Daphne and Art are two single septuagenarians living in London. When they happen to meet on the street they get off on the wrong foot but they have a lot more in common than they realise, particularly a deep loneliness.

They both decide to join a senior citizens club at their local community centre which is run by Lydia, a middle-aged mother and wife struggling with an empty nest, low self esteem and an awful husband. The community centre also houses a nursery attended by Ziggy’s daughter, as a single teenage dad he relies heavily on the centre’s care. So when urgent repairs threaten the demolition of the community centre, the characters pull together in an attempt keep what they have going.

I absolutely loved this, it was the perfect novel to accompany me on my holiday. It was witty, heartwarming and fun. I laughed out loud a good few times and became really invested in the characters’ individual stories and the overall plot. There’s a lot that goes on in this book as each chapter alternates between these four characters, but it remains easy to follow and touches on a few emotional topics in a clever way.

Reading about a cool, powerful 70 year old who doesn’t let her age or peoples’ perceptions of her age stop her was refreshing and uplifting.

A very comforting, wacky read and definitely one for you if you love the Thursday Murder Club characters!

I’ve now added The Authenticity Project and The People on Platform 5 to my TBR.

How to Age Disgracefully
by Clare Pooley

A fabulously well written book. The story centres around the main characters were all great bunch eccentric Septuagenarians, secrets abound there’s a kleptomaniac actor ,a daredevil on a mobility scooter with a number husbands dying mysteriously, a former paparazzi photographer, a secret knitting bomber to name but a few.

There are very poignant moments that will have you chocking back a tear or two and humour that has holding your sides in laughter all trying to save their sadly neglected community centre by fair means or fowl. To save the nursery ,AA as well as the senior citizens club meeting place. I want to grow up to be like that!

A brilliant read a page turner from start to finish wondering who the police are looking for.

I loved it! I was torn between devouring it and keeping it for as long as possible. I think I was caught at the very interesting prologue. Then as the story started to unfold I got to love nearly all the characters. I love reading about senior characters and this motley crew of the members of this senior citizens' social club are something else. The author chose some characters and in turns followed their storyline. These mature people are not your stereotypical pensioners. A gerilla knitter, a retired truck driver lady, etc.The main character is Daphne, a mysterious lady who becomes the leader of the group.They have a mission: to save the community centre which houses their social club among others. During the events you cannot but admire their gumption.
I loved every page of this book and was really sorry to say goodbye to the people in it. Clare Pooley is an excellent writer. I also loved Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by her.
I can recommend this book to everyone. You are in for a treat.

How to age disgracefully by Clare Pooley is a very entertaining and engaging story about a senior citizens’ centre and a daycare centre that inhabit the same building.
Lydia takes a job running a senior citizen’s centre three times a week and imagines it would be really easy and rewarding.
The members of the Senior Citizens Social Club have their own agenda rather than Lydia’s.
The result is a healthy chaos where all the clubs that meet up combine their resources to keep the club going by one way or another.
A very entertaining, funny and very humorous look at all of the varying characters involved.
Highly recommended

Lydia, an empty nester, opens an over 70’s social club at the Mandel Community Centre. Daphne who has just had a big birthday is on a mission to make new friends and decides to join the group. On day one, the roof collapses killing one of the members, leaving her dog, Maggie Thatcher, ownerless. When the council threaten to close the community centre because of the collapse, this group of over 70’s (Art, William, Anna and Ruby) masterminded by Daphne, hatch a plan to save the centre, roping in the nursery, AA and other groups that use the centre too.

An absolutely brilliant, laugh out loud read, literally from page one when the mini bus is pulled over. Viva Daphne!!!!’

I loved this book - I could not put it down - it was delightful!

The Mandel Social Centre needs to be saved. The recently established Senior Citizen’s group set up by Lydia is determined to raise the funds to save it. Each brings their own talents to the enterprise with hilarious results. They are organised by Daphne - who is more than she seems. She is determined to resolve this crisis as well as Lydia’s marital woes and set the teenage father of one of the nursery children on the right track as well as finding herself friends and a purpose!

Working together their unorthodox methods might work as long as they can keep ahead of the authorities.

A lovely heartwarming read about the value of friendships, loyalty and positive thinking.

To be recommended.

Everything you'd expect from Clare Pooley. Funny, comforting and full of characters I adored. It did take me a few chapters to settle into the story. but once I did I loved every page.

This is one of those books you're sorry to finish. Pooley is so clever the way she writes about a group of people, all different ages and from different backgrounds, yet somehow they become friends. There's humour, but there are also some poignant moments. A great read. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Funny, lighthearted, emotional and creative… this book takes a mish mash of characters old and young, throws them together and let’s wacky hijinks ensue. I loved Pooley’s earlier book The People on Platform Five, and it was great to see Iona Iverson’s advice column from that book get a mention here. If you love feisty characters and slice of life stories that tie everything together so we see characters come together and grow, you’ll love this. And who among us doesn’t want to be Daphne when we grow up?!

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

This was a delightful read, full of memorable characters that were so fun to read about. I raced through this book in 2 days, fun and touching, it was a fantastic read.

With her 70th birthday in the rear view mirror Daphne, who is by no means ready to say goodbye to all the pleasures of life and settle quietly into old age, meets some likeminded folks at the nearby senior centre.

They all have certain aspects of their past (and not so long past) behaviour that they would rather not have too closely scrutinised, but the quirky group of friends is getting along famously when they receive the unwelcome news that the senior centre is being closed down after an unfortunate incident.

But this group of seniors is not ready to roll over and die just yet, and they have allies in the battle - however unlikely those allies may seem! This is a story full of humour, warmth and the value of community, and it'll go down a treat with this author's fans and, most likely, expand her readership.

