Take a photo of a barcode or cover
okiecozyreader's reviews
1236 reviews
The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I love the question at the end of the book in the author’s note, “When faced with the impossible choice, what would you choose to protect: your conscience or your family?”
This is a book about family. Told in alternating povs between the daughter in law Zoe (a social media darling), and the daughter Myra (who is renovating a private island), this uber-wealthy Indian family comes together on the island to celebrate the parents’ anniversary (and to hear what the succession plan is for their company). Of course, all 3 of their children are hopeful for the largest cut of the estate to solve their problems - and they all have problems and secrets.
Pretty much everyone is unlikeable - but it is a fun case of rich people behaving badly and the twists at the end surprised me in the way they were told. I still have a couple questions about people that I wish were answered, but it kept me turning pages.
“Or maybe it's because I know that no matter how lively our gatherings and how heartfelt our claims about family and loyalty, when it comes down to it, we all have our own agendas.
And when push comes to shove, none of us will hesitate to take what we believe is ours.” P38
This is a book about family. Told in alternating povs between the daughter in law Zoe (a social media darling), and the daughter Myra (who is renovating a private island), this uber-wealthy Indian family comes together on the island to celebrate the parents’ anniversary (and to hear what the succession plan is for their company). Of course, all 3 of their children are hopeful for the largest cut of the estate to solve their problems - and they all have problems and secrets.
Pretty much everyone is unlikeable - but it is a fun case of rich people behaving badly and the twists at the end surprised me in the way they were told. I still have a couple questions about people that I wish were answered, but it kept me turning pages.
“Or maybe it's because I know that no matter how lively our gatherings and how heartfelt our claims about family and loyalty, when it comes down to it, we all have our own agendas.
And when push comes to shove, none of us will hesitate to take what we believe is ours.” P38
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, and Fire/Fire injury
This Changes Everything by Tyler Merritt
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
3.5
Tyler Merritt of course, narrates this book, which he mentions continues the story of his life from his first memoir. This one, however, begins at the moment he is awaiting a six month checkup for a cancer diagnosis, and in parts, he wrote “in real time,” as he was experiencing the wait. Then he goes back and describes what the process has been like for him and lessons he has learned. He has other information interspersed to break it up some. I am curious what it’s like to read the physical copy, because the audio seems very much like a conversation. I can’t imagine audio isn’t the way to go for this one.
Chapter 7
“I say all this because I think most of us dramatically underestimate not only what we could go through, but what we have been through.”
Enjoyed the Life Lessons in Chapter 13: (esp this one)
“Life may be a "day at the beach," but it's not a day at the beach in San Diego. It's a "day at the beach" like Omaha Beach during D-Day. Life is quite hard, and the sooner I realize that, the sooner I can prepare and stop complaining that the world won't devote itself to making me happy.”
Thank you libro.fm for providing audiobooks to librarians! I enjoyed listening to this one.
Chapter 7
“I say all this because I think most of us dramatically underestimate not only what we could go through, but what we have been through.”
Enjoyed the Life Lessons in Chapter 13: (esp this one)
“Life may be a "day at the beach," but it's not a day at the beach in San Diego. It's a "day at the beach" like Omaha Beach during D-Day. Life is quite hard, and the sooner I realize that, the sooner I can prepare and stop complaining that the world won't devote itself to making me happy.”
Thank you libro.fm for providing audiobooks to librarians! I enjoyed listening to this one.
The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow by Elaine Dimopoulos
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
4.5
This book, at 181 pages, is such a great middle grade read. I thought it was cute and funny, and tells the story of a rabbit Butternut, who kind of reminded me of Peter Rabbit. She is a little over adventurous and often goes beyond the area that is safe. Not for carrots, like Peter rabbit, but because she is curious and begins to care about other animals. There is adventure, with a sassy blue jay and a coyote, but it is a story of how animals come together. I loved the illustrations, by Caldecott winner Doug Salati!
