You're Old, I'm Old . . . Get Used to It!: Twenty Reasons Why Growing Old Is Great

by Virginia Ironside

Wry essays about the advantages and indulgences of aging.

No matter what they say, sixty will never be the new forty. But sixty- five-year-old British writer Virginia Ironside is determined to convince people that getting old is not so bad-even for a Baby Boomer who interviewed the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix early in her career. In her first nonfiction book published in the United States, Ironside explores the many unsung benefits of aging. There are ailments, but there are also fabulous meds. There are grandchildren- your reward for not killing your children. And then there's "wisdom," the random accumulated knowledge you can label as such precisely because you are old. You're Old, I'm Old . . . Get Used to It! celebrates scattered memory, frequent naps, and mercifully lowered expectations.

Ironside, an "agony aunt" with a plainspoken wit, is a convincing spokesperson for the advanced years. The book's easy-to-browse format, clever line drawings, and self-deprecating charm make this a fantastic read for fans of Judith Viorst, Nora Ephron, and anyone who can appreciate the humor in longevity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

Virginia Ironside is best known as one of Britain's leading agony aunts. She started on Woman magazine before moving to The Sunday Mirror and Today newspapers. She now writes a weekly column for The Independant. She also appears regularly on radio and television on such programmes as Radio 4's 'Woman's Hour'. Her many books include self-help titles on subjects such as bereavement, as well as the children's spooky adventure series Burlap Hall .

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Posted at Shelf Inflicted

I couldn’t resist picking this book from the “Spring Picks” table at my local library. Granted, I’m not quite as old as the author is, but I’ll be getting there before long and I was curious to read one, never mind twenty reasons why getting old is so great. The smiling old lady sitting on top of an hourglass with a glass of wine in her hand doesn’t look too unhappy about her rapidly passing years. And I was happy with the comfortable-sized large print.

It looked to be a funny book, making light of something that happens to all of us. And it was funny, for the most part. I just wish she didn’t start out discussing ailments. I’m not yet ready to think about colostomy bags, arthritis, walking with a cane, and the anxiety that creeps up on older people who were once fearless.

“Lots of my friends no longer dare to drive on highways. Single women who hitched across the Gobi Desert when they were thirty and who, in their forties, drove across India and America in cars piled high with small children, now find that, faced with a highway, they are reduced to quivering Jell-O.”

On the plus side, older people often become more confident. They don’t mind seeing films by themselves or walking out during the first 10 minutes if they are not captivated. Life is definitely too short to sit through bad movies!

Changes in memory occur as we age too. We tend to forget a lot of useless information as we get older. One of the nice things is forgetting the plots of books and films from years ago, making them feel new and fresh upon revisiting.

There is very good advice to those who are lonely, and tips for looking good when there’s no hair left to comb.

Though aging is a universal thing, the author’s British perspective highlights some of the differences in European and American health care systems, and work and retirement.

I just hope that when I get old I won’t be afraid to drive to my favorite Mexican restaurant, my stomach will be able to handle tacos and margaritas, and I won’t be sitting on a park bench sipping prune juice and talking to pigeons.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read new paperback edition published here in U.S. Extremely funny and good commonsense for readers age around 60. Many references to British institutions and situations but still universally understood. Highly recommend.

[Mary Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being 60 myself, I found this book delightful! The author is British so some of the references were unknown to me but that was a minor issue. Her style is delightful and her comments are truly funny. I'm going to find other books of hers and devour them as well! She takes a light-hearted approach to life and the joys and issues of aging. It's better to be seen than viewed! I highly recommend this book to anyone approaching (or past) 60 who is having an issue with the number "60." I know I did at first. She made me laugh at myself and at the idea that a number (60)defines who you are or what you can do.

[Sharron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really hilarious but I suggest that you read no more than a couple of chapters at a time because your sides will soon ache from laughing so hard. And whatever you do read it only while you are by yourself. I observed that my being doubled over with laughter proved to be very distracting to those around me. It's definitely not a book to read while in the "quiet car" on the Metroliner or in a doctor's waiting room.

Think of it as the English answer to Nora Ephron's "I Feel Bad about My Neck" - but even funnier.

[christine rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fraud: just a repeat of previous book!

This book is just a reorganized repeat of the author’s previous book “No! I Don’t Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a Sixtieth Year’. Almost word for word... I feel very cheated! I’d like my money back!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stopped reading. Boring

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As funny as I had hoped. Got to laugh at ourselves.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were hilarious, but a lot of it was repetitious

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun, positive book

[Pia]

It is a very funny book. Yepp, funny, but not sure if young people can appreciate the humor.

[AliceAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I checked out this book just because of the title, although I thought it read, 'You're Old, I'm Old, Get Over It,' which is similar and yet to me is funnier. Then I discovered that I didn't quite fit into the age range the book was aimed at (I'm still too much of a spring chicken :). I did think some of the entries were hilarious, but the rest was just okay. I did enjoy the concept though, about finally reaching a stage in your life when you could comfortably give up any residual hopes of becoming a ballerina, unless you already are a ballerina, in which case you could give up aspirations to become a stock car driver I guess. And of leaving a movie theater partway through the movie if you thought it sucked, rather than forcing yourself to stay. Perhaps I'll pick this book up again in another 15 years and find more to agree with...if I can remember to do so.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh, this was such a little gem that dropped into my lap as a donation at the library where I work. If you're pushing 60 and especially if you're a woman, get a copy of this book, read it, and you will feel so much better. This is a rip roaring hilarious book. Virginia Ironside even sees the silver lining in a colostomy bag! The book has been called England's answer to Erica Jong's I Feel Bad About My Neck, another humorous treatment of the female aging process, and I agree, although Jong's essays expand to address New York urban life while Ironside has getting old in the cross-hairs.

[Malika Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Am old, and I laughed my support hose off. Virginia has a name for what happens when someone recites all of their ailments-"an organ recital".If this author can write about being over 60 and I laugh, then my next birthday will be an adventure.Tthanks Virginia Ironside for your views on being old.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny. Is now a one woman show in England.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! It's light and quick, but also has some nuggets of truth that I hadn't thought of before.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finish reading this book. It gave me a good look at the older generation and help me understand my parents a lot more. Is a funny quirky read!!! I really enjoyed it.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is is large type - should be fun!Most of this book is funny!

[Cheryl]

Added by my Eldest