Picked by League of Pensioners fans

Here are 4 books that League of Pensioners fans have personally recommended once you finish the League of Pensioners series. Book DNA is a community of authors and super-readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

Book cover of The Witches of Moonshyne Manor

Brenna Bailey Author Of A Tale of Two Florists

From my list on cozy stories about characters older than fifty.

Why am I passionate about this?

Older people have always been present and significant in my life. I read widely, and—perhaps because of my role models—I noticed there’s a lack of representation of older characters in books. I started to seek out stories with protagonists over the age of fifty, and the more I read, the more I felt like the collection was lacking. Even though I’m younger, I want to use my position as a romance editor and author to remind people that aging doesn’t have to be a bad thing and life is still complex and enjoyable when you’re older. Adventure and romance can continue in your golden years.

Brenna's book list on cozy stories about characters older than fifty

Brenna Bailey Why Brenna loves this book

This is a cozy heist story about five octogenarian witches trying to save their beloved manor.

It features a lovable cast of characters, including a teen TikToker who aids the witches in unexpected ways. This is a found family story unlike any other; it’s funny and tender while addressing topics like sexism, power, and secrets.

It holds a special place in my heart, and I know I’ll be coming back to it for a hug in book form time and time again.

By Bianca Marais ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Witches of Moonshyne Manor as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“Bianca Marais is a genius” — Ann Patchett, #1 New York Times bestselling author

A coven of modern-day witches. A magical heist-gone-wrong. A looming threat.

Five octogenarian witches gather as an angry mob threatens to demolish Moonshyne Manor. All eyes turn to the witch in charge, Queenie, who confesses they’ve fallen far behind on their mortgage payments. Still, there’s hope, since the imminent return of Ruby—one of the sisterhood who’s been gone for thirty-three years—will surely be their salvation.

But the mob is only the start of their troubles. One man is hellbent on avenging his family for the theft…


Book cover of Second Wind

Brenna Bailey Author Of A Tale of Two Florists

From my list on cozy stories about characters older than fifty.

Why am I passionate about this?

Older people have always been present and significant in my life. I read widely, and—perhaps because of my role models—I noticed there’s a lack of representation of older characters in books. I started to seek out stories with protagonists over the age of fifty, and the more I read, the more I felt like the collection was lacking. Even though I’m younger, I want to use my position as a romance editor and author to remind people that aging doesn’t have to be a bad thing and life is still complex and enjoyable when you’re older. Adventure and romance can continue in your golden years.

Brenna's book list on cozy stories about characters older than fifty

Brenna Bailey Why Brenna loves this book

Second Wind is a short, delightful read about how you’re never too old to find love.

Seventy-one-year-old Martha Appleby is flying to Glasgow to scatter her husband’s ashes when she runs into her childhood sweetheart, Pamela Thornton. Their paths are more intertwined than they thought, and their journey gives them a second chance to be together.

I found this story when I was looking for comparison titles for my book, and I am so glad I picked it up! It had me smiling and gave me warm fuzzy feelings all the way through.

By Ceillie Simkiss ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Second Wind as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

No matter how old you are, there’s always a chance for romance. After the death of her husband, 71-year-old homemaker Martha Appleby is taking her first long-distance trip alone. That loss has derailed many of her plans for her twilight years, and she hopes to come to peace with not knowing what will come next.70-year-old service dog trainer Pamela Thornton is hoping to take advantage of a well-timed work trip to figure out what to do next. Crouton is the last service dog of the litter, and she’s not sure she wants to keep raising dogs by herself.These two childhood…


Book cover of The Thursday Murder Club

Alexandra Addams Author Of The Self-Made Saint

From my list on menopause as a superpower for women who are happy to jump off the rollercoaster of youth.

Why am I passionate about this?

I started my motherhood journey when I was barely out of my teens. For the next two decades, I only knew myself as a wife and mother. As my brood of five children grew into adults, I found myself poorly equipped to parent independent Gen X and Z’ers. Then, at 46 years of age, when perimenopause hit me like a hurricane, I found myself evolving into another woman altogether. The good news was – I really liked her! I hope you enjoy these books about mid-life women parenting adult children and rediscovering themselves in the never-ever-done-aftermath of motherhood.

Alexandra's book list on menopause as a superpower for women who are happy to jump off the rollercoaster of youth

Alexandra Addams Why Alexandra loves this book

This was one of the first books I read in which the older women were not just the main characters but were the kick-butt heroes of the day.

I read it while in the middle of a messy draft of my own book and felt inspired to stop diluting the age-related experience of my own main character.

By Richard Osman ,

Why should I read it?

34 authors picked The Thursday Murder Club as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A New York Times bestseller | Soon to be a major motion picture from Steven Spielberg at Amblin Entertainment

"Witty, endearing and greatly entertaining." -Wall Street Journal

"Don't trust anyone, including the four septuagenarian sleuths in Osman's own laugh-out-loud whodunit." -Parade

Four septuagenarians with a few tricks up their sleeves
A female cop with her first big case
A brutal murder
Welcome to...
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club.

When a local developer is found dead…


Book cover of The Snow Child

Julia Phillips Author Of Bear

From my list on books inspired by fairy tales.

Why am I passionate about this?

These days, I’m an author, but that was long predated by being a reader. I’ve loved fairy tales all my life and spent most of my childhood lugging around a thick paperback copy of the Brothers Grimm's stories. My nationally bestselling second novel, Bear, is a reimagining of my favorite tale: “Snow-White and Rose-Red. " It is about two sisters who live in a cottage with their mother and whose lives are upended when a bear shows up at their door.

Julia's book list on books inspired by fairy tales

Julia Phillips Why Julia loves this book

Eowyn Ivey’s work hits every one of my interests: lush writing, Alaskan wilderness, family drama, untamed beasts, folklore and fairy tales, parenthood, childhood, and the struggle to survive…I mean, really, it couldn’t be more perfect.

Her debut novel references the Russian fairy tale “Snegurochka,” about a girl made of ice. It’s an absolutely gorgeous and transporting book that also happens to have been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize—again, perfect, right? 

By Eowyn Ivey ,

Why should I read it?

10 authors picked The Snow Child as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A bewitching tale of heartbreak and hope set in 1920s Alaska, Eowyn Ivey's THE SNOW CHILD was a top ten bestseller in hardback and paperback, and went on to be a Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

Alaska, the 1920s. Jack and Mabel have staked everything on a fresh start in a remote homestead, but the wilderness is a stark place, and Mabel is haunted by the baby she lost many years before. When a little girl appears mysteriously on their land, each is filled with wonder, but also foreboding: is she what she seems, and can they find room in…