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #howtoagedisgracefully #netgalley

Daphne is a widow who moved from her lovely home into a retirement complex 15 years ago and made herself housebound however on her 70th birthday she decides to start living. With her first stop at the community centre pensioners club. Here her life entwines with the lives of others. Will they grow old gracefully or disgracefully?

This book found its way into my emails from publisher who gave me a widget. Clare is one of my favourite authors so I have been waiting for another from Claire and here it is.

This book covers some very emotional but modern topics which are essential to be spoken about. It really turns traditions, old beliefs and values on their head although shows how all of these are still firmly engrained into modern society. These topics cover death, ageism, stereotypes, gangs, crime, single parenthood, emotional abuse and blackmail as well as many social topics amongst other things. All of these topics are written to show how life has its challenges not always due to someone's own actions and how you don't have to live the life your handed. This book shows how vulnerability across the ages may look different but the thoughts, feelings, emotions and outcomes are no different and everyone can learn from shared experiences.

As with her other books Clare has not disappointed. She has a very special writing talent which is done seamlessly, artistically and sympathetically to the characters. It is something special and she entwines multi view points in the correct way that shows you a little more about each person in each chapter while they move the joint story along.

This book is another true page turner from Clare with twists and turns to the very end.

Cannot wait for the next Claire Pooley novel.

📖 REVIEW 📖

How to Age Disgracefully by @clare_pooley

Publishing on the 20th June by @penguinrandomhouse @transworldbooks

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Well Clare Pooley has done it again! What a book! I read it in three days.

Lydia is convinced her new senior citizen group, three times a week, will involve drinking lots of tea, playing cards and making simple crafts. She really didn’t take into account the type of person who would be attending.

This book is a celebration of the older generation. I don’t think I’ve ever loved a cast of pensioners more. I would happily hang out with them all. Daphne stood out as someone I’d aim to be like when I reach that age. She is smart, she is sassy and she doesn’t suffer fools. If this book was ever made into a film, I could see Helen Mirren playing the part of Daphne.

Daphne wasn’t the only strong character in this book. All the others were unique and hilarious too. I loved the mix of young and old in this book and how age really is just a number. Clare smashes all the stereotypes associated with ageism.

I would advise everyone to grab a copy of this book when it comes out. You are in for such a treat!

I don’t often give 5 stars without a book having something extra special….and this one made me laugh out loud! Daphne decides to join a local pensioners group after having isolated herself at home for a number of years and, helped by her new acquaintances, sets upon a mission to save her local community centre from being closed by the council. Fabulously funny characters, a feel good storyline about community, friendship and relationships and, of course, the amazing Daphne. Loved it!

Having loved both 'The Authenticity Project' and 'The People on Platorm 5' by Clare Pooley I had high expectations for 'How to Age Disgracefully' - I certainly wasn't disappointed.
Lydia, a middle-aged woman takes on a job at the local community centre running an 'Over 70s Social Group'. The experience Lydia was expecting in her new role certainly was very different to the reality! The author introduces us to a host of colourful characters including Art, a failing actor and kleptomaniac, Daphne (is that her real name?) hiding from an 'interesting' past, Ruby the Banksy of the knitting world, Ziggy a teenage Dad and a dog named Maggie Thatcher to mention a few!
When the council threaten to close the community centre the group pull together using dubious means and well learnt skills to try and save the centre.
A very uplifting and heart-warming read which at times is both sad and hilarious in equal measure. Definitely one not to miss and another triumph from one of my favourite authors.
I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced reader copy of this highly recommended book.

A real 'feel-good' wholesome book illustrating the importance of social inclusion and community spirit throughout all Life stages, whatever your gender ~ Written with such humour and reality of life in today's society this just has to be Clare's best novel to date

I've also reviewed on my Instagram ~ The Reflective Cafe

One of the best books I've read in a very long time - just brilliant. The title says it all - so many different characters, all pursuing their own lives, in their own ways irrespective of what is the right or wrong way to do it! Loved it - can't recommend it enough. Daphne was my hero.

What an extraordinary tale! It's truly inspirational, filled with joy, upliftment, and humor!

Daphne is an exceptional individual who understands that age is merely a number. She demonstrates incredible strategic thinking by challenging herself, on her 70th birthday, to form new friendships and perhaps even find love.

To achieve this, she becomes a member of the senior club at the Mandel Community Center, a place encompassing various services such as a socially disadvantaged kindergarten, courses for expectant mothers, and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Unfortunately, tragedy strikes during the very first senior club meeting, setting off a chain of events that brings trouble to all involved. Thankfully, Daphne and her meticulous plans prevent everything from falling apart.

This wonderful novel introduces relatable, vibrant, and endearing characters, promoting understanding across generations, and offering plenty of humor and love. It is brimming with action and suspense, making it a captivating read that had me glued to the page until the very end.

Truly masterful!


p.s. This book is an absolute must-read for those who found laughter in Hendrik Groen's diaries.

Such a lovely, joyful, fun read. Perfect entertainment and I'd love a sequel already. I'm going to be Daphne when I grow up!

At Your Peril..
Daphne decides that she needs some friends. The thought of a senior citizen’s club really doesn’t appeal - yet she takes the plunge and her expectations are turned on completely on their head. To her utter delight, these people are similar minded - maybe, just maybe, they also have a past just like hers. When the local council decide to close down their club, no issues are expected by them. They’re senior citizens…right? Just one thing - underestimate this group at your peril! With a keenly observed cast of eccentric characters, a pacy narrative and many threads, this is a fun and frothy romp through the later stages in life - funny, heartwarming and an absolute blast. A feel good read for our times.