nothing better than a good book. Books can take us places we’ve never been, help us relive another time, and take us on great adventures, all without leaving home. stimulating conversations between generations, bringing together people from all walks of life, books and the discussion that surrounds them are powerful tools to improve the quality of life for anyone. perhaps that’s why book clubs are popping up in senior communities across the country. Or maybe it’s because reading has been linked to reduced stress, increased mental stimulation, and even improved memory. Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that reading is a popular pastime for people of all ages, and especially the elderly.
10 books loved by older people
From time-honored classics to more recent thrillers, here are 10 books seniors shouldn’t miss.
You are reading: Good books for senior citizens to read
1. kristin hannah’s nightingale
hannah’s novel is a world war ii page turner featuring two sisters living in france when the nazis invade. the sisters respond very differently to the occupation and one eventually joins the resistance and risks her life for freedom. A popular book for all generations, The Nightingale is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction and cheers on the underdog.
2. a man called love by fredrik backman
In this novel, a lonely and sad old man hides behind a grumpy exterior, leading his neighbors to call him the sour neighbor from hell, but everything changes when chatty young neighbors with young children move in next door. . sometimes funny and other times incredibly heartbreaking, a man named ove explores the power of intergenerational friendship and makes us want to love our neighbor a little better.
3. the boys on the boat: nine americans and their epic quest for gold at the 1936 berlin olympics by daniel james brown
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This nonfiction read will appeal to those who enjoyed Laura Hilenbrand’s Unbroken and Seabiscuit. The dramatic story of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics, the author draws on children’s own journals and diaries to share his remarkable story of overcoming adversity and finding hope in times desperate.
4. the immortal life of henrietta is missing by rebecca skloot
henrietta lacks, known to scientists as hela, was a poor southern tobacco farmer whose cells were harvested without her knowledge and eventually became one of the most important tools in modern medicine. The first cultured “immortal” human cells are still alive today, even though Henrietta False passed away more than 60 years ago. skloot takes the reader on an extraordinary journey, breaking down hard-to-understand scientific principles and leading you to question the origins and ethics of modern medicine.
5. the sweetness at the bottom of the cake by alan bradley
Set in the English countryside in 1950, this book is a traditional mystery novel and is the first book in a 10-book series. the main character is an 11-year-old detective and amateur chemist who uses his skills to clear his father of a murder charge. Although the main character is a boy, the style and tone of the writing and the powerful character development make this a great read for anyone who loves old traditional crime novels.
6. help from kathryn stockett
Exploring an era that will be familiar to most older people, Help is a story of African-American women in the South, the white women they worked for, and the children they helped raise. Hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time, Help shows the cultural and socioeconomic differences in America in 1962, but it’s truly a timeless story about the rules we follow and the ones we refuse to follow.
7. the devil in the white city: murder, magic and madness at the fair that changed america by erik larson
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Alternating between two men, The Devil in the White City tells the story of the Chicago World’s Fair, contrasting the fair’s brilliant architect with a young doctor and murderer. while the architect builds the fairground attractions, the killer builds a torture chamber outside the fairgrounds. taking the reader to another time and place with real life characters, the devil in the white city, and larson’s superb storytelling skills bring the golden age to life for the reader.
8. when breath becomes air by paul kalanithi
the author paul kalanithi was a neurosurgeon who died of lung cancer while working on this book. Diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, the neurosurgeon goes from being a doctor treating the dying to being treated and fighting to live. Chronicling his transformation from a medical student to exploring questions of life and death, this exquisite memoir is an unforgettable and life-affirming reflection on what it means to truly live.
9. i am malala: the story of the girl who stood up for education and was shot by the taliban by malala yousafzai
On October 9, 2012, Malala Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban for forcing her right to education. Ella’s miraculous recovery has taken her from Ella’s remote village in Pakistan to the United Nations and, at the age of 16, she has become the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history. The true story written by Malala herself will inspire all readers to stand up for injustice and speak out against violence.
10. the handmaid’s tale by margaret atwood
Set in a futuristic dystopia, The Handmaid’s Tale is set in an era of declining births where a totalitarian state has overthrown the United States government. Exploring a variety of topics including the role of women in society, women’s rights, the role of motherhood in society, the role of religion in society, and the role of government in society, there are sure to be a lively discussion after this reading.
What would you put on your “must read” list for seniors? we would love to add them to ours! share them with us in the comments below.
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