“Our greatest fears can indeed come to life. And when we face them, they’re scary—but sometimes in a completely different way than we expected.” Ch 2
Remember this about milkwood:
“Most animals can’t eat milkweed, because its sap contains a poison—but monarch caterpillars can. When these caterpillars turn into butterflies, birds and other animals that would ordinarily love to chomp on insects avoid monarchs because the milkweed in their systems makes them toxic to eat.” Ch 3
“This was why Mother and Grandmother told us to use our milkweed, keep our heads down, and concern ourselves with rabbit affairs.” Ch 4
“Sometimes it is a little gift to discover that a listener already knows a story you intend to share.” Ch 10
“But I knew what it felt like to have sisters and brothers, who stood by me even if they didn’t always understand me. And now I had two good friends. I’d never really thought about how every day of his life, Blue…had no one.” Ch 16
“Even if he has a tiny treasure box of goodness, the rest of him has been filled with mold and grime for years.” Ch 16
Loved this so much:
“I wish things had turned out differently.
There’s a twist here. It changes the climax of my story.
Maybe you saw it coming, and maybe you didn’t. It depends on how many stories you’ve read. And whether you like to make predictions, or to hand control over to the storyteller and let her float you along the river of her tale.
Narrative twists are fun because they surprise and unsettle you.” Ch 20
“Our greatest fears can indeed come to life. And when we face them, they’re scary—but sometimes in a completely different way than we expected.” Ch 2
Remember this about milkwood:
“Most animals can’t eat milkweed, because its sap contains a poison—but monarch caterpillars can. When these caterpillars turn into butterflies, birds and other animals that would ordinarily love to chomp on insects avoid monarchs because the milkweed in their systems makes them toxic to eat.” Ch 3
“This was why Mother and Grandmother told us to use our milkweed, keep our heads down, and concern ourselves with rabbit affairs.” Ch 4
“Sometimes it is a little gift to discover that a listener already knows a story you intend to share.” Ch 10
“But I knew what it felt like to have sisters and brothers, who stood by me even if they didn’t always understand me. And now I had two good friends. I’d never really thought about how every day of his life, Blue…had no one.” Ch 16
“Even if he has a tiny treasure box of goodness, the rest of him has been filled with mold and grime for years.” Ch 16
Loved this so much:
“I wish things had turned out differently.
There’s a twist here. It changes the climax of my story.
Maybe you saw it coming, and maybe you didn’t. It depends on how many stories you’ve read. And whether you like to make predictions, or to hand control over to the storyteller and let her float you along the river of her tale.
Narrative twists are fun because they surprise and unsettle you.” Ch 20
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This is the bookclub book everyone is talking about. I have about 5 bookclubs reading it through July!
“The farmer is dead, he is dead and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”
So begins this story where there is a murder (the reader doesn’t exactly know who or why), but someone wants answers. Then the book goes back a bit in time to 1968 when Gabriel returns to Meadowlands, and Frank tells Beth he is back.
Then before, 1955, when Beth first meets Gabriel.
The story continues to weave between 1968 and 1955, focusing on Beth’s life, her son Bobby, her husband Frank and her brother-in-law Jimmy.
The book is broken into 5 parts: 1 -Gabriel, 2-Bobby, 3-Jimmy, 4-Frank, 5 (almost an epilogue). The storyline continues mostly the same way throughout all parts of the book. I didn’t think the sections necessarily featured the person it was titled more than the rest of the book, but maybe, some.
This is a heart pounding story of love and loss (in so many ways - check triggers if you have any). It is a quick moving book that reads easily. The ending surprised me in one way I wasn’t expecting.
“I'd forgotten how young children, much like animals, can sense your pain without being afraid of it.” P34
“A stark reminder, if ever there was one, that you could never be too careful on the farm.” P122
“Where will it end, all this unresolved grief that has no place to go?” P133
“The farmer is dead, he is dead and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”
So begins this story where there is a murder (the reader doesn’t exactly know who or why), but someone wants answers. Then the book goes back a bit in time to 1968 when Gabriel returns to Meadowlands, and Frank tells Beth he is back.
