cover image The Viagra Diaries

The Viagra Diaries

Barbara Rose Brooker. S&S/Gallery, $16 trade paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-4516-8861-0

Dusting off a self-published 2011 hit by the same name, Brooker (Boomer in the City) aims this bawdy granny chickhen-lit right at the Me Generation, re-igniting the dying embers of the '60s sexual revolution for still-selfish-after-all-these-years elders. Neurotic, kooky, and opinionated Anny Applebaum is a 65-year-old artist and columnist who revives her flagging career and libido with kiss-and-tell-all articles about a romance with Mr. X%E2%80%9470-year-old commitment-phobic and Viagra-fueled lothario Marv, a divorced diamond dealer. Anny's longtime pals Lisa and Janet and daughter Emily alternately cheer and warn Anny of the perils of chasing the "bad-boy boomer." But Anny is ready to let go of her fears of rejection and take a risk. The columns%E2%80%94and Anny's reinvigorated paintings%E2%80%94are big hits; her love life, not so much. Anny tumbles in and out of bed with Marv%E2%80%94who calls the columns "silly"%E2%80%94and rejects her handsome younger neighbor, patiently waiting in the wings. There's no fool like an old fool, but Anny's restless and sweetly funny search for true love, meaningful work, and a happy family is ageless%E2%80%94and a poignant portrait of a generation that's not yet ready to fade away. Agent: David Vigliano, Vigliano Associates. (May)