A lovely uplifting read from Clare Pooley especially for someone in the 70+ age group. It is nice to see someone acknowledge that older people still have lives and feelings. I laughed and cheered along with the seniors as they dealt with the challenges life threw at them in their own unique ways. The author includes a non speaking 5 year old, an 18 year old single father and his baby and a menopausal downtrodden group leader in her mix of characters for variety and boy does it work. All the characters have full back stories and at various stages in the book these are used to full advantage. This was my first Clare Pooley book but it certainly won't be my last. If you want a feel good, laugh out loud, read you won't go wrong with How to Age Disgracefully.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I was excited to read this as I enjoyed reading 'The People on Platform 5' last year. 'How to Age Disgracefully' is about a group of people who meet at Mandel Community Centre and are brought together by their desire to save the centre. The story was a little slow to get going after an initial chapter with the policy looking for someone. What it was doing was building the characters and letting you get to know them all and Clare does this brilliantly. Although there are lots of different characters I was never confused about who was who. About half way through, I couldn't put this book down. I was rooting for this unlikely group of friends to save the centre and curious who the police were after. A wonderfully heart-warming story and I would read more from Clare Pooley in future.

A really funny, heartwarming and inspiring story. I’m exactly Daphne’s age and totally understand and emphasis with the way she feels, although I haven’t got her dodgy background!

All the characters in the book have interesting back stories that are revealed throughout the book making them interesting and believable. The cause they all fight for makes you want them to succeed- it’s also a familiar story. I loved it all, fabulous book and an original angle to look at the elderly wisely

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Clare Pooley's book was an absolute gem for me, a five-star read that left me eager for more of her work!
From the very first page, I was captivated by Lydia, the main character who finds herself in a whirlwind of eccentricity and mischief. The characters are like nobody you've ever met - a kleptomaniac ex-actor, a mysterious woman with a hidden past, and a grandma who's a graffiti artist with yarn! These characters are crafted with depth and charm and I assure you, they will stay with you even after you've closed the book.

This book has so many moments that made me giggle like an idiot. But there are other emotions entangled within these pages as well, written beautifully.

'How to Age Disgracefully' has a squad of seniors as the main crew. It's not often you come across such a vibrant and diverse group of older characters taking the spotlight. Clare Pooley absolutely nailed it with this book.

If you're looking for a story that combines humor, heart, and a wonderful cast of characters, then this book is a must-read. Trust me, you're in for a treat!

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley is one of the most funny books I have read recently.
The plot revolves around two unlikely groups at a local community center: a daycare center and a senior citizens' club. As the city council decides to tear down the center and sell it off, unlikely alliances are formed between the members of both groups, which have nothing in common. 
From the senior group of septuagenarians to toddlers as young as less than a year old get together to save the community center. There are unexpected friendships that come out of this giving the perfect lead-up to found family trope.  What ensues is a series of events that are hilarious, thrilling as well as heartbreaking, and heartwarming at the same time. As everyone gets their act together for the community center, skeletons start coming out from every senior member's closet. Apparently, they are not at all what everyone expects of the elderly. This is what I liked best about the book; Pooley has written characters that break the generic stereotypes of older people: frail, slow, unimaginative, and docile. In fact, each senior character has a surprising and quite interesting backstory, giving them a lot of complexity and depth. From a former gang member who was part of a famous heist, to a woman truck driver whose multiple husbands died under mysterious circumstances, and a yarn bomber called Yarnsky (after Bansky), who knits gigantic objects and secretly puts them over public properties. 
Along with this bunch of colorful characters, I also liked how Pooley takes the plot forward by giving us different character perspectives across each chapter. Finally, she neatly ties up the climax with the prologue, which I found to be a brilliant writing technique to keep readers hooked on the book. 
For those in a reading slump, How to Age Disgracefully might be just the book that will get you back to reading. This book was definitely a refreshing interlude for me since I am in between reading some serious and intense non-fiction. And if you like books with feisty old women protagonists, this is perfect. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, especially because it reminded me of another favorite from last year, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

I have been a huge fan of Clare Pooley ever since I read The Authenticity Project, and this new book doesn't disappoint at all. Clare writes such wonderful characters and creates worlds where people are extraordinary in their goodness...even if it is shown in some non-usual ways. They may be curmudgeonly, impatient, or have secret past lives but when the chips are down, they are there for people. We need more people like Clare's characters in the world!
My favourite characters were Art and William. I loved their relationship, it was so easy but so deep - they just accepted each other fully and knew when to push and when to back off. That doesn't mean I didn't love all the others though, there were some fierce and inspiring (in many different ways...I'm looking at you Yarnsy!) women within the pages who I thought were just brilliant. Also, little Lucky with his perfectly timed and pitched first words had me howling.
Clare's humour always hits just right for me, it has that unique quirky Britishness and quick one-liner retorts that make you chuckle to yourself and wish you could respond like that in real life. This book particularly reminded me of Sue Townsend's style of writing, which I hope Clare sees as the compliment I meant it to be.
The story is bonkers but absolutely believable - you never know who anyone really is or what they will do when put into crucial situations...and you should never underestimate older women. We are full of rage and have nothing to lose! It has everything: romance, suspense, dastardly plots, found family, redemption, comedy. You'll be hard pushed to find a better way to spend a few hours than in the company of the Mandel Community Centre's various groups.

How To Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley was absolutely hilarious. So much so that in one chapter, I sprayed tea all over my kindle because I laughed mid-sip 🤦‍♀️

Our main madam, Daphne, decides on her 70th birthday that she needs a bit of a life overhaul. She joins the local senior citizens club to try and make some friends, but during her first meeting there’s a nasty accident which sees her thrown into a battle to save the local community centre from being closed down. Enter the band of senior citizens, children from the nursery, one teenage dad and an ownerless dog! Cue hilarity, absurdity and wit! And we have ourselves an absolutely smashing little comedy.

