Top Summer Reads for Older Adults

There is something almost magical about a good book when you sit down and immerse yourself in a story, letting it suck you in and transport you to another time and place. While most people read purely for pleasure, you can rest assured you are also reading for your health when you choose one of this year’s best summer books for seniors. 

How Reading Helps Your Brain Health

As you peruse the list below of the top summer reads for older adults, pick stories that appeal to you and keep you turning the page. Research shows that reading helps episodic memory (the memory that helps us remember events) and working memory (the ability to remember things even while doing something else). 

Along with memory, reading helps:

• Improve decision-making skills
• Delay the onset of dementia
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Improve sleep
• Reduce feelings of loneliness

Alternatives if Reading is Difficult

As we age, our eyesight often worsens, making reading for long periods difficult. Fortunately, some solutions can help:

1. Large-print books. You can find many summer reads for seniors in large print at your local library. Residents of Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge, NJ, can also use the onsite library and reading room that stocks a fabulous selection of large-print books in numerous genres. 

2. Digital mobile devices. Studies show that seniors should embrace technology! Devices such as tablets and e-readers are helpful for seniors because of the backlit displays and adjustable text sizes. They also weigh less than a book, making them easier to carry and hold. 

3. Listen to podcasts. You get many of the same benefits from listening to a podcast you get from reading a book. Most podcasts are free and topics range  from true crime and biographies to storytelling and humor. 

Best Summer Books for Seniors

Now that you know how good reading is for you, you are ready to delve into the top summer reads for seniors. Relax and get lost in a book this summer. As writer Neil Gaiman says, “A book is a dream you hold in your hands.” 

Suspenses and Thrillers

The Summer House by James Patterson. A small-town sheriff investigates seven murder victims.

Central Park West: A Crime Novel by James Comey. A murder investigation reveals deadly connections between high-ranking politicians and the mafia.

Identity by Nora Roberts. Morgan Albright’s world changes the morning after a dinner party when her home is burglarized, her car stolen, and her best friend left dead.

Women’s Fiction

The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane by Dee MacDonald. Tess and Orla book a singles cruise around the Mediterranean and set off on the adventure of a lifetime.

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. A historical novel inspired by the true story of a woman physician from 15th-century China. 

The Classics

The Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple Mysteries) by Agatha Christie. A dead body in a clergyman’s study proves to the indomitable sleuth that no place, holy or otherwise, is a sanctuary from homicide.

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes grapples with forces of deceit, intrigue and evil in Victorian London. 

General Fiction

Dear Margaret, by Pamela Ackerson. Two friends write letters to each other during World War II. 

The Getaway by Melissa Hill. The story of three women who take the same coastal train service to the city. All they have in common is the desire to escape.

Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls. The story of a young Virginia woman during Prohibition. 

Non-Fiction

Disrupt Aging: A Bold New Path to Living Your Best Life at Every Age by Jo Ann Jenkins. The story of senior disruptors who discover the keys to being active, healthy, and happy.

From Age-Ing to Sage-Ing: A Revolutionary Approach to Growing Older by Zalman Schacter-Shalomi and Ronald S. Miller. Create an aging process that is full of adventure, passion, mystery, and fulfillment. 

Lost at Sea: Eddie Rickenbacker’s Twenty-Four Days Adrift on the Pacific—A World War II Tale of Courage and Faith by John Wukovits. The story of American war hero Eddie Rickenbacker’s crash landing in the Pacific during World War II, and his 23-day struggle to survive.

Happy Reading This Summer!

With so many great options, you are sure to have a great summer exploring new worlds through the pages of a book. If you want more time to read, we welcome you to visit Fellowship Village and discover how a maintenance-free lifestyle awaits. More time for reading is always great!