Then before, 1955, when Beth first meets Gabriel.
The story continues to weave between 1968 and 1955, focusing on Beth’s life, her son Bobby, her husband Frank and her brother-in-law Jimmy.
The book is broken into 5 parts: 1 -Gabriel, 2-Bobby, 3-Jimmy, 4-Frank, 5 (almost an epilogue). The storyline continues mostly the same way throughout all parts of the book. I didn’t think the sections necessarily featured the person it was titled more than the rest of the book, but maybe, some.
This is a heart pounding story of love and loss (in so many ways - check triggers if you have any). It is a quick moving book that reads easily. The ending surprised me in one way I wasn’t expecting.
“I'd forgotten how young children, much like animals, can sense your pain without being afraid of it.” P34
“A stark reminder, if ever there was one, that you could never be too careful on the farm.” P122
“Where will it end, all this unresolved grief that has no place to go?” P133
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
Animal Farm by George Orwell
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
I have really enjoyed reading and studying this book with friends. I may have read it in college, but I don’t remember, for sure.
This is such an interesting look at how Orwell viewed Stalin and put his government into a simplistic story based on animals.
In Animal Farm, the animals take over from Mr Jones, believing he is making their life hard, and create 7 rules for animals. By chapter 3, the pigs already do not work and begin controlling the animals by use of dogs (fear) and propaganda from Squealer.
What is shocking and sad to me, is how the animals couldn’t really remember what life was like before - better or worse, so they easily believed what the pigs (Napoleon, Squealer) said.
I can see how it represents many totalitarianism regimes throughout history and gives a warning to us today, to not be easily appeased and to fight for democracy.
“Snowball… painted out MANOR FARM from the top bar of the gate and in its place painted ANIMAL FARM.” P24
“… the pigs had succeeded in reducing the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments.” P24
“Sometimes the older ones among them racked their dim memories and tried to determine whether in the early days of the Rebellion, when Jones’s expulsion was still recent, things had been better or worse than now. They could not remember. There was nothing with which they could compare their present lives: they had nothing to go upon except Squealer’s list of figures, which invariably demonstrated that everything was getting better and better.” P130
This is such an interesting look at how Orwell viewed Stalin and put his government into a simplistic story based on animals.
In Animal Farm, the animals take over from Mr Jones, believing he is making their life hard, and create 7 rules for animals. By chapter 3, the pigs already do not work and begin controlling the animals by use of dogs (fear) and propaganda from Squealer.
What is shocking and sad to me, is how the animals couldn’t really remember what life was like before - better or worse, so they easily believed what the pigs (Napoleon, Squealer) said.
I can see how it represents many totalitarianism regimes throughout history and gives a warning to us today, to not be easily appeased and to fight for democracy.
“Snowball… painted out MANOR FARM from the top bar of the gate and in its place painted ANIMAL FARM.” P24
“… the pigs had succeeded in reducing the principles of Animalism to Seven Commandments.” P24
“Sometimes the older ones among them racked their dim memories and tried to determine whether in the early days of the Rebellion, when Jones’s expulsion was still recent, things had been better or worse than now. They could not remember. There was nothing with which they could compare their present lives: they had nothing to go upon except Squealer’s list of figures, which invariably demonstrated that everything was getting better and better.” P130
People of Means by Nancy Johnson
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
From the author of THE KINDEST LIE comes this multi-generational story of women, who are of college age. Beginning in Nashville in 1959, Freda attends Fisk University, following in both her parents’ footsteps. Her father also was a Meharry [Medical School] man.
“[Her father] saw higher education as their people’s true emancipation.” Ch 1
Freda instantly connects with a musician and activist Darius. Her parents want a safe life for her and set her up with medical school bound Gerald.
“Love had a funny way of splitting a woman in two, dividing her heart and loyalty at the root.” Ch 30
In the next chapter or so, we meet Freda’s daughter Tulip in the south side of Chicago in the 1990s. Tulip is also going to Fisk and similarly is drawn to world events and activism. Her parents try to guide her to a safer life, and she struggles to decide her own path.
