Summer gives reading a different quality. A long afternoon, an open window, something cold nearby, a book you've been meaning to get to since January. Reading helps to reduce stress and anxiety. It strengthens memory and retention, helping keep the mind sharp and slow cognitive decline. If you're looking for new titles to carry you through the summer months ahead, here are some ideas to consider.
Fiction With Older Protagonists
Books whose main characters are in their 60s or 70s offer rich perspectives on life. Fredrik Backman's "A Man Called Ove" follows a recently widowed older man in Sweden whose crusty exterior gives way to something more complicated and very human. Penelope Fitzgerald's slim, gorgeous novels often center on characters navigating the later chapters of life with intelligence and dignity. Anne Tyler's work, particularly "A Spool of Blue Thread" and "Vinegar Girl," portrays family dynamics across generations with the kind of specificity that makes you recognize people you know on every page.
For something lighter, Alexander McCall Smith's "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series has a warm, unhurried quality that makes it a natural summer choice. Each novel reads quickly and leaves you in a better mood than when you started.
Interesting nonfiction
Check out nonfiction that reads like a story. David Grann's "Killers of the Flower Moon," about the Osage Nation murders in 1920s Oklahoma, reads like a thriller. "The Library Book" by Susan Orlean is a love letter to reading and libraries simultaneously. If you're curious about memory, aging, and how the brain holds on to what matters, Atul Gawande's "Being Mortal" is a nice, slow read.
For memoir, you might look for books by writers who were already in their 50s or older when they wrote them. They often have a different quality of observation from debut authors in their 20s. The Anoka and Champlin public libraries both carry large-print editions of popular titles, and most titles available in Minnesota libraries can be requested through the statewide interlibrary loan system.
Large print and audiobooks
If standard print is uncomfortable for you, most public libraries in the area have large-print sections. , and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled provides free audiobook lending by mail and digital download to any eligible reader. This is an excellent resource that many older adults may not be aware of.
Consider audiobooks as a primary format rather than a fallback. A good narrator can make a novel feel like a performance. Listening while walking around or doing gentle stretches at home turns exercise time into reading time.
Libraries as a summer destination
Your local library offers online access, and you can conveniently check your book selection from home. But the library is more than a source for books. Summer reading programs, author talks, and afternoon events are often free and regularly scheduled. Libraries also tend to be cool, well-lit, and quiet, which in July is reason enough to spend a few hours there.
Finding your next great read this summer
Reading keeps the mind engaged, the world wide, and the afternoons pleasant. Senior Helpers North Metro supports older adults throughout Andover, Anoka, Champlin, Circle Pines, and Elk River with in-home care designed around each person's routines and interests. Contact us to learn how we can help you or your senior loved one enjoy a fuller, more independent life at home this summer.