom Patti shares so generously throughout these pages. Reading it felt like sitting down for coffee with an old friend, or sharing a of wine glass (or two… or three) with someone who’s walked the road I’m on now and is kind enough to let me learn from their experience.

[Anne Tomyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, just as I knew I would!
It made me laugh, cry, think deeply… all the things you want from a good book!
Growing up in the same town where Patti lives, I was lucky enough to have her and Jim as teachers - him as my elementary school principal (and high school grad guest speaker) and Patti as a long term substitute in grade 12. Now, as a teacher myself, I have been asked many times to talk about my favourite teacher. Although I only had Patti as a sub for a few months, she is always the teacher I talk about. She taught so much more than just the curriculum and truly made us feel like she was interested in us and preparing us for the real world, as young adults.
When I heard this book was written, I knew I had to read it… and from the second I opened it, I knew I needed Kleenex close to me while I did so.
Patti, thank you for the stories and the influence you have made on my career! I am beyond grateful!

(Also, according to Goodreads, this book became book #272 that I’ve read and if you’re a Foam Laker, you see the significance in that)

[Lyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a refreshing and delightfully honest book. I laughed, nodded, felt the raw pain that comes from loss, and kept wondering “How does Patti know me this well?” We can live a much better life if we follow some, not all, of her advice and remember to enjoy the ride. It’s okay to stuff things up along the road as long as we get back up and keep moving. It’s also important to share the stuff we know, it might just be someone else’s saving grace. Great sense of humour and loved the short easy read chapters too.

[Susan Stewardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From one Old broad to another

This was a great read. Patti made me laugh & cry but she mostly made me reflect on my own memories. Her positivity shines through