Diverse Reads for Seniors: Unconventional Book Club Selections

Looking for a meaningful way to connect, stimulate your mind, and explore new perspectives? A book club might be just the thing you need. Engaging with various diverse reads offers joy and fulfillment for seniors, and provides a way to socialize with others who might be reading the same books.

Get started with gripping historical fiction like Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles, riveting Indigenous horror like Cherie Dimaline’s Empire of Wild, or unique memoirs like Nyle DiMarco’s Deaf Utopia.

Whether you’re looking to expand your horizons, understand new perspectives, or revel in a good story, books can enrich your reading experience and spark meaningful discussions. 

Why Reading Is Beneficial for Seniors  

Reading isn’t just a pastime—it’s a powerful exercise for the mind. For seniors in particular, keeping the brain active is essential. Here’s why reading matters so much as you age:

• Cognitive Health: Reading has been shown to keep your mind sharp and possibly slow the progression of cognitive decline.  
• Social Connection: Shared reading experiences build bonds with others, deepen friendships, and create new ones.  
• Personal Growth: Reading diverse literature allows you to explore lives and cultures different from your own, fostering empathy and understanding.  

How Diversifying Your Reading Benefits You  

While any book has its merits, diversifying your reading list offers something special—a chance to see the world differently. By exploring stories from underrepresented voices, you can gain new perspectives on identity, community, and resilience. Expanding your reading horizons also makes for rich and engaging book club discussions.  

Whether LGBTQ+ fiction, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) stories, or thought-provoking nonfiction, diverse reads can impact your heart and mind.  

Diverse Books for Your Book Club  

LGBTQ+ Fiction  

1. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. A profoundly moving letter from a son to his illiterate mother, this novel interweaves themes of identity, love, and trauma, offering a poetic meditation on being both Vietnamese and queer in America.  
2. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Set in ancient Greece, this retelling of The Iliad focuses on the deep love and friendship between Achilles and Patroclus. It’s a tale of love, war, and destiny that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.  
3. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Step into Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo’s glamorous and scandalous life as she reveals her most incredible love story. This page-turner is both heartbreaking and empowering.  
4. The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr. This award-winning novel tells the story of a queer, Black car porter whose days are filled with hidden longing and quiet observation.  

BIPOC Fiction  

1. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. A stunning exploration of friendship, creativity, and ambition, this novel follows two video game designers navigating their dreams and challenges.  
2. Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. Set in a dystopian world, this tender yet powerful novel examines the bond between mother and child in the context of widespread cultural oppression.  
3. The Mothers by Brit Bennett. This evocative story of love, friendship, and family secrets is told through the collective voice of “the Mothers,” a group of church women witnessing lives unfold in a small Black community.  
4. Banyan Moon by Thao Thai. This novel spans three generations of Vietnamese-American women and weaves family drama, cultural identity, and haunting secrets into a compelling narrative.  
5. Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline. A riveting Métis reimagining of the werewolf legend, this novel is an unforgettable tale of myth, culture, and love.  

Diverse Nonfiction  

1. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. This powerful memoir captures the struggles and resilience of Maya Angelou’s childhood, offering profound reflections on race, identity, and self-worth.  
2. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. This groundbreaking book explores how small shifts create significant changes in culture and society.  
3. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Combining Indigenous wisdom with scientific knowledge, this lyrical book connects profoundly to nature.  
4. Deaf Utopia by Nyle DiMarco. This memoir by model and activist Nyle DiMarco gives a heartfelt glimpse into the Deaf community, celebrating its richness and resilience.  
5. Different by Frans de Waal. A fascinating look at gender and behaviour from a primatologist, challenging assumptions and offering fresh insights.  

Historical Reads About Minority Communities  

1. An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. A must-read history that reframes American history from the perspective of Indigenous peoples.  
2. Let the Record Show by Sarah Schulman. A detailed and inspiring account of the AIDS activism led by ACT UP in New York.  
3. The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. This sweeping narrative chronicles the Great Migration, following three individuals leaving the South for new opportunities.  
4. Two Trees Make a Forest by Jessica J. Lee. A moving memoir that explores family history and Taiwan’s natural wonders.  
5. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. A gripping true story of survival during World War II, highlighting resilience and the power of hope.  

Starting a Book Club in a Senior Living Community  

Connecting over shared stories is one of the most rewarding aspects of a book club. Here’s how you can create one in your senior living community:  

• Gather Interest: Start by asking around to see who loves reading. You might find surprising enthusiasm!  
• Establish a Schedule: Pick a convenient time and place for everyone.  
• Include Everyone: Offer audiobook options for those with vision impairments or difficulty reading printed text.  
• Facilitate Discussions: Assign a discussion leader or rotate this role to keep things dynamic and insightful.   

Whether reading to learn, laugh, or connect, diverse stories offer something for everyone. Mira Via Senior Living knows that fostering a community culture of exploration through diverse literature can be a truly enriching experience. Contact us today to see how your loved one could benefit from a book club in a senior living community.