The Wonder and Happiness of Being Old,
pub. date May 20th, 2025

Published by Andrews McMeel Universal in the U.S. & available internationally

“To read Sophy Burnham is to marvel at her eloquence, erudition, her wisdom and her daring. She answers the question, ‘What is it like to be Old?’ with honesty, humility and humor. This is a woman who fox hunted until she was 80.”

—Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way

The Wonder and Happiness of Being Old is a timeless introspection on age, love, passion, memories, regret and reconciliation, death, forgiveness, and underneath it all, the silent wisdom that derives from how differently we perceive our lives and struggles from the broader, higher perspective of years.

What began as a singular letter in response to a younger family member standing on the precipice of her 60th birthday and asking the age-old question, “What’s it like to be old?,” soon turned into one full year of unsent reflections, wonderment, and curiosity of a life truly lived. Out of these reflections, bestselling author Sophy Burnham developed this short, story-telling collection of unsent letters that offer readers of all ages hope and joy and new ways to perceive the process of aging.

A kind and thoughtful read, The Wonder and Happiness of Being Old is the perfect companion piece for life that you can return to time and time again to join Burnham as she reflects on her own desires and experience with age and growth and living fully. Whether you’re at the doorstep of 40, 60, 70, or 90, she welcomes you in with an outstretched hand and a knowing nod of understanding and warmth.

In the end, this book is about being old. It’s also about joy. And most importantly, it’s about love: Love of self, of life, and of still being here to tell your stories.

“I love, love, love this book. It is so much more than a book about aging. Prepare for a stunningly uplifting, inspiring, and honest look at the fullness of LIFE that takes the fear out of adding another year. With Sophy Burnham’s profound spiritual wisdom deftly woven into these delicious words, you will want to read it with highlighter in hand.”

—Suzanne Giesemann, author of The Awakened Way