Getting lost in the pages of a great book is an excellent way to spend a hot summer day, but you can take the thrill of summer reading one step further by joining a book club for seniors. It’s a great way to meet new people, and together you can spend hours dissecting the plot and character dynamics of your favorite book club books.
Advantages of Book Clubs for Seniors
You may be surprised by all the benefits of joining a book club for seniors. You’ll never have a shortage of recommendations for your next good read, and the sense of connection you gain from engaging with others who share your hobby is good for your emotional health. What’s more, talking about and analyzing what you read helps keep your cognitive and communication skills sharp.
6 Senior Reads for Summer 2024
Whether you’re planning a reading list of your own or compiling ideas to share, here are some of our book club recommendations and suggestions for must-read books in 2024:
1. “Sea of Tranquility” by Emily St. John Mandel
In the early 1900s, a young man encounters the sound of a violin while exploring the Canadian wilderness. Fast forward hundreds of years, and a writer who makes her home on a moon colony describes an eerily familiar scene. When a detective explores the anomaly in this North American forest, he reveals the potential to disrupt all of time.
2. “One Italian Summer” by Rebecca Serle
Following her mother’s untimely passing, Katy spends the summer on Italy’s Amalfi coast. The place her parents met, it was to have been the site of a mother-daughter adventure. Instead, through her grief, Katy gains new insight on her mother when she magically meets and spends the summer getting to know a young version of the woman who gave her life.
3. “The Last Suspicious Holdout: Stories” by Ladee Hubbard
Thirteen interwoven stories explore the America of the 1990s and early 2000s. The vivid depictions of an African American suburbia in this post-racial era showcase the interactions of friends, family and strangers, all representing enduring resilience and the expansion of a Black middle classL
4. “End of the World House” by Adrienne Celt
In an effort to salvage their crumbling friendship, Bertie invites Beth to join her on a trip to Paris. With a world apocalypse in the background, the pair becomes stuck in time during a private tour of the Louvre. While reliving the same day again and again, the two are separated and Bertie finds herself facing challenges she never imagined.
5. “When We Fell Apart” by Soon Wiley
Following his girlfriend’s death, Min’s devastation leads him on a quest to understand how Yu-jin could have committed suicide — or if she really did. He discovers deep secrets and complicated family ties that force him to take a closer look at his own cultural identity and Korean American heritage.
6. “The Candy House” by Jennifer Egan
Imagine unlocking every memory you’ve ever had — and being able to access others’ memories, too. That’s just what tech genius Bix Bouton makes possible. Through the perspective of multiple characters, it becomes clear the technology is ripe for exploitation, and unlocking some memories comes at a steep price.
Find a Book Club for Seniors (and So Much More!)
Living in a senior living community is a great way to find a book club for seniors, but at Heritage Senior Living communities, you’ll also find many other enriching activities for seniors that promote lifelong learning and encourage you to explore your personal interests. Get in touch to learn more about the rewarding lifestyle you’ll find at our communities across Wisconsin.