In the author’s note, Johnson says “I keep thinking about what stops us from standing up for what we believe in and fighting for the change we want to see in the world. What holds us back from living life fully on our own terms?” We see this passing down through 3 generations of women.
This book discusses love, loss, family, coming of age and of course, civil rights activism from the 1960s (Martin Luther King Jr - I loved the info about Nat King Cole) and 1990s (Rodney King). It is well-paced and kept me turning pages through both alternating timelines (and the ending I did not see coming).
“And so began her dating life at Fisk, every man she met auditioning to be her husband without knowing it, possibly being the one.” Ch 2
“Where a lesser man might have held on to a grudge, Key opened his hand and set it free like a caged bird.” Ch 4
“This was her generation’s first real connection to a protest movement. Everything else had been hearsay—history from her parents’ era that she benefited from but would never understand for herself. A time and a struggle that didn’t belong to her.” Ch 9
“Everybody deserves to go after one big dream in life.” “Not everybody can afford to dream. Sometimes you need a plan. And you need money to make that plan real.” Ch 13
“[Her father] saw higher education as their people’s true emancipation.” Ch 1
Freda instantly connects with a musician and activist Darius. Her parents want a safe life for her and set her up with medical school bound Gerald.
“Love had a funny way of splitting a woman in two, dividing her heart and loyalty at the root.” Ch 30
In the next chapter or so, we meet Freda’s daughter Tulip in the south side of Chicago in the 1990s. Tulip is also going to Fisk and similarly is drawn to world events and activism. Her parents try to guide her to a safer life, and she struggles to decide her own path.
In the author’s note, Johnson says “I keep thinking about what stops us from standing up for what we believe in and fighting for the change we want to see in the world. What holds us back from living life fully on our own terms?” We see this passing down through 3 generations of women.
This book discusses love, loss, family, coming of age and of course, civil rights activism from the 1960s (Martin Luther King Jr - I loved the info about Nat King Cole) and 1990s (Rodney King). It is well-paced and kept me turning pages through both alternating timelines (and the ending I did not see coming).
“And so began her dating life at Fisk, every man she met auditioning to be her husband without knowing it, possibly being the one.” Ch 2
“Where a lesser man might have held on to a grudge, Key opened his hand and set it free like a caged bird.” Ch 4
“This was her generation’s first real connection to a protest movement. Everything else had been hearsay—history from her parents’ era that she benefited from but would never understand for herself. A time and a struggle that didn’t belong to her.” Ch 9
“Everybody deserves to go after one big dream in life.” “Not everybody can afford to dream. Sometimes you need a plan. And you need money to make that plan real.” Ch 13
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Police brutality, and Classism
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Such a unique novel, The Light Pirate wasn’t what I was expecting. Cli-fi, dystopian, climate fiction about a life in Florida, in the not so distant future, in which hurricanes destroy so much, and the ocean waters rise, and Florida begins returning to its natural state.
“A lonely pirate and her light. A seeker and her sight.”
P319
4 parts: —-
Power: Frida is pregnant and her husband Kirby is a lineman. Hurricane Wanda is coming and lots of things aren’t right. I loved Frida’s thoughts about motherhood.
“It wasn’t always like this. She used to be brave. Didn’t she?”
…
See, she tells herself, it isn’t real. No one else feels it. Everything is fine. She holds this assurance. Examines it. Does she feel better? Maybe.
…
Everything is not fine.” P6-8
“The truth is, Kirby’s happiest when he’s fixing things. Sometimes she worries that this is the reason he married her.” P10
Water—
Such an interesting section - Kirby’s life is so different. Lots of adjustments. His daughter Wanda is a few years old and has a scare. He puts her in the care of a survivalist named Phyllis, and her love for nature soars.
“All she knows is that she fels different, like something inside her that used to be closed is now open.” P111
“Curiosity never retires.”
