What do you think?
Rate this book
A Delightful Little Book On Aging
All around us, older women flourish in industry, entertainment, and politics. Do they know something that we don’t, or are we all just trying to figure it out? For so many of us, our hearts and minds still feel that we are twenty-something young women who can take on the world. But in our bodies, the flexibility and strength that were once taken for granted are far from how we remember them. Every day we have to rise above the creaky joints and achy knees to earn the opportunity of moving through the world with a modicum of grace. Yet we do rise, because it’s a privilege to grow old, and every single day is a gift. Peter Pan’s mantra was “never grow up”; our collective mantra should be “never stop growing.” This collection of user-friendly stories, essays, and philosophies invites readers to celebrate whatever age they are with a sense of joy and purpose and with a spirit of gratitude.
136 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2020
131 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Raffelock
4 books112 followersStephanie Raffelock is the author of Creatrix Rising, Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women, (She Writes Press - August, 2021). She also penned the award winning book, A Delightful Little Book on Aging.
A graduate of Naropa University’s program in Writing and Poetics, Stephanie was a contributor to The Rogue Valley Messenger in Oregon. She has blogged for Nexus Magazine, Omaha Lifestyles, Care2.com, as well as SixtyandMe.com.
A former i-Heart Radio host, she is now a popular guest on podcasts, where she inspires women to embrace the strength and passion of their personal story.
Stephanie continues to build her speaker’s resume by giving presentations for groups like The Ashland Literary Arts Festival, Breaking the Glass, WINS at Charles Schwab and Southern Oregon University, Friends of the Hannon Library. Her commitment to uplift women extends to teaching personal development classes for incarcerated women and non-profits, including Dress for Success, Austin.
A recent transplant to Austin, Texas Stephanie enjoys an active life with her husband, Dean and their Labrador retriever, Mickey Mantel Raffelock.
A graduate of Naropa University’s program in Writing and Poetics, Stephanie was a contributor to The Rogue Valley Messenger in Oregon. She has blogged for Nexus Magazine, Omaha Lifestyles, Care2.com, as well as SixtyandMe.com.
A former i-Heart Radio host, she is now a popular guest on podcasts, where she inspires women to embrace the strength and passion of their personal story.
Stephanie continues to build her speaker’s resume by giving presentations for groups like The Ashland Literary Arts Festival, Breaking the Glass, WINS at Charles Schwab and Southern Oregon University, Friends of the Hannon Library. Her commitment to uplift women extends to teaching personal development classes for incarcerated women and non-profits, including Dress for Success, Austin.
A recent transplant to Austin, Texas Stephanie enjoys an active life with her husband, Dean and their Labrador retriever, Mickey Mantel Raffelock.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 20, 2020
Such a great read. I laughed, cried, and nodded in agreement while reading this book. The author's writing really hit home for me. I could relate to everything she had to write about turning the corner and arriving at senior citizen central. The author, Stephanie Rafflelock, describes the stages of aging very adeptly -- grief, reclamation, vision, and laughter.
There are a lot of truisms in the book, and I especially liked: "You gotta keep moving to be relevant." I realized this at the get-go -- that you cannot let the world pass you by.
A short and excellent book for anyone entering or in their "golden years."
A big thank you to Netgalley for having this book available.
There are a lot of truisms in the book, and I especially liked: "You gotta keep moving to be relevant." I realized this at the get-go -- that you cannot let the world pass you by.
A short and excellent book for anyone entering or in their "golden years."
A big thank you to Netgalley for having this book available.
July 9, 2020
This is an introspective book about aging as a person, especially as a woman, and is a book meant to be savored and reflected upon. We all feel what the author has felt at one time or another whether we are over 60 or under 60. This is a crazy world and we have to learn how to adapt and cope so that we don't make ourselves crazy in the process.
This book is divided into four sections that address different aspects of how to age gracefully. The sections are Grief, Reclamation, Vision, and Laughter. Grief is letting go of ideas of what it means to be young or what you believe youth means from the outside. Reclamation is reclaiming who you are and perhaps past hobbies or interests that might be a new outlet for you. Vision is becoming engaged in life and perhaps taking what you reclaimed and make it your own. And laughter really doesn't need much explanation - it is celebrating life and not letting the little things bring you down.
There are many ideas that are repeated and to me, that means you need to take note of those things because they are important. Exercise is one of those that is repeated many times and I can understand that because if you stay active you are able to do more things that keep you young. I like how the author doesn't say you need to be in a gym or lifting weights - just walk.
"None of us are in it alone. We are moving toward the sunset together, and on that horizon eternity lingers. May we all embrace living fully, with unabashed joy and appreciation for this path of transition."
No matter your age, we all need to sit back and enjoy life and those that are in our life. You never know what tomorrow will bring and by enjoying the simple pleasures in life and those around us, we make our days more fruitful and blessed.
"You don't need a PhD to see that the personas we craft for social media are all rainbows and unicorns. It's as though the struggles of our lives are shameful and must be kept secret. We need places (probably not social media) to give air to what it means to be human. Too much energy convincing everyone of how positive you are while holding sorrow in abeyance can turn a person numb."
"Social media is not reality. Be real. Be vulnerable. Be authentic, and be yourself...and don't waste too much time on social media."
These two passages resonated with me especially in the crazy times we live in today. Many times I don't want to even log into Facebook, Twitter, or even read/watch the news because of the negativity and the hate that I see many show towards one another. It saddens my heart that many do not want to have civil conversations with someone they don't agree with about the hot button topics. But if we communicate with each other on an equal playing field, we may discover some information we didn't know before, and perhaps our viewpoint will change or we will have a better understanding of how others think.
"What we shed are the "things" that gather dust - the things that bind, the things that have become clutter. The new skin is made of of the intangible - purpose, meaning, connection, joy, and love."
This statement is so true and relevant. We have become a world of consumers and these purchases bog us down. What is really important is the experiences and relationships we have with others. This is a good reminder for me to not worry about "things" and to enjoy life and the relationships with my friends and family.
"Taking full deep breaths slows everything down. I close my eyes and breathe deeply ten times. With each exhale I say to myself, "thank you." And isn't "thank you" a beautiful prayer to whisper throughout the day?"
I am a big believer in taking deep breaths to calms and center myself. I never thought about saying Thank You while doing this and it makes sense. We are thanking the universe for providing for us. I plan to do this next time I need some calming breaths.
There are so many parts of this book that I enjoyed, from her frank discussions about life to sharing stories that touch your heart. I especially enjoyed a story about six teenage young women that were at a pool helping a friend through a tough time. From the outside, you might think that they are shallow or vapid young women, but if you look past appearances and listen to conversations, you might find the truth is the complete opposite.
Here are some of my other favorite lines from the book:
"I worked with my hairstylist so I could stop dying my hair. Now it's turning silver. I prefer the word "silver" over "gray" because silver sparkles, and I think that women our age sparkle."
"Love, even the size of a parakeet's heart, is eternal."
"The conclusion was that we fear insignificance."
"I have accepted that, in order to be successful, I need failure."
"As the plane landed, all the babies stopped crying. Clearly the whole thing had been planned. They had probably met at the changing table in one of the airport restooms and plotted their little baby tyranny."
Overall this was a delightful book and there are many nuggets of wisdom to take with you as you continue on through life. I think many could learn a little something from this book and I plan to share it with my girlfriends because I feel like they will learn something from this book.
