Order Steven’s new book: The Joy You Make

STEVEN PETROW

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STEVEN PETROW

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BEST-SELLER!

Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old

A Highly Judgmental, Unapologetically Honest Accounting of All the Things Our Elders Are Doing Wrong 

Find out more, and order your copy

On Tour

BOOKS & BOOKS AND MIAMI BOOK FAIR PRESENT…

 An Evening with Steven Petrow in conversation with Jeanne Phillips  (aka Dear Abby)

Dr. Regina Koepp

 Addressing Ageism & Age Discrimination with Steven Petrow

AGING GRACEFULLY

 Meetup Live, in a conversation with Steven Petrow 

filmwax tv

A conversation with Steven Petrow and Adam Schartoff 

What They're Saying

BOOK TOUR SUMMER 2021

WORDS BOOKSTORE

purple crow books

WORDS BOOKSTORE

Maplewood, New Jersey

June 28, 2021 at 7:30 pm

With Kim Severson of The New York Times 

Information and Registration


flyleaf books

purple crow books

WORDS BOOKSTORE

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

June 29, 2021 at 6:00 pm

With Daniel Wallace

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purple crow books

purple crow books

purple crow books

Hillsborough, North Carolina 

July 10, 2021 at 6:30 pm

Information


hampton library

bryant park reading room

purple crow books

Bridgehampton, New York

July 16, 2021 5 pm  

Fridays at Five Author Series 

Information and Registration


bryant park reading room

bryant park reading room

bryant park reading room

New York, NY

July 21, 2021 at 12:30 pm

Information

quail ridge books

bryant park reading room

bryant park reading room

Raleigh, North Carolina

July 28, 2021 at 7 pm

In conversation with David Payne 

Information and Registration 

NOW AVAILABLE!

Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old

A Highly Judgmental, Unapologetically Honest Accounting of All the Things Our Elders Are Doing Wrong 


Based on his wildly popular New York Times essay, "Things I'll Do Differently When I Get Old," award-winning journalist Steven Petrow rewrites the rules of aging — while infusing them with large dose of his signature humor, poignancy, and truth — in this must-have book for everyone on the cusp of or even just contemplating their "sunset years." For fans of David Sedaris and Nora Ephron, a humorous, irreverent, and poignant look at the gifts, stereotypes, and inevitable challenges of aging.


Soon after his 50th birthday, Steven Petrow began assembling a list of "things I won't do when I get old"--mostly a catalog of all the things he thought his then 70-something year old parents were doing wrong. That list, which included "You won't have to shout at me that I'm deaf," and "I won't blame the family dog for my incontinence," became the basis of this rousing collection of do's and don'ts, wills and won'ts that is equal parts hilarious, honest, and practical.


The fact is, we don't want to age the way previous generations did. "Old people" hoard. They bore relatives — and strangers — with tales of their aches and pains. They insist on driving long after they've become a danger to others (and themselves). They eat dinner at 4pm. They swear they don't need a cane or walker (and guess what happens next). They never, ever apologize. But there is another way...


In "Stupid Things I Won't Do When I'm Old," Petrow candidly addresses the fears, frustrations, and stereotypes that accompany aging. He offers a blueprint for the new old age, and an understanding that aging and illness are not the same. As he writes, "I meant the list to serve as a pointed reminder — to me — to make different choices when I eventually cross the threshold to 'old.'"


Getting older is a privilege. This essential guide reveals how to do it with grace, wisdom, humor, and hope. And without hoarding.



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