How to Age Disgracefully

A Novel

By: Clare Pooley

Narrated by: Clare Corbett

“An uproarious romp!” —People

“Pooley weaves together the most cleverly flawed and lovable characters and then sets them free to prove that we are limitless at any age.” —Annabel Monaghan, bestselling author of Summer Romance

A senior citizens’ center and a daycare collide with hilarious results in the new ensemble comedy from New York Times-bestselling author Clare Pooley

When Lydia takes a job running the Senior Citizens’ Social Club three afternoons a week, she assumes she’ll be spending her time drinking tea and playing gentle games of cards.

The members of the Social Club, however, are not at all what Lydia was expecting. From Art, a failed actor turned kleptomaniac to Daphne, who has been hiding from her dark past for decades to Ruby, a Banksy-style knitter who gets revenge in yarn, these seniors look deceptively benign—but when age makes you invisible, secrets are so much easier to hide.

When the city council threatens to sell the doomed community center building, the members of the Social Club join forces with their tiny friends in the daycare next door—as well as the teenaged father of one of the toddlers and a geriatric dog—to save the building. Together, this group’s unorthodox methods may actually work, as long as the police don’t catch up with them first.

©2024 Clare Pooley (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Clare Pooley weaves together the most cleverly flawed and lovable characters and then sets them free to prove that we are limitless at any age. HOW TO AGE DISGRACEFULLY is a love letter to the human spirit.”—Annabel Monaghan, bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script

“Funny, warm, wise, and a total riot....Clare Pooley is the best at marshalling a group of madly endearing characters, flicking her whip, and sending them careening off on a rollicking, entrancing, breakneck journey.”—Beth Morrey, international bestselling author of Clover Hendry's Day Off

“Utterly hysterical and full of heart, with hugely loveable characters, a dialogue that had me in stitches and many profound moments. A totally wonderful, spirit-lifting read!”—Hellie Acton, author of Begin Again

Exceptional storyline

The characters slowly evolved. I really didn’t know how it would turn out but boy did I laugh at times. It’s quite serious too. Throughly enjoyed it!

Great story!

I always look forward to a new read from Clare Pooley. This was funny and sweet with a great mix of dysfunctional.

Heartwarming Humor!

Vividly drawn older characters not interested in Bingo or Crossword Puzzles. Very humorous and timely.

Loved the characters

This was a very enjoyable story with characters who continued to develop throughout the book. All had layers you dont expect upon first meeting them. was sorry come
to the end of this one.

Do you want to age old and frail or do you want to go out with a bang!

I like this book because, it reminds me of my grandmother. The book is not about getting old and dying a normal routine, stale life. It's about making the best of it and having some fun while you do it!

Plot twist!!

Such a cute little book! Doesn’t end how you would expect it. Love how the author created such real characters. Worth the read!

Love This Book!

This book is so funny, and also deeply touching. I’m grateful that the ending is so good. I’m in this age group and love hearing this story about others who live full lives.

Loved all of it!!!

Amazing, fun, creative, engaging, enjoyable, intricate, and well told story!!! Wonderful narrator! I am a very picky reader and even more of a critic of narration and both the book and narrator were splendid!

Ugh, cute!

The characters were fairly diverse and all enjoyable; we love a found family. 10/10

Aging imperfections

The author wrote a feel good story about imperfect characters that put together made the perfect team. I felt part of their journey and enjoyed listening to it on my road trip.