We give this book 4 1/2 paws up and suggest picking up a copy for yourself and your friends.
This book is divided into four sections that address different aspects of how to age gracefully. The sections are Grief, Reclamation, Vision, and Laughter. Grief is letting go of ideas of what it means to be young or what you believe youth means from the outside. Reclamation is reclaiming who you are and perhaps past hobbies or interests that might be a new outlet for you. Vision is becoming engaged in life and perhaps taking what you reclaimed and make it your own. And laughter really doesn't need much explanation - it is celebrating life and not letting the little things bring you down.
There are many ideas that are repeated and to me, that means you need to take note of those things because they are important. Exercise is one of those that is repeated many times and I can understand that because if you stay active you are able to do more things that keep you young. I like how the author doesn't say you need to be in a gym or lifting weights - just walk.
"None of us are in it alone. We are moving toward the sunset together, and on that horizon eternity lingers. May we all embrace living fully, with unabashed joy and appreciation for this path of transition."
No matter your age, we all need to sit back and enjoy life and those that are in our life. You never know what tomorrow will bring and by enjoying the simple pleasures in life and those around us, we make our days more fruitful and blessed.
"You don't need a PhD to see that the personas we craft for social media are all rainbows and unicorns. It's as though the struggles of our lives are shameful and must be kept secret. We need places (probably not social media) to give air to what it means to be human. Too much energy convincing everyone of how positive you are while holding sorrow in abeyance can turn a person numb."
"Social media is not reality. Be real. Be vulnerable. Be authentic, and be yourself...and don't waste too much time on social media."
These two passages resonated with me especially in the crazy times we live in today. Many times I don't want to even log into Facebook, Twitter, or even read/watch the news because of the negativity and the hate that I see many show towards one another. It saddens my heart that many do not want to have civil conversations with someone they don't agree with about the hot button topics. But if we communicate with each other on an equal playing field, we may discover some information we didn't know before, and perhaps our viewpoint will change or we will have a better understanding of how others think.
"What we shed are the "things" that gather dust - the things that bind, the things that have become clutter. The new skin is made of of the intangible - purpose, meaning, connection, joy, and love."
This statement is so true and relevant. We have become a world of consumers and these purchases bog us down. What is really important is the experiences and relationships we have with others. This is a good reminder for me to not worry about "things" and to enjoy life and the relationships with my friends and family.
"Taking full deep breaths slows everything down. I close my eyes and breathe deeply ten times. With each exhale I say to myself, "thank you." And isn't "thank you" a beautiful prayer to whisper throughout the day?"
I am a big believer in taking deep breaths to calms and center myself. I never thought about saying Thank You while doing this and it makes sense. We are thanking the universe for providing for us. I plan to do this next time I need some calming breaths.
There are so many parts of this book that I enjoyed, from her frank discussions about life to sharing stories that touch your heart. I especially enjoyed a story about six teenage young women that were at a pool helping a friend through a tough time. From the outside, you might think that they are shallow or vapid young women, but if you look past appearances and listen to conversations, you might find the truth is the complete opposite.
Here are some of my other favorite lines from the book:
"I worked with my hairstylist so I could stop dying my hair. Now it's turning silver. I prefer the word "silver" over "gray" because silver sparkles, and I think that women our age sparkle."
"Love, even the size of a parakeet's heart, is eternal."
"The conclusion was that we fear insignificance."
"I have accepted that, in order to be successful, I need failure."
"As the plane landed, all the babies stopped crying. Clearly the whole thing had been planned. They had probably met at the changing table in one of the airport restooms and plotted their little baby tyranny."
Overall this was a delightful book and there are many nuggets of wisdom to take with you as you continue on through life. I think many could learn a little something from this book and I plan to share it with my girlfriends because I feel like they will learn something from this book.
We give this book 4 1/2 paws up and suggest picking up a copy for yourself and your friends.
March 27, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This is a reflective book about aging through the eyes and experiences of the author. Some parts really made me giggle and I loved how the author embraces aging and her way of thinking and perceiving things.
A lovely read that was maybe a little shorter than it could have been.
This is a reflective book about aging through the eyes and experiences of the author. Some parts really made me giggle and I loved how the author embraces aging and her way of thinking and perceiving things.
A lovely read that was maybe a little shorter than it could have been.
July 13, 2020
“Failing is never the final word. It’s never the sum total of who a person is.”
Aging is a privilege that many get to experience. For over a decade I had a wonderful friend named, Sycily. When she and I became friends, she was already in her early 80s. She never liked celebrating her birthdays, because she learned long ago not to count years – only moments and lived life to the fullest as each year continued to pass. She was always a goer and doer up until her final days. You literally could not tell she was 92!
Aging is a privilege that robbed from the life of my young friend, Brenda who we dreamed of growing old together in a mountain cabin over long phone conversations and Italian food. Brain cancer took her way too soon.
This latest book I that has engaged me reminds of these two friends long lost – one who time did not rob and one that time did rob.
A Delightful Little Book on Aging by author, Stephanie Raffelock is abounding with her wisdom and wit from her own life experiences. Divided into sections she discusses grief, reclamation, vision, and most importantly laughter. There are lots of anecdotes that carry her message of aging by not giving up on life as you age but still fully embracing life in your fifties, sixties, and beyond.
Each one of us sees aging in different ways. None of us have the same experiences but we all have similar experiences. This book is simply a splendid reinforcement of what I have discovered myself in this life. And it will be a wonderful reference again and again when I forget what’s important, especially the laughter and the moving. My friend, June, filled my life with laughter when I needed it the most. When Stephanie says you need friends – you do. June continues to fill my life with laughter. My friends Ginny and Sharla, inspire me to always be moving.
The takeaways from Stephanie that were reinforced in this book:
It’s okay to say no, even if it’s to your husband. Ha!
2. Always be grateful even in this changing world which is ever so hard.
The most heartening story Stephanie shared was A Pack of Teenage Girls. Because in the end humanity does surprise us in the most phenomenal ways.
“Proceed with caution. Proceed at your own risk. Proceed with laughter, love, grace, and dignity. Say “thank you” as if it were the prayer of your life.”
Aging is a privilege that many do not get to experience.
Embrace it.
Enjoy it.
Live it.
Most importantly keep moving.
If you need help appreciating your age – no matter what it is – then this book is a flawless piece of writing art to help you get inspired. Who knows it might change your life? If it’s the latter like with me it will always be there as a gentle reminder of what you already know because we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
By the way – congrats to Stephanie on this book. This little gem proves that it is never too late for any of us to accomplish our dreams.
Aging is a privilege that many get to experience. For over a decade I had a wonderful friend named, Sycily. When she and I became friends, she was already in her early 80s. She never liked celebrating her birthdays, because she learned long ago not to count years – only moments and lived life to the fullest as each year continued to pass. She was always a goer and doer up until her final days. You literally could not tell she was 92!
Aging is a privilege that robbed from the life of my young friend, Brenda who we dreamed of growing old together in a mountain cabin over long phone conversations and Italian food. Brain cancer took her way too soon.
This latest book I that has engaged me reminds of these two friends long lost – one who time did not rob and one that time did rob.
A Delightful Little Book on Aging by author, Stephanie Raffelock is abounding with her wisdom and wit from her own life experiences. Divided into sections she discusses grief, reclamation, vision, and most importantly laughter. There are lots of anecdotes that carry her message of aging by not giving up on life as you age but still fully embracing life in your fifties, sixties, and beyond.
