By Clare Pooley – Penguin Books, 2025
This novel is a funny, big-hearted tale about a group of older adults who refuse to fade quietly into the night. When Lydia takes a job running a Senior Citizens’ Social Club, she expects quiet afternoons and card games—but instead finds a lively crew with surprising pasts, bold opinions and a knack for mischief. From a former actor with sticky fingers to a yarn-bombing knitter who dishes out “revenge in yarn,” this group proves that life doesn’t stop being interesting—or meaningful—just because you’ve hit a certain age.
When the city council threatens to sell their beloved community center, the crew team up with kids from the day care next door, a teen dad and even a geriatric dog to fight back in their own wonderfully unorthodox way. This witty, charming tale celebrates older adults as vibrant, capable and important members of the community. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to be reminded that growing older can mean growing bolder.
