Best Books to Read For Ages 61 – 80
Now we’re in the golden years of life. There is a shift in lifestyle as you retire, downsize, and begin to enjoy having free time to spend however you please. Hopefully, reading is still a large part of your free time! For those ages 61 to 80, keep these fantastic books in mind.
Age 61
Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harrington
Sarah Nelson isn’t like your normal twelve-year-old. Her best friend is a plant, and she spends her time writing to Atticus Finch rather than reading Harry Potter like the rest of the kids in her class. Spend your summer reading Sure Signs of Crazy as Sarah investigates a big family secret.
Age 62
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
It’s time to start thinking about retirement and all the activities you’ll be able to enjoy in your free time. Moby Dick can fill your time while you sit in a boat in the middle of the lake waiting to catch your big fish.
Age 63
Eldercare For Dummies by Rachelle Zukerman
Have some fun and don’t take getting old too seriously. The next birthday party you go to, play a joke on a friend and give them Eldercare For Dummies on their birthday.
Age 64
The Odyssey by Homer
One of the earliest epic tales in history, The Odyssey recounts the adventures of Odysseus returning home after fighting in the Trojan War. An adventure that will inspire you to go on your own adventures!
Age 65
Aging Wisely: Strategies for Baby Boomers and Seniors by Levine M.D., Robert A.
Who says getting older is a bad thing? When you know how to take better care of yourself in your later years, aging won’t seem so bad. Aging Wisely explains what happens to the mind and body as you grow older. Author Dr. Levine uses this information to give you an alternative approach and attitude to deal with these changes.
Age 66
Beef Brisket Murder by Patti Benning
If you’re at that stage in life where you are starting to get rid of items you no longer use, Patti Benning’s novel Beef Brisket Murder will accompany your chores perfectly. When Moira is cleaning out her basement, she finds something disturbing that leads her on to her next adventure in the Darling Deli Series.
Age 67
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
A classic novel to read in your 60s is Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. In case you didn’t read it back in school, the novel takes place in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. Makes you think that maybe it’s time to visit those two cities to take in the whole novel.
Age 68
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Based on actual events, bestselling author Erik Larson gives you a well-researched historical thriller. The Devil in the White City tells the story of the 1893 World’s Fair where a serial killer used the event to lure in victims. An interesting piece of history that you’ll want to read to find out more.
Age 69
The Subterraneans by Jack Kerouac
Written in three days and three nights is another Jack Kerouac novel that captures the beat generation perfectly. Go back int time to the 1950s in San Francisco and enjoy the descriptions of the lives of underground artists.
Age 70
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Older & Wiser by Jack Canfield
The Chicken Soup for the Soul series can be a great way to connect with those who share the same laughter, challenges, and perspective as you. You can also be a part of their series and submit an article!
Age 71
You’re Only Old Once! by Dr. Seuss
For the kid at heart, pick up a copy of the illustrated book by Dr. Seuss, You’re Only Old Once! It’s a wonderful pick-me-up gift for friends who recently stayed somewhere similar to “Golden Years Clinic on Century Square for Spleen Readjustment and Muffler Repair.”
Age 72
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Moving into a senior living community can be hard for some. Many 65+ communities these days have daily activities, gyms, restaurants, and golf courses all within walking distance. Just don’t let this book scare you off from deciding to move.
Age 73
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari
Think about what it was like to be in your 20s and 30s seeking out your one true love. Then compare it to how kids these days are finding love. Comedian Aziz Ansari explains the madness that is modern romance in his number-one New York Times bestseller.
Age 74
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
Enjoy going for a walk to the park and take along Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Learn what Thoreau did by removing himself from materialism for two years and two months. Do so yourself and you’ll learn that sometimes less is more.
Age 75
Tears in My Gumbo: The Caregiver’s Recipe for Resilience by Nadine Roberts Cornish
Dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms can start as early as age 60. Research shows that the average age of diagnosis is about age 80. For married couples, Tears in My Gumbo is good to have on hand. The book is about giving advice for the caregiver on how to cope with this disease.
Age 76
The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
PBS’s The Great American Read nominated The Invisible Man as one of America’s best-loved novels. The story begins in the South and follows the unknown narrator from growing up in a black community, attending college, and eventually moving to New York. A timeless coming of age story to enjoy.
Age 77
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
A story of friendship, love, life, and death. Every generation can appreciate the message that E.B. White shared back in 1952 when he published Charlotte’s Web.
Age 78
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
All the Light We Cannot See is a beautifully written novel. Set during WWII the novel follows a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide. All The Light We Cannot See spent roughly two years on the New York Times bestseller list and won the Pulitzer Prize. Despite it being about one of the worst times in history, the author does a great job of showing how people try to be good to one another no matter what the circumstances are.
Age 79
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
In the isolated town of Macondo, is the Buendía family. For years it remains isolated, but as the years go by, it begins to interact with the outside world. The family experiences war, disruptive behavior, love, and death. One Hundred Years of Solitude is a masterpiece of fiction that strikes the soul.
Age 80
About My Mother: True Stories of a Horse-Crazy Daughter and Her Baseball-Obsessed Mother by Peggy Rowe
At age 80, Peggy Rowe (mother of TV personality Mike Rowe) wrote her memoir reflecting on her childhood, and it is hysterical. Rowe reaching her goal to be a published author at her age, shows that you’re never too old to accomplish your goals.
What do you think? What books did you enjoy at these ages? Let us know in the comments!
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