I'm in my early 30s (the beginning of the end, to some...but not me!), and this book had so much to offer on the topic of aging as a woman. The hunger of infinity versus the zen of embracing an end. Romantic tension as a way to keep you feeling ageless and desired. The assumption that attractiveness is the same as health. Living to someone else's standard. So much more. It was a wonderful collection of stories and poems to help any woman know that she's not alone, that there's so much that's stupid and disempowering about this process, but that it doesn't have to be our problem. My only complaint is that there was only one narrator for the entire book, which meant that the works all kind of blended together, and there were a few that just weren't suited for audio format, like the satirical social media one that counted out all the exclamation points. A few of the stories were slow and hard to get into, but for the most part, I listened eagerly for more pearls of wisdom.

This is a collection of essays about aging. Some of these were moving and thought provoking. Others had major triggers for topics like abuse. A few like one about setting up a fundraising page where all the replies were spelled out didn’t really work on audio. I think this would work better in print but I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audio ARC.

Ever since I read Cat Brushing by Jane Campbell I'd been looking for another book about women and ageing so this one was such a good find! It was a little difficult to focus on the audiobook (which is more on me than on the audiobook itself, the narrator was really good) but this mix of nonfiction, fiction and poetry was a fascinating thing to listen to. Recently I've been wanting to gain new insights on people ageing, women in particular, and to see them thrive and live a happy, fulfilling life regardless of how old they may be so I'm glad I gave this book a chance.

I attempted to listen to this as an audiobook. I really hoped to like it as I am a "woman of a certain age." I tried to listen to several stories but I was bored by the narration. Perhaps this is a book I should try again as an e-book, as it is a topic I am interested in.

I also did not like the cover. I'm not sure if it related to a particular story. The gray color made me feel like someone was sick or dying.

Here's hoping that the second attempt at reading (via ebook) will be more enjoyable.

When I saw this title, I immediately knew that I needed to get my hands on it. This is an audio anthology of poems, essays, and short stories by women over 40. This is such an important read because of how societies view older women and the stark contrast we view older men in. This was so eye-opening to read about because I see what my own prejudices are and have been in the past. This is an audiobook every should listen to!

I’m so grateful that I got to read this text. I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to making some videos for my TIkTok and other social media channels to recommend it to my friends and followers. It was an excellent read! 5/5 stars. I’m going to write a longer and more detailed review on my Goodreads and TikTok and I will link back once I’ve posted.

“I returned to the same respiratory therapist for my annual checkup. I told her that her words to me, ‘You look good for your age,’ had inspired a book. ‘Wow!’ she said. ‘You wrote a whole book about that?’ ‘Twenty-nine kick-ass writers wrote it,’ I said.
She gave me a thumbs up.”

I was really attracted to this title for its discussion of age - a topic and conversation which is sadly so neglected..

This anthology collates pieces by 29 different writers, of various ages and covering many different aspects of ageing from health, relationships, careers..

As with any anthology there were pieces that I absolutely loved and ones that I didn’t…but on the whole the experience was illuminating and, as an older woman, I felt visible, less isolated ..listening to voices expressing similar experiences and attitudes ..

The writing that particularly fascinated me were pieces by indigenous women - a woman walking through the streets at night; the death and memorial of a lady who had been attacked as a child; and a woman who takes part in a health trial relating to the effects of ageing..

The collection was full of wisdom and insight, ‘My enemy is not ageing at all it’s the fear of it’ and humour, ‘The absolute and inalienable right to be cranky’. Although this does talk about death, physical and mental deterioration I did not find it depressing I found it enlightening…

I think that this worked really well on audiobook because it felt like conversations…but I think ideally it would have worked better with multiple narrators.

With many thanks to University of Alberta Press and Netgalley for a digital copy of this audiobook.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley in return for an honest review, for which I’m very grateful.

This is a really poignant collection of works. Essays and poems and such like of woman of a certain age. It resonated fairly deeply, as I’m finding more and more that I “look good for my age 🫤” which is very much a slap from a velvet glove lol. The stories are all formed from woman like me over 40, although like my mammy mainly over 60. It’s pretty life affirming, aggravating and sad all in one Personal message, now that my mammy is well over 60 she’s just told she looks great……. I look forward to this lol. A good read, well put together and narrated really well.

‘…we are at a point… when it is critical that we take care of one another and cooperate in the work to be done regardless of when we were born…’ (2%)

This is a collection of writings from a host of women, ranging from those in their forties to those in their nineties, offering a wealth of knowledge and experience on the subject of ageing for women.

The creation of this book originates in the titular statement being made to Altrows. It struck her but she was unsure why. That is until she concluded the societal belief that 'you look good for your age' means it is better to look young than old, and, by extension, 'better to be young than old' (1%). This sparked a range of questions for Altrows about what this message meant for women, inspiring her to collate other women's views alongside her own. These women have used their desired medium- fiction, non-fiction, poetry- to explore multiple themes across this topic.

