New book takes a light-hearted look at ageing

Former Saratoga resident and Corpus Christi College

Tuggerah alumni, Todd Alexander, takes on the topic of ageing in his latest book, Over the Hill & Up the Wall.

Alexander is no stranger to writing bestselling comedies. His tree change memoir, Thirty Thousand Bottles of Wine and a Pig Called Helga, was a favourite among readers on the Coast in 2019 and was also shortlisted for three book industry awards for best nonfiction book of the year.

In this latest book, Alexander turns to the topic of ageing.

“I know not every day is a barrel of laughs as you’re getting older but I’ll take ageing over the alternative,” he said.

The idea for the book came about after he and his friends shared some funny stories about their “over the hill” parents.

“Rather than waste negative energy on getting frustrated, we decided to smile instead and this got our parents laughing too,” he said.

“The book asks questions such as why it takes parents 40 failed attempts to put the seatbelt buckle in, why the price of petrol has to be discussed every single time a servo is passed and why phantom s’s are added to shop names like Targets, K-marts and Aldis?”

It also looks at the perspective of the older parents.

“Who knew that my parents and their bingo friends were complaining about us kids assuming we know what’s best for them and telling them how they should be living their lives?” Alexander said.

He set about presenting both sides of the story in a light but heartfelt book which is sure to