Each one of us sees aging in different ways. None of us have the same experiences but we all have similar experiences. This book is simply a splendid reinforcement of what I have discovered myself in this life. And it will be a wonderful reference again and again when I forget what’s important, especially the laughter and the moving. My friend, June, filled my life with laughter when I needed it the most. When Stephanie says you need friends – you do. June continues to fill my life with laughter. My friends Ginny and Sharla, inspire me to always be moving.
The takeaways from Stephanie that were reinforced in this book:
It’s okay to say no, even if it’s to your husband. Ha!
2. Always be grateful even in this changing world which is ever so hard.
The most heartening story Stephanie shared was A Pack of Teenage Girls. Because in the end humanity does surprise us in the most phenomenal ways.
“Proceed with caution. Proceed at your own risk. Proceed with laughter, love, grace, and dignity. Say “thank you” as if it were the prayer of your life.”
Aging is a privilege that many do not get to experience.
Embrace it.
Enjoy it.
Live it.
Most importantly keep moving.
If you need help appreciating your age – no matter what it is – then this book is a flawless piece of writing art to help you get inspired. Who knows it might change your life? If it’s the latter like with me it will always be there as a gentle reminder of what you already know because we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
By the way – congrats to Stephanie on this book. This little gem proves that it is never too late for any of us to accomplish our dreams.
July 10, 2020
After a week of heart palpitations and arthritis, I needed this to remind me to accept my advancing years with dignity and grace, reclaim my passions and visions, always be grateful, and laugh.
Full review is on my blog. https://maidamalby.com/2020/07/10/a-d...
Full review is on my blog. https://maidamalby.com/2020/07/10/a-d...
July 26, 2020
That's exactly what the title says. Short writings on ageing. Pleasurable several hours reading.
July 15, 2020
I am the right demographic for this slim, "delightful" book. At 56, I am headed downhill rather than uphill in life, but it doesn't mean that my life is any less significant or that I have less to offer the world. As a matter of fact, the wisdom that comes with aging is a positive in my life; as Stephanie Raffelock writes, "you gain things even as you lose youth."
Filled with pithy sayings, thought-provoking prose, and short autobiographical essays, A Delightful Little Book on Aging is quintessentially quotable and contains numerous ideas about "peering over the precipice of older age" and deciding to live life as fully engaged as one can.
The author contemplates aging through the lens of 4 areas: Grief, Reclamation, Vision, and Laughter, and the structure of the book follows these four sections in examining the aging process. It's hard not to quote the whole book, but here are a few thoughts that really resonated with me.
Grief: "...the threshold of loss is only the beginning of a remarkable journey. It is a journey that must be claimed for oneself, lest we get stuck in mourning what once was."
Reclamation: "Saying no doesn't mean I don't care about others; it means I'm a human being with limitations, and I'm willing to take care of myself in order to live a life of balance."
Vision: "The vision of the older years belongs to a wiser, deepened soul, steeped in wonder and delight for life."
Laughter: "Aging is a strange new journey, a time of humbling and a time to laugh, a time to be wise and a time to remember childlike wonder."
Reading this book caused me to frequently pause and ponder, relating the words to my own life of love and loss and longing. I'm left with a feeling of encouragement, and even anticipation, for what the future holds. I want to view the next part of my life the way the author does. She says, "I hold this season of life as a time when I am becoming everything that I was ever intended to be - more loving, lovable, creative, engaged, and joyful" and wanting to "live it to the very end, with feeling and gusto."
This book will be on a gift list for some of my friends and family. It will be a blessing to them.
Five Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Filled with pithy sayings, thought-provoking prose, and short autobiographical essays, A Delightful Little Book on Aging is quintessentially quotable and contains numerous ideas about "peering over the precipice of older age" and deciding to live life as fully engaged as one can.
The author contemplates aging through the lens of 4 areas: Grief, Reclamation, Vision, and Laughter, and the structure of the book follows these four sections in examining the aging process. It's hard not to quote the whole book, but here are a few thoughts that really resonated with me.
Grief: "...the threshold of loss is only the beginning of a remarkable journey. It is a journey that must be claimed for oneself, lest we get stuck in mourning what once was."
Reclamation: "Saying no doesn't mean I don't care about others; it means I'm a human being with limitations, and I'm willing to take care of myself in order to live a life of balance."
Vision: "The vision of the older years belongs to a wiser, deepened soul, steeped in wonder and delight for life."
Laughter: "Aging is a strange new journey, a time of humbling and a time to laugh, a time to be wise and a time to remember childlike wonder."
Reading this book caused me to frequently pause and ponder, relating the words to my own life of love and loss and longing. I'm left with a feeling of encouragement, and even anticipation, for what the future holds. I want to view the next part of my life the way the author does. She says, "I hold this season of life as a time when I am becoming everything that I was ever intended to be - more loving, lovable, creative, engaged, and joyful" and wanting to "live it to the very end, with feeling and gusto."
This book will be on a gift list for some of my friends and family. It will be a blessing to them.
Five Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 17, 2020
“The words in this book are about aging. None of us are in it alone. we are moving toward the sunset together, and on that horizon eternity lingers. May we all embrace living fully, with unabashed joy and appreciation for this path of transition.”
The minute I read those words in the Introduction, I knew this is a book I will read and then read again. I have not been embracing my own journey down this path of aging with joy and appreciation, and I welcome the wisdom and guidance the author has to offer.
And there’s plenty of it packed in this small volume.
This terrific little inspirational book is broken into four categories: Grief – that encourages us to look at the things that we are losing as we’re aging. Reclamation, that invites us to look at new opportunities that getting older brings us. Perhaps now that we’re retired, we can do some of those things we never seemed to be able to find time for when we were so busy with jobs and/or raising children and taking care of a household.
The next section covers Vision, and the author is clear that it is not about a list of goals. Rather, that section encourages us to practice being so fully engaged with life that we “develop a wiser soul filled with wonder and delight.”
The last section focuses on Laughter. Not only the chuckles accompanying a good joke, or a funny comedy show, but the kind that can come from looking back on our lives and being able to laugh at some of the things that perhaps had hurt us. The author writes, “Humor is the gentle chuckle of recognition and resolve.”
I wish this book had been available back when I worked as a chaplain in a fairly large medical complex. We had older people who were struggling with the aging process. We had people at the end of their life journey who were struggling because of past regrets. This book would have been so helpful for those clients, and I would have talked our pastoral care department into ordering tons of them.
The minute I read those words in the Introduction, I knew this is a book I will read and then read again. I have not been embracing my own journey down this path of aging with joy and appreciation, and I welcome the wisdom and guidance the author has to offer.
And there’s plenty of it packed in this small volume.
This terrific little inspirational book is broken into four categories: Grief – that encourages us to look at the things that we are losing as we’re aging. Reclamation, that invites us to look at new opportunities that getting older brings us. Perhaps now that we’re retired, we can do some of those things we never seemed to be able to find time for when we were so busy with jobs and/or raising children and taking care of a household.
The next section covers Vision, and the author is clear that it is not about a list of goals. Rather, that section encourages us to practice being so fully engaged with life that we “develop a wiser soul filled with wonder and delight.”
