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Original poster

Books about women in their 50s/60s

59 replies

changednameagainobvs · 10/01/2026 23:40

Can anyone recommend books about women in their 50s or 60s? Nothing too heavy, relatively easy to get into. Thank you.

OP posts:
Pandorea · 11/01/2026 07:04

Elizabeth Strout is amazing! Have a look at her Lucy Barton books. There’s a series and she’s mostly in her 50’s and 60’s during them although it also looks at her childhood a bit.

Philandbill · 11/01/2026 06:59

"Tom Lake" by Ann Pratchett is superb.

DoraChance · 11/01/2026 06:56

The Weekend by Charlotte Wood is pretty good

Original poster
changednameagainobvs · 11/01/2026 06:52

TabbyTom · 11/01/2026 06:47

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout.

Olive is actually an older woman, probably in her 70s, and the book is about her looking back across her entire adult life. Each chapter or story is a moment in time - about love, loneliness, regret, moving on.

It’s actually one of the best books I’ve ever read, full of great characters and so well observed - very wise and moving, but also very funny in places…

Thank you. That sounds perfect from reading the synopsis online.

OP posts:
TabbyTom · 11/01/2026 06:47

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout.

Olive is actually an older woman, probably in her 70s, and the book is about her looking back across her entire adult life. Each chapter or story is a moment in time - about love, loneliness, regret, moving on.

It’s actually one of the best books I’ve ever read, full of great characters and so well observed - very wise and moving, but also very funny in places…

Original poster
changednameagainobvs · 11/01/2026 06:23

Lengokengo · 11/01/2026 03:44

Mapp and Lucia series by EF Benson. Might not be what you are looking for though! It’s Edwardian and very funny about village life.

Thank you. I prefer contemporary books usually, but I'll have a look at them.

OP posts:
Mydadsbirthday · 11/01/2026 04:28

The Anthony Horowitz Susan Ryeland books - Magpie Murders etc. really enjoyed these on audio narrated by Lesley Manville.

HerBigChance · 11/01/2026 04:05

Simon Brett's Fethering mysteries. Two neighbours in their 50s solve mysteries on the south coast of England. He writes women well, I think.

Lengokengo · 11/01/2026 03:44

Mapp and Lucia series by EF Benson. Might not be what you are looking for though! It’s Edwardian and very funny about village life.

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