This story is told from multiple POVs and each of the characters is lovable, funny, quirky and perfectly imperfect. I absolutely adored Daphne… she’s such a badass and I hope that when I’m her age I am that cool. The Authors Note at the end was really lovely, and Ms Pooley, if you’re reading this, I think you’re a fabulous writer who’s so far from redundancy!

This little gem will be out 20th June 2024 and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! ✨

Thank you Clare Pooley for being that rare novelist who can make me laugh out loud and keep me totally engaged from start to finish. I am so pleased that writers are using us older people as the central characters for novels, we have all lived messy complicated lives although maybe not quite as interesting as this particular heroine. The characters are engaging and the storyline races along with a happy outcome for all, a thoroughly engrossing couple of hours. Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Saved this book for after surgery in hospital, not a wise move in hindsight. This had me laughing out loud and really cheered me up.

I totally agree why bother being prim and proper life is for living and hopefully enjoying. If a few good stomach laughs come along then all the better. I really like the characters, no one were who they seemed to be to the outside world.

This book pointed out that generational gaps can be crossed if all parties are willing to work at it. Innocence from the youngsters versus wisdom (not always( from the older generation.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me stomach ache whilst in hospital through laughing.

Claire Pooley has firmly become one of my auto-buy/request authors. Everything she has written, I have loved.

Pooley has a special skill for writing about the people we don’t necessarily think about in this genre, particularly those of an older generation. Why people don’t write about OAP’s more often I don’t know. As characters they offer a wealth of history, experience and knowledge coupled with a certain come what may attitude that adds a great deal of humour to the narrative.

I highly recommend joining this motley crew of teens and pensioners on their heartfelt and hilarious journey to save their local community centre. I dare you not to enjoy yourself…this is British at its best!

This is my first book by Clare Pooley, and it won't be my last!

This was such a lovely, fun, laugh out loud book proving that age really is just a number.
Following the antics of Daphne, Art, Ziggy and Lydia who, along with the rest of the group who are trying to stop the community centre from closing down.
The characters that Clare has created in this book, make you wish they were all your family.
Lydia, the menopausal 54 year old who is suffering from empty nest syndrome, along with alot of other issues (Jeremy!!!!!) to Ziggy the 18 year old Dad to 8 month Kylie, who is just a baby himself, Art the has been actor who is just a lost soul and Daphne who has just turned 70 and is lonely and needs a new purpose in life.

This book had me chuckling from start to finish.
Thank you Clare and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

I laughed out loud so many times with this book!

It was refreshing to see a bunch of older people getting on with life and struggles, and how they beat their demons. Lovely to see how they get together to save their community centre, Loved how it challenges so many stereotypes when it comes to older people. It was so funny, can't remember when it was the last time I laughed reading a book, Daphne is my spirit animal lol

This book had me chuckling ffom the start. I smiled at what I was reading, chuckling again and some more serious real life moments all covered.

I’ve not read any books by this author previously, but definitely would going forward if they’re all as good as this,

Hooked from the beginning…. 🤣

This book had me hooked from the very beginning… the prologue made me laugh, often I smiled at what I was reading, chuckling again and some more serious real life moments all covered.

I’ve not read any books by this author previously, but definitely would going forward if they’re all as good as this, I’ll be in for a good read ‘🤓 do not disturb’ 😂🤣

I have loved both of Clare Pooley’s previous books and it’s nice to be able to confirm that this one is just as good with her mixture of quirky characters and humour in familiar settings.
Daphne is a very prickly 70 year old who has realised that she is completely alone in the world and decides to do something about it. She decides that she needs to make friends and decides to go along to the inaugural meeting of a senior citizens club. There she meets other, very disparate pensioners as well as who is dipping her toe back in the employment market by running this club.
The main focus of the book is the plan to save the community centre but it’s really about the interactions between the characters. I loved the teenage father, Ziggy and his story of having to give up his dreams in order to care for his baby daughter was really touching. There is also a lot of humour too including one or two laugh out loud moments which is really rare for me.
I wasn’t sure about the effectiveness of starting with the ending and found it a bit jarring at first. However, once I got into the swing of the book, I was carried away by the brilliant storytelling.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a gentle, warm-hearted story with brilliant characters and a good smattering of humour.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Random House UK, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for opportunity to review.. Easy reading and good fun. It was refreshing to have pensioners as the main characters. Who have a bit of character. Good holiday read.

Received via netgalley as an ARC copy

Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this book, I thought I was going to love it, but I found it draining to read and ended up a DNF at 22%

Not a bad book, concept is good, It just didn't keep my attention

As always Clare Pooley did not disappoint. Lots of quirky characters and finding out each of their stories. I did not want to put this book down - a heart warming story of a group of people coming together to support their community and each other. I got drawn in to each character wanting to know more about them and how things will end. Definitely worth a read.

I loved this book. It was so refreshing to read a book where the characters are older and, to my mind, more interesting. Highly recommended

A fun and funny gentle read around a group of septuagenarians meeting in a local community hall in Hammersmith doomed by the council who refuse to spend money on it. Some really quirky characters who are utterly delightful as well as eccentric mostly with dodgy pasts with the star of the show Daphne who has spent 15 years as a relative recluse. Thrown in the mix is young Ziggy, an intelligent 18 year old taking on the looking after and welfare of his baby daughter, Kylie whilst being targeted by local gangs. Wonderfully heartwarming and just joyful to read with plenty of good heartedness and community spirit. Restores ones faith in humanity.