The last section focuses on Laughter. Not only the chuckles accompanying a good joke, or a funny comedy show, but the kind that can come from looking back on our lives and being able to laugh at some of the things that perhaps had hurt us. The author writes, “Humor is the gentle chuckle of recognition and resolve.”
I wish this book had been available back when I worked as a chaplain in a fairly large medical complex. We had older people who were struggling with the aging process. We had people at the end of their life journey who were struggling because of past regrets. This book would have been so helpful for those clients, and I would have talked our pastoral care department into ordering tons of them.
February 17, 2020
This is a quick read, and while there's nothing ground-breaking in its pages, there is plenty to to spark reflection, further reading and action. The author gives us lots of anecdotes, some of which are funny and poignant, along with wisdom and new perspectives on ageing. I don't think there are many 'self-help books for the over 60s, and this would be the perfect introduction for anyone whose arrival at the 'Big 6-0' has come as a bit of a shock. Perhaps it should also be read by younger people too, as a warning of what's ahead for them and to hopefully give them a different view of the 'older generation!
February 4, 2020
This book includes many reflections and stories from the author on the subject of aging. I very much like how she embraces this time of life and sees it as a time for growth, exploration and consolidation of a lifetime of experience.
The book is divided into four sections; Grief, Reclamation, Vision and Laughter. In the first section the author supports acknowledging the losses both large and small that come with the aging process. In the next section, she encourages readers to reclaim things that one enjoyed at an earlier life stage; for example, maybe you would like to take up playing the piano or singing in a chorus again. Vision is about using one's acquired wisdom to fully participate and see life as it unfolds each day. Laughter provides a chance to laugh which is good for us!
If you know someone, including yourself, who would enjoy or benefit from gaining perspective on this life stage, take a look at this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
The book is divided into four sections; Grief, Reclamation, Vision and Laughter. In the first section the author supports acknowledging the losses both large and small that come with the aging process. In the next section, she encourages readers to reclaim things that one enjoyed at an earlier life stage; for example, maybe you would like to take up playing the piano or singing in a chorus again. Vision is about using one's acquired wisdom to fully participate and see life as it unfolds each day. Laughter provides a chance to laugh which is good for us!
If you know someone, including yourself, who would enjoy or benefit from gaining perspective on this life stage, take a look at this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2020
This is a sweet, short book on aging by a woman in her mid sixties. As such, it's written from the perspective of someone fairly new to aging (for an excellent book on the topic by a woman much older, see Growing Old: Notes on Aging with Something like Grace).
It is a quick read and feels like a compilation of short essays or blog entries. They are encouraging and well written.
I read a digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
It is a quick read and feels like a compilation of short essays or blog entries. They are encouraging and well written.
I read a digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
July 17, 2020
This truly is a special book coming at a perfect time; I didn't know I was looking for it, and there it was.
Stephanie Raffelock, in a gentle but knowing voice, has written a sweet page turner, with gems of wisdom in easy doses. Never preachy, she tells poignant stories (the parakeet), she shows us to reach further in our aging years (a whole section after my own heart on creativity and writing), and she reminds us how important friends are. Stephanie encourages laughter. She's even proposed a theory about evil twin baby (Baby Plane), and I do believe she's hit on a real truth. Stephanie even reminds us to stop and enjoy Christmas.
I want to give this book to all my girlfriends (and not just because we are the age demographic!). How wonderful to be reminded that aging is a blessing and to be embraced instead of suffered. This book has some truths for those looking ahead, too. It is also a pick-me-up. And it is such a beautiful book! It's compact but with a strong hardback and a beautiful little cover. The pages are laid out in very pleasing portions, and the sections are well organized, replete with fun symbols. This is the kind of book I'll keep where it can be picked up for a quick dip. I've even thrown it into my purse, "just in case."
I've become a huge fan of She Writes Press in the last year, and this book lives up to what I've come to expect of them. (It also is a great example of what a self-help memoir can do). It is Indie publishing with an extremely polished, traditional feel. I hope you'll give A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING more than a look.
Bravo Stephanie, and thank you for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'll be purchasing more (and I've already purchased the audio!).
Stephanie Raffelock, in a gentle but knowing voice, has written a sweet page turner, with gems of wisdom in easy doses. Never preachy, she tells poignant stories (the parakeet), she shows us to reach further in our aging years (a whole section after my own heart on creativity and writing), and she reminds us how important friends are. Stephanie encourages laughter. She's even proposed a theory about evil twin baby (Baby Plane), and I do believe she's hit on a real truth. Stephanie even reminds us to stop and enjoy Christmas.
I want to give this book to all my girlfriends (and not just because we are the age demographic!). How wonderful to be reminded that aging is a blessing and to be embraced instead of suffered. This book has some truths for those looking ahead, too. It is also a pick-me-up. And it is such a beautiful book! It's compact but with a strong hardback and a beautiful little cover. The pages are laid out in very pleasing portions, and the sections are well organized, replete with fun symbols. This is the kind of book I'll keep where it can be picked up for a quick dip. I've even thrown it into my purse, "just in case."
I've become a huge fan of She Writes Press in the last year, and this book lives up to what I've come to expect of them. (It also is a great example of what a self-help memoir can do). It is Indie publishing with an extremely polished, traditional feel. I hope you'll give A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING more than a look.
Bravo Stephanie, and thank you for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'll be purchasing more (and I've already purchased the audio!).
July 19, 2020
Enter to Win a copy of this book on my blog: https://booksandbroomsticks.blogspot....
Well, howdy, y’all! How’s everyone progressing through this weird Covid-19 pandemic thing? All I can say is that I’ve just given myself my second quarantine haircut. I won’t say any more about it, except that there was hair all over the bathroom when I was done. And seeing as how my hair is pret-near (East Texas slang for “pretty near”) blood-red, the aftermath looked like a murder scene, which it kinda was in relation to what I did to my Pompidou. My hairdresser will likely loathe me with the flames of a thousand suns when she finally gets to see me again.
All of this Covid-19 stuff makes me feel shut off from the world with my memories of freer days. It’s as if we, as a society, have had our childlike innocence stripped from us, and now we see the world through raw eyes. It’s as if carefree days are gone forever – no more last-minute trips to the coffeeshop with friends or lingering visits to my favorite museum for fear of contracting the plague.
I am reminded of a quote in one of the Harry Potter movies regarding Dementors: “It’s as if all happiness has gone out from the world.”
And this makes me feel old.
How timely is it that Kristine-the-Book-Siren messaged me about an upcoming review op of a book about aging? Okay, I confess that my nostrils flared, my eyes grew wide, and I huffed.
“She’s calling me old!” I said to myself. “How dare she insinuate such a thing!” I huffed as I typed my deets into the blogger tour sign up form. “Well, I never! The very audacity of the thing!” I blustered as I clicked the “submit” button.
And then I remembered that I’m a GenXer, and I am kinda - sorta … in a roundabout way … aging…
Heck fire and save the matches! This is the oldest I’ve ever been!
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
Help arrived on a scalding hawt summer afternoon. It was hawt as a firecracker when I peered into my mailbox and withdrew the envelope, which contained the most adorable little hardback book I’ve seen in a long while. It’s even got a prim little dust cover! I confess that I squeed out loud in the blistering heat, just before wilting like an old flower out of water. Thank goodness my truck has a powerful AC. Hallelujah and amen!
