“Winning [and] intelligent. . . . [An] impressive, often heartening addition to the literature of aging.” — Heller McAlpin, Wall Street Journal In this “unique blend of memoir and literary commentary” (Bookpage), acclaimed author and literary scholar Susan Gubar contemplates the beauty and strength of enduring love—both for her husband and for the literature that has shaped her life. Throughout the complications of devoted caregiving, her own ongoing cancer treatments, and a stressful move to a more manageable apartment, Gubar proves that love and desire have no expiration date—on the page or in life. Late-Life Love offers a resounding retort to ageist stereotypes, appraises the obstacles unique to senior couples, and celebrates second chances.

From the New York Times columnist, a portrait of a family and the cycles of joy and grief that mark the natural world: “Has the makings of an American classic.” —Ann Patchett Growing up in Alabama, Margaret Renkl was a devoted reader, an explorer of riverbeds and red-dirt roads, and a fiercely loved daughter. Here, in brief essays, she traces a tender and honest portrait of her complicated parents—her exuberant, creative mother; her steady, supportive father—and of the bittersweet moments that accompany a child’s transition to caregiver. And here, braided into the overall narrative, Renkl offers observations on the world surrounding her suburban Nashville home. Ringing with rapture and heartache, these essays convey the dignity of bluebirds and rat snakes, monarch butterflies and native bees. As these two threads haunt and harmonize with each other, Renkl suggests that there is astonishment to be found in common things: in what seems ordinary, in what we all share. For in both worlds—the natural one and our own—“the shadow side of love is always loss, and grief is only love’s own twin.” Gorgeously illustrated by the author’s brother, Billy Renkl, Late Migrations is an assured and memorable debut. “Magnificent . . . Readers will savor each page and the many gems of wisdom they contain.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Contains interviews with more than twenty older couples about their partnerships and late-life romances.

In her memoir, Francoeur discloses her discovery of a new love after nearly two decades in a relationship that won't end, despite her desire to move on. Francoeur succumbs to the intensely physical and stimulating relationship she finds with this new man and shares intimate details of a love affair that changes everything.

Many women, and a minority of men, are deciding that 'adequate' marriages are inadequate. They are driving an explosion of 'grey' divorce and remarriage in the over-50s. With children departing into their own journeys and ever-longer lives stretching out ahead, more mature adults are leaping, unconventionally and aspirationally, at a last chance at love. Most of the existing literature discourages them. The dominant mantra of books, counsellors and media is that 'staying together' is the superior, admirable choice. They insist that romantic dreams of great sex and soul mates are the Disney-esque yearnings of the naively immature. This book argues the contrary. Great relationships are not only attainable; they are a natural and admirable goal for ageing humans. And if your current mate isn't interested in working with you to craft an ever-deeper and finer partnership, then it may be your mate that requires changing - not your dreams. As a gender expert, Avivah Wittenberg-Cox frames her reflections in the context of an unprecedented, millennial shift in gender relations. As women's educational, social and economic empowerment increases, they continue to demand more for the world - and from it. This is true both at home and at work. Settling for anything less than mutually supportive, seductive and stretching relationships is so yesterday. As the number of late leavers and lovers swells, their thirst for more is redefining what relationships look like in a greying, gender-balanced world. And it looks pretty good. Many women, and a minority of men, are deciding that 'adequate' marriages are inadequate. They are driving an explosion of 'grey' divorce and remarriage in the over-50s. With children departing into their own journeys and ever-longer lives stretching out ahead, more mature adults are leaping, unconventionally and aspirationally, at a last chance at love. Most of the existing literature discourages them. The dominant mantra of books, counsellors and media is that 'staying together' is the superior, admirable choice. They insist that romantic dreams of great sex and soul mates are the Disney-esque yearnings of the naively immature. This book argues the contrary. Great relationships are not only attainable; they are a natural and admirable goal for ageing humans. And if your current mate isn't interested in working with you to craft an ever-deeper and finer partnership, then it may be your mate that requires changing - not your dreams. As a gender expert, Avivah Wittenberg-Cox frames her reflections in the context of an unprecedented, millennial shift in gender relations. As women's educational, social and economic empowerment increases, they continue to demand more for the world - and from it. This is true both at home and at work. Settling for anything less than mutually supportive, seductive and stretching relationships is so yesterday. As the number of late leavers and lovers swells, their thirst for more is redefining what relationships look like in a greying, gender-balanced world. And it looks pretty good.

‘I have fought a running battle with medicine for much of my career. I have wanted to leave it for poetry. This is the story of how that has come to change for me. And how both those worlds have at last arrived at some sort of reconciliation.’ As a youth worker, doctor and award-winning poet and children’s writer, Glenn Colquhoun has led a ‘life lived in two parts’. Writing and reading has always transported him to a world ‘flickered’ by colour, warmth and connection. Meanwhile his work as a GP in the Horowhenua has confronted him daily with scenes of doubt, dislocation and disadvantage. Late Love is a meeting of these worlds, a moving attempt to show what it is, as a doctor and writer, to be alongside people.

Love in the Late Edition is a story about a man who retires with his wife to an idyllic retirement community in California but is very soon left tragically alone. Alistair Brown is originally from Australia but has spent decades working in America, once as the editor of the local newspaper nearby, which is why he and his wife have come back to beautiful Carmelito to retire. Now, suddenly blindsided by fate, Alistair knows he must somehow find a new purpose in his life, which at first he struggles to do, often comically. Written in the style of an autobiography, Alistair's story is both funny and sad. It is full of compelling characters and memorable incidents in a world unto itself with its own attitudes and customs, a world that becomes threatened and in need of saving. Alistair, who finds fulfilment by using his old journalistic talents as editor of the community's newsletter, is able to help sound the alarm. Then something else surprising and good happens, when he least expects it. Love in the Late Edition is part love story, part homage to the newspaper business, part ode to friendship. But, most of all, it is an affirmation that while there is life there is hope, and that even in the evening of our lives we can find happiness with a fresh reason for living.