…
“Because everything is changing. And the way it's changing….. well, I'm curious about it. We all should be curious about it, because the way we live has to change, too.” P13:
“Adaptation always comes back to survival,…” p160
(Went on a deep dive about Dinoflagellates and Bioluminescence in shorelines)
Light—
Wanda becomes her own woman.
“Over the years, Phyllis taught her to think of the light as a tool. She taught her to use it sparingly.” P221
“And in the center of the clock, inside the now - choices gather, waiting to be made. The swamp is alive with information. Dangers and saviors. Lovers and predators. The lie is in the separation. The truth is always growing.” P280
Time—
A short section at the end, we see how time has come and gone - and what remains. Looking forward to discussing with my bookclub - there is a lot to discuss!
This book does deal with a lot of grief, tough living and tough decisions. It’s not for the faint of heart or a light read. But it is a read that makes you think about nature and how it adapts and changes.
“A lonely pirate and her light. A seeker and her sight.”
P319
4 parts: —-
Power: Frida is pregnant and her husband Kirby is a lineman. Hurricane Wanda is coming and lots of things aren’t right. I loved Frida’s thoughts about motherhood.
“It wasn’t always like this. She used to be brave. Didn’t she?”
…
See, she tells herself, it isn’t real. No one else feels it. Everything is fine. She holds this assurance. Examines it. Does she feel better? Maybe.
…
Everything is not fine.” P6-8
“The truth is, Kirby’s happiest when he’s fixing things. Sometimes she worries that this is the reason he married her.” P10
Water—
Such an interesting section - Kirby’s life is so different. Lots of adjustments. His daughter Wanda is a few years old and has a scare. He puts her in the care of a survivalist named Phyllis, and her love for nature soars.
“All she knows is that she fels different, like something inside her that used to be closed is now open.” P111
“Curiosity never retires.”
…
“Because everything is changing. And the way it's changing….. well, I'm curious about it. We all should be curious about it, because the way we live has to change, too.” P13:
“Adaptation always comes back to survival,…” p160
(Went on a deep dive about Dinoflagellates and Bioluminescence in shorelines)
Light—
Wanda becomes her own woman.
“Over the years, Phyllis taught her to think of the light as a tool. She taught her to use it sparingly.” P221
“And in the center of the clock, inside the now - choices gather, waiting to be made. The swamp is alive with information. Dangers and saviors. Lovers and predators. The lie is in the separation. The truth is always growing.” P280
Time—
A short section at the end, we see how time has come and gone - and what remains. Looking forward to discussing with my bookclub - there is a lot to discuss!
This book does deal with a lot of grief, tough living and tough decisions. It’s not for the faint of heart or a light read. But it is a read that makes you think about nature and how it adapts and changes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I have really been looking forward to reading this and I loved it! I started it on audio and it was ok, but I ended up getting a physical copy with Jordy’s Bookclub and I really enjoyed listening to the songs while I read the book. I think it made a big difference in my enjoyment of it. I didn’t know most of them, but I had fun searching for them (I know there is a playlist on Spotify but I don’t pay for it, and I wanted a specific song while I was reading. Playlist here though: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ZN7YF1Kn24S2kaEGF5JOz?) I love music and this is my taste of music - I love a singer songwriter. I may have bought a few songs while I listened.
Percy and Joe have the best conversation about music - what is the perfect track / a perfect recording vs a perfect song. Joe is writing music and Percy edits his lyrics but he tells her that he only wants her as a writing partner. Her roommate Zoe is a lesbian who has been with Joe for family reasons, but is such an incredible friend to Percy. Not a love triangle, but more of a circle of friends who try to navigate life in their twenties.
I guess I can see the comparisons to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow (friendship over music instead of video games) or Daisy Jones. The author mentions that she always wanted to write a book about music and references High Fidelity. I feel like I want to send a copy to my friends I discuss music with.