By now, y’all know that the first thang (yes, I meant to include that “a”) I did was carefully turn back the adorbs cover to look for that all encompassing and most desired autograph. Alas, there was none. I daintily checked the next two pages. Nope. Nada.
“Well, son of a biscuit!” my internal voice echoed in my head. “Le sigh. At least she sent a note with the book.” My bottom lip pooched out, and I headed back to the house to begin my journey through the pages of A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING by Stephanie Raffelock.
This little book feels so good in the reader’s hands. It has a tangibility of quality and collectability that book nerds love. It also came with a darling little ethereal bag tied with a white satin ribbon that contains a neat stack of pocket cards of “inspiration and light,” according to the card on top.
Those three words are a perfect description of these lovely pocket cards. Each one is inscribed with a bit of wisdom, of, well, inspiration and light!
Except for the last one in the stack:
Sorry, Stephanie, I plan on becoming a vampire and living forever.
But I digress…
I thought this little book would be an easy, quick read. At just over 100 pages, it shouldn’t take long to plow through, right?
Test results prove that is a lie.
A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING is packed with thoughtful essays, though short, are richly filled with a lifetime of wisdom mixed with a dash of Stephanie’s personal stories, and topped with an indescribable spice that rests on the mental palate and makes the reader want to slow down and savor each one. And learn from them.
Each year, I try to have a theme for myself. This year has been a theme of learning to deal with anxiety by learning to mediate. It’s a journey of learning deep, life-changing wisdom that I’d never known was possible through the practice of sitting in mediation. I’ve learned this through the Calm App on my phone. It’s extraordinary how it changes the way one looks at everything.
At how one learns to be present and in the moment with gratitude.
This great big little book is in tandem with what I’ve been learning through meditation. And it’s exceptional. It’s beyond meaningful. Reading Stephanie’s essays, stopping to relish a sentence or paragraph once more, is like having that longed-for last-minute trip to the coffeeshop with a friend during which one lingers over a steaming mug of coffee and crumbly bites of cake while engaging in rich conversation and connection with a close friend.
I feel less alone. I feel understood.
I feel less old and more wise.
I feel as though I’ve made a new bestie. Yes, Stephanie Raffelock is my new best friend!
There’s a richness in Stephanie’s prose … a certain (almost) poetic quality that draws the reader into the innermost part of each essay, as if the reader is a little bee and each essay is a blossoming, fragrant flower. Just as it is impossible for the bee to leave a flower without becoming covered in pollen, so it is impossible for the reader to come to the last sentence without having gleaned some deep magic.
Am I proposing that Stephanie is some mystical siren or magical being? Mayhap she is!
A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING by Stephanie Raffelock is anything but little. Once the reader turns back the cover and steps in, she discovers just how deep this book is. It is a veritable library of life wisdom. Richly and warmly written, A DELIGHTFUL BOOK ON AGING by Stephanie Raffelock is a priceless jewel worthy of reading again and again.
And that’s why I grant
A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING
By Stephanie Raffelock 5 wise brooms of gratitude!
Well, howdy, y’all! How’s everyone progressing through this weird Covid-19 pandemic thing? All I can say is that I’ve just given myself my second quarantine haircut. I won’t say any more about it, except that there was hair all over the bathroom when I was done. And seeing as how my hair is pret-near (East Texas slang for “pretty near”) blood-red, the aftermath looked like a murder scene, which it kinda was in relation to what I did to my Pompidou. My hairdresser will likely loathe me with the flames of a thousand suns when she finally gets to see me again.
All of this Covid-19 stuff makes me feel shut off from the world with my memories of freer days. It’s as if we, as a society, have had our childlike innocence stripped from us, and now we see the world through raw eyes. It’s as if carefree days are gone forever – no more last-minute trips to the coffeeshop with friends or lingering visits to my favorite museum for fear of contracting the plague.
I am reminded of a quote in one of the Harry Potter movies regarding Dementors: “It’s as if all happiness has gone out from the world.”
And this makes me feel old.
How timely is it that Kristine-the-Book-Siren messaged me about an upcoming review op of a book about aging? Okay, I confess that my nostrils flared, my eyes grew wide, and I huffed.
“She’s calling me old!” I said to myself. “How dare she insinuate such a thing!” I huffed as I typed my deets into the blogger tour sign up form. “Well, I never! The very audacity of the thing!” I blustered as I clicked the “submit” button.
And then I remembered that I’m a GenXer, and I am kinda - sorta … in a roundabout way … aging…
Heck fire and save the matches! This is the oldest I’ve ever been!
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
Help arrived on a scalding hawt summer afternoon. It was hawt as a firecracker when I peered into my mailbox and withdrew the envelope, which contained the most adorable little hardback book I’ve seen in a long while. It’s even got a prim little dust cover! I confess that I squeed out loud in the blistering heat, just before wilting like an old flower out of water. Thank goodness my truck has a powerful AC. Hallelujah and amen!
By now, y’all know that the first thang (yes, I meant to include that “a”) I did was carefully turn back the adorbs cover to look for that all encompassing and most desired autograph. Alas, there was none. I daintily checked the next two pages. Nope. Nada.
“Well, son of a biscuit!” my internal voice echoed in my head. “Le sigh. At least she sent a note with the book.” My bottom lip pooched out, and I headed back to the house to begin my journey through the pages of A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING by Stephanie Raffelock.
This little book feels so good in the reader’s hands. It has a tangibility of quality and collectability that book nerds love. It also came with a darling little ethereal bag tied with a white satin ribbon that contains a neat stack of pocket cards of “inspiration and light,” according to the card on top.
Those three words are a perfect description of these lovely pocket cards. Each one is inscribed with a bit of wisdom, of, well, inspiration and light!
Except for the last one in the stack:
Sorry, Stephanie, I plan on becoming a vampire and living forever.
But I digress…
I thought this little book would be an easy, quick read. At just over 100 pages, it shouldn’t take long to plow through, right?
Test results prove that is a lie.
A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING is packed with thoughtful essays, though short, are richly filled with a lifetime of wisdom mixed with a dash of Stephanie’s personal stories, and topped with an indescribable spice that rests on the mental palate and makes the reader want to slow down and savor each one. And learn from them.
Each year, I try to have a theme for myself. This year has been a theme of learning to deal with anxiety by learning to mediate. It’s a journey of learning deep, life-changing wisdom that I’d never known was possible through the practice of sitting in mediation. I’ve learned this through the Calm App on my phone. It’s extraordinary how it changes the way one looks at everything.
At how one learns to be present and in the moment with gratitude.
This great big little book is in tandem with what I’ve been learning through meditation. And it’s exceptional. It’s beyond meaningful. Reading Stephanie’s essays, stopping to relish a sentence or paragraph once more, is like having that longed-for last-minute trip to the coffeeshop with a friend during which one lingers over a steaming mug of coffee and crumbly bites of cake while engaging in rich conversation and connection with a close friend.
I feel less alone. I feel understood.
I feel less old and more wise.
I feel as though I’ve made a new bestie. Yes, Stephanie Raffelock is my new best friend!
There’s a richness in Stephanie’s prose … a certain (almost) poetic quality that draws the reader into the innermost part of each essay, as if the reader is a little bee and each essay is a blossoming, fragrant flower. Just as it is impossible for the bee to leave a flower without becoming covered in pollen, so it is impossible for the reader to come to the last sentence without having gleaned some deep magic.
