If you usually stick to the fiction section of the bookstore, it's worth venturing into nonfiction the next time you're looking for a new title. Nonfiction books span an almost endless number of topics, so you can find a book that fits your interests and holds your attention. You can also enjoy several benefits, including the ones listed below.
All types of reading require you to focus on what you're reading, but nonfiction can be particularly helpful in improving your concentration. Many nonfiction books have lots of facts and details that are crucial to comprehend what you're reading. That improved concentration could transfer to other tasks and support your overall cognitive abilities.
Nonfiction books offer an informal way for you to learn about something new. If you want to know about a particular topic, you can find a book about it. This might be for the simple enjoyment of gaining knowledge about a topic, or it might be learning a new skill you can use in life. Learning new things engages your cognitive skills and could help improve your memory.
No matter how you felt about history class in school, learning about past events as an older adult can be enjoyable and enlightening. Nonfiction books often present historical events in a more interesting way than history books. You might learn more about a historical event that took place when you were a child and were too young to remember, or you could read about another time in history that interests you. Looking at the past can help you better understand how things are today.
As you get older, you deal with new situations and life changes. You might struggle with getting older or the changes that are happening to your mind and body. Perhaps you're dealing with a health issue, such as hearing loss or a disease diagnosis, or you're grieving the loss of someone important to you. You can usually find a nonfiction book that touches on those issues and appeals to your interests. Whether it's a self-help book or a memoir, these nonfiction accounts may help you process the situations you're facing in life.
You're never too old to learn new lessons in life. Nonfiction books often share other people's experiences and the lessons they've learned. Reading this type of nonfiction can help you learn from what others have gone through. You might discover strategies or ideas other people have used that you can apply to your life to avoid going through the trial-and-error process to gain that knowledge yourself.
Reading nonfiction books can also be a source of inspiration. Reading memoirs of people who've overcome obstacles can help you if you're going through a difficult time. Self-help books can give you specific strategies that inspire you to change how you go through life. Religious nonfiction books can inspire you to deepen your relationship with God and work on your faith.
It's easy to get set in your ways and view the world from only your perspective. When you intentionally choose nonfiction books from authors who have different perspectives, you expose yourself to different ways of thinking. That doesn't mean you'll change your opinions, but it helps you understand others who might not share the same outlook as you. It can also challenge some of your beliefs.
The things you read about in nonfiction books can give you something new to talk about when you interact with people. You might share facts you learned in your latest nonfiction read, or you might start a philosophical discussion on a concept you discovered. Having those conversation starters can improve your socialization skills, which can help you combat loneliness and feel more connected to others. It could help you meet new people or strengthen your connections with your fellow residents at LifeStream at North Phoenix.
Just as your fiction selection is likely different from other people you know, your nonfiction preferences will also likely be different. Here are some nonfiction book titles to get you started:
Consider your interests and hobbies when choosing nonfiction books. Your heritage or personal experiences could also impact your selections. You might want to learn more about something related to your family's history, for example. Biographies about people who interest you can also give you a starting point for your nonfiction reading. Joining a book club that focuses on nonfiction selections can also introduce you to new titles.
