Whether you read for pleasure, education or a combination of the two, there’s no denying having extra time to read is one of the greatest benefits of retirement. Before you retired, your nightstand was piled high with books you’d been meaning to begin. But after an exhausting day of working and/or taking care of your home and family, you were lucky to get in a page or two before falling asleep. But now you can spend hours snuggled up in your favorite chair or stretched out by the pool, losing yourself in a great piece of literature. Isn’t retirement fantastic?
To help you stock your bookshelves (or e-reader) with worthwhile page-turners, we asked three of our staff members to share the top books they recommend for seniors:
Susan’s List
Susan Davis, Executive Director of La Loma Village, recommends these four:
- “Disrupt Aging: A Bold New Path to Living Your Best Life at Every Age” by Jo Ann Jenkins
There are plenty of stereotypes about aging and, as you get older, you quickly find that many of them simply aren’t true. In this book, the author tackles three core areas—health, wealth and self—to show seniors how mindful living can change the way you age.
Buy it here. - “Enriching Your Retirement: How to Find Your Niche, Change Your Thinking, Enjoy Your Future” by C.L. Ferrari
At the beginning of retirement, we have all sorts of ideas of how we’ll spend our free time. But after we’ve been retired for a while, we start to wonder: What now? This book shares ways to change your habits and live a more fulfilling life, based on numerous testimonials from real seniors like you.
Buy it here. - “Gettin’ Old Ain’t for Wimps” by Karen O’Connor
Heartwarming, hilarious and chock-full of wisdom, this collection of personal and gathered stories shares how older adults can lead a more courageous existence. This book also touches on the more positive aspects of aging: the numerous delights and joys of life in the “later decades.”
Buy it here. - “65 Things to Do When Your Retire” by Mark Evan Chimsky
Wondering how to make the most of your retirement? This book shares 65 different ways notable achievers chose to spend their retired years and find meaning as an older adult. Equal parts humorous and sincere, this book offers realistic goals retirees can set and accomplish.
Buy it here.
Bhakti’s List
Bhakti Gosalia, Executive Director of Grandview Terrace, shared these two favorites:
- “Live Long, Die Short” by Roger Landry
Here at Sun Health Senior Living, we talk a lot about Masterpiece Living, a concept developed by Roger Landry. In this award-winning book, Landry outlines his new approach to aging—particularly how we should nurture our bodies and our minds to be authentically healthy.
Buy it here. - “Successful Aging” by Dr. John W. Rowe and Dr. Robert L. Kahn
Why do some seniors age successfully and healthfully while others seem to face constant mental and physical challenges? It’s not just chance. This book shares the science behind healthy aging, based on results from the MacArthur Foundation Study of Aging in America.
Buy it here.
Barbara’s List
Barbara Foster, Executive Director of The Colonnade, offered these four suggestions:
- “Healthy at 100: The Scientifically Proven Secrets of the World’s Healthiest and Longest-Lived Peoples” by John Robbins
Your longevity and health are rooted in more than luck and genes. In his book, Robbins shares secrets from cultures around the world on how to increase your life span and “health span.” This well-researched book acts as a guide to traditions and practices that can improve your retired years.
Buy it here. - “Finding Your Way Home: A Soul Survival Kit” by Melody Beattie
For many, retirement is a time for soul-searching, a time to focus on one’s spirituality and an opportunity to reconcile the past and live in the present. A beloved self-help author, Beattie addresses all of this and more using her signature candor and easy-to-read conversational style.
Buy it here. - “The Anti-Cancer Diet: A New Way of Life” by David Servan-Schreiber
As you age, your risk of developing cancer increases. This book shares how people of all ages can reduce their risk and strengthen their immune system through powerful foods that fight cancer. Discover what to eat, what to avoid and powerful research to support the author’s claims.
Buy it here. - “Journey to the Heart: Daily Meditations on the Path to Freeing Your Soul” by Melody Beattie
Whether you consider yourself religious, spiritual or none of the above, the benefits of meditation are undeniable. In this book, Beattie shares a year’s worth of daily aphorisms that can help people of any age discover a path that leads to joy and hope. The philosophy outlined in this book is ideal for retirees seeking personal growth and fulfillment.
Buy it here.
And there you have it: our top 10 favorite books for retirees. We hope you enjoy — and please be sure to let us know what you think.
Looking for more tips and advice on how to stay healthy and happy throughout your retirement? Check out our free eBook, The Vitality Guide: Nutrition, Exercise and Health Care for Seniors!
