5 Inspiring Books for Seniors
Reading is not only beneficial for a senior’s mind but it is also a way to travel the world, to live many different lives, chase dreams, and broaden horizons. You can read about any subject you like whether it’s about cars, sports, gardening, or fiction topics like romance, adventure, or suspense…the options are truly endless! If someone says they don’t like to read, it often means they just hasn’t found the right book yet. If you’re an avid reader, you know that feeling you have when you get a book so riveting that you literally do not want to put it down! We at UMC at Collingswood put together a list of five inspiring books we feel will help anyone fall in love with reading.
- The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. This novel is a page-turner about two strong minded sisters in world war two, and their very different reactions to the war. It is a story about love, freedom, and survival, and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and strength of these two sisters. It is a must-read for anyone who loves US History.
- The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley. Sorry, this one isn’t actually about pie, but you won’t be disappointed. This is an old-fashioned murder mystery set in the 1950s English countryside. The main character is a child who is an aspiring chemist and is determined to clear her father’s name of a murder charge. This novel is written with an impressive tone and in-depth character development. Even better, it’s a ten-book series so you’ll have a story to follow for a long time!
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett. A heartbreaking and hilarious story of African American women, the white woman they work for, and the children they raise. The author says this is a fiction story although it depicts many truths of the cultural differences in America in 1962. You will really feel for the characters in this book and come to love them. This book has also been made into a movie, so once you finish the book you can enjoy the movie as well.
- The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. This is a true story about an enslaved southern tobacco farmer who unknowingly had some of her cells taken from her. Although she passed away over 60 years ago, her cells become one of the most important tools in modern medicine. Her stolen cells were responsible for the polio vaccine, uncovering secrets of cancer and other viruses, as well as fertilization, gene mapping, and cloning. This story spans her life, when the cells were stolen, her death, all the amazing things that were developed with her cells, and controversial information regarding scientists. Author Rebecca Skloot covers all the details in this must-read book!
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. This novel is set in a future dystopia where women lose all the rights they have today and, because of declining birthrates, are only truly valuable if they are able to bear children. This story speaks to women’s rights, women’s role in society, the role of childbearing, and the complex role religion and government has in society.
If none of these books get you excited to read, we hope that you don’t give up on reading and encourage you to find a topic that sparks your interest. UMC at Collingswood believes there is a book for everyone.
Reading is riveting at Collingswood
UMC at Collingswood actually has a well-established and active resident book club! Here residents get together monthly to decide what books to read and to discuss their opinions afterward. In February the group read “The Giver of Stars” by JoJo Moyes, and in March they read “The Gods of Heavenly Punishment” by Jennifer Cody Epstein. Committing to a book club is a great way to keep yourself dedicated to reading, as well as an opportunity to enjoy a great discussion with friends.
If you are a resident of the assisted living community and would like to join the book club or have any questions, please contact us at UMC at Collingswood. Visit our website at – https://umcommunities.org/collingswood/
