I like Pooley’s debut (Iona Iverson) but this was even better. You couldn’t help but fall in love with these characters and the rag tag family they made for themselves. I found myself rooting for them at every step of the way, and was so thrilled when everything worked out in the ending (despite it not happening perhaps as one would expect). The constant little twists and reveals were done deftly and without fanfare, as befits a cozy book such as this. Pooley manages to write the kind of characters who make you want several sequels. The dynamic she captured is reminiscent of the Thursday Murder Club and other such series which have taken off. I’d love to see more like this!

A light, feel-good read with interesting characters and relatable storylines (well, to some extent).
Daphne is an awesome character. 3,5 stars rounded up to 4 for her and also because I would like for people to read this book.

Not going to lie-- it's nice reading a book without a 20-something female lead. As Daphne approaches her 70th birthday, she joins the local senior club which introduces us to diverse cast of character. The book is told from multiple perspectives and does cover serious topics. I enjoyed reading about the friendships and she brought the humor. It's you're looking for an enjoyable book, read it!

This was such a fun and good book. I had just read her other book Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting. I love that her characters are older, sassy, and full of fun. They deal with issues that older people do but in an uplifting way. I cracked up several times reading this

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting story about unlikely friendships, living life on your own terms and new beginnings. I didn’t want the story to end and would love to meet these characters again!

This was a fun entertaining book! There’s a building with both a senior citizens’ center and a daycare in it. Lydia is in charge of the senior citizens’ center. She meets many different interesting characters and experiences all kinds of antics during her hours working. There are more and more interactions between the two facilities as the days go on.

Overall a good story but didn’t grab my attention. The author told a good story. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

⌛️How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley⌛️

Thank you so much @vikingbooks & @netgalley for this ARC.

Pages: 352
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Goal 2024: 79/100

What a hilarious piece of work! Old and young come together in this comedy to try and save a community center. There is found family, multiple Povs, and hilarious dialogue throughout.

This story is one that you definitely have to be in the mood for because it’s a lit fic comedy with A LOT of personalities. 😂😂 overall I enjoyed the characters and the aspect of the book. It made me feel better about the fact that I’m aging and I also will probably be a quirky old lady. It was also refreshing to read about someone older than 25. 😂

The only downside I would say was it felt kind of hard to keep up with the characters personalities. I enjoyed the book but I guess I lacked the focus during the time I read this. 😂

Once again, Clare Pooley delivers an excellent book with a variety of characters and a plot that twists and turns in all the right places. The story begins with a mini bus loaded with senior citizens and a few nursery patrons on their way to a live television competition. They are pulled over by the police who wants one of them for questioning. Then the story introduces us to the characters and the circumstances that lead them to this point. There is Art, and elderly actor who has never quite ‘made it’ and is desperate for work, Daphne who is a mysterious spitfire, Lydia, a middle aged housewife who is trying to get a senior club started at the local community center, and Ziggy, an 28 year old single father to Kylie who only wants to go to university.. There are, of course various other amusing characters. Everything comes to a head when the counsel decides to shut down the community center. Will they be able to save it? Do yourself a favor, read this book and find out!

Daphne was tired of being alone. She’d spent 15 years in a self-imposed isolation, and she wants more for her life. It’s time to start living again. And the first thing she needs for that is a white board, so she has a place to plan. It doesn’t matter that she’s in her 70s. She is strong and capable, and if she knocks into someone carrying home her new white board, then that’s not her fault. He should have gotten out of her way.

Art, the 70-something gentleman that Daphne had mowed into with her white board had offered to help and got rudely rebuffed. As an actor, and one who hadn’t had many calls from his agent in a while, Art knew what it was like to be ignored and pushed aside. When he did work, he was the friend, the sidekick, the elderly father, never the star. But he could maybe use some new friends.

Lydia is feeling middle aged, overlooked and underappreciated. Especially by her husband. She had kept the house and raised their two daughters, and now that the girls are off at university, she is ready for something new. That’s why she took the job at the Mandel Community Center, running the local seniors group. She bakes a cake for the occasion of their first meeting.

As soon as Daphne walks into the room for the meeting of the Senior Citizens Social Club, she recognizes Art right away as the guy who had accosted her while she was carrying her white board home. But there are others in the room, Anna with brightly colored hair and a mobility scooter, Ruby with her knitting, William sitting with Art, and Pauline with her small dog. But when part of the ceiling caves in and falls onto Pauline, everything changes for the small group.

Pauline doesn’t survive, as she has a massive stroke when the ceiling comes in. Lydia decides to take over care of the dog, Margaret Thatcher. And the council looks at the cost of repairing the community center building and realizes that they don’t have the money for the repairs. Despite the center being a place for AA meetings, childcare for community parents, the Senior Citizens Social Club, and other clubs for their Hammersmith neighbors, the council can make a lot of money by closing the center and selling the property.

