Being happy at 100. A murder in a retirement village. And ageing disgracefully. There’s a load of fun to be had when you’re no longer nine to five-ing!
In Clare Pooley’s How To Age Disgracefully, Daphne knows that age is just a number, but that society no longer pays her any attention – something she’s happy to exploit to help her hide a somewhat chequered past. But finding herself alone on her 70th birthday, with only her plants to talk to and neighbours to stalk online, she decides she needs some friends. Joining a Senior Citizen’s Social Club, she’s horrified at the expectation she’ll spend her time enduring gentle crafting activities. Thankfully, the other members – including a failed actor addicted to shoplifting and a prolific yarn-bomber – agree. After a tragic accident, the local council threaten to close the club – but they have underestimated the wrong group of pensioners! Penguin
If You Live to 100, You Might As Well Be Happy. Well, exactly! Rhee Kun Hoo was in his 70s and retired from his psychiatry career when he took up writing. Now in his twilight years, his lessons for a long and joyful life tells of the often-overlooked value of ageing. He shares his wisdom and philosophy for finding a life well-lived, exploring forgiveness, how to persevere (but also know when to quit) and opening yourself to the simple joys available to you every day. Life, he says, is a story worth reading until the very last page. Penguin Random House
Old Man’s Blend. Because … requirement issue. And because it’s a really fine wine … all ripe red fruit with raspberry and fresh cherry. And it’s affordable, around R115 from your local bottlestore.
After 30 years of marriage, Louisa is stunned when her husband asks for a divorce. He has, apparently, fallen in love with a young woman who, horrors, also happens to be the ex who broke their son’s heart. So off he goes to start his new life, while she sells up the family home and begins, after a while, to make some exciting life plans. Oh … and that new life of his. Living that dream is not all as hunky as he thought it would be! An Ideal Husband by Erica James is all family drama and humour and a wonderfully satisfying ending! HQ
The Summer of 1919, and following the end of the First World War, Constance is without prospects. While looking for a position as a bookkeeper or (horrors) a governess, she’s sent – rather reluctantly – as a lady’s companion to an old family friend convalescing at a seaside hotel. So sets the scene for the smashingly enjoyable new book by Helen Simsonson – The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club … all English high society and a country preparing to celebrate peace and – obviously – and handsome fighter pilot to warm things up a little. Bloomsbury
63-year-old Syliva is furious when she finds her husband in bed with another woman. But then it dawns on her … she hates living in a retirement village – it’s for old people, and she’s certainly not old. She and her 70-year-old, tremendously glamorous friend head to Manhattan to start a new life … which includes reviving her wedding planning business and being back in the dating game. Hillary Yablon’s Sylvia’s Second Act is an hilarious feel-good read, showing how growing older may not always mean growing wiser, but it certainly does mean having a lot of fun! Orion
There’s been a murder in the Shady Oaks retirement centre. The victim is a retired policeman, and his murder is soon followed by another body being discovered – that of the home’s head of security. Add one ace detective and her partner, throw in a love interest and two marvellous old biddies and you’ve a heart-stoppingly exciting read. Cheater by Karen Rose. Headline
Tired of making and endless supply of aubergine bhajis, Mrs Sidhu – caterer and amateur sleuth – is delighted when she gets offered a poition as chef in a quiet village. Until she discovers that a murderer is apparently picking victims through the fairground raffle. Mrs Sidhu’s Dead and Scone by Suk Pannu is delightfully dark. Harper Collins UK
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