The contents of the book are as follows (NF= non-fiction, F= fiction, P= poetry):
The Fixable- Sharon Butala (NF)
Fearing- Ariel Gordon (NF)
Who Counts the Years?- Maureen Bush (NF)
Intent to Forgive- Joy Kogawa (NF)
A Barn Swallow Relative to Objects and Places- Wendy McGrath (P)
The Petals in Me- Laurie MacFayden (P)
Elders, Listen- Anne Sorbie (F)
Back to the Garden- Elizabeth Haynes (NF)
Upriver- Roberta Rees (NF)
Help Fund Pam’s Vital Medical Procedure- Olyn Ozbick (F)
Sundowning- Debbie Bateman (F)
Perfect Purple Rose- Elizabeth Greene (P)
Body, You Will Be Amazed- Laurie MacFayden (P)
Mastery of the Instrument- JoAnn McCaig (NF)
Body Composition- Wendy McGrath (NF)
The Roxy Project- Cecelia Fray (F)
Rarefaction- Vivian Hansen (NF)
Love: The Art of the Scarf- Debbie Bateman (F)
She Will Drive- Lisa Murphy Lamb (F)
One More Minute- Joan Crate (P)
The Shave- Rona Altrows (F)
Timelines: Telescoping- Julie Sedivy (NF)
Reggiana- Moni Brar (P)
Ageing in Three Year Increments- Laura Wershler (NF)
Lily’s Funeral- Madelaine Shaw-Wong (NF)
How I Got Old- Dora Dueck (NF)
Adult Tween- Paula E. Kirman (NF)
Shuffle- Jane Cawthorne (NF)
She Shops at the Sally Anne and Value Village- Joan Crate (P)
Enough: Part of the Furniture- Aritha van Herk (NF)
Kissing Kismet Goodbye- Moni Brar (P)
Looking Back- Lorri Neilsen Glenn (NF)
Well-Preserved- E.D. Morin (NF)
One More Word- Joyce Harries (P)

As with any collection from different writers, some of the work resonates more than others. This is great for offering a variety- likely something for everyone- but can also mean that one has to go through them all to find the personal gems. It's simply the nature of such a book. As such, I can comment on the works that struck me most. Whilst many have something interesting to say, it is a handful of them that do this in the most effective way for me.

It begins strongly with 'The Fixable'. Butala considers the mundanity of her ageing; that she isn't different or special. It is something we all do, no matter how much it can intimidate us.

‘If you're lucky, as I am, this is how you get old- incrementally. Your body wearing out bit by tiny bit, small wound by small wound, your soul wearing away with it all thinning, loosening from its anchors, eternity coming closer every day.’ (6%)

There is a comment thread throughout of the views and opinions of and on women that 'we internalise before we know we are internalising it' (21%). This is explored well in 'Upriver', discussing the societal preference for an objectively awful man, rather than a woman, comparing this with the insistence on returning women to men despite their unhealthy relationships. With respectful analysis, she presents the duality this causes in women, of being delicate or bold depending on who's asking.

Bucholc offers a nice narration with a clear voice, although it could be said there is a lack of expression- horrific events sound the same as joyous ones. This leads to each writing merging into the next, whereas there would naturally have a clear divide in the printed version. However, the tone used is a style choice and preference-dependent.

Interesting collection of short stories/essay’s around the subject of getting old. Bit depressing to be honest so it’s not a joyous book to cheer you up or make you giggle. Very real and some serious subjects, I liked the scarf, the Alzheimer mother and the friends annual meal best. Beautifully written with some depth and meaning. Not at all uplifting. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook to review.

I wasn't fully sold on the narrator at first, but got accustomed to her as the story went on. There were quite a few passages that stood out to me that did draw me in to my listening. I do wish that before each chapter began they would have mentioned whether the section was fiction/nonfiction/prose. It was all listed out in the beginning of the audiobook, but I would have liked a little reminder right before the reading.

Some favorite lines:
"I'm just scaring myself as a way of managing my anxiety over getting older, over whether or not I matter. I'm not being brave by walking this route at night."
"To be fully known is to be fully loved. The food of friendship is light. Light is 2 parts love and 1 part truth. Freedom is to trust, always".

This anthology is an exceptional collection of poignant essays, poems, and short stories from incredible women. Although it is from the point of view of women over 40 (in most cases over 60) the messages are age and gender transcendent. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It's high time we stopped considering women past 40 as used up, unnecessary, or in the way, while men over 40 are seen as well-seasoned, vital, and wise. It's time we stopped those that identify as women from thinking old is a dirty word or a bad thing that they must prevent from happening to them at all cost.

My only critique would be that I wish there had been more than one narrator so the transition from piece to piece would have flown better.

This was refreshing and hydrating. I highly recommend it to all adults past 25.

Thank you to Rona Altrows, University of Alberta Press, and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

You Look Good for Your Age be Edited by Rona Altrows

Narrated by Marysia Bucholc
Listening Time: 8 Hours, 44 Minutes
Publisher: University of Alberta Press
Release Date: August 1, 2022

Nonfiction, Essays, Collections, Age, Ageism

This book contains 29 stories (fiction, nonfiction, and poetry). They are all centered around women and their feelings about age and ageism. They are all about strong women and how they deal with life. The narrator is wonderful, and I resonated with her. As a 60-year-old woman, I could relate to many of these stories. If you are a woman, of any age, you will enjoy reading these stories.