No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a Sixtieth Year » (Reprint)

Virginia Ironside currently writes the “Dilemmas” weekly advice column for the Independent in London. This is the author's first U.S. publication.

A screamingly funny and poignant story about embracing life beyond middle age

Marie Sharp is heading toward sixty and is just fine with it. She's already had plenty of excitement in her life: sex and drugs in the freewheeling sixties, career and children, marriage and divorce. Now she's ready to settle into a quiet, blissfully boring routine. No Italian classes or gym memberships or bicycle trips across Europe, thank you very much! Marie just wants to put her feet up and “start doing old things.”

She's even sworn off men! But as it turns out, life still has some surprises in store, the biggest of which is a new grandson on the way. What's more, Archie, her old childhood crush, suddenly reenters her life, and her closest friend falls seriously ill. Armed with a biting sense of humor, Marie wrestles with a life that refuses to follow her plans—and may still offer more possibilities than she realizes.

The Herald Sun

Marie's wicked sense of humor makes this a fun read. . . . This novel is more than a light romp. Marie shows great heart and wisdom as she experiences joys and sorrows.