Daphne decides that it’s time for her and her white board to get to work. Besides setting up a dating profile for herself, she makes a list of other things she needs to do, which includes rescuing Lydia from her ungrateful cheating husband, cleaning out Art’s house of his hoarding shame, helping local teenage father Ziggy get into university, and saving the community center. But she won’t be able to do that alone. She’ll need the help of her new senior club friends, photographs from a former paparazzo, the cute kids from the daycare, the work of a talented knitter, a stolen passport, and Margaret Thatcher. And maybe, if everything goes the way she wants it to, she can not only save the community center, she can find some love along the way too.

How to Age Disgracefully is the latest novel from popular novelist Clare Pooley, and it’s one amazing ride. Combining the heart-warming stories of individuals righting old wrongs and the gut-busting humor of a caper story, this novel includes everything you want in a good read. Pooley writes in her author’s note that she was feeling the effects of being in her 50s and a little invisible in the world, so she wanted to write a novel about a group of older adults who have the ability and the strength to make things happen, starting over again at 50, at 18, and at 70.

I love How to Age Disgracefully. I love a caper, and Daphne runs hers with skill and intelligence. She is the driving force behind these people rediscovering their own strengths, and I wish I can be half the woman she is when I get to 70. But Daphne is nothing without the rest of her crew, and every character in this book shines in their own story as well. If I could, I would get this book into the hands of every reader over the age of 40 or so, especially those who are feeling that life may not hold as many surprises from that point on. This book is entertaining as well as inspiring. Book clubs should eat this up. Middle aged women should eat this up. Anyone needing to pivot and find a new passion should eat this up. It’s just that good.

Egalleys for How to Age Disgracefully were provided by Pamela Dorman Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

3 1/2 stars. In a small town in England, the community center - that houses a senior social club and a daycare - is going to be shut down by the city council, unless funds can be found to repair it. Eventually, the seniors team up with the daycare next door and hatch a plan to save the center. When I first started the book, I had a hard time differentiating between the characters. They were all completely different, but for some reason I couldn't keep them straight. Once I jotted down some notes about the seniors' backstories, it was easier to tell them all apart. From the book's description, I was a little worried the story would be too precious for my taste, but for the most part that wasn't the case. Thank-you to NetGalley, Pamel Dorman Books, and Ms. Pooley for the ARC of this title.

Lydia is taking on a new job running a social club at The Mandel Community Center. She is the nicest woman who cares about people. She is married to a miserable and selfish man and while you won’t like him we do need him in this story - he has a part to play. As to our Seniors - Art is an actor with few parts coming his way. Art has a friend, William who is a retired paparazzo and is the most neutral of the characters. William’s job is to look out for Art, to encourage him to make sure he continues on. Pauline is a retired headmistress who you won’t like and it doesn’t matter. There is a dog named Margaret Thatcher, a little boy named Lucky who isn’t and who has never spoken. Ruby will knit anything and she does - pay attention to Ruby. Anna mows down anyone who steps in front of her walker - and she tends toward very distinctive hair colors. Then there is Daphne who is at the center of it all - her still waters run very deep. These over seventies want to skydive, target practice, speed date, learn martial arts, perform synchronized swimming or go-karting - don’t even mention bingo. There are other important people on the nursery school side of the community center, but I will leave you to discover them at your own pace.

There is so much more to this than a bunch of septuagenarians getting together at a senior center trying to make friends, enjoying activities, living the best of their days and then of course they have to try to save the center from the council and the developers. This was funny, very funny and I have to admit to coffee snorting moments. There is poignancy, ageism and more but it is just a wonderful, upbeat and did I mention that it is often laugh out loud hilarious writing that can pull you out of a foul mood. The characters are great, the writing is super and the dialog is - just read this book.

A million thanks to Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for a copy.

Clare Pooley's "How to Age Disgracefully" presents itself as a witty and candid guide to navigating midlife and beyond with humor and grace. Known for her engaging writing style and heartfelt storytelling, Pooley dives into the complexities of aging with a blend of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and philosophical reflections.

One of the book's strongest points is Pooley's ability to infuse humor into what can be a daunting topic. She approaches aging not as a decline but as an opportunity for self-discovery and reinvention. Her anecdotes about embracing wrinkles, navigating empty nest syndrome, and redefining personal goals resonate with authenticity and warmth, making her a relatable guide for readers facing similar life stages.

Moreover, Pooley's writing is marked by its accessibility and inclusivity. She tackles sensitive subjects such as menopause and societal expectations of aging with empathy and understanding, creating a safe space for readers to confront their fears and uncertainties about growing older. Her practical tips on maintaining physical and mental well-being, coupled with her infectious optimism, inspire a sense of empowerment rather than resignation.

However, despite these strengths, "How to Age Disgracefully" occasionally falls short in its depth of exploration. While Pooley excels in providing lighthearted anecdotes and surface-level advice, some readers may find themselves wanting more profound insights or deeper reflections on the psychological and emotional aspects of aging. The book's breezy tone, while appealing, may not fully satisfy those seeking a more substantive exploration of midlife challenges.

