Whether you’re participating in the Lifetime of Reading Challenge, or simply interested in reading books with elderly characters in their 90s and 100s, we’ve curated a diverse list of recommendations! Our list includes a mix of memoirs and novels with nonagenarian and centenarian protagonists.
The meaning of nonagenarian is a person between 90 and 99 years old.
What is a centenarian?
As you can probably guess from the context, centenarian means a person who is 100 to 109 years. Our book list even includes some supercentenarians who are 110 years old and older!
In selecting titles for our list of books with nonagenarian and centenarian main characters, we’ve focused primarily (but not exclusively) on contemporary stories that help us understand life in your 90s and 100s today. We’ve curated a diverse list of recommended books, ranging from cozy mysteries to literary fiction, and even a few memoir and nonfiction titles.In addition to reflecting a wide range of life experiences, the main characters also vary in ethnicity, religion, class, background, lifestyle, and more.
Best Books with Elderly Characters
Adventure
Jimmy Bluefeather
Kim Heacox
Publication Date:
09/01/2015
Setting:
Southeast Alaska
Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book
100% Would Recommend to a Friend
Book Summary
This adventure tale transports you to Southeast Alaska and into the life of 95-year-old Keb Wisting. He’s part Norwegian, part Tlingit native, and the last living canoe carver in his village. Grandson James is close to a career in the NBA when a logging accident ruins his prospects as a basketball player. So instead, a depressed James helps his grandpa finish his last canoe.
With the canoe finished, Keb, James, a few friends, and a crazy dog named Steve set off on the canoe journey of a lifetime. Paddling deep into wild Alaska, their story blends adventure, love, and reconciliation. You’ll also enjoy meeting the endearing small-town characters they encounter along the way.
The Book Girls Say…
Jimmy Bluefeather won the National Outdoor Book Award for Outdoor Literature in 2015.
One-hundred-year-old Murray McBride is the last man standing – having survived his family and friends. He’s looking for a reason to live when he meets Jason, a 10-year-old with a terminal heart defect. Jason has a list of five things he wants to do before he dies, and Murray is determined to help him.
The two navigate the perilous streets of Chicago in a ‘67 Chevy as they race against the clock that’s ticking for both of them. Along the way, Murray remembers what it’s like to be young, and Jason fights for the opportunity to grow old.
The Book Girls Say…
Told with simple prose, this short (234 pages) novel is described as poignant, emotional, and heartfelt! If you enjoy this story, you’ll also want to pick up the sequel, The Final Wish of Mr. Murray McBride.
Retired nature writer Hattie is not thrilled when a fall just before her 90th birthday lands her in Woodlands Nursing Home. Despite the pleasant name, her “room with a view” overlooks a parking lot instead of a forest. On top of the lousy view, Hattie struggles with her loss of independence and dreams of escape.
Fellow “inmate” Walter also plans to break free as soon as he gets control of his mobility scooter. He’s outgoing and thinks he’s a comedian, so he is not Hattie’s first choice for a new friend. But when Hattie and Walter discover the clandestine club, “The Night Owls,” run by Sister Bronwyn and her dog Queenie, they must join forces and slowly, unexpectedly, become friends.
If you ask May Rosevere the secret to reaching the age of 110, she’ll attribute her longevity to a slice of buttered toast each morning, a glass (or two) of sherry each evening, and the Cornish sea breeze. But there’s another secret that May never shared with anyone – not even her late husband, Charles.
When a woman in town organizes an “Adopt a Granny” program, May winds up “adopted” by her much younger, 85-year-old neighbor, Julia. Though the two don’t initially get along, they share tea together and agree to a second meeting. As they slowly become friends, they embark on a project together to unravel a family mystery.
The Book Girls Say…
This is not a heavily-plot-driven novel, but if you enjoy quaint, seaside settings and a dash of magical realism, then this book is worth your consideration. Some readers complain that some characters and topics in the book don’t have enough development or resolution, but overall this novel receives high ratings. And the prequel to 59 Memory Lane, titled The Cottage of Curiosities, gets even better reviews.
Cecily Finn is still sharp-minded and sharp-tongued during her 97th year. She’s at the Lauderdale House for Exceptional Ladies, which is filled with women who each have a remarkable past. New volunteer Kate is less than half Cecily’s age at 40, and her life has just fallen apart.
