Reading to the brain is like what exercise is to the body. It helps prevent cognitive decline, improves concentration and memory, and can even help to reduce stress. Reading allows you to escape into a new realm where it is just you and the characters, and it is easy to be carried away by good plots. The beauty of reading is that you will never run out of books to read. There are so many genres, with even more selections within each genre. Picking up a reading habit is not easy, and you need to ease yourself into the routine. If you have run out of books to read or have just picked up the habit of reading, here are some book suggestions for mature adults to try reading.
Easy Reads
It can be common to find people who have not held a physical book since their studying days. For them, picking up a book can be even harder than hiking up a mountain. You mustn’t throw yourself into the thickest of books when you are starting. Young adult fiction tends to talk about complex topics in a bite-sized manner that is easily digestible. Books like The Giver by Lois Lowry are good for novice bookworms, or you can always fall on the popular classics like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series or any of Judy Blume’s pieces.
Looking Back in History
While fiction is usually the most popular genre, some people prefer to read books filled with nostalgia. Books like The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and United States by Gore Vidal are good choices for folks looking to explore the past. Those who prefer to read about scenes in a more political setting can try the Killing series of Bill O’Reilly. Other popular non-fiction choices would be autobiographies written by people who have gone through a lot in life. The number of autobiographies in the market is endless; even the Obamas wrote one. You can read about North Korean deflectors’ fight for freedom, to even the healing of sexual assault victims.
Learn Something New
Some books focus on learning, allowing you to explore things about yourself and the world that you may not have known about. Some books that can be explored are Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History Of Time, as well as How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan.
Delve into Fiction
It may take a while to find a theme that you like, but fiction is one of the more popular genres. There are many beautiful fiction stories, from Jennifer Egan’s A Visit From The Goon Squad to Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. If you prefer literature books, stories like The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen are great options to wake your inner bookworm. Do note that your cognitive and physical limitations should be considered before selecting a book. If holding a book is too much, there are also audiobooks available in replacement of physical books.
