Making the best of what's left: when we're too old to get the chairs reupholstered
(Book)
Description
"From the bestselling author Judith Viorst comes a witty and poignant exploration of the joys and sorrows of life's twilight years--one that leaves us laughing, pondering, and grateful for the moments we have left. In a career that has spanned more than fifty years, Judith Viorst has captivated readers with her bestselling children's books and collections of poetry reflecting on each decade of life. Now in her nineties, Viorst writes about life's "Final Fifth," those who are eighty to one hundred years old. Her signature blend of humor and vulnerability infuses personal anecdotes and observations, drawing you into her world of memories and candid conversations. She confesses, "I never ever send a text while driving, and not just because I don't know how to text." She discusses the afterlife (She doesn't believe in it, but if it exists, she hopes her sister-in-law isn't there). She complains to her dead husband ("I need you fixing our damn circuit breakers. I need you! Could you please stop being dead?"). And she explores the late-life meanings of wisdom and happiness and second chances and home. With a wit that defies age, Viorst navigates the terrain of loss. It's a poignant dance between grief and levity that will resonate with those in their Final Fifth as well as anyone who has parents, relatives, or friends in their eighties and beyond. This is Judith Viorst at her best"--
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Citations
Viorst, J. (2025). Making the best of what's left: when we're too old to get the chairs reupholstered. First Simon & Schuster hardcover edition. Simon & Schuster.
Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation (style guide)Viorst, Judith. 2025. Making the Best of What's Left: When We're Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered. Simon & Schuster.
Chicago / Turabian - Humanities Citation (style guide)Viorst, Judith, Making the Best of What's Left: When We're Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered. Simon & Schuster, 2025.
MLA Citation (style guide)Viorst, Judith. Making the Best of What's Left: When We're Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered. First Simon & Schuster hardcover edition. Simon & Schuster, 2025.
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Record Information
| Last Sierra Extract Time | Aug 12, 2025 10:44:06 AM |
|---|---|
| Last File Modification Time | Aug 12, 2025 10:44:16 AM |
| Last Grouped Work Modification Time | Aug 12, 2025 10:44:15 AM |
MARC Record
| LEADER | 04589cam a2200481 i 4500 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 003 | OCoLC | ||
| 005 | 20250707093139.0 | ||
| 008 | 240611t20252025nyu er 000 edeng d | ||
| 020 | |a 166806801X |q (hardcover) | ||
| 020 | |a 9781668068014 |q (hardcover) | ||
| 040 | |a YDX |b eng |e rda |c YDX |d BDX |d WIM |d HBP |d OCLCO |d OCO |d IMT |d EL | ||
| 082 | 1 | 4 | |a 155.67 |
| 100 | 1 | |a Viorst, Judith, |e author. |0 http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n78093724 |1 https://id.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39PBJpPGJqD3YrtxPTkJD9MT3 | |
| 245 | 1 | 0 | |a Making the best of what's left : |b when we're too old to get the chairs reupholstered / |c Judith Viorst. |
| 246 | 3 | |a Making the best of what is left. | |
| 250 | |a First Simon & Schuster hardcover edition. | ||
| 264 | 1 | |a New York : |b Simon & Schuster, |c 2025. | |
| 264 | 4 | |c ©2025 | |
| 300 | |a 174 pages ; |c 20 cm | ||
| 336 | |a text |b txt |2 rdacontent | ||
| 337 | |a unmediated |b n |2 rdamedia | ||
| 338 | |a volume |b nc |2 rdacarrier | ||
| 504 | |a Includes bibliographical references (pages 167-172). | ||
| 505 | 0 | 0 | |a About this book -- |t Valentine for the extremely married -- |t Home -- |t Our sensible safe retirement community -- |t Old -- |t Losing it -- |t What's left -- |t Grow old along with me and my home health aide -- |t Little while -- |t Stop being dead -- |t Counting the dead -- |t What else I remember -- |t Afterward -- |t Afterlife -- |t Happiness -- |t Getting out the vote -- |t Loneliness -- |t Jewish widow's country-western love song -- |t Community -- |t Princess Margaret, Pearl Harbor, "daffodils," etc. -- |t Wisdom -- |t Prescription -- Epilogue -- A few endnotes -- Acknowledgments. |
| 520 | |a "From the bestselling author Judith Viorst comes a witty and poignant exploration of the joys and sorrows of life's twilight years--one that leaves us laughing, pondering, and grateful for the moments we have left. In a career that has spanned more than fifty years, Judith Viorst has captivated readers with her bestselling children's books and collections of poetry reflecting on each decade of life. Now in her nineties, Viorst writes about life's "Final Fifth," those who are eighty to one hundred years old. Her signature blend of humor and vulnerability infuses personal anecdotes and observations, drawing you into her world of memories and candid conversations. She confesses, "I never ever send a text while driving, and not just because I don't know how to text." She discusses the afterlife (She doesn't believe in it, but if it exists, she hopes her sister-in-law isn't there). She complains to her dead husband ("I need you fixing our damn circuit breakers. I need you! Could you please stop being dead?"). And she explores the late-life meanings of wisdom and happiness and second chances and home. With a wit that defies age, Viorst navigates the terrain of loss. It's a poignant dance between grief and levity that will resonate with those in their Final Fifth as well as anyone who has parents, relatives, or friends in their eighties and beyond. This is Judith Viorst at her best"-- |c Provided by publisher. | ||
| 650 | 0 | |a Older people. |0 http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85002087 | |
| 650 | 0 | |a Older people |x Conduct of life. |0 http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008108619 | |
| 650 | 0 | |a Old age. |0 http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85094506 | |
| 650 | 0 | |a Old age |x Psychological aspects. | |
| 650 | 0 | |a Aging. |0 http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85002201 | |
| 650 | 0 | |a Aging |x Psychological aspects. |0 http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85002207 | |
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