Am I proposing that Stephanie is some mystical siren or magical being? Mayhap she is!
A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING by Stephanie Raffelock is anything but little. Once the reader turns back the cover and steps in, she discovers just how deep this book is. It is a veritable library of life wisdom. Richly and warmly written, A DELIGHTFUL BOOK ON AGING by Stephanie Raffelock is a priceless jewel worthy of reading again and again.
And that’s why I grant
A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING
By Stephanie Raffelock 5 wise brooms of gratitude!
May 2, 2020
I'm not one for self-help style books, but every now and then something you don't expect comes along exactly when you need it. This book was such a thing. It is As a Gen X-er quickly approaching 50 I've found myself struggling with the beginnings of what Raffelock describes, and her warm, breezy, friendly style helped me hear some things I needed to hear. For instance, as I've been struggling with changes to my body I had to laugh when I read her advice to her nieces: "Nobody ever got smarter or kinder because of the size of their thighs. You are a human being, not a chicken part.
The book is filled with startlingly beautiful images, laugh-til-you cry stories, and wisdom you'll return to for years. Thank you, Stephanie Raffelock!
The book is filled with startlingly beautiful images, laugh-til-you cry stories, and wisdom you'll return to for years. Thank you, Stephanie Raffelock!
June 27, 2020
True to its title, this really was A Delightful Little Book on Aging. But it’s also so much more. Reading it, I often felt like I was having tea with the author—our conversation ranged from aging, to gratitude, to creativity and living wholeheartedly, to friendship, laughter, and so much more. It’s a perfect book for these times, reminding us that spirit-based living can counter the daily news and that celebration is a form of activism.
Read
November 2, 2020How old is old?
A quick read. Reflective read on aging with humor, giggles, humor, and reality. Raffelock embraces
aging and offers points to reflect on.
"What we shed are the "things"that gather dust - the things that bind, the things that have become clutter. The new skin is made up of the intangible - purpose, meaning, connection, joy, and love. It's really a pretty good trade-off."
"Seems I must remind myself again and again that the fullness of life can't be found in the past, but rather in this present moment where i can give myself fully to something so the I, too, have that Valveteen Rabbit moment. I am real."
"Failing is never the final word. It's never the sum total of who a person is."
A quick read. Reflective read on aging with humor, giggles, humor, and reality. Raffelock embraces
aging and offers points to reflect on.
"What we shed are the "things"that gather dust - the things that bind, the things that have become clutter. The new skin is made up of the intangible - purpose, meaning, connection, joy, and love. It's really a pretty good trade-off."
"Seems I must remind myself again and again that the fullness of life can't be found in the past, but rather in this present moment where i can give myself fully to something so the I, too, have that Valveteen Rabbit moment. I am real."
"Failing is never the final word. It's never the sum total of who a person is."
July 14, 2020
*I was provided a review copy by the author via Lone Star Book Blog Tours. All opinions are my own.*
A Delightful Little Book on Aging lives entirely up to its name! It’s a delightful collection of essays in a tiny book (both in length and dimension), but it contains a massive amount of sense and insight for women on both sides of 60. (For the record, I am on THIS side of 60, thank you.)
The beauty of books like this is that you can digest it in nibbles or big bites. I devoured it in a gulp, but there were so many bits that really hit home that I know I will be returning to its now dog-eared pages time and again.
The book is broken into four sections: Grief, Reclamation, Vision, and Laughter. Why does it begin with grief? The author writes:
“Aging begins in grief. Loss and letting go become part of the landscape: youthful beauty, physical prowess, hot monkey sex, and the ability to eat whatever you want fade into memories.”
That brief introduction alone lets me know this isn’t your usual look at aging! The section on Reclamation acknowledges that as life takes away, it offers different gifts in return, and as we age we can reclaim parts of us that we pushed aside.
The lessons inside are delivered in the form of brief essays, stories that take place at all ages of her life but offer little insights. A story about attempting the monkey bars at the park (and subsequently falling on her ass) leads to a frank discussion about not slowing down but instead modifying and changing the ways we keep moving, along with practicing gratitude and mindfulness. Excellent reminders for the next time I tempted to try a cartwheel along with the teenagers, or jump on the trampoline, which I love to do (but my bladder does not.)
“Getting older presents a clear and simple choice: you can resent what life takes from you and miss what life is presenting, or you can let go of what is past and embrace the gifts from the harvest.”
For where I am in life, the section of reclamation spoke most strongly. The essay on deciding which things to let go/get rid of, and which to embrace, made me laugh out loud. An essay on saying “no” more often is one that, quite honestly, women of every age could use. One line that resounded:
The section on Vision also connected with me, particularly the essays on practicing gratitude (something I try to do, and something that has become as much of a struggle as a necessity right now) as well as one on how to shake off the “myth of insignificance”. Her list of “things she wants her nieces to know” is spot on. And her final section on Laughter both talks about and offers up a touch of its subject along with deeper insights.
Raffelock’s writing is both fluid and familiar. The book reads like a conversation you might have with her over a cup of coffee (or a bottle of wine). It’s a welcome reminder that age is just a number and that we aren’t limited to slowing down if that’s not what we want this next chapter of our life to look like.
I do have one TINY quibble about the book, however. For a book that discusses aging, and the changes that women face, the font size used was a bit smaller than I honestly was expecting. I was forced to pull out the dreaded readers, and the font size was still a bit smaller than I was comfortable with. I’m not sure how much this has to do with the fact that I probably need my reader prescription updated as well, but we had a good chuckle at the irony of it all.
That said, it was worth the effort (and the wearing of the dreaded readers) as the book offers up a lot of wisdom and ideas for reframing our thoughts on aging. I’m giving this book four-and-a-half stars.
A Delightful Little Book on Aging lives entirely up to its name! It’s a delightful collection of essays in a tiny book (both in length and dimension), but it contains a massive amount of sense and insight for women on both sides of 60. (For the record, I am on THIS side of 60, thank you.)
The beauty of books like this is that you can digest it in nibbles or big bites. I devoured it in a gulp, but there were so many bits that really hit home that I know I will be returning to its now dog-eared pages time and again.
The book is broken into four sections: Grief, Reclamation, Vision, and Laughter. Why does it begin with grief? The author writes:
“Aging begins in grief. Loss and letting go become part of the landscape: youthful beauty, physical prowess, hot monkey sex, and the ability to eat whatever you want fade into memories.”
That brief introduction alone lets me know this isn’t your usual look at aging! The section on Reclamation acknowledges that as life takes away, it offers different gifts in return, and as we age we can reclaim parts of us that we pushed aside.
The lessons inside are delivered in the form of brief essays, stories that take place at all ages of her life but offer little insights. A story about attempting the monkey bars at the park (and subsequently falling on her ass) leads to a frank discussion about not slowing down but instead modifying and changing the ways we keep moving, along with practicing gratitude and mindfulness. Excellent reminders for the next time I tempted to try a cartwheel along with the teenagers, or jump on the trampoline, which I love to do (but my bladder does not.)
“Getting older presents a clear and simple choice: you can resent what life takes from you and miss what life is presenting, or you can let go of what is past and embrace the gifts from the harvest.”
