Summer Reading

Today feels like a good day to hang out and read. I’m sitting here on my deck, coffee in hand, gazing longingly at the backyard swing. I swear it is whispering to me. “Julie, hey Julie, you know you want to.” But alas, I must go to work, so there will be no hanging out in that comfortable swing with a book balanced on my knee. Hopefully, there will be lots of time for that in the coming days.

Don’t you think that warm summer days are the perfect time to kick back, relax and read? There’s just something special about feeling the sun on your face as you delve into a good story. That is the topic of my blog today, summer reading. Originally, I was going to blog about a book I am currently reading called Hagitude by Dr. Sharon Blackie. Hagitude is about menopause, getting older, and coming into yourself. The book features the stories of little-known elder women in European myth and folklore and calls on postmenopausal women to be inspired, to reclaim their beautiful Inner hag, and to go bravely forward, defying the tradition that society has placed on women of a certain age.

But, you know, I find myself diverting from the text quite a bit, skimming pages, and daydreaming. Maybe it’s just not a book for summer reading. Maybe it’s more suited for a chilly fall evening, curled up inside or out on the deck in front of a fire and wrapped in a few layers. I think I’ll leave it and try again in a few months.

I have started reading something else that I am enjoying. It’s Ray Bradbury’s Zen in the Art of Writing. Originally published in 1973, this collection of short stories showcases Bradbury’s lifelong passion for writing. I have never really paid much attention to his work until now, but reading about how some of his more well-known stories were created has made me want to look them up. In sharing this collection of short stories, Bradbury hoped to stir the pot of creativity in other writers and remind them that ideas can come from anywhere, at any time. He’s right. I experienced many “aha” moments in these stories, and my creativity was tweaked.

Aside from inspiring creativity, reading is just plain good for you, especially we older adults. Reading can help with memory retention, sharpen decision-making skills, improve sleep, increase brain activity, and reduce stress. There is research that shows reading can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia.  

“Reading at any age provides mental stimulation, enjoyment, and learning,” says book blogger Lynne (aka Fictionophile). “Reading during your senior years has added benefits. It is a hobby that takes little physical effort yet is a delightful pastime. You will become more empathetic, learn new things, and find enjoyment, all while keeping your mind and memory sharp.”

And you know, it’s not that difficult to reap the rewards of reading, and it only takes 30 minutes a day. But, in this day of fast-paced games, apps, movies on demand, and TV everywhere you go, is reading still popular? Or is it slowly becoming a thing of the past?

BookNet Canada conducted a survey of 4,499 readers in the first half of 2020 about their reading habits in 2019. They found that:

• 60% read a print book.
• 25% read an ebook.
• 12% read a comic/manga book or graphic novel.
• 8% listened to a digital audiobook, and
• 6% listened to a physical audiobook.

In January of this year, David Leonhardt reported that The THGM surveyed 144 Canadian readers about their reading habits in 2022 and 2023. They discovered:

• Canadian readers are less interested in history than readers in other countries.
• Canadian readers still love paper more than readers in other countries.
• More women see themselves as readers than men.
• Canadians planned to read more in 2023

If you are an older adult who hasn’t spent much time reading, don’t despair. You can still get in the groove.

“If you are recently retired and crave some structure to your days, you can set a specific time of each day for reading. If you haven’t been a keen reader in the past, start slowly by perhaps reading during your coffee or tea breaks during the day. Gradually, you’ll find yourself making extra time to read if you find a book that really appeals to you. If you enjoy sitting outside in the good weather, bring a hat and a book. The hours will fly by,” suggests book blogger Lynne.

“Reading can also be a social activity if you want it to be. Join a book club and read the same book as others. The resultant discussion will help you make friends while keeping your brain sharp.”

So, what’s on your reading list for the summer? I’d love to hear your suggestions. Strangely enough, I’d like to get my hands on a copy of The Martian Chronicles because reading how Ray Bradbury was inspired to put those tales together has really got me curious to read the result. I also like what I call “escape” books, or ones that feature small towns and their residents. You know, Debbie Macomber, Katie Winters, and Jodi Picoult. But, on the other end of the spectrum, I enjoy Louise Penny, James Patterson, and James Rollin. My biggest problem is that I enjoy a book while I’m reading it, but as soon as I close the cover, I forget the plot, the author, and why I enjoyed it. Living in the moment? No, just a poor attention span.

I highly doubt that book blogger Lynne has this problem. Just look around her site. She has a passion for reading and a flair for reviewing. “I have read several excellent novels over the past few years that feature older protagonists. One of my personal favourites was “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman (my review). Another was “How the Penguins Saved Veronica” by Hazel Prior. (my review); and yet another was “The Lido” by Libby Page. (my review) An author that frequently features older adults in her novels is Judy Leigh.”

So, there you have it. A few titles to get you started. Or just take a trip to your local library or use an app and download a few on your eReader. Whether you hold it or fold it, it doesn’t matter. Just read!

Interesting Reads & Things

Benefits of Reading Books: For Your Physical and Mental Health (healthline.com)

The Benefits of Reading For Seniors – All Seniors Care

A chapter a day: Association of book reading with longevity – ScienceDirect

5 Proven Benefits of Reading for Seniors | Lifeline

86 works of Canadian fiction to read in the first half of 2023 | CBC Books

Louise Penny Books in Order – Books Reading Order

James Patterson – Book Series In Order