She’s directed to Cecily’s room, as she doesn’t get any other visitors, but Cecily quickly tires of Kate’s choices in life and love. So she assigns Kate a book – Food for Thought – a 1950s cookbook full of advice and recipes for the “easily dismayed.” As Kate cooks through the book, she returns to Cecily again and again to discuss food and life.
The Book Girls Say…
While this is a work of fiction, it was inspired by the author’s grandmother and an actual cookbook. The whole book is crammed with food talk, food prep, and food eating, so if you love food novels, this is the pick for you! On the other hand, if you hate cooking or foodies, consider skipping it.
Cecily Finn takes quite a while to warm up to, so if you dislike reading unlikeable characters, this one will be a struggle. However, others immediately love her snark, so if that’s your style, it should be a winner!
The real Queen Elizabeth was 96 years old when she recently passed away. We knew her as the fiesty and sharp monarch who led the UK for seventy years, but in this fictionalized story of her life, she’s also an amateur detective.
Set in the summer of 2016, Her Majesty is ninety and still has a full schedule that includes meeting with the new prime minister and keeping an eye on the impacts of the upcoming presidential election in the States.
When a staff member is found dead inside Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s private secretary alerts her to a string of disturbing letters. In between her other responsibilities, Elizabeth must solve the mystery of a missing painting and uncover how it is connected to the death.
The Book Girls Say…
This is the second cozy mystery in the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series, but it reads as a standalone and is much more highly rated than the first book, so we recommend starting here. If you enjoy this book, you’re in luck because there are now more in the series!
Driving Miss Norma: An Inspirational Story About What Really Matters at the End of Life
Tim Bauerschmidt & Ramie Liddle
Publication Date:
05/02/2017
Setting:
Cross-Country, 32 states
Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book
100% Would Recommend to a Friend
Book Summary
This nonfiction book is part family memoir and part travelog. Norma had recently lost her husband of nearly seven decades when she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. The medical advice included surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. But she had a different vision for her waning days. Rather than spending them in a hospital bed, Norma wants an adventure.
Together with her retired son, Tim, his wife, Ramie, and their Poodle named Ringo, Norma hits the road in a motorhome, determined to see as much as possible. A once timid woman, Norma decides to say “yes” to living. State by state, she tries regional foods for the first time, goes whale watching and hot air ballooning, and mounts up for a horseback ride. With each passing mile (and thanks in part to a stop at a cannabis dispensary), Norma’s health improves, and she and her family form a tighter bond.
The Book Girls Say…
Ramie created a Facebook page called “Driving Miss Norma” to document the family’s journey. As their following grew, strangers all around the country began recommending places to stop and things to do, which helped to guide their 32-state journey. Our readers call this an uplifting, inspirational, and moving story!
Each Saturday morning, an 11-year-old boy working toward Boy Scout badges helps 104-year-old Ona. When he first begins assisting with her household tasks, she’s determined to scare him away. But despite her prickly exterior, Ona has a warm heart. Soon, she’s telling him stories from her long life.
Ona has a lot of regrets, and when the boy asks to interview her for a school assignment, she begins to open up about secrets she has kept hidden for decades.
One weekend, the boy fails to show up, leaving Ona feeling hurt and abandoned. But when the boy’s father shows up on her doorstep determined to finish his son’s good deed, Ona discovers that sometimes sharing a loss is the only way we can find ourselves again.
The Book Girls Say…
While Publisher’s Weekly called this book “devastating,” most readers say that, despite its sad elements, the book is uplifting, rather than depressing. It’s described as an inspiring story of redemption, hope, and finding one’s purpose. Reviewers specifically praise the character development throughout the novel.
Mr. Baxter, 94 years old, is not thrilled to end up as the newest resident of Melrose Gardens Retirement Home after a fall down the stairs. He planned to live out his twilight years at home with wine and music, not in a home with tea and the telly. This disconnect between his current and ideal circumstances makes him a challenging patient until he meets Gregory.
Greg is only 19, but has suffered his own extreme loss and is in danger of giving up on life. Baxter is determined to save Greg no matter what it takes, so he requests Greg’s help to pay tribute to his long-lost love, Thomas.
Baxter and Gregory escape Melrose and head for the war graves in Northern France on a final adventure for Mr. Baxter. He shares his life story along the way while helping Greg find beauty and kindness in the world again.
The Book Girls Say…
This book was recommended by one of our readers, who described it as a book that will “break your heart and give you hope in equal measure.”
