If reading brings you joy, the summer can be a wonderful time to step away from your troubles and enter a new world.
Reading, whether by audiobook or print, not only provides enjoyment, it improves our mental and physical health while also enhancing empathy. People recovering from surgery or struggling with dementia have improved outcomes simply through reading books. Older adults can even increase their lifespan by 20 percent through reading novels, according to one study.
Bibliotherapy—enhancing our mental health by reading books—can also be a special activity to share with your loved ones. Delving into the adventures of an imaginary character can provide a time to bond and a topic to explore in conversation. Audiobooks can even be enjoyed on car trips to the doctor or when movement is difficult.
If you are wondering which books that might be right for you, here are some titles to consider:
Whistler by Ann Patchett
The author of Tom Lake and Bel Canto is back with a new novel about a 53-year-old woman and her stepfather, who lost touch after an impactful incident in her childhood. Reunited after decades apart, the two explore missed opportunities and forgiveness. This New York Times best seller is a Katie Coric Book Club Pick, a Good Housekeeping Book Club Pick, and a Good Reads Most Anticipated Book of Summer.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
This historical mystery set in the aftermath of the American Revolutionary War places real-life midwife Martha Ballard in the middle of a murder investigation. The novel not only brings to life Ballard’s world with details drawn from her actual journals, but also explores the challenging legal system for women via her experiences as a witness, healer, and friend of the accused. This New York Times best seller was a Good Morning America Book Club pick and an NPR Book of the Year.
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
This clever and fun speculative novel considers what might happen if a single woman came home to find that she had a husband who had entered her world through the attic. She soon learns that she can exchange that husband simply by sending him up to the attic, which allows another possible husband to emerge, and the world around her changes with the new man. This delightful New York Times best seller was also a Jenna’s Book Club Pick.
The Lincoln Lawyer Series by Michael Connelly
If you’ve ever watched The Lincoln Lawyer movie or the current Netflix show, you might enjoy Michael Connelly’s mystery series, which inspired them. The eighth book, The Proving Ground, will be released on Sept. 8, but the first seven are available and detail the surprise-filled courtroom battles of defense attorney Mickey Haller. With exciting twists and turns, Connelly keeps readers guessing as Haller works to defend his clients.
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
The best-selling author of The Help has crafted a novel that Oprah Daily calls “so immersive, exciting, and downright fabulous, you never want it to end.” Set in Oxford, Mississippi, in 1933, the books follows a group of women who are struggling in the poor economic times and provides an illuminating peek into how they navigate their world.
And if you’d like another take on caregiving, my memoir, Kick-Ass Kinda Girl: A Memoir of LIfe, Love, and Caregiving depicts my time as a caregiver to both my mother and my husband along with other cherished periods in my life in order to provide a broad perspective on life and caregiving.
Whatever you choose to read this summer, enjoy yourself! Let the beauty of words wash over you, and let yourself find inspiration and pleasure in these inspiring adventures.
Thank you for reading, be well, and please share with a friend.
All my best, KK
We are grateful to have been helping caregivers in need for over 10 years thanks to the support of the many generous and caring friends who have helped make a difference in so many lives.
Please consider donating to the Kathi Koll Foundation so you can help make a difference in struggling family caregivers’ lives. Thank you!
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