Furthermore, the organization of the book could be more cohesive. Chapters sometimes feel loosely connected, with transitions between topics occasionally abrupt. This disjointedness can disrupt the flow of the narrative and make it challenging for readers to engage fully with Pooley's message.

In conclusion, "How to Age Disgracefully" by Clare Pooley is a charming and uplifting exploration of embracing life's later stages with humor, resilience, and authenticity. Pooley's genuine voice and relatable anecdotes make this book a delightful read for anyone navigating midlife transitions or contemplating the journey ahead. While it excels in its light-hearted approach and practical advice, readers seeking a more profound exploration of aging may find themselves wanting more depth. Overall, Pooley succeeds in celebrating the joys and challenges of growing older while encouraging readers to approach aging with grace and a sense of adventure.

This book was a charming read filled with a group of quirky characters that you will come to love. When a group of seniors refusing to age, all with their own past secrets, come together to save a community center with the help of the daycare children that also use the facility and a mangy mutt all heck breaks loose (in the best possible way). This book was a delight from start to finish. Heart touching alongside the laugh out loud moments, this book will give you all the feels as you root for them to save the day as they learn to deal with their own pasts and figure out what’s best for their futures. Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

5 Stars
How To Age Disgracefully
Clare Pooley

With total transparency, I must tell you that this will not be your typical book review. First, I must confess my absolute fanwoman love for Clare Pooley's books. I find her books to be humorous, insightful, entertaining, shocking at times, and just laugh -out-loud fun! How To Age Disgracefully was a delight to read, especially in a time of stress, worry and anger in our country. It's a great escape book - I'm happy to be surrounded by Pooley's interesting characters and just not want to leave their world. How she develops her characters throughout the story and integrates them into the reader's heart is a skill many writers strive to achieve and one that Pooley has definitely accomplished with ease. I love that she has chosen a demographic that is often overlooked in today's literature and let's us read in awe of the adventurous, clever, and dynamic crew that is energetic, resourceful and doesn't take No for an answer - talking to you now, Daffy! I also enjoyed the Iona Iverson update and I hope Pooley continues that tradition in future novels. My recommendation- Try her stories Now! You won't regret it! (Now wondering if she needs anyone in her marketing department or to travel with her on book tours...)

Deep thank you to @NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the eARC of How to Age Gracefully by Clare Pooley. All opinions are my own.

I truly think that I am the minority here, but this book was just not for me. I didn't find myself connecting with any of the characters and l very much felt as though the book was dragging on. l couldn't find it within myself to continue on and so I DNF'd around 60%. Again, I think a lot of people will enjoy this book so don’t let my review deter you from checking it out!

Clare Pooley’s "How to Age Disgracefully" is a delightful and refreshing take on growing older with style, humor, and a rebellious spirit. Known for her candid and humorous writing style, Pooley doesn’t disappoint in this exploration of navigating life beyond middle age with grace and a touch of defiance.

The book is a collection of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and witty observations that challenge conventional notions of aging. Pooley tackles topics such as societal expectations, beauty standards, relationships, and personal fulfillment with a blend of wisdom and irreverence. Her writing is infused with a genuine warmth and authenticity that makes you feel like you’re chatting with a wise friend over a cup of tea.

What sets "How to Age Disgracefully" apart is its empowering message. Pooley encourages readers to embrace their age proudly, reject stereotypes, and live life on their own terms. She champions self-acceptance and celebrates the richness of experience that comes with getting older.

Throughout the book, Pooley’s trademark humor shines, offering laugh-out-loud moments while delivering profound insights. Whether she’s debunking myths about aging or sharing her own hilarious mishaps, her storytelling is engaging and relatable.

Furthermore, "How to Age Disgracefully" isn’t just about laughing at the quirks of getting older; it’s a celebration of resilience and the wisdom that comes with each passing year. Pooley’s writing is peppered with encouragement and practical tips for making the most of life at any age, making this book not just entertaining but also genuinely empowering.

In conclusion, "How to Age Disgracefully" is a must-read for anyone who wants to approach aging with humor, grace, and a healthy dose of rebellion. Pooley’s wit, wisdom, and infectious positivity make this book a joy to read and a valuable guide for embracing life’s later chapters with gusto.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. the premise intrigued me but the writing was slow and meandering in such way that it was hard to want to continue. this book had no business being 350 pages. i also think the focus on weight and fatness was unnecessary, especially having a negative connotation and not just a one or two time .

Clare Pooley is the queen gathering an assorted bunch whose lives improve when together. The note from the author was very interesting, explaining that her motive for this group was to have seniors depicted with skills that could benefit younger generations. This one was fun.

Clare Pooley is batting a thousand for me! I love her ability to take such different people and weave stories that celebrates their differences and surprising similarities.