August 2025 - How to Age Disgracefully

[Kristie, Moderator]

Pragya wrote: "I finished reading the book and went through all your comments.
I really liked the book! And I agree with Kristie about how the timing is so important in your liking/ disliking a book...."

I really thought (view spoiler)[ Maggie was going to end up at one home in the end. I assumed once Lydia's husband was out of the picture, Maggie would live with her. She seemed pretty happy overall though.

I think we could all use a friend like Daphne. lol
(hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

That's interesting, Grainne. I don't think it's a spoiler. A nice touch though to have that there.

Daphne is (view spoiler)[ a firecracker! I thought it was funny how she got Ziggy to help her. She had absolutely no idea what she was doing watching a baby. lol (hide spoiler)]

[Grainne]

The relationships that they form really make this book a winner in my eyes. The characters are wonderful and they learn about each other in the most remarkable of ways.

I finished the book.
This book also goes to show the power of a whiteboard haha. (view spoiler)[ Daphne's whiteboard begins as her first baby steps out of the house and poor Art almost gets run over by it when she first buys it. She starts to write her goals which change from being purely personal to very helpful community goals. (hide spoiler)]

Ziggy
(view spoiler)[ Ziggy gets himself into a right predicament with the local law breaker and I feel so sorry for him as he struggles to protect his small daughter and himself. If it wasn't for Daphne, he could have been in a lot trouble because he is so green and young himself. It happens just as he is getting back on his feet as well. Daphne's powers of perception and her courage to go and talk to the banned substances supplier are amazing. She supports Ziggy and helps him to break free from the claws of an unscrupulous neighbour. And she even intervenes with the red-haired oboe player and explains the situation to prevent any misunderstanding with his school or with child services. (hide spoiler)]

Art
(view spoiler)[ What a performance he gives at the Mandela Community Centre! He is a natural with people and encourages all of the children to stand up and play their parts to make the nativity play possible. Talk about inclusivity as well. A male Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth and a female Archangel Gabriel star. He really opens up their world.

Will he ever learn? His 5 finger discount operation is going very well until it's not going well at all. I have to laugh at his collection of items, an Elsa dress? mascara? expired Starbucks snacks? (hide spoiler)]

Daphne
(view spoiler)[ Last but not least, Daphne is a woman with a plan and topping the list of the plan is aging gracefully in designer clothes, jewels, and stylish apartment. The only problem is she is lonely so she sets about finding her beau who is a scammer. She sets about finding friends and that works out successfully for her as she rescues them from one disaster after another. Ziggy's nemesis on the estate is arrested shortly after a visit from Daphne. Jeremy has no wife after Daphne's successful plan to oust him from Lydia's life. Art is rescued from the back office of the local shop where he has just been caught with unpaid for goods. She also helps to revive the Mandela Community Centre through the talent show escapades. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, I enjoyed this light-hearted book. It contained the right amount of wit and intelligence with sprinkles of laughter and laugh out loud scenarios. It was exactly what I needed to read. Thank you for recommending it Kristie.

[Kristie, Moderator]

So glad you enjoyed it as well, Grainne. (view spoiler)[ The whiteboard was great. It really showed Daphne's personal growth as well as her growing involvement & attachment to the community members. (hide spoiler)]

[Jayme, Moderator]

Don't forget to report your read!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...