After the popularity of books like Thursday Murder Club, there are so many readers looking for books that feature older protagonists having outrageously fun adventures. This one fits the bill, although it is a romance, rather than a mystery. Great characters who actually span the generations, from tiny toddlers, to young adults, to middle-aged and older. So, lots to relate to in a fun story.

Clare Pooley does it again. First there was Iona and her crew, now there’s Daphne and hers. Strong women making the world a better place. Pooley’s humor and keen observations make for a thoroughly delightful read.

I love finding a book that makes me feel more optimistic about the world, and Clare Pooley delivers in spades. Her characters are flawed and complicated, but also so very human. You can't help but adore them and want them to succeed.

How to Age Disgracefully is told from the points of view of four very different characters, each of whom has secrets, desires, and very personal reasons to want to keep their community center open. Together, they pull support from friends and neighbors, a quirky cast of personalities, each with their own specific skill set. And together, they build a community that extends beyond the building to become a tight, loyal network of friends.

This book made me laugh and cry and it made me think and it made me want to be a better person. It gave me hope that individuals can make more difference than larger entities, especially when we connect personally, and in support of a worthy cause.

I've loved every book I've read by Clare Pooley! How to Age Disgracefully would make an excellent movie or mini series - the cast of characters is delightful! I love that she's writing older people as they should be written, just because you're getting older doesn't mean you become a docile knitter!!

In Clare Pooley's witty and heartwarming novel, "How to Age Disgracefully," we meet Lydia, a young woman who takes a job running the Senior Citizens' Social Club, expecting to spend her afternoons drinking tea and playing gentle games of cards. However, she soon discovers that the members of the club are anything but ordinary. Art, a failed actor turned kleptomaniac, Daphne, who hides a dark past, and Ruby, a Banksy-style knitter who gets revenge in yarn, are just a few of the colorful characters Lydia encounters. As they face the threat of losing their beloved community center, these seniors, along with their tiny friends in the daycare next door and an unlikely group of allies, band together to save the building. With their unorthodox methods and mischievous antics, the group embarks on a hilarious and heartwarming journey, proving that age is just a number and that it's never too late to make a difference. "How to Age Disgracefully" is a delightful and uplifting read that celebrates the power of friendship, community, and the indomitable spirit of the human heart.

Claire Pooley has yet to create a cast of characters that I do not want to hang out with. Pooley states in her Author’s Note that she wrote this novel as a way to break the sad and feeble retiree typecast. In the novel 50-something Lydia is adjusting to an empty nest and trying to find her new purpose in life. She begins work at a community center and organizes a social group for 70+ adults. She learns that life isn’t over at a certain age and that they can all still “boss it”. LOVED!!!!!

I had not read author Claire Pooley before, but the cover & blurb for her latest "How to Age Disgracefully" really drew me in! And I really enjoyed this one, so now I'll have to check out the rest of her back-list! A very charming, quirky & humorous novel - loved the diverse, ensemble senior cast for this one & the DOGGO!! Quick, fun & fast-paced read & recommend! My thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the DRC, my pleasure to review this title!

Nobody does it like Clare Pooley! I did a deep dive through Pooley's backlist last year, and was so lucky to read How to Age Discgracefully ahead of its publication this summer.

Clare is the queen of the ensemble cast, and this book is no exception. I miss this zany cast of characters already! Really looking forward to seeing this book out in the world.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking, Pamela Dorman Books for providing this book, with my honest review below*

An adorable story with even more adorable characters. I had so much fun getting to know the characters and their (not at all eager) coming together in this novel. It’s not often you see main characters of the age group in the book carrying a book throughout, and I loved that inclusivity and Ruby, especially. I will recommend this to all readers but expect my senior readers to get the most kick out of it!

4 stars

I loved this book. It was easy, fun, and light reading with a wonderful cast of characters.
This seemed to be an underrepresented age group for a while, so I’m really happy to see such good books lately shining a bright light on them in respectful and fun ways.

I loved this one! It was so fun to see a book about an older age group for once and I felt like it was like the series “Mom” only with senior citizens. I loved how the characters come together and work through their issues. Such a unique fresh book concept.