HEADS UP:This book contains topics of suicide and homophobia, including homophobic violence.
At 91, Ptolemy has been largely forgotten by family, friends, and sometimes even himself as dementia sets in. His grand-nephew is the only person who keeps him grounded to the outside world. When he is killed in a drive-by shooting, Ptolemy becomes even more hermit-like.
Then, he meets Robyn, his niece’s 17-year-old lodger and the only person to take care of him at his grandnephew’s funeral. However, her kindness that day doesn’t mean she won’t challenge him. Robyn encourages Ptolemy to continue interacting with the world, which leads to a doctor with an experimental drug that will help his mind become clear again, but the treatment comes with a cost.
The Book Girls Say…
This book was turned into an AppleTV series starring Samuel L. Jackson in 2022.
Set in post-war (1947) England, the book tells the story of a ninety-year-old woman named Marvellous Ways who lives alone along a Cornish Creek. Despite her age, she still feels young at heart. She senses she’s waiting for something and often looks down the creek with the telescope, anticipating an arrival.
One day, she finds an injured soldier, Francis Drake, who has come to England to fulfill the last wish of a fellow soldier. As she cares for his injuries, Marvellous shares her life story and takes time to listen to him as well.
The Book Girls Say…
This book has a slow, poetic, magical vibe that could add to, or distract from, your enjoyment of the story, depending on your reading preferences. The author also elected to write without quotation marks, so if that style is a deal-breaker for you, skip this one.
Spans Decades, Sweden, New Mexico, Washington D.C., Indonesia, France & Iran
Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book
84% Would Recommend to a Friend
Book Summary
Described as a Swedish Forrest Gump, this centenarian novel introduces us to Allan Karlsson, who climbs out the window to escape the 100th birthday party his nursing home has planned.
Dressed in his slippers, he embarks upon a wild and hilarious journey where he encounters petty thieves, a suitcase full of money, and even an elephant named Sonya. But that is nothing compared to his larger-than-life backstory. During his long life, Allan has not only witnessed, but also played a part in, some of the 20th century’s most important events all around the globe.
The Book Girls Say…
While most reviews describe this book as hilarious, keep in mind that it’s a drier, Nordic style of humor. Some say that the chapters set in the past are less engaging than those in the present, while historical fiction fans tend to enjoy the dual timeline element. You can follow more of Allan’s adventures in the sequel, The Accidental Further Adventures of the Hundred-Year-Old Man.
At the age of 115, Wilber is the oldest man in the United States. Although his body is failing him piece by piece, his brain and eyes are remarkably bright and clear. In his final days, Wilbur develops mental powers, including reading minds and moving objects with his mind.
At first, Wilbur doesn’t know what to do with these new skills, but soon, he starts using them to benefit those around him – a diverse cast of interesting characters.
The Book Girls Say…
With elements of magical realism, bordering on fantasy, the style of this novel has been described as a mix between Stephen King and JD Salinger. That unexpected pairing has us adding this book to our TBR. The author is also a screenwriter, and reviewers comment that this story reads like a fast-paced movie that will hold your attention from beginning to end. This is a book that will stick with you!
Heads Up: Some reviewers comment on the foul language in this book, so if that bothers you, you might want to select a different title.
Ninety-year-old Hagar is quite curmudgeonly and not quiet about the fact that she’s never been happy and dislikes pretty much everyone she’s ever met.
After 17 years of living with her son and his wife, they suddenly announce that they will be downsizing and expect her to move into a nursing home. As you would expect, Hagar is not thrilled with this upcoming agreement.
The book is told from Hagar’s perspective as she tries to come to terms with aging, and also slips into memories of her first 90 years.
The Book Girls Say…
Our Canadian readers may already be familiar with this classic, which was originally published in 1964 and became required reading in many schools.
On My Own at 107: Reflections on Life Without Bessie
Sarah L. Delany with Amy Hill Hearth
Publication Date:
02/01/1997
Setting:
New York
Book Summary
This book is technically a sequel to Sarah Delaney’s first memoir, Having Our Say, which was written alongside her sister about their first century of life together.
On My Own at 107 reflects on Sarah’s time at age 107, which was the first year she had lived without her sister, who passed away at age 104.
The Book Girls Say…
While the book talks about the natural grief of losing someone you’ve lived with for 104 years, reviewers also call it heartwarming and inspirational. It’s a short read, so perfect if you’re pressed for time. But if you’re able, consider picking up Having Our Say first to learn about the sisters’ first 100 years before moving on to On My Own at 107.
