5 books seniors will love this holiday season

The holiday season is a special time of the year.

Nothing beats the quality time with family and friends around the dinner table for holiday meals and in front of the fireplace with an inspiring book that is difficult to put down.

Many seniors enjoy the escape and peace of exploring a good book. It is a good thing too because reading can provide some much-needed mental stimulation.

At Hollenbeck Palms, we encourage our residents to pick up a book that takes them on an exciting journey and keeps them mentally engaged. Reading every day creates new brain pathways and can reinforce established ones.

With that in mind, we put together a list of resident-approved books on topics seniors will love. These amazing page-turners are available in the Hollenbeck Palms library and would also make great gifts this holiday season.

Cutting the Stone by Abraham Verghese

This coming-of-age tale about twin orphan brothers from Ethiopia will leave an indelible mark in the reader’s heart. The boys’ upbringing occurs as their homeland is torn and on the brink of revolution.

They find hope and escape in their shared fascination with medicine, and experience some miracles along the way.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Set during a very tumultuous time in American history, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is an amazing story of hope and commitment. In the two main characters, the author develops an unforgettable team whose story educates us on what forgiveness can do and the power of the human heart.

No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin

A winner of the Pulitzer Prize for history, No Ordinary Time revisits America’s shining moment and leadership during WWII.

With great precision, detail and vibrancy, the author focuses on and retells the remarkable partnership between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt.

From the impact made by the First Lady to FDR’s legacy on domestic and world affairs, readers will get a closeup look at one of the nation’s most revolutionary periods, which gave birth to modern America.

Boyle Heights by George Sanchez

As a nation of immigrants, the United States is a melting pot of people and culture. Most major cities showcase singular cultures in distinct urban districts like Chinatown, Japantown and Little Italy.

Boyle Heights is different.

As a dynamic, multicultural community, residents of all walks a life forged a special relationship with one another, even amid social injustice and political upheaval.

Readers will find an in-depth examination of the history of this unique Los Angeles neighborhood and the possibilities of cultural diversity and solidarity.

The Other Americans by Laila Lalami

Worlds and lives clash following the suspicious death of a Moroccan immigrant. The fallout of the death puts the focus on a diverse cast of characters, including a jazz composer, a widow, an undocumented witness and an Iraqi war veteran.

Readers will dive into a story about an unforgettable family saga involving a murder mystery and love that also reflects the issues and culture of America today.

At Hollenbeck Palms, we always encourage our residents to enjoy a good book from our library and these can all be found there! Contact us today to hear more about what we offer to see if we are the right fit for your family.