New Hat Books

A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles DickensThree ghosts convince Scrooge that life has meaning if you embrace it. Dickens is known for his characterization of older people as well as younger–think Miss Haversham with her old wedding cake. A MAN CALLED OVEby Fredrik BackmanDon’t dismiss cranky old people. (Swedish movie based on book 2016; American movie named A Man Called Otto with Tom Hanks). ABOUT SCHMIDT by Louis BegleyRecently widowed and retired, his life has turned to shambles until he embarks on a quest to stop the wedding of his only daughter to a waterbed salesman and instead finds himself. (Movie of same name with Jack Nicholson). AND EVERY MORNING THE WAY HOME GETS LONGER AND LONGER by Fredrik BackmanBackman has written a number of good books about older people(A Man Called Ove; Britt Marie; etc.) Grandpa struggles to keep his memories alive as he shares them with his family. ANGLE OF REPOSE by Wallace StagnerAn ailing history professor retires to family home in Grass Valley, California to write a biography of his elegant but tough grandmother. In writing about her and the American West, he finds echoes of himself. BRITT MARIE WAS HERE by Fredrik BackmanA Swedish housewife with a domineering and neglecting husband takes off to be a youth soccer coach although she knows nothing about the game. The neglected kids and Britt find a way. BUCKET LIST by Rachel HannaA woman finishes her best friend’s daredevil bucket list. This is not related to the movie of the same name. DRIVING MISS DAISY by Alfred UhryThe place is the Deep South, the time 1948, prior to the civil rights movement and 72 year-old Daisy can’t drive anymore. This is definitely a case of one door closes, another opens as Hoke and Miss Daisy’s relationship evolves over 25 years into a profound friendship. Uhry wrote the book based on his 1986 play. (Movie 1989) DUMB WITNESS by Agatha ChristieThis is a Hercule Poirot mystery and he is not past midlife, but there is an evocative portrait of the older victim in this mystery as well as some interesting characterizations of elderly villagers. On the other hand, Ms. Christie's other detective, Miss Jane Marple, embues a 'sensible shoe and shawl' senior vibe to all her endeavors. FRIED GREEN TOMATOES AT THE WHISTLESTOP CAFEby Fannny FlaggSet in Alabama tells the story of Evelyn Couch and Ninny Threadgoode’s friendship that connects the past and present. The movie (Fried Green Tomatoes) is based loosely on the book. IT'S NOT ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE by Terry McMillanLoretha’s mother and twin sister keep telling her, at 68, it’s all down hill from here. She is determine to prove them wrong, that it’s not all downhill, but at 68 she loses her husband and she has to prove it to herself that it’s not going to be all downhill. Poignant and funny. KING LEAR by ShakespeareNot funny, King Lear would say it is all downhill. Daughters can be trouble in old age. LADIES LUNCH by Lore SegalSegal is a master of short stories and in this new collection turns her eye to old friends who have lunched together for over 40 years. These sharp-minded nonagenarians offer startling insights into friendship, family and aging. LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtrySet in the 1870’s the story centers around the relationships between several retired Texas Rangers and their adventures driving a cattle herd from Texas to Montana. Themes include old age, death, unrequited love, and friendship MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND by Helen SimonsonThe proper and charming Major leads a quiet life in a small English village, but his brother’s death sparks a friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. MEMENTO MORI by Muriel SparkThis 1959 novel is about death–specifically about how it is perceived, feared, denied, and anticipated …An anonymous caller reminds several elderly people about death and they all react differently. MRS. PALFREY AT THE CLAREMONT by Elizabeth TaylorThis novel has been described as humorous and sad, and chronicles the post war elderly British well-to-do residents of the Claremont hotel who fend off boredom and the grim reaper with gossip, dark wit and an ‘inappropriate’ affair. Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia FordAn uplifting, redemptive coming-of-old-age story about 77 year old Jenny Quinn who enters a televised baking show without expecting to win. Norwegian by Night by Derek B. MillerEighty-two year old Sheldon Horowitz is transplanted from the USA to Norway to be with his granddaughter and her husband and witnesses the murder of a woman in his apartment complex; he rescues her 6 year old son and is pursued by the Balkan gang who killed the woman and the Norwegian police. Our Souls at Night by Kent HarufPere Goriot by Honore BalzacPortrait of an Artist as an Old Manby Joseph Heller Quartet in Autumn by Barbara PymRemarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van PeltAfter Tova’s husband died, she began working the night shift at an aquarium where she meets a remarkably bright detective octopus… Sipsworth by Simon Van BooeyIn a single week, a woman who is ready to die discovers an unexpected reason to live. Uplifting and lyrical. Still Life (Inspector Armand Gamach)by Louise Penney The 100 Year Old Man by Jonas JonassonAlan Karlsson is not ready for the nursing home and escapes the day before his 100th birthday party to have an adventure of a