February is Spunky Old Broads Month — a celebration dedicated to the incredible accomplishments of older women. Here at Bookstr, we celebrate spunky old broads all year long! Older women often go overlooked in media, and the literary world is no exception. A 2019 survey found that 47 percent of women over 40 believed there were not enough books about older women. More than half of these women thought that older women in literature were often depicted in stereotypical or cliched ways.
Well, these three “women of a certain age” are no slouches. They solve mysteries, embark on road trips, and tough out the apocalypse. Whether you’re a golden girl yourself or an old soul, you’re sure to fall in love with one of these spunky old broads.
HOT PICK
Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Trigger warning: This book contains discussions of human trafficking. Please exercise personal care while reading.
SYNOPSIS:
Fresh off solving a murder, teahouse owner Vera Wong finds herself booked, busy — and a little bored. Then a distraught young woman turns up searching for a missing friend. The friend turns out to be influencer Xander Lin, recently found dead in San Francisco’s Mission Bay. But Xander has the cops stumped: Despite his lavish social media lifestyle, nobody actually seems to know who he is.
Clearly, they need Vera’s help to crack the case.
WHY:
Readers fell in love with this meddling Chinatown auntie in Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, currently slated for an on-screen adaptation. Now, she’s back for another round of sleuthing in a follow-up that promises all the warmth, heart, and motherly mischief of the original. Vera has a special way of worming into people’s lives and hearts — and maybe, dear reader, she’ll find her way to yours.
COFFEE SHOP READ
Sylvia’s Second Act by Hillary Yablon
SYNOPSIS:
After catching her husband in bed with another woman, 63-year-old Sylvia decides it’s time for a change. She wants out of her marriage — and out of the Boca retirement community where she’s spent the past few years. With her best friend, Evie, in tow, Sylvia sets off for Manhattan, teaming up with a former business rival to revive her wedding planning business. But with all these soon-to-be newlyweds surrounding her, the question remains: Can Sylvia find love again?
WHY:
It’s never too late to find a second wind! Hillary Yablon’s debut novel is a fun romp celebrating transformation and the wisdom that comes with age. Sharp, sophisticated, and resourceful, Sylvia is an unflappable force of personality determined to live life on her own terms. You’ll want to be just like her when you grow up.
DARK HORSE
Candelaria by Melissa Lozada-Oliva
Trigger warning: This book contains depictions of cannibalism and other content readers may find disturbing. Please exercise personal care while reading.
SUMMARY:
Candelaria intends to spend Christmas Eve on the beach with her lover, Mauricio. Never mind her daughter Lucia’s frantic calls about Candelaria’s struggling granddaughters. Bianca’s archaeology career is in shambles, recovering addict Candy is newly pregnant, and the missing Paola has reappeared as a member of a wellness cult.
But none of this matters to Candelaria until a catastrophic earthquake devastates the streets of Boston. As she traverses the city to get to safety, the fate of her family — and, possibly, the world — rests on her shoulders.
WHY:
Candelaria is based on a poem by Lozada-Oliva titled How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse As An 82-year-old Guatemalan Grandma. If that’s not enough to grab you, the novel’s multifaceted exploration of generational trauma may do the trick. Alternating between the perspectives of Candelaria and her family, Candelaria fuses horror, humor, and drama for a uniquely entertaining take on diasporic storytelling.
Older women deserve their chance in the spotlight. After all, you’re never too old to have an adventure! Make sure to join us in the next edition of Three to Read for more excellent book picks!
Want more spunky old broads? Click here. For more Three to Read recs from Team Bookstr, click here.
Find these and other great reads at our Three to Read Bookshelf on Bookshop.
