You are going to love this book if you enjoy comedic capers with a large cast of characters and the found family trope. We start out with a scene from the end of the book, which cleverly leads us through the rest of the book as we try to figure out a few mysteries. Who is Daphne, really? Why is Art all alone? Will Ziggy make the brave choices to have a better future for himself and his daughter? Who is the neighborhood guerilla knitter? And will Lydia's decision to start the Senior Citizens Social Club be the best decision she ever made for herself? There were great comedic touches and I loved the bits of absurdity that occur throughout the book. The author has a dry comedic style that works very well for this story, I snickered more than once. There was very little I disliked about this book, honestly. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and it can be difficult to have so many main characters with prominent storylines. But the author handled this well and each one was memorable with their own enjoyable quirks, right down to the dog. There's a very nice lesson here that nobody is what they seem, and the found family angle was sweetly and thoughtfully done. This was a new-to-me author and I truly enjoyed this read. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed the idea of the book. It's a rather interesting concept, and you don't see too many books out there with much older characters! It was a nice change. My biggest issue is the constant change in POV. While I don't usually mind a change in POV, the changes were constant and I didn't feel like I could really connect with the characters properly. There were quite a few times that the changes felt unnecessary because they either didn't add much value, or they were extremely short. I really wish I could've liked this book more!

I had been eyeing this book for awhile, so when I got a chance to get it through Netgalley, I was super excited – and it definitely did not disappoint! Meet a cast of unruly seniors, all of whom join a senior club at a falling-down community center, run by Lydia, an insecure, 50-something woman who thinks that her new job running the club will include quiet days of making macrame crafts and finding new purpose to her life. Little does she know that Daphne (she of the mysterious past), Art (a sad kleptomaniac), William (a former paparazzo), Ruby (aka Yarnsy), and Anna (with the formidable scooter) have other plans, including partnering up with the daycare next door to save the community center from the local politicians (everyone’s favorite enemy!).

The hijinks in this book had me laughing out loud at times (the Yarnsy creations!), and it was a refreshing change from other books I’ve read lately. Clare Pooley is a new author to me; after this book I’ll definitely check out her others. She did a brilliant job of weaving these quirky characters (plus a couple others) together, with a little bit of mystery plus an infusion of classic British humor throughout. Her writing reminds me a little bit of Sophie Kinsella’s, who is one of my faves.

If you enjoy a quirky, joyful read with lovable characters who make it their mission to challenge the norm, this book is for you. Thank you, Netgalley and Penguin for the advance copy. 4 stars, recommend!

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group/Viking Press for an ARC of Claire Pooley's How to Age Disgracefully.

This was my first Pooley read, and it was the perfect palette cleanser after coming off of a binge of historical fiction and thrillers.

When Lydia starts a job as coordinator of a senior citizen club at the local community center she gets a little more than she anticipated in the most glorious of ways. When this community of sorts, is threatened by the closure of the community center the group must act to save it.

This story is one which focuses on found family and has multiple viewpoints. The characters were beautifully imperfect, vibrant and lovable. I found myself rooting for them time and time again. I can always appreciate well developed characters and the author does a great job giving them a backstory and having them grow throughout the story. Take the ride.

Though, I would classify this primarily as a comedy, the author seamlessly incorporates sprinkles of mystery, romance, and lighthearted suspense that helps drive this narrative forward. The story was profound, fun and I found myself immersed in it, not wanting to end.

4.25 stars

Lydia has been hired to lead activities at the Mandel (the "A" at the end stopped working, so they renamed it from "Mandela" to "Mandel") Community Center for seniors. When an unfortunate accident kills a woman (don't worry, this was a blink-and-you-miss-it occurrence), the community center's future is dim unless they can raise enough money for repairs.

Daphne, Art, William, and Ruby are senior citizens who support Lydia and the community center. Daphne, in particular, is a force to be reckoned with, but all these characters have such character and heart.

The community center also houses a nursery school, and young father Ziggy has his infant daughter there, so he and his daughter are folded into the antics.

This rag-tag bunch comes together and supports one another in a way that each of them hasn't experienced before. I enjoyed this light-hearted novel. Sometimes it was a bit *too* zany for me, but if you're looking for a fun romp with older protagonists at its center, you'll enjoy this one.

"How to Age Disgracefully" is a delightful celebration of the older generation, filled with vibrant characters and heartwarming moments. The protagonist, Lydia, finds herself in a senior citizen group expecting tea and crafts but discovers a lively and eccentric community instead. Daphne, a standout character, embodies wit and wisdom, with Helen Mirren in mind for the role. The book smashes ageist stereotypes, showing that age is just a number. The mix of young and old characters adds depth, and the story emphasizes the importance of community and human connection. Pooley's storytelling is both inspiring and entertaining, with characters that stay with you long after the book ends. "How to Age Disgracefully" is a fresh, unique, and laugh-out-loud funny read that also touches on poignant moments, making it a truly enjoyable read.

This book is a great cozy read. The unlikely group of characters are witty and lovable and the story made me laugh out loud over and over. Would definitely recommend if you’re looking for an easy fun read.

