The phrase "of a certain age" is so emblematic of the vague way we describe women in midlife and beyond because they seem to become more and more invisible as they age, and as I'm venturing through this precarious stage in life, I'm looking for more female characters I can relate to, who are not tied to hearth and home as their identity. I've had a few in my head for this episode for a while, but I found a few more with some research, and I'd like to share those with everyone so you also can enjoy spunky, sharp women who are not just someone's mom or someone's grandmom. Enjoy!

Discussed:

Britt-Marie Was Here, by Fredrik Backman

State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett

Unsheltered, by Barbara Kingsolver

Celine, by Peter Heller

Emily Maxwell series, by Stewart O'Nan

The Beach House series, by Mary Alice Monroe

Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osmon

The Woman with the Knife, by Gu Byeong-mo

The Marlow Murder Club, by Robert Thorogood

Brigid Quinn series, by Becky Masterman

The Mother-in-Law, by Sally Hepworth

The Elderly Lady series, by Helene Turston

Apples Never Fall, by Liane Moriarty

Also recommended:

Jody Picoult, Fannie Flagg, Anne Tyler, Terry McMillan, and Kristen Hannah.

Women in Translation