The dog days of summer lend themselves to a great book or 15!
Who doesn’t love taking it easy by the dock, consumed by a good read? Or perhaps, you are lounging on your back deck…exploring new worlds or falling in love (vicariously, of course). I love listening to books as I walk Ginny. I go through them like I go through mini-Kit Kats.
This summer has been chock-a block full of good ones.
I loved Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, a re-imagining of William Shakespeare’s family life, with less Bill – more Anne and the kids.
I also loved Lesson’s in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, Fayne by Anne-Marie MacDonald, Women Talking by Miriam Toews (the movie was excellent as well) Elizabeth Gilbert’s City of Girls, the imaginative The Impossible Us by Sarah Lotz and the beautiful, beautiful journey of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, to name a few.
I also dove into a number of non-fiction books. The Vagina Bible by Dr. Jen Gunter, where I learned waaayyyy more than I think I ever wanted to know. (Leigh wanted to say that EVERYONE should read this book but after we discussed it a bit, she agreed that not everyone needs to know everything.) 101 Essays that will Change the Way you Think by Brianna West (I suggest reading 1 essay a week and letting it sink in and inform your choices during that week – a personal “social experiment”, if you will).
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene – an awful, awful list, that if all the CEO’s and megalomaniacs of the world have based their career on this then WOW – that explains why we are in such a colossal mess.
Atomic Habits by James Clear, Unreconciled by Jesse Wente and The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan .
But I would say that the most important book I have read this year so far is The Measure of our Age, by M.T. Connolly.
Yes, it’s about aging and how to navigate all the hurdles that exist for the elderly AND their loved ones…and yes, it is full of tragic examples of how the system is incredibly broken. In spite of it being an American publication, it is an extremely accurate and compelling description of the situation in this country as well. I don’t want to sound preachy – or maybe I do – but it’s going to happen to all of us. As M.T. Connolly states:
“We all want to live longer but we don’t want to be old.”
It is a must read.
The other books I would urge people to read are:
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, Elderhood by Louise Aronson, Canada’s own André Picard’s Neglected No More and Moira Welsh’s Happily Every Older.
As Mark Twain is often credited with saying:
“Do not regret growing old, it is a privilege denied to many.”
I would modify that:
“Do not regret growing old, change the way it’s done, FFS.”
We have some exciting ideas coming! Join us on this discerning journey for seniors. Stay tuned.
Nb/ if you don’t know what “FFS” is…email us, we’ll let you know. Leigh and I believe expletives relieve a lot of stress… A LOT. You know what we’re talking about, especially if you drive in Toronto.