An absolute delight! This book is about elderly folks in England, and genuinely made me laugh out loud multiple times. If that sounds like it's up your alley, you should definitely read it. There are amazing parts, and there are parts that drag slightly, but I genuinely wanted to know what was leading up to the scene in the prologue.

It's a little saccharine at times, but I didn't mind that. It's a super quaint, yet intriguing, set of stories about this group.

I honestly could only get through the first 3 chapters, and that was a struggle. I found the writing to be a tad bit boring and the conversations to be not realistic.

Pooley's follow-up to Iona Iverson will give readers all the same great feelings. The characters are fantastic, the story both heartwarming and hilarious at times. This time a group of seniors are out to save their local community center and in the process themselves as well. Added bonus: there are babies, toddlers, one big-hearted teen and middle-aged people who need saving as well.

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Join the escapades of Daphne, Art, Ziggy, and Lydia as they band together to save their beloved community center from closure. With Lydia at the helm and a motley crew of characters by her side, expect laughter, mischief, and a hefty dose of British charm. From Daphne's fearless quest for friendship and to re-enter society to Art's knack for playing dead (on screen, that is), this quirky tale promises a journey through the highs and lows of aging disgracefully. Get ready for a read that'll have you chuckling from start to finish!

If Seinfeld were reincarnated with a crew of seasoned characters stirring up mischief at every turn, you'd get the vibe of this story. With its plethora of laugh-out-loud moments, it's like a comedy goldmine waiting to be discovered. In essence, it's a delightful, breezy read that guarantees smiles from start to finish.

How to Age Disgracefully is not something I would typically pick up, but I am really glad I did. Clare Pooley has crafted such an interesting and engaging group of misfit characters, who make you want to keep reading. Cleverly weaving multiple storylines together with a mix of humor and pointedness, How to Age Disgracefully had me engaged from beginning to (a very satisfying) end. I will check out other novels by Pooley when I am in the mood for a cozy read.

SO MUCH FUN! The classic Clare Pooley chaos was definitely there with this wild cast. The details, Ruby as Yarnsy....LOLLLL I loved it. Maybe not as much as Iona, but a solid 4.5 for me!

This is my second Clare Pooley book. In How to Age Disgracefully she’s back with her signature witty banter and a load of lovable characters. This time she brings along a group of senior citizens and daycare classmates to save their beloved community center. This book was just what I needed-light, funny, and uplifting. If you’ve enjoyed Clare Pooley’s previous books you’re sure to enjoy this one too.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!

Daphne has just had her 70th birthday, and after self isolating for many years, has decided it’s time for her to rejoin society. The announcement of a new senior group at the local community center seems like the perfect way for her to do that. There she finds herself wrapped up with a group of other seniors who have all lived a life and have the stories to back it up. Add in one group leader whose home life is crumbling, a teen parent with an uncertain future, city officials who want to get rid of the community center, and the bestest dog in the world, and Daphne definitely has her work cut out for her.

This book is a heartwarming, laugh out loud story about a group of seniors realizing that it’s not too late to find friends, family, companionship, and perhaps even love. The author includes thought provoking themes such as: what does it mean to be part of a community and what is our responsibility to the people in it. It also asks the question of can you learn to let people in after you’ve pushed them out for so long.

From the first chapter, I was hooked by the eclectic mix of people and the absurd situation that they found themself in. The book continues in the same vein, introducing you to a wide cast and drop by drop, you learn about their histories and why they act the way they do. I laughed, I cheered, and at certain points, I felt despair as some characters got embroiled in things that were far beyond their control.

It wasn’t at all a perfect book, though. The middle third hits a lull, and you definitely have to push through it. I felt like some of the characters' stories and backgrounds were rather stereotypical, and the ones that weren’t, we never found out enough about them. Though…that might just be me, needing more of Anna’s story! I also wish that a few characters were able to improve their lives on their own rather than having everything be fixed for them.

But despite those things, it was a lovely read and a perfect pick me up story.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. This was so cute. I love the found family vibe and so many people found a family in this book. It was the perfect mix of drama, shenanigans, humor and real life hard. Clare Pooley really has a way of making the characters come to life. I can totally see Walter Matthau playing Art in the film adaptation.

This was an interesting read that was outside of my normal choices. It was funny at times and a good palate cleanser!

Library patrons are sure to enjoy this book. The characters are delightful and there is humor throughout. I think writing the story from the viewpoints of all of the main characters helped propel the plot and brought it a certain charm. Although, you could guess plot points from a mile away, it was still fun to go on this journey with the characters.

I had such a good time reading this book and laughed out loud on several occasions. The story follows several different characters. Sometimes when I read books like this I find myself wanting to go back to somebody else's storyline. That wasn't the case with "How to Age Disgracefully". I was intrigued by everybody's individual storylines. I liked the quick pace of this book and the punchy dialogue. I found all of the characters compelling and lovable. This was a great palate cleanser after reading quite a few dense books recently.

I requested this book based on reading Clare Pooley’s Iona Iverson, and it did not disappoint! It was a wonderful cast of characters, endearing and flawed. This was a lovely novel about the power of found family and the unexpected joy of relationships in old age, or that span across age groups.