Readership is in decline across the US. About half of adults haven't read a single book in a year or longer.
Reading is exceptionally important, especially for seniors. It sharpens the mind's language centers, strengthens one's sense of community, and teaches new things. Unfortunately, seniors won't feel like reading unless they have good books for seniors to motivate them.
What popular books for seniors will work great for a community book club? Today, we take a look at the top titles that will make the weekly book club the talk of the community.
Cormac McCarthy is viewed by many as one of the greatest American authors of all time. He is known for his curious writing style, lacking commas and turning nouns into adjectives. Many view Blood Meridian as his magnum opus and one of the greatest Westerns ever conceived.
Blood Meridian follows the travels of the Glanton gang in the US and Mexico. The protagonist, an unnamed character referred to as "the kid," wonders about their strange leader, Judge Holden. The gang runs into armies, Native American war bands, and curious figures across the American Southwest.
The book discusses themes of death, God, and Nihilism. Debate is hot around this one, and it surely will be in your senior community.
When bringing this one to reading groups for seniors, do keep in mind that it has quite a lot of graphic violence. Some readers may be put off by the disturbing imagery.
However, no other books for seniors on this list will succeed in engaging senior readers and creating discussion. Group friendships will surely form around the intense discussion about what Blood Meridian means.
Joe Haldeman is a Vietnam vet who writes primarily sci-fi. His service made him deeply anti-war, and his literature reflects that. "The Forever War" is the work he is most known for.
In a near future Earth, humanity goes to war with aliens at the far reaches of the galaxy. Soldiers must travel long distances to fight on inhabitable planets in mechanized suits. Due to time dilation, decades pass between battles and their return home.
The protagonist, Sergeant Mandella, wonders about the pointlessness of war. He feels alienated from his culture, family, and friends. It feels like a Vietnam War memoir, albeit set in space in the future.
If you need senior book club tips for sci-fi, this will scratch that itch. Even for those who don't like sci-fi, there is a great deal here to contemplate. The narrator spends very little time on the warfare scenes, and far more on the introspection in between.
Seniors may recognize Bernard Cornwell for his excellent Sharpe novels about a British officer in the Napoleonic era. Cornwell excels at historical fiction. The Last Kingdom is his latest series, set in medieval England.
The Last Kingdom follows the historical figure Uhtred, heir of Bebbanburg, who is usurped by his uncle. Uhtred is kidnapped as a child and raised by Vikings. He grows up with one goal in mind: getting revenge on his uncle.
The Last Kingdom is a sweeping historical fiction epic with over a dozen installments. It works wonderfully as a solo read, and seniors can continue the series in their own time if they like.
This is an exciting read that will make seniors want to get active. Regardless of the genre one prefers, it'll be a hot item on the reading list. Who doesn't love the medieval era and Vikings?
Patrick Rothfuss is a beloved name in modern fantasy. He's only written two novels so far, but they are both smash-hit successes. "The Name of the Wind" is the first of a trilogy.
Protagonist Kvothe belongs to a traveling band of performers when, mysteriously, they are all slain by mythical legends. The story follows Kvothe as he works his way up from poverty to a legend. In the meantime, he tries to track down the beings that killed his family.
Part of the appeal is that the story is told in the present day by an older Kvothe. He relates the account over three days, or one day per novel. Throughout the book (and the series) there's a question of how much is true, and how much is an exaggeration.
The Name of the Wind is the definitive fantasy title on this list. Many seniors will wish to read more contemporary works, so this one fits the bill. Plus, it's a lot lighter and easier-going than the other options on this list.
Dan Simmons is famous for his sci-fi. Seniors may know his classic "Hyperion." However, in The Terror, he combines historical fiction with horror.
In 1845, Captain Sir John Franklin went on an expedition to find a passage through the Arctic. The expedition disappeared, never to be found again. The Terror serves as a speculative, fictional account of what happened -- albeit taking a mystical approach.
The story centers around Sir John's second, Captain Crozier. During the book, the expedition encounters Native American Eskimos. The characters learn that they are being pursued by a mythological demon as a result of violating sacred lands.
Seniors love historical fiction, especially that from the Regency Era. The Terror, therefore, will appeal to a broad audience. There are excellent discussions to be had of colonialism and Native American spirituality.
Books for seniors help to sharpen the mind and foster great conversations in their senior community. Some titles appeal to the sci-fi nerds, such as "The Forever War," while others are pure fantasy like "The Name of the Wind." Regency-era Britain fans won't miss out, thanks to titles like "The Terror."
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