Diversity in All Forms! discussion

Diversity topic for May is Ageism.

You have till 4/16/21 to suggest books.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.

There are also good non-fiction books on ageism.

A Man Called Ove is one of my favorite books.

I can think of many good books with aging characters, but I can't think of books specifically about ageism or age discrimination. Or maybe I've just come to accept it as a fact of life, along with memory loss. I can tell that people view me differently now that I'm older.

I also liked Still Alice which is primarily about Alzheimer's not ageism per se. It's very powerful, and the author is also a neurologist, which makes the story more credible.

I would like to recommend Flying the Nest by Joy Norstrom. It's a heartfelt examination of our assumptions on aging and sexuality, the strength of family, and the enduring power of community.

Flying the Nest

It's a humorous book of fiction. Below is the synopsis.

Lonely millennial Chad MacEwan can’t seem to get it together. While his polished Uncle Martin sails through his twilight years with a full social calendar, Chad’s weekly highpoint is dutifully visiting Martin at the Eldernest Assisted Living Lodge. Maybe his uncle’s magnetism and way with the ladies will rub off on him, or perhaps Chad will one day gain enough courage to strike up conversation with the woman who works in the cafeteria.

It’s not only Chad who struggles with loneliness and self-doubt; the Eldernest is teeming with residents searching for belonging. There’s the animal lover who owes her spot at the affluent Eldernest to a government subsidy, and the resident who finds himself back in the closet due to the close-minded confines of communal living. Then there’s the love triangle with Martin firmly ensconced in the centre position. Or is he really?

As Chad becomes further entangled in the lives of Eldernest residents and staff, each person must decide how much to risk in their pursuit of companionship and connection.

I agree that it´s hard to find fiction that definitely deals with ageism NancyJ. So perhaps some non-fiction book?

"Stones for Ibarra" by Harriet Doerr - the author was first published when in her 70s, and the book is a knockout!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...

"Something Wicked This Way Comes" includes some meditations about having a father much older than your schoolmates' fathers:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

And Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine" also has a strong theme around getting older


"A Widow for One Year" by John Irving has a main storyline around a young man in love with a much-older woman

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

"Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant" by Roz Chast. This is a graphic non-fiction book about the author coping with her parents' aging process.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

"Another Country: Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Our Elders" by Mary Pipher - EXCELLENT resource

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Some non-fiction I found on several lists, so haven´t read them:

This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite

Ending Ageism, or How Not to Shoot Old People by Margaret Morganroth Gullette

Ageism: Stereotyping and Prejudice Against Older Persons by Todd D. Nelson

Fiction:

Based on an Athabascan Indian legend: Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis

I'd like to suggest Afterlife by Julia Alvarez. It covers many topics, but one of the recurring themes is what is expected of the narrator as she grows older, and how her life, preferences, and relationships have changed.

I would like to recommend Home in a Hundred Places by Sarah Dayan Mueller.

Home in a Hundred Places

This story portrays the main character, Raymond, from childhood to later on in life when he is elderly. He experienced a life spying and traveling around the world, but loses his memories due to dementia.

Michaela wrote: "A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.

There are also good non-fiction books on ageism."

I love that book! We had a discussion on it a couple years ago. You can join it anytime :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

NancyJ wrote: "A Man Called Ove is one of my favorite books.

I can think of many good books with aging characters, but I can't think of books specifically about ageism or age discrimination. Or maybe I've just ..."

Love this book too! Here is the discussion to join :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Here is the poll: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

Tuesday’s with Morris by Mitch Albom

Mariah Roze wrote: "Michaela wrote: "A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.

There are also good non-fiction books on ageism."

I love that book! We had a discussion on it a couple years..."

Thanks, hadn´t seen it! :)

I'll vote on the options given, but can I ask why my suggestion wasn't included in the poll? So I know what I need to do differently for next time.

Hannah wrote: "I'll vote on the options given, but can I ask why my suggestion wasn't included in the poll? So I know what I need to do differently for next time."

Hi Hannah,

I am really sorry! I must have missed your comment when I was putting the poll together. I definitely did not mean to mean to miss your suggestion. I'm really sorry about that!

I'm a little late to the party, but An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine is a great book against ageism because it portrays a 70-year-old person with individualities, instead of just focusing on vulnerabilities, diseases or family roles that are often associated with old age.

Belu wrote: "I'm a little late to the party, but An Unecesary Woman by Rabih Alameddine is a great book against ageism because it portrays a 70-year-old person with individualities, instead of just focusing on ..." ... requested this and another of her books from the library. Thanks for the recommendation!

Judy wrote: "Belu wrote: "I'm a little late to the party, but An Unecesary Woman by Rabih Alameddine is a great book against ageism because it portrays a 70-year-old person with individualities, instead of just..." Haha. I'm a little late, too.

Judy wrote: "Belu wrote: "I'm a little late to the party, but An Unecesary Woman by Rabih Alameddine is a great book against ageism because it portrays a 70-year-old person with individualities, instead of just..."

Cool!! Hope you enjoy them ♥