“Their songs simply can't qualify as deep cuts because of their popularity among a certain subset of collegiate, … I personally like to pretend the phrase "deep cut" has a totally different meaning, one that has nothing to do with anyone else's opinion. How deep does it cut? How close to the bone? How long do you feel it?” P27
“But maybe Joe saw me clearly, the way some people can look at an abstract painting and instantly discern the figure.” P 47
“That's why the song was so short, I decided —because connection, like memories, came in the briefest of flashes.” P62
“Because "Our House" isn't about Joni Mitchell.
And "A Case of You" isn't about Leonard Cohen, and
"Chelsea Hotel #2" isn't really about Janis Joplin ei-ther. We are all just writing about ourselves.”p118
“She wants to be the only one. She wants him as her deep cut, a B-side unearthed from a rarities bin, proof of her own specialness because she's the one who discovered it, because she doesn't know how to sing her own damn song.” P236
Percy and Joe have the best conversation about music - what is the perfect track / a perfect recording vs a perfect song. Joe is writing music and Percy edits his lyrics but he tells her that he only wants her as a writing partner. Her roommate Zoe is a lesbian who has been with Joe for family reasons, but is such an incredible friend to Percy. Not a love triangle, but more of a circle of friends who try to navigate life in their twenties.
I guess I can see the comparisons to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow (friendship over music instead of video games) or Daisy Jones. The author mentions that she always wanted to write a book about music and references High Fidelity. I feel like I want to send a copy to my friends I discuss music with.
“Their songs simply can't qualify as deep cuts because of their popularity among a certain subset of collegiate, … I personally like to pretend the phrase "deep cut" has a totally different meaning, one that has nothing to do with anyone else's opinion. How deep does it cut? How close to the bone? How long do you feel it?” P27
“But maybe Joe saw me clearly, the way some people can look at an abstract painting and instantly discern the figure.” P 47
“That's why the song was so short, I decided —because connection, like memories, came in the briefest of flashes.” P62
“Because "Our House" isn't about Joni Mitchell.
And "A Case of You" isn't about Leonard Cohen, and
"Chelsea Hotel #2" isn't really about Janis Joplin ei-ther. We are all just writing about ourselves.”p118
“She wants to be the only one. She wants him as her deep cut, a B-side unearthed from a rarities bin, proof of her own specialness because she's the one who discovered it, because she doesn't know how to sing her own damn song.” P236
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Lucie Stone works as a mechanic and a somewhat single mom of a 12 year old daughter Maya. One night Lucie hears her daughter talking to someone on the phone and realizes that she is on air, talking to a radio host about her mom’s lack of a love life. When Lucie goes on air and the episode goes viral, the failing radio show wants Lucie to find the love of her life on the radio.
I thought the romance was cute and I enjoyed it. It gets pretty spicy in a few scenes (which I skipped, so I don’t know how spicy it got).
The audio was fantastic with two narrators (male and female) and some radio sounds. Thank you libro.fm for providing audio copies to librarians!
Kind of reminded me of Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon.
“I don’t want to try. All I do is try. All day long, I’m trying and I’m so tired. Why can’t this be the one thing I don’t have to try at? Why can’t it be a thing that just…happens? I don’t want—I don’t want to think about what I should say or how I should act or…or have talking points in the notes app of my phone for a dinner date at a restaurant that I don’t really like.” Ch 3
“I wish there was a guidebook for this. An instruction manual that could tell me how to take myself apart and put everything back together so l'm good as new. I wish I knew how to make sense of my pieces.” Ch 4
“Well, this is embarrassing.
"It's really not. It's lovely, actually. It's honest in a way most things aren't." Ch 20
“Isn't that how it goes? The most precious, delicate things wedge themselves between the plans you've made for yourself.” Ch 29
I thought the romance was cute and I enjoyed it. It gets pretty spicy in a few scenes (which I skipped, so I don’t know how spicy it got).
The audio was fantastic with two narrators (male and female) and some radio sounds. Thank you libro.fm for providing audio copies to librarians!
Kind of reminded me of Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon.
