19 Sep 5 Must-Read Nonfiction Books for Navigating Aging
Reading can be a powerful tool for personal growth, offering new perspectives and valuable insights as we age. That’s why we want to bring awareness to the great resources available on this important topic.
Books can serve as trusted companions, offering wisdom, comfort, and practical advice as we face the challenges and opportunities that come with growing older. Plus, they help each of us grow a bit more comfortable in our own skin (and mind).
Here are five must-read nonfiction books that we believe can help you navigate the aging process with resilience, purpose, and joy:
1. Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Age by Mary Pipher
Mary Pipher explores the cultural and developmental issues women face as they age, drawing on her own experiences and those of others. She offers insights into how women can cultivate resilient responses to the challenges they encounter and find joy in their later years.
Why we like “Women Rowing North”: Pipher’s book is a beacon of hope and empowerment for women entering their golden years. It celebrates the wisdom and resilience that come with age while providing practical strategies for thriving.
2. From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks
Harvard professor Arthur Brooks provides a roadmap for finding purpose, meaning, and success as we age. He challenges the notion that our most productive years are behind us and offers insights on transforming our later years into a time of progress and fulfillment.
Why we like “From Strength to Strength”: Brooks offers a refreshing perspective on aging, encouraging readers to embrace new opportunities and find deep purpose in their later years. His practical advice and research-backed insights make this book a valuable guide for anyone entering the second half of life.
3. This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite
Activist and TED speaker Ashton Applewhite challenges our culture’s obsession with youth and calls for an end to age-based discrimination. She debunks myths about aging and encourages readers to embrace their later years with positivity and purpose.
Why we like “This Chair Rocks”: Applewhite’s passionate manifesto is a wake-up call to recognize and combat ageism in our society. Her witty and engaging writing style makes this book both an informative and enjoyable read.
4. Disrupt Aging: A Bold New Path to Living Your Best Life at Every Age by Jo Ann Jenkins
AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins challenges readers to reconsider what it means to grow older. She argues that 50 is not the new 30, but rather that 50 is 50 – and that’s something to be celebrated and embraced.
Why we like “Disrupt Aging”: Jenkins offers a positive and empowering message about aging, encouraging readers to view their later years as a time of opportunity and growth. Her practical advice and inspiring stories make this book a valuable resource for anyone looking to redefine aging on their own terms.
5. The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50 by Jonathan Rauch
Drawing on cutting-edge scientific studies, Jonathan Rauch explores the U-shaped trajectory of happiness throughout our lives. He offers insights into why many people experience increased happiness and life satisfaction after age 50.
Why we like “The Happiness Curve”: Rauch’s book offers a hopeful and evidence-based perspective on aging, showing that our best years may still be ahead of us. His exploration of the “happiness curve” provides valuable insights for those navigating midlife and beyond.
Let Books Guide You Toward A Deeper Understanding of Aging Well
At Vintage, we believe that knowledge is power, especially when it comes to aging well. Each of these books offers so much for any reader – and can be picked up at any local library or on audiobook format for reading!
As your connection to information, resources, and advocacy in Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, Routt, and Summit counties, we’re committed to helping you navigate the journey of aging with confidence and grace. Whether you’re entering your golden years or supporting a loved one who is, we encourage you to explore these resources and discover the wisdom they hold.