For where I am in life, the section of reclamation spoke most strongly. The essay on deciding which things to let go/get rid of, and which to embrace, made me laugh out loud. An essay on saying “no” more often is one that, quite honestly, women of every age could use. One line that resounded:
The section on Vision also connected with me, particularly the essays on practicing gratitude (something I try to do, and something that has become as much of a struggle as a necessity right now) as well as one on how to shake off the “myth of insignificance”. Her list of “things she wants her nieces to know” is spot on. And her final section on Laughter both talks about and offers up a touch of its subject along with deeper insights.
Raffelock’s writing is both fluid and familiar. The book reads like a conversation you might have with her over a cup of coffee (or a bottle of wine). It’s a welcome reminder that age is just a number and that we aren’t limited to slowing down if that’s not what we want this next chapter of our life to look like.
I do have one TINY quibble about the book, however. For a book that discusses aging, and the changes that women face, the font size used was a bit smaller than I honestly was expecting. I was forced to pull out the dreaded readers, and the font size was still a bit smaller than I was comfortable with. I’m not sure how much this has to do with the fact that I probably need my reader prescription updated as well, but we had a good chuckle at the irony of it all.
That said, it was worth the effort (and the wearing of the dreaded readers) as the book offers up a lot of wisdom and ideas for reframing our thoughts on aging. I’m giving this book four-and-a-half stars.
July 19, 2020
“Life is going to have its way with us, so we might as well develop a sense of humor about it.”
A Delightful Little Book on Aging by Stephanie Raffelock is indeed quite delightful and insightful. We are fortunate if we are allowed to age, but the baggage that often comes with aging can be quite cumbersome, unwieldy, and downright annoying. Stephanie shows us in this sweet book that we can still find joy, purpose, and humor in these golden years that often feel a bit tarnished around the edges. It really is all about perspective, determination, and the willingness to see past the wrinkles and pain and realize that aging can be a gift.
The best part of this little book is that Stephanie is practical and realistic about accepting the so-called negative aspects of aging without giving in to self-pity or without simply feeling that the good parts of life are over so we might as well sit the rest of it out. Stephanie emphasizes the need for constant movement, a healthy diet, friendships, and finding purpose. Nothing new here, but the presentation of all that in this book is quick, sensitive, and quite entertaining. Everyone ages differently, with various levels of disability, loss, and the feeling of running out of time. On a personal note, I’m halfway through my 50s, and I thankfully don’t suffer from any chronic illness or pain, but I definitely feel aging creeping in (hot flashes can be fierce). I love that I am more self-confident and more aware of the importance of spending time with loved ones, building relationships, and not putting anything off until ‘one day.’ This little book reminded me of all that and then some, and it made me reflect on my own accomplishments after age 40 that I never thought I would do when I was younger. Getting older definitely has its perks, and Stephanie tells us that we only have to get up, look around, get involved, honor our limitations yet push ourselves to keep moving forward, and then take time to slow it down once in a while without feeling guilty about it.
Stephanie’s humor and shrewd observations and advice ease the sting of aging just a bit because when you hit middle age and beyond, everything on our bodies seems either to hit the floor or start to shrivel. Through personal anecdotes and guidance, Stephanie encourages us to find the wonder and the humor, laugh at yourself, rejoice in the wisdom gained over the years but never stop learning, and discover (or re-discover) your passion in this exciting part of your life. I love that. Life throws us curve balls, and the effects of aging can certainly be a doozy. This delightful little book will open your eyes or maybe reaffirm what you already know about aging with grace, courage, and delight.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
A Delightful Little Book on Aging by Stephanie Raffelock is indeed quite delightful and insightful. We are fortunate if we are allowed to age, but the baggage that often comes with aging can be quite cumbersome, unwieldy, and downright annoying. Stephanie shows us in this sweet book that we can still find joy, purpose, and humor in these golden years that often feel a bit tarnished around the edges. It really is all about perspective, determination, and the willingness to see past the wrinkles and pain and realize that aging can be a gift.
The best part of this little book is that Stephanie is practical and realistic about accepting the so-called negative aspects of aging without giving in to self-pity or without simply feeling that the good parts of life are over so we might as well sit the rest of it out. Stephanie emphasizes the need for constant movement, a healthy diet, friendships, and finding purpose. Nothing new here, but the presentation of all that in this book is quick, sensitive, and quite entertaining. Everyone ages differently, with various levels of disability, loss, and the feeling of running out of time. On a personal note, I’m halfway through my 50s, and I thankfully don’t suffer from any chronic illness or pain, but I definitely feel aging creeping in (hot flashes can be fierce). I love that I am more self-confident and more aware of the importance of spending time with loved ones, building relationships, and not putting anything off until ‘one day.’ This little book reminded me of all that and then some, and it made me reflect on my own accomplishments after age 40 that I never thought I would do when I was younger. Getting older definitely has its perks, and Stephanie tells us that we only have to get up, look around, get involved, honor our limitations yet push ourselves to keep moving forward, and then take time to slow it down once in a while without feeling guilty about it.
Stephanie’s humor and shrewd observations and advice ease the sting of aging just a bit because when you hit middle age and beyond, everything on our bodies seems either to hit the floor or start to shrivel. Through personal anecdotes and guidance, Stephanie encourages us to find the wonder and the humor, laugh at yourself, rejoice in the wisdom gained over the years but never stop learning, and discover (or re-discover) your passion in this exciting part of your life. I love that. Life throws us curve balls, and the effects of aging can certainly be a doozy. This delightful little book will open your eyes or maybe reaffirm what you already know about aging with grace, courage, and delight.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
February 28, 2021
A Delightful Little Book on Aging, by Stephanie Raffelock, is a quick pick-me-up when you have to use your arms to get out of a chair, or you pass a mirror and wonder where your waistline went, or when you find yourself in a room and wonder why you are there. It is fast read and a sweet reminder that we need to appreciate the life we have now and not waste time mourning what is long gone. I doubt that those who are attracted to books on aging will learn much that they did not know, but there are bits and pieces that will inspire.
May 26, 2020
Stephanie Raffelock's book, like her podcast Coffee Table Wisdom, is a gift to those of us of a certain age. It is a reminder that our lives have mattered, our experiences have value, and that no matter our age, we can continue to grow, learn, teach, reshape our lives and remain vital. This little nugget will find a special place in your heart-and on your bedside table-and is one you will want to buy copies of for all those you hold dear.
July 21, 2020
HALL WAYS REVIEW: AUDIO BOOK / PRINT COMBO. Love, love, LOVE this little book that packs a big punch by putting aging into a positive, but realistic and new perspective. Stephanie Raffelock is both an excellent writer and narrator, and her book, A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING, is just that. DE-LIGHT-FUL! I went into reading it with the expectation that many of the messages would be ones I already have heard -- been there, done that, you know, since I am several years past the 50 mark. Two pages into the prologue, I was already giggling and flagging quotes. Raffelock gets it and has plenty of pieces of advice that were new, but also a few already known and just in need of reinforcement.
Is this book inspirational? Absolutely. But Raffelock is no Pollyanna. When she said, "I'd like to kick the whole "positive only" movement in its little ass," I knew I had found one of my tribe. She reminds us that not only is it unrealistic, but it's unnatural to always be positive. To be authentic is to allow some transparency and acknowledge all the feelings: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
“I learned quickly that I had to choose carefully what I invested in because I cannot do it all.”
Raffelock's words and experiences are thought provoking and readers need to let them soak in before moving on to the next section. Hearing her narrate her own stories and share her observations made them even more powerful. She is believable and lovable, and my guess is she is like Velcro in attracting friends. I know I want to sit around and shoot the bull with her.