“I don’t want to try. All I do is try. All day long, I’m trying and I’m so tired. Why can’t this be the one thing I don’t have to try at? Why can’t it be a thing that just…happens? I don’t want—I don’t want to think about what I should say or how I should act or…or have talking points in the notes app of my phone for a dinner date at a restaurant that I don’t really like.” Ch 3
“I wish there was a guidebook for this. An instruction manual that could tell me how to take myself apart and put everything back together so l'm good as new. I wish I knew how to make sense of my pieces.” Ch 4
“Well, this is embarrassing.
"It's really not. It's lovely, actually. It's honest in a way most things aren't." Ch 20
“Isn't that how it goes? The most precious, delicate things wedge themselves between the plans you've made for yourself.” Ch 29
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
“Where’s the fun in aging gracefully?” said Daphne. “Personally, I intend to age as disgracefully as possible.” P52
If you liked Iona Iverson (who gets a mention in this book!), I think you would enjoy this motley group of characters from a community center, who begin as not really friends but grow to care about each other through some strange situations, beginning with a police stop of their vehicle. Many in the van think it’s them and admit their guilt, while the officer gets nowhere finding the person of interest.The community center is set to be demolished, and as they get to know each other more, the more they want to preserve it for others.
“Why was it that people assumed you could throw a total group of strangers together and, just because they were approximately the same age, they’d get along? It might work with five-year-olds, but not with septuagenarians who’d accumulated vastly different life experience, bad habits, and entrenched opinions.” Daphne p38
Funny, witty and a little wild, this story made me laugh and was good for my soul.
“I prefer my friends to have experience, wisdom, and a few guilty secrets,”… p367
Yarnsky was my favorite!!
“This is CREATIVITY! YOU UTTER PHILISTINE!” said Daphne. “It’s the work of the infamous Hammersmith Banksy of yarn bombing. Yarnsy, if you like. Do you want to be the official who’s all over the internet for destroying a unique work of art?!?”
In the author’s note, Pooley writes “It often feels like the only role of a pensioner in fiction is that of a sad, lonely, hopeless technophobe, adrift in modern society, who is then saved by the kindness of a younger person…
I wanted to create older characters who are bossing it. Pensioners who are showing the younger generation how to navigate life, rather than vice versa.”
“When researching the Hatton Garden jewelry heist of 2015, carried out by a gang of eight men who were almost all in their sixties and seventies. It made me realize that the invisibility of aging is the best disguise.
…
I loved the idea of older people who refuse to age gracefully, or to play by the rules.”
If you liked Iona Iverson (who gets a mention in this book!), I think you would enjoy this motley group of characters from a community center, who begin as not really friends but grow to care about each other through some strange situations, beginning with a police stop of their vehicle. Many in the van think it’s them and admit their guilt, while the officer gets nowhere finding the person of interest.The community center is set to be demolished, and as they get to know each other more, the more they want to preserve it for others.
“Why was it that people assumed you could throw a total group of strangers together and, just because they were approximately the same age, they’d get along? It might work with five-year-olds, but not with septuagenarians who’d accumulated vastly different life experience, bad habits, and entrenched opinions.” Daphne p38
Funny, witty and a little wild, this story made me laugh and was good for my soul.
“I prefer my friends to have experience, wisdom, and a few guilty secrets,”… p367
Yarnsky was my favorite!!
“This is CREATIVITY! YOU UTTER PHILISTINE!” said Daphne. “It’s the work of the infamous Hammersmith Banksy of yarn bombing. Yarnsy, if you like. Do you want to be the official who’s all over the internet for destroying a unique work of art?!?”
In the author’s note, Pooley writes “It often feels like the only role of a pensioner in fiction is that of a sad, lonely, hopeless technophobe, adrift in modern society, who is then saved by the kindness of a younger person…
I wanted to create older characters who are bossing it. Pensioners who are showing the younger generation how to navigate life, rather than vice versa.”
“When researching the Hatton Garden jewelry heist of 2015, carried out by a gang of eight men who were almost all in their sixties and seventies. It made me realize that the invisibility of aging is the best disguise.
…
I loved the idea of older people who refuse to age gracefully, or to play by the rules.”