Books Recommended
​by CAN Members

Books of Wisdom 
and Insight

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman – It is about a group of retirees living in a retirement village who meet once a week to investigate unsolved murders in England. I love the beautiful friendship between the gang of 4, each with his/her story and neuroses, as well as the recurring ancillary characters around them. It's tender at times, really funny at other times with an evolving plot and twists and turns that every good murder mystery should have. Don't underestimate these septuagenarians for a moment... Note: This is the first book in a series of four ... so far – Marcia Rappaport 

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride – The novel takes place mostly in the 1930’s in a section of Pottsville, Pennsylvania called Chicken Hill, an area made up of ramshackle houses where the town’s blacks, Jews, and immigrant whites lived. The book tells an America story from perspectives we rarely see – that of those who inhabit the edges of society, and yet make community work and encourage humanity and kindness to rise. – Judy Ryan

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell – Set in the 16th century, this novel takes its inspiration from the Robert Browning poem, My Last Duchess. Forced into an arranged marriage, Lucrezia begins to fear her charming but determined husband who must have an heir. – Judy Ryan

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell – This fictional telling of the brief life and death of Shakespeare's son Hamnet explores the possibility that Shakespeare wrote Hamlet in part out of his own grief for his son, as Hamlet grieves for his father. – Judy Ryan

Reading Washington Black by Esi Edugyan – A wonderful story, beautiful to read. The tale of an 11 year old boy, slave in Barbados, as his life unfolds. - Britta Voss

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – "A charming, witty and enjoyable exploration of friendship, reckoning and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus in the aquarium where she works.  I couldn't put this book down and still think about it months later." - Jan Jason

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese – Spanning the years 1900 to 1977, The Covenant of Water is set in Kerala, on South India's Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning—and in Kerala, water is everywhere.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kid – Set in early 19th century Charleston, this novel alternates between the voices and experiences of Sarah Grimké, daughter of a wealthy family, and Handful (Hetty) Grimké, the young black girl who was "given" to Sarah on Sarah's eleventh birthday. Kid explores how their lives are deeply intertwined for thirty-five years.

Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer – (nonfiction) "Funny, curious, erudite, and full of useful details about ancient techniques of training memory" - The Boston Globe 

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge – "Exciting novel based on the true story of two young giraffes brought to San Diego from Europe during the Depression." - Jane Berkowicz

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion – "Quirky trilogy of genetics professor trying to meet women." - Jane Berkowicz

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson – "Gentle, delightful story of life in a small British town." - Jane Berkowicz

Educated by Tara Westover – (nonfiction) "A memoir of a Mormon woman raised off the grid. Fascinating and moving." - Jane Berkowicz

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin – "Powerful and emotional." - Jane Berkowicz

Circe by Madeline Miller – "Entrancing story of gods, goddesses and witches in ancient Greece." - Jane Berkowicz 

The Art of Aging by Sherwin B. Nuland, MD – The well-known surgeon and medical ethicist, Nuland shares his reflections on aging well. He engages us in stories and deep insights about aging that will resonate deeply with you. – Sally Borgman 

Honest Aging by Rosanna M. Leipzig, MD, PhD – This is an excellent reference book to help us sort of what is normal and what might be a red flag as we go through the aging process. – Sami Aronson

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande – "This is one of the books that inspired the founders of Creative Aging to develop a group for those who want to age-in-place, supporting each other. Gawande is a practicing surgeon who writes about the need for the medical community to gain a deeper understanding of what people need as they age." - Ann Morgan

Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen - "Reading this book is like having several conversations with your wisest friend." - Ann Morgan 

The Five Invitations by Frank Ostaseski  – "Do not be put off by the subtitle of this book, Discovering What Death Can Teach us about Living Fully. This book is full of calming wisdom and insight." - Ann Morgan 

The Wisdom of Morrie: Living and Aging Creatively and Joyfully by Morrie Schwartz, edited by Rob Schwarts (his son!). "This book is informative, upbeat and interesting!" - Pearl Natter ​