Here at Bethesda, we know reading also enhances seniors' overall well-being by improving mood, reducing stress and providing healthy cognitive activity.
To help our assisted living residents experience these benefits, we've collected eight of our favorite titles seniors may wish to add to their winter reading list.
Fans of the Dearest Dorothy series adore the authenticity of the quirky characters in Partonville, calling the small fictional town nostalgic. The focus is Dorothy's sheer pleasure of living life to its fullest with her friends and faith.
A light read, the book doesn't aspire to have nail-biting action scenes, unless the times Dorothy drives are taken into account. Instead, it thrills in everyday circumstances, reveling in mostly normal people going about mostly normal lives.
Originally published as Magnus or Wings of Dawn, The Orphaned King is the first book of an expanded version of the story. The narrative mostly follows Thomas as he unlocks the mysteries surrounding his past and struggles to discern which of his companions are friends and which are foes.
Brouwer weaves his beliefs into the plot, letting seniors of faith enjoy hearing the message of Christ while experiencing a fascinating tale about two secret groups and their battle to control a mysterious castle called Magnus.
A collection of comic pages, this title doesn't follow a plot insomuch as it celebrates the joy book lovers feel when enjoying their favorite hobby. The author doesn't try anything elaborate, instead choosing to keep the art and writing style simple and heartfelt so the emotions and thoughts being conveyed can shine.
Many seniors of faith have followed the Lord for decades. Like Paul entreating Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6-7, Anne Graham Lotz calls for believers to keep fanning the flame of their salvation and not become complacent over time.
This devotional is deeply honest and personal. The author shares how, amid her hectic lifestyle, she lost touch with her faith and found herself going through the motions instead. She uses her journey of rediscovering God to encourage other Christians to keep seeking a deeper one-on-one relationship with him.
The first book of The Dead Sea Squirrels Series, Squirreled Away packs a lot of humor into its heartwarming lessons of faith and family. It stars 10-year-old Michael who tries to sneak a pair of petrified squirrels home from his father's archeological dig in Israel — only he ends up with a surprise that leads to a life-changing friendship instead.
The narrator of the audiobook version, Mike Nawrocki also co-created the VeggieTales and 3-2-1 Penguins, and he uses his years of experience voicing Larry the Cucumber to make the narration exceptional. A quick read or listen, it offers seniors a fun way to entertain visiting grandchildren.
Although it's the second title of the Prairie Courtships series, the story stands on its own, as each book has a new set of characters. A clean romance set in the Wild West, it features a plucky telegraph operator who's given up on love and a marshal hiding from his past.
When a young orphan is dropped off at the train station alone, the woman watches over her until the girl's uncle, the marshal, arrives. An unexpected wedding of convenience follows as the two marry to ensure he can retain custody of his niece.
A legal thriller, The Deposit Slip mixes action and broken relationships into a gripping tale about truth and forgiveness. A trial lawyer for 30 years, the author uses his experience to add authenticity to the story about a young woman trying to find the answers behind a $10 million deposit slip in her late father's possessions.
In this devotional by the beloved author of A Shepherd Looks at Psalms 23, readers will find short meditations about God's character, which are ideal for reading in quiet moments. Inspired by scripture, each section is followed by reference verses seniors can look up for further reflection.
The book is written in first-person perspective, so it feels as if the Lord is speaking directly to each individual. The intimate approach works well as a solo study. However, older adults may enjoy inviting their friends and neighbors to discuss the themes and insights as a group.
For additional reading materials, we encourage our residents to ask staff members for book suggestions from the libraries in our assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella. Staff can also arrange transportation to a local public library, where seniors can find additional books by their favorite authors.
