No! I Don't Want to Join a Bookclub

Marie Sharp is approaching her sixties with a newfound excitement about ageing gracefully. In No! I Don't Want to Join a Bookclub by Virginia Ironside, Marie embraces the facets of getting older that many dread, with wit and an acerbic sense of humour. While she is too young to succumb to the comforts of a Stannah Stairlift or the convenience of a walk-in bath, she does enjoy the practicality of comfortable shoes. Marie is also grappling with decisions such as whether to give up sex – a topic she confronts with both trepidation and amusement.

In this candid and hilarious diary, Marie navigates her twilight years with a mixture of grumpiness and heart, reminiscent of a more mature Bridget Jones. Her reflections often shift between the struggles and joys of her age. For instance, Marie finds an unexpected joy in her baby grandson, experiencing a deep, heartfelt connection that brings new meaning to her life. Despite her frequent curmudgeonly outlook, there is a softness to Marie that surfaces as she contemplates romantic feelings beyond familial love, potentially towards someone new and exciting.

Ironside’s writing is sharp, acute, and touching. Readers will find themselves laughing out loud as they empathise with Marie's humorous laments and triumphs. As Marie juggles these small yet significant experiences, her diary becomes a charmingly realistic portrayal of ageing that offers readers both humour and poignancy in equal measures. No! I Don't Want to Join a Bookclub is a delightful read that proves that life’s later stages can be as rich and rewarding as any other.