Good reads especially meaningful to elderly folks

Posted by binw @binw, Dec 2 4:20pm

As an octogenarian, I can honestly say I have found many reasons to be happy with this stage of my life. I know I am not going to live forever, but really try to make the most of whatever time I have remaining. Some days that is harder than others, but as an avid reader, I can usually lose myself in a good book, and regain my positive attitude.

As an Amazon kindle unlimited member, a membership that I highly recommend, I sometimes get recommendations for books of many genres. Recently, I discovered a little book, by a new auithor, named DB Stryker. It is a poignantly written poem about loss, which we experience at all stages of life. It touched me deeply, and I want to share it with you.

The book is called "The Leaf That Was Afraid to Fall", and it is available to read for free in kindle unlimited, or to purchase on Amazon. It is a beautiful little book.

Please share your own recommendations for books that are meaningful to you, and why they have moved you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Dec 4 5:25pm

Like this topic and thread. Hope more suggestions come throughout the year.
Barbara

dederickve | @dederickve | Dec 4 8:03pm

“Your Erroneous Zones” by Dr. Wayne Dyer was a book I read several times, years ago. I might need to read it, once more, now.

tatiana987 | @tatiana987 | Dec 4 10:19pm

I really enjoyed Bernard Pivot’s book « …mais la vie continue ». Pivot, the president of the Academie Goncourt, wrote it when he was 84. I don’t know the title in English. I would guess it is « Life goes on »

He begins with the rule that we old folks should talk about our health for no longer than three minute at a time. The book is full of humor, wisdom, advice and nostalgia, that is to say of things worth remembering, and it tells of Pivot’s group of friends in Paris who call themselves the JOP, the Jeunes Octogénaires Parisiens (the Young Parisian Octogenariens). They are interesting old people who organize dinner parties together, go on theater and concert outings, visit restaurants, attend events and celebrate birthdays together. One day a month, they all go to a restaurant together and another day each month is opera day, another day is for art events, etc. It’s an organized social life for people in their 80s.

Light hearted, tasteful, intelligent and positive.

tatiana987 | @tatiana987 | Dec 4 10:38pm

In reply to @SusanEllen66 "The Bible is all I need. It’s the best selling book ever. The Bible has advised..." + (show)

@SusanEllen66 I admire people who have profound knowledge of the Bible. Perhaps you would be willing to help me find a Biblical quotation that would comment on geoengineering, that is on man made solar dimming created by spraying chemicals into the sky for the purpose of controlling solar heat. I see that practice as unholy, risky, maybe even evil, as messing with God’s creation. Maybe you see it differently? I have the feeling that there must be an appropriate lesson in the Bible, but I have no idea wht it might be. Any ideas?

trimomlewis | @trimomlewis | Dec 5 5:27am

The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom. It’s a great read to think back about people that have impacted my life and reminder to continue to try to positively impact others.

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Dec 5 8:04am

@binw Thank you for starting this discussion. I'm 73-years-old and mostly retired. Since retiring from full-time work I've spent more time reading novels. I like literary fiction.

Any of the short stories or novellas by Claire Keegan. My favorite of hers is "Small Things Like These". I've read that novella many times.

Two of her stories were made into films in which both are true to the novellas. "Small Things Like These" (with Cillian Murphy) and "Foster".

dmbwa99362 | @dmbwa99362 | Dec 5 10:04am

In reply to @binw "@SusanEllen66 This is so true. The Beatitudes have been one of my favorites since I was..." + (show)

@binw beatitudes? Where can I read this?

binw | @binw | Dec 5 12:58pm

In reply to @dederickve "“Your Erroneous Zones” by Dr. Wayne Dyer was a book I read several times, years ago...." + (show)

@dederickve I read this too, and it was very helpful at the time. You're right, that it might be time for a reread.

binw | @binw | Dec 5 1:00pm

In reply to @dmbwa99362 "@binw beatitudes? Where can I read this?" + (show)

@dmbwa99362 The Beatitudes are found in the Bible in the Gospel of Matthew, specifically in Matthew 5:3-12, and also in the Gospel of Luke, in Luke 6:20-23. These passages are part of Jesus' teachings during the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain, respectively.