5 minute read
Book lists for all ages
On the Bookshelf Make time to read
In addition to being a go-to hobby on rainy days and a great way to get away from the daily grind, reading can have a profound impact on mental health.
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A study published in the journal Brain Connectivity used MRI scans to measure the effects of reading on the brain to show that reading not only triggered brain connectivity while reading, but also continued for days afterward.
The following are some ways people can find more time to get away with a good book.
Take a book to the gym. Weightlifting and reading might not be a match made in heaven, but taking an e-reader along with you to the treadmill, elliptical or exercise bike can be great way to pass the time while breaking a sweat. Instead of firing up a streaming service during your cardiovascular workout, bring an e-reader and read a book.
Hit the books before bed. Many people find time to read right before going to bed each night. Reading before bed is a great time to get some reading in, and it also can benefit readers in a unique way. A study from researchers at the University of Sussex found that six minutes of reading before bed reduces stress by 68 percent.
Listen to books while commuting. While it takes some getting used to, listening to audiobooks is another way to indulge in a good book. Though various studies have suggested audiobooks can lead to lower levels of reading comprehension than reading traditional print books, people with hectic schedules may need to give a little to get a little. Professionals with long commute times can turn their daily drives to and from the office into opportunities to listen to audiobooks.
Turn the television off. Data collected from Nielsen found that the average adult now spends nearly six hours per day watching television, videos on a smartphone or tablet and/or videos on devices connected to their televisions. Adults who want to find more time to read may need to just turn off their televisions and devices and spend more time reading than watching videos.
Reading more can be a great way to grow as a person and that growth can have a profound effect on readers’ overall health.
FICTION — ADULTS
‘Peach Blossom Spring’
By Melissa Fu
It is 1938 in China and, as a young wife, Meilin’s future is bright. But with the Japanese army approaching, Meilin and her four-yearold son, Renshu, are forced to flee their home. Years later, Renshu has settled in America as Henry Dao. Though his daughter is desperate to understand her heritage, he refuses to talk about his childhood. Spanning continents and generations, this story is a bold and moving look at the history of modern China, told through the story of one family. Little, Brown and Company
By Dolly Parton and James Patterson
From America’s most beloved superstar and its greatest storyteller comes a thriller about a young singer-songwriter on the rise and on the run, and determined to do whatever it takes to survive. Rose is a star on the rise, singing about the hard life behind her. She’s also on the run. Find a future, lose a past. Nashville is where she’s come to claim her destiny. It’s also where the darkness she’s fled might find her. And destroy her. Little, Brown and Company
By Jennifer E. Smith
Right after the death of her mother and just before the launch of her high-stakes sophomore album, indie musician Greta James falls apart on stage. Months later, she reluctantly agrees to accompany her father on the Alaskan cruise her parents had booked for their 40th anniversary. There she meets Ben Wilder, a charming historian and onboard lecturer, who is struggling with a major upheaval in his own life. As Greta works to build back her confidence, she and Ben find themselves drawn to each other. Ballantine Books
NONFICTION — ADULTS
By Daniel H. Pink
Everybody has regrets. They’re a universal and healthy part of being human. And understanding how regret works can help us make smarter decisions, perform better at work and school, and bring greater meaning to our lives. Drawing on research in social psychology, neuroscience and biology, Pink debunks the myth of the “no regrets” philosophy of life, and he lays out the four core regrets that each of us has. Riverhead Books
By Aimée Lutkin
Chock-full of razor-sharp observations and poignant moments of vulnerability, this book is a stirring account of being alone and a revealing exposé of our culture’s deep biases against the uncoupled. Over the course of a year, the author went on hundreds of dates; read the sociologists, authors and relationship experts exploring singlehood and loneliness; and probed the capitalist structures that make alternative family arrangements nearly impossible. Dial Press
‘Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior’
By Ric Prado
Enrique Prado found himself in his first firefight at age seven. The son of a middle-class Cuban family caught in the midst of the Castro Revolution, his family fled their war-torn home for the hope of a better life in America. Fifty years later, he retired from the Central Intelligence Agency. A harrowing memoir of life in the shadowy world of assassins, terrorists, spies and revolutionaries, this story is a testament to courage, creativity and dedication. St. Martin’s Press
PICTURE BOOKS
By Tom Percival
Tilda doesn’t like change. Why would she, when her life is great just the way it is? But one day, Tilda’s world turns completely upside down. All of a sudden, everything is topsy-turvy, and nothing feels right. Things that were once easy now seem incredibly challenging. Everything is just so different and hard. Can Tilda discover a way to move forward and embrace all this change? Bloomsbury
‘I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared!’
By Seth Myers; illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr.
When you’re a bear who is easily scared, it’s hard to have friends. Fortunately, Bear has one: Rabbit, who is very brave. One day, Rabbit urges Bear to face his fears and embark on an adventure together. However, things don’t entirely go as planned, and the two friends learn the true meaning of bravery. Flamingo
‘Girl Dad’
By Sean Williams; illustrated by Jay Davis
A fun read-aloud written in upbeat rhyming verse, “Girl Dad” is a picture book that honors the strong men who raise, love, and uplift strong girls. Share it with the dads in your life. HarperCollins