lifetime. Amusing. The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysettby Annie LyonsAt 85, all Eudora wants is to be left alone to set her affairs in order. Instead, she is drawn into a series of adventures with 10 year-old Rose and recently widowed Stanley. The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttonby F Scott FitzgeraldWe think we want to age backwards, but maybe not. The inspiration for the 2008 movie with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, plus eighteen other Fitzgerald stories The Elderly Lady is Up to No Goodby Helene TurstenMaud is an irascible 88 year old Swedish lady with no friends, family or conscience when it comes to keeping her apartment. The Gran Tour: Travels with my Eldersby Ben AitkenI snuck this one in here–it’s not really fiction, but should be. Travel writer accompanies his ‘Gran’ anda bus load of eccentric pensioners–funny and well written. The Last List of Mabel Beaumontby Laura Pearson The Leopard by de Lampedusa The Librarianist by Patrick de Witt The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rulesby Catherina Ingleman The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louiseby Colleen Oakley The Notebook by Nicholas SparksThe Old Man and the Sea by Ernest HemingwayIn a novella, an old Cuban fisherman faces an epic battle with a marlin. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo IshiguroAfter 30 years as a dedicated butler to Lord Darlington, Stevens examines the meaning of his life. Has he given up a personal life to the great master of the house and was Lord Darlington worth it. The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde PilcherAt the end of a long life, Penelope Keeling’s prized possession is The Shell Seekers, painted by her father. Her family wants to sell it. Movies 1989 1n2 2006. The Silver Ladies of Penny Laneby Dee MacDonaldTess and Orla join an over-the-hill dating service and take a Mediterranean cruise–funny and uplifting. The Summer Book by Tone JanssonIn 22 vignettes, this book tells the story of 6 -year-old Sophia, a six-year-old girl and her grandmother as they spend the summer on a tiny island in the Gulf of Finland. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy GilmanEmily Pollifax tires of garden club meetings and unexpectedly becomes a cold war spy. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fryby Rachel JoyceHarold Fry impulsively takes off on a 600 mile walk to reconnect with Queenie. She is in hospice and he hopes he can keep her alive by walking. It is an odyssey that lets him open his battered heart to the world. THESE FOOLISH THINGS by Deborah MoggachThe book that inspired "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel". TRRA LIRRA BY THE RIVER by Jessica Anderson TUESDAYS WITH by Mitch Album TWO OLD WOMEN by Velma Wallis WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gwen WHEN I'M AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLEby Sandra Martyl

Old Fogey Books

A Christmas Carol by Charles DickensThree ghosts convince Scrooge that life has meaning if you embrace it. Dickens is known for his characterization of older people as well as younger–think Miss Haversham with her old wedding cake. A Man Called Oveby Fredrik BackmanDon’t dismiss cranky old people. (Swedish movie based on book 2016; American movie named A man called Otto with Tom Hanks)About Schmidt by Louis BegleyRecently widowed and retired, his life has turned to shambles until he embarks on a quest to stop the wedding of his only daughter to a waterbed salesman and instead finds himself. (Movie of same name with Jack Nicholson).And Every Morning the Way Home gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik BackmanBackman has written a number of good books about older people(A Man Called Ove; Britt Marie; etc.)Grandpa struggles to keep his memories alive as he shares them with his family.Angle of Repose by Wallace StagnerAiling history professor retires to family home in Grass Valley, California to write a biography of his elegant but tough grandmother. In writing about her and the American West, he finds echoes of himself.Britt Marie was Here by Fredrik BackmanA Swedish housewife with a domineering and neglecting husband takes off to be a youth soccer coach although she knows nothing about the game. The neglected kids and Britt find a way.Bucket List by Rachel HannaA woman finishes her best friend’s daredevil bucket list. This is not related to the movie of the same nameDriving Miss Daisy by Alfred UhryThe place is the Deep South, the time 1948, prior to the civil rights movement and 72 year old Daisy can’t drive anymore. This is definitely a case of one door closes, another opens as Hoke and Miss Daisy’s relationship evolves over 25 years into a profound friendship. Uhry wrote the book based on his 1986 play. (Movie 1989)Dumb Witness by Agatha ChristieThis is a Hercule Poirot mystery and he is not past midlife, but there is an evocative portrait of the older victim.Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafeby Fannny FlaggSet in Alabama tells the story of Evelyn Couch and Ninny Threadgoode’s friendship that connects the past and present. The movie (Fried Green Tomatoes) is based loosely on the book.It’s Not All Downhill from Here by Terry McMillanLoretha’s mother and twin sister keep telling her, at 68, it’s all down hill from here. She is determine to prove them wrong, that it’s not all downhill, but at 68 she loses her husband and she has to prove it to herself that it’s not going to be all downhill. Poignant and funny.King Lear by ShakespeareNot funny, King Lear would say it is all downhill.Ladies Lunch by Lore SegalSegal is a master of short stories and in this new collection turns her eye to old friends who have lunched together for over 40 years. These sharp-minded nonagenarians offer startling insights into friendship, family and aging.Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtrySet in the the 1870’s the story centers around the relationships between several retired Texas Rangers and their adventures driving a cattle herd from Texas to Montana. Themes include old age, death, unrequited love, and friendship.Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen SimonsonThe proper and charming Major leads a quiet life in a small English village, but his brother’s death sparks a friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village.Memento Mori by Muriel SparkThis 1959 novel is about death–specifically about how it is perceived, feared, denied, and anticipated …An anonymous caller reminds several elderly people about death and they all react differently.Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth TaylorThis novel has been described as humorous and sad, and chronicles the post war elderly British well-to-do residents of the Claremont hotel who fend off boredom and the grim reaper with gossip, dark wit and an ‘inappropriate’ affair.Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia FordAn uplifting, redemptive coming-of-old-age story about 77 year old Jenny Quinn who enters a televised baking show without expecting to win.Norwegian by Night by Derek B. MillerEighty-two year old Sheldon Horowitz is transplanted from the USA to Norway to be with his granddaughter and her husband and witnesses the murder of a woman in his apartment complex; he rescues her 6 year old son and is pursued by the Balkan gang who killed the woman and the Norwegian police.Our Souls at Night by Kent HarufPere Goriot by Honore BalzacPortrait of an Artist as an Old Manby Joseph HellerQuartet in Autumn by Barbara PymRemarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van PeltAfter Tova’s husband died, she began working the night shift at an aquarium where she meets a remarkably bright detective octopus…Sipsworth by Simon Van BooeyIn a single week, a woman who is ready to die discovers an unexpected reason to live. Uplifting and lyrical.Still Life (Inspector Armand Gamach)by Louise PenneyThe 100 Year Old Man by Jonas JonassonAlan Karlsson is not ready for the nursing home and escapes the day before his 100th birthday party to have an adventure of a lifetime. Amusing.The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysettby Annie LyonsAt 85, all Eudora wants is to be left alone to set her affairs in order. Instead, she is drawn into a series of adventures with 10 year-old Rose and recently widowed Stanley.The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttonby F Scott FitzgeraldWe think we want to age backwards, but maybe not. The inspiration for the 2008 movie with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, plus eighteen other Fitzgerald storiesThe Elderly Lady is Up to No Goodby Helene TurstenMaud is an irascible 88 year old Swedish lady with no friends, family or conscience when it comes to keeping her apartment.The Gran Tour: Travels with my Eldersby Ben AitkenI snuck this one in here–it’s not really fiction, but should be. Travel writer accompanies his ‘Gran’ anda bus load of eccentric pensioners–funny and well writtenThe Last List of Mabel Beaumontby Laura PearsonThe Leopard by de LampedusaThe Librarianist by Patrick de WittThe Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rulesby Catherina InglemanThe Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louiseby Colleen OakleyThe Notebook by Nicholas SparksThe Old Man and the Sea by Ernest HemingwayIn a novella, an old Cuban fisherman faces an epic battle with a marlin.The Remains of the Day by Kazuo IshiguroAfter 30 years as a dedicated butler to Lord Darlington, Stevens examines the meaning of his life. Has he given up a personal life to the great master of the house and was Lord Darlington worth it.Movie 1993.The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde PilcherAt the end of a long life, Penelope Keeling’s prized possession is The Shell Seekers, painted by her father. Her family wants to sell it. Movies 1989 1n2 2006.The Silver Ladies of Penny Laneby Dee MacDonaldTess and Orla join an over-the-hill dating service and take a Mediterranean cruise–funny and uplifting.The Summer Book by Tone JanssonIn 22 vignettes, this book tells the story of 6 year-old Sophia, a six-year-old girl and her grandmother as they spend the summer on a tiny island in the Gulf of Finland. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy GilmanEmily Pollifax tires of garden club meetings and unexpectedly becomes a cold war spy.The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fryby Rachel JoyceHarold Fry impulsively takes off on a 600 mile walk to reconnect with Queenie. She is in hospice and he hopes he can keep her alive by walking. It is an odyssey that lets him open his battered heart to the world.Those Foolish Things byBasis for Exotic Marigold HotelTirra Lirra by the River by Deborah MoggachTuesdays with Morrie by Mitch AlbumTwo Old Women by Velma WallisWater for Elephants by Sara GwenWhen I’m an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purpleby Sandra Martyl