A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING is best consumed in delicious chunks to be savored and mulled over; the audio is the same. There's too much good information to listen straight through (though I did – you kinda can’t help it). But I will be revisiting both book and audio, a little at a time, for a quick fix when I need it. Raffelock reminds us of the perks that are easily overlooked when we are caught up with the numbers -- and she's good for a giggle.
I HIGHLY recommend A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING for women in their mid-forties and older who are looking for laughs and a fresh outlook on aging.
Is this book inspirational? Absolutely. But Raffelock is no Pollyanna. When she said, "I'd like to kick the whole "positive only" movement in its little ass," I knew I had found one of my tribe. She reminds us that not only is it unrealistic, but it's unnatural to always be positive. To be authentic is to allow some transparency and acknowledge all the feelings: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
“I learned quickly that I had to choose carefully what I invested in because I cannot do it all.”
Raffelock's words and experiences are thought provoking and readers need to let them soak in before moving on to the next section. Hearing her narrate her own stories and share her observations made them even more powerful. She is believable and lovable, and my guess is she is like Velcro in attracting friends. I know I want to sit around and shoot the bull with her.
A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING is best consumed in delicious chunks to be savored and mulled over; the audio is the same. There's too much good information to listen straight through (though I did – you kinda can’t help it). But I will be revisiting both book and audio, a little at a time, for a quick fix when I need it. Raffelock reminds us of the perks that are easily overlooked when we are caught up with the numbers -- and she's good for a giggle.
I HIGHLY recommend A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING for women in their mid-forties and older who are looking for laughs and a fresh outlook on aging.
May 18, 2020
While I appreciate the effort involved in writing a book and putting ones personal thoughts down for anyone to read, this book was not my favorite read. There were a few gems sprinkled in the book that made me smile and one section that I wish someone had handed me when I was sixteen, but a lot of it I just had to skim. Most of what I read until I got to the section on 'What I want my nieces to know' was pretty basic, nothing that most 55+ women have thought of, at least every now and then, but this particular section was lively and fun. It contained all the wisdom that SHOULD be shared with young females, repeatedly until they get it. The short section about failure and perseverance was also strong. A favorite passage was the author's comment that the best kind of 'wild child' means a child full individuality and authenticity, not recklessness. Perhaps I'm at the wrong age to appreciate this retrospective work. Best wishes to the author. She's followed her heart and deserves kudos for doing so in a very public way.
May 4, 2020
This perfectly titled book totally delivers on it’s promise. It is delightful, a modifier not typically associated with its subject. Its premise of self-acceptance and permission to revel in the later stage of life, without judgment, is one that should become a daily mantra for anyone over fifty. The short booklet is a beautifully written assembly of writings from the author’s SixtyandMe.com blog and other publications. Together they offer a hopeful, wise and inspirational message. Brew a cup of tea, find a cozy chair, and read it in a single sitting. Then, keep it handy for a boost whenever you are negatively feeling your age, and it will remind you that, au contraire, this time is incomparable; full of wisdom that has been earned, joy that you deserve.
May 24, 2021
Delightful and uplifting!
This book really IS a delight to read or listen to! I thought I was aging gracefully by pretending I was not aging. Instead, A Delightful Little Book on Aging helped me see inevitable changes in a much more positive way and helped me counteract my inner voices that are not always so patient or accepting of my aging process. In the audio version, Stephanie Raffelock’s warm gentle voice soothes away self-doubts, fears and judgments about growing older with reassurance, encouragement, ideas, and reframing. She helps us not only acknowledge the losses, but see what we are gaining, or can reclaim, and her ideas are both practical and inspiring. The hardcover book or the audio would be a great gift for any Boomers or older, even those who don’t seem to have a problem with aging. We all need these reminders. I’m going to listen to it over and over.
This book really IS a delight to read or listen to! I thought I was aging gracefully by pretending I was not aging. Instead, A Delightful Little Book on Aging helped me see inevitable changes in a much more positive way and helped me counteract my inner voices that are not always so patient or accepting of my aging process. In the audio version, Stephanie Raffelock’s warm gentle voice soothes away self-doubts, fears and judgments about growing older with reassurance, encouragement, ideas, and reframing. She helps us not only acknowledge the losses, but see what we are gaining, or can reclaim, and her ideas are both practical and inspiring. The hardcover book or the audio would be a great gift for any Boomers or older, even those who don’t seem to have a problem with aging. We all need these reminders. I’m going to listen to it over and over.
February 15, 2021
A Delightful Little Book on Aging by Stephanie Raffelock is a fascinating read. In it, Ms. Raffelock presents an alternative view on the concept of aging. She does this through insightful anecdotes and paints a persuasive point that one can actively participate in one’s own aging process. As the title suggests, this is a delightful read. I appreciate how she uses the steps in the grieving process and applies it to dealing with the aging process. This book allows readers to see that they can progress from observers of this process to becoming active participants. I walk away from this book with a stronger sense that I am in control of my own aging. I can make it meaningful. Nice job, Ms. Raffelock.
May 7, 2022
I loved this little book--and it had so much wisdom! When we get older, we do have a lot more wisdom, but most of the younger generation don't want to share in it. We're on our "finals" and I'm studying for them every day! This is an up-lifting book and has so many true observations about getting older. We shouldn't care what anybody thinks anymore, we should live our final years with love, laughter, giving to others, helping those that we can and keep moving, ladies!!! Once you stop moving, it's over!
September 7, 2023
What a blast!
Much of what Stephanie has written, I am in the midst of feeling or experiencing. I enjoyed her humor and got some good LOL moments. Very relatable. I highly recommend for that 60 something woman (plus) who is approaching or has retired. This little book brings such positivity to what some folks see as “the beginning of the end.” In fact, it’s only the beginning of a new beginning! Just read it! You won’t regret it.
Much of what Stephanie has written, I am in the midst of feeling or experiencing. I enjoyed her humor and got some good LOL moments. Very relatable. I highly recommend for that 60 something woman (plus) who is approaching or has retired. This little book brings such positivity to what some folks see as “the beginning of the end.” In fact, it’s only the beginning of a new beginning! Just read it! You won’t regret it.
February 28, 2020
An interesting and short read that made smile and think.
I liked this snippets of wisdom and i think this is one of those book you can read one piece at a time and think about what you're reading.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I liked this snippets of wisdom and i think this is one of those book you can read one piece at a time and think about what you're reading.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
July 13, 2020
Very inspiring!
This book opened up so many possibilities for me. I don't know why I starting to think of myself as too old to start something new or even to follow a long forgotten dream, but this book brought it all back and I am so very grateful.
This book opened up so many possibilities for me. I don't know why I starting to think of myself as too old to start something new or even to follow a long forgotten dream, but this book brought it all back and I am so very grateful.
February 18, 2021
Terrific!
I loved this book and I was sad when I reached the end. I wanted more!
Thank you, Stephanie, for spelling and grammar that didn’t make me cringe. Thank you, as well, for new perspectives. Your message is accurate - it’s never too late to...
I loved this book and I was sad when I reached the end. I wanted more!
Thank you, Stephanie, for spelling and grammar that didn’t make me cringe. Thank you, as well, for new perspectives. Your message is accurate - it’s never too late to...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews