Five Books for Wise Women

There’s something especially satisfying about diving into a great read — and for women over 60, books that resonate most reflect our richness of experience, the promise of reinvention, and the power of connection.

Here are five of my favorites—some newer reads that inspire and motivate and others that I return to year-after-year to savor like time spent with old friends. Each title has given me a fresh perspective and offers something meaningful to ponder. These aren’t just books to pass the time; they’re books that might just shift the way you see your world.

While all are linked through Amazon, I always encourage visiting and supporting local and independent bookstores.

A Year by the Sea by Joan Anderson

Every few years, I pull this favorite off the shelf and revisit Joan Anderson’s poetic account of her journey to embrace the challenges of mid-life transformation with equal parts grit and gusto. Anderson’s quest to self-discovery leads her to examine and re-create her life beside the chilly coast and churning seas of Cape Cod. The tagline of her memoir reads, “Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman,” an idea that rings true to many women facing the newness of midlife.

Britt-Marie was Here by Fredrik Backman

Fredick Backman, Swedish author of the New York Times Bestseller, “A Man Called Ove” is known for writing complex and compelling characters who triumph over loneliness and isolation. After walking out on her cheating husband, Britt-Marie lands in a backwater town where she takes charge of a dilapidated recreation center and the drunkards, lay-abouts and minor criminals who take refuge there. As lives are upended and transformed, Britt-Marie has to choose between returning to her old life or venturing forward to an even greater unknown. Side note--here’s a rare case where the movie is as good as the book.

Learn to Love Midlife by Chip Conley

As co-founder and CEO of the Modern Elder Academy, Chip Conley has a long history of helping people embrace and thrive in midlife. In this book he outlines 12 reasons why life gets better with age while busting old, outdated paradigms that tell us aging is about decline, disease and ultimately death. With chapters that focus on physical, mental, emotional, vocational and spiritual life, he reframes midlife not as a crisis but a chrysalis.

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

I’ve been a member of a book club for more than 30 years and am happy to report that this novel is one that has been referenced time and again when we talk about books that made a personal impact. A man and a woman, both in their 70s, find a unique and compelling connection that their families simply cannot understand. A beautiful story of second chances at any age, this book shines the light of hope on darkness and isolation.

Midlife Private Parts by Dina Alvarez and Dina Aronson

This one is a new addition to my library and one that I know I will return to again and again. A collection of essays by well-known, mid-life thought leaders, this compilation explores the many facets of life that occur during these truly transformative years. Personal narratives cover everything from career changes to shifting family dynamics and evolving friendships, and the short essay length means it’s easy to enjoy in a time crunch.

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HELL YEAH!

Don’t forget about the opportunities available when traveling on planes, trains and automobiles.

Plug into great audio reads available with subscriptions like Audible and AudioBooksNow. Free options include LibriVox, which features thousands of audio books in the public domain and Overdrive, available through your local library.

Reminder: I do not endorse these businesses and organizations, nor do I receive compensation from them.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT:

What books can you get lost in on a lazy summer day?