How to Age Disgracefully: A Novel BY Clare Pooley

In "Aging Gracefully," Clare Pooley delivers a heartwarming and humorous ensemble comedy set in an unlikely venue: a senior citizens' center that doubles as a daycare. Lydia, the new manager of the Senior Citizens’ Social Club, anticipates a quiet job filled with tea and card games. However, she soon discovers that the club's members are anything but ordinary.

The eclectic group includes Art, a former actor with a penchant for petty theft; Daphne, a woman with a mysterious past; and Ruby, a rebellious knitter who expresses herself through subversive yarn art. Despite their seemingly benign appearances, these seniors harbor secrets and a surprising zest for life.

The plot thickens when the city council announces plans to sell the community center, threatening the closure of both the social club and the adjacent daycare. Faced with losing their cherished gathering place, the seniors, along with their young neighbors and a teenage father from the daycare, band together in a desperate bid to save the building.

Their campaign to preserve the community center is marked by inventive and unorthodox tactics, from guerrilla knitting to staging dramatic protests. With a geriatric dog adding to the chaos, the group’s efforts are as endearing as they are unconventional.

As they rally to save their second home, Lydia and her newfound friends discover the power of community, the joy of intergenerational friendships, and the limitless potential that lies within every individual, regardless of age. Pooley’s novel is a delightful testament to the resilience and creativity that can be found in the most unexpected places, offering a charming and uplifting read that celebrates the quirks and strengths of its characters.