Author Diana Athill wrote this memoir on the eve of her 98th birthday. It is a follow-up to her award-winning bookSomewhere Towards the End, which she wrote at the young age of 91. After five decades working as an editor, Diana Athill has a way with words. Both books share her candid and unsentimental, yet wise and often funny, take on her life and aging in general.
Each book is under 200 pages long, so either would be a quick non-fiction pick this month.
For most of her adult life, Roseanne has been a patient at the Roscommon Mental Hospital in rural Ireland. As her 100th birthday draws near, she learns that the hospital is set to close. Week by week, as she discusses this upheaval with her psychiatrist, Dr. Grene, their relationship becomes more intense and complicated.
Told through Roseanne and Dr. Grene’s respective journal entries, and refracted through the haze of memory and retelling. What Roseanne’s writings tell us conflicts with what Dr. Grene uncovers in old documents, presenting two different versions of the truth. As the hospital closure draws near, Dr. Grene must decide what to believe. He also must ultimately determine Roseanne’s fate in her old age.
The Book Girls Say…
In this Booker Prize-nominated novel, Rosanne’s story emerges as an alternative, secret history of Ireland. She’s lived a life of terrible mistreatment, but yet one still marked by love, passion, and hope.
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Printable Version of the Challenge Booklist
Readers who support The Book Girls’ Guide through our Buy Me a Coffee (BMAC) membership site as Inner Circle or BFF members can access printable versions of the reading challenge book lists. As we update the Lifetime of Reading Challenges throughout the year according to the challenge schedule, the lists will become available in a single-page printable format for our BMAC members.
We offer two membership levels. Both our BFF members and our Inner Circle members get access to the single-page printables for the year-long reading challenges. Visit our Buy Me a Coffee membership page for a full list of benefits for each level.
Our BMAC members help cover the cost of running the challenges so we can keep them free for everyone!
If you have a suggestion for a book that you think would be a great addition to this list, please fill out this form.
Book Lists By Character Age
Links to our book recommendations for all twelve of the Lifetime of Reading challenge prompts can be found below:
We hope you enjoyed this book list and found several books to add to your TBR (to be read list). If you’re choosing a book for our reading challenge, you are also welcome to read any other book that meets the challenge prompt.
No matter our age, we can look back and reflect on how things have changed in our lifetime. But just think of the dramatic changes experienced by those who live for nearly a century of life (or more).
One hundred years ago, in the 1920s, troops had recently returned home from WWI. The newly ratified 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in the US. Although, it still would be another 45 years before Black women were able to exercise that same right.
In the US, for the first time in history, more Americans were living in cities than on farms. Although cars were considered a luxury in the early 1920s, by the end of the decade they were a necessity.
Despite prohibition (or perhaps because of it), the Twenties were a roaring time in the US. But the decades that followed brought about the Great Depression and then World War II. The latter half of the 20th century saw the Cold War, Civil Rights era, the Vietnam War, and so much more.
Throughout a century of living, today’s nonagenarians and centenarians have seen dramatic advances in technology. From the first television broadcast in 1927 to the internet. And from the first personal computers in 1974 to the smartphones that we carry in our pockets and purses today.
If you’d like to read more about how world has changed throughout the past century, join our Decades Reading Challenge. For this challenge, we read a book set in a different decade each month, including the entirety of the 20th century.
What We Can Learn From Elderly Book Characters
In the US, the average life expectancy is around 78 years old. Globally, the average is between 72 and 73 years old. While there’s a 30% chance of reaching your 90th birthday, only 14 in 1,000 people will live to be 100 years old. That means that many of us aren’t lucky enough to have 90-something or 100-something relatives and neighbors in our lives.
Thankfully, through the wonderful characters in the elderly protagonist books that we’ve listed below, we can all have the opportunity to learn a bit about life at 90 and 100+. Many of these stories involve an elderly main character forming relationships with someone from a younger generation. In these books, the senior protagonist shares their life story and imparts the wisdom that comes with old age. Another common theme among these novels with elderly characters in their 90s and 100s is a willingness to still learn and try new things at this late stage of life.
The Book Girls are best friends who jointly read over 200 books per year. We started Book Girls' Guide in 2019 to help others de-stress and find joy through the power of a great book. We do in-depth research on thousands of novels and non-fiction titles each year to provide curated book lists covering a variety of genres.
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