Books on Healthy Aging and Self Development Worth Reading
Life’s been feeling pretty full lately. Not always one big thing…sometimes it’s a few smaller things that just won’t take turns.
I’ve actually found the time to read, or maybe I’ve made the time. I’ve been working my way through Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series, and after a day spent online, sitting down with an actual book feels less like a hobby and more like a relief.
That’s probably why I keep landing back on healthy aging and self-development books, too. I’m not looking for a new me by Friday. I just want something that helps me steady out, rethink a few things, and feel a little less alone in it.
So I thought it was a good time to revisit this list. If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to know what you thought. And if there’s a book that changed the way you think about getting older, please share it with us.
14 Books on Healthy Aging and Self-Development Worth Reading
“The Gift of Years: Growing Old Gracefully” by Joan Chittister
Joan Chittister treats aging like it’s actually giving you something, not just taking things away. The stories in here are small and specific, not the inspirational-poster kind, and that’s exactly why they land. You finish a chapter and find yourself thinking about your own life instead of just nodding along.
“Aging with Grace: Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture” by Sharon W. Betters & Susan Hunt
Aging Wth Grace is a direct shot at the anti-aging industry, the one that treats getting older like a problem you’re supposed to be fixing. Betters and Hunt argue the opposite: aging isn’t something to fight off, it’s something you can actually build on. That’s a different mindset from most of what’s out there, and it’s backed by real reasoning, not just a pep talk.
“The Age Well Project: Easy Ways to a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life” by Annabel Streets and Susan Saunders
The Age Well Project came from reader Patricia, who actually tracked down a used UK copy on Amazon to get it. The two authors met at school pickup years ago, and each had a real reason to dig into healthy aging: one had a parent with Alzheimer’s, the other had breast cancer in the family. There’s a website to match, with a newsletter you can sign up for, and Patricia says the book covers a lot of ground with practical ideas for healthy living as you age. Her words: “Highly recommended!”
“The Grace in Aging” by Kathleen Dowling Singh
This one’s slow on purpose. Singh spends most of it on the later years, specifically, what actually shifts: the relationships that get deeper, the patience that shows up where it didn’t used to be, the way small things start mattering more than they used to. No big argument to follow, just one observation after another that makes you stop and think about your own life for a second.
“Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age” by Bruce Feiler
Life Is in the Transitions by Bruce Feiler would actually make a good gift for your adult kids, any age. Feiler interviewed a ton of people and used real research to map out how people move through big changes, and the takeaway is that the hardest, messiest part of a transition is usually where the actual growth happens, not before it, not after.
“Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead” by Brené Brown
Brown’s whole case is that vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s actually the thing that makes real connection, love, parenting, and leadership possible in the first place. I listened to this on Audible years ago and keep thinking I should revisit it. Some books you read once and move on. This feels like one you’re supposed to come back to.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear
Not technically an aging book, but it’s on here anyway, and with over 25 million copies sold, plenty of people seem to agree. Clear breaks down why small, repeated habits move the needle more than big, dramatic overhauls ever do, and he actually explains the mechanics instead of just cheerleading. If you’ve ever started a new habit in January and dropped it by February, this explains why, and what to try instead.
“The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor’s Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age” by Gladys McGarey
Written by a doctor who’s 102, which is reason enough to pay attention before you even open the book. McGarey’s been practicing medicine and living her own advice for decades, and what she’s landed on is that physical, mental, and emotional health aren’t three separate things to manage, they’re one system, and ignoring one throws off the other two. The six principles she lays out aren’t flashy, but they’re the kind of practical that holds up at any stage of life, not just the one she’s currently in.
“Untamed” by Glennon Doyle
Doyle is blunt about how much of “who we are” is really just who we were told to be, and how much work it takes to figure out the difference. Not a gentle read. It’s the kind that makes you underline things and then sit there questioning a few of your own choices. One line that’s stuck with many readers: the braver we are, the luckier we get.
“Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… and Maybe the World” by William H. McRaven
“Make Your Bed” by Admiral William H. McRaven is a concise yet powerful book that distills life lessons from Navy SEAL training into practical advice for personal growth and success. With each chapter centered around the simple act of making your bed, McRaven emphasizes the importance of discipline, resilience, and attention to detail in achieving larger goals. This book inspires readers to take control of their daily actions and, in doing so, create a positive ripple effect that can extend to their personal lives and beyond.
“Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe” by Laura Lynne Jackson
The outlier on this list, more spiritual than practical. Jackson writes about the small coincidences most of us brush past without a second thought, and makes the case for paying attention to them instead. I’ve listened to this one twice on Audible, which tells you something about how it sat with me.
“Breaking the Age Code” by Becca Levy, PhD
Levy’s research is the backbone here, and it’s genuinely eye-opening: how we talk and think about aging actually changes our health outcomes, not just our mood or outlook. This one reframes aging as something you have some say in, not just something that happens to you while you watch.
“Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier” by Kevin Kelly
Short, plain-spoken lessons from someone who’s clearly made (and learned from) a lot of mistakes. Kelly’s not building an argument or laying out a system; he’s just handing over a few hundred individual lines, the kind you’d get from a smart older friend if they decided to write everything down instead of waiting for you to ask. Some hit immediately. Some you’ll read once, forget, and then remember at exactly the right moment a year later. No big theory, no roadmap with steps to follow, just the kind of advice you wish someone had handed you twenty years earlier.
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If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to know what you thought. And if there’s a book that helped you think differently about aging, health, or simply getting through a full season of life, please share it with us. I have a feeling we could all use a few good recommendations.
I never read nonfiction, but I find there’s nothing better than curling up with a novel or two. Imagine my horror when I pulled out my long-awaited library novel yesterday and found my eyes no longer focus up close. Grrr. I think this falls into the “death by a thousand ant bites” category.
Oh no Annie! Time for new glasses or large print books…which interestingly used to hurt my eyes but are getting easier to see now.
Time for cataract surgery, which I have successfully avoided for several years now. Duh. I have definitely let fear get the upper hand here.
They have really perfected that surgery. Best of luck. You’ll be glad to be on the other side it it.
The early Louise Penny books are so enjoyable, I even wished I could live in Three Pines. I finished #21 Black Wolf and the magic is missing in that one.
She makes the town so cozy. I’d love to live there too, minus the murders.
I am reading the Gamache series books and currently reading the same book the same book as you are. I love all the characters and wishing could spend a few days in Three Pines!
Yes, me too!!
I discovered Louise Penny a couple of years ago and decided to read the Three Pines series from start to finish. I’m currently reading Book #18 and I, too, love the series and the characters, who feel like old friends.
I read Make Your Bed several years ago and loved it! It’s amazing how doing that one task, which takes only minutes, can start your day off with such a sense of accomplishment.
Thank you for the other book recommendations. There are several I’m interested in reading, since I’m well into this “senior” period of life at 76!
A friend gave me The Gift of Life years ago
It’s wonderful. I reread it every year.
Thank Kelly!
I follow several accounts on Instagram that deal with aging issues but never seem to have time for reading. Your book list sounds fantastic. I will definitely make an effort to “carve” out some time to check them out.
That’s a modern problem many of us have. Being online has taken over our time for other things.
I just picked up Forever Strong by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon. So far it is fascinating. I lost a great deal of weight and needed something to help me regain lost muscle mass.
Your reading list is phenomenal and can’t wait to add some of those to my library.
That sounds like a great book!
I am reading “The End of Alzheimers” by Dr Dale Bredesen. It is the first of three books he has written on Alzheimers. Brilliant book for everyone from prevention to treatment. Now this is a book about healthy aging!!
Thanks for the recommendation! It sounds great.
These are such great books. I will add them to my reading g list.
Thanks for all your research.
Thanks so much Jennifer!
I will look at several of these titles. This is what I love and enjoy about your marvelous blog. Such variety and I do appreciate your ability to laugh at little things that pop up in our lives as we age.
Thank you!
I’m glad you’re here with us, Mary Ann.
Hi Jennifer, thanks so much for including my suggestion, The Age Well Project. The others also look great, and I’m certainly going to check out as many as I can, particularly Destination Fabulous and Hot Granny!
Thank you so much for this list. I’ve been feeling very aged lately and don’t like it. I need some inspiration to change my mindset!
Me too. I just finished reading Desination Fabulous and found it very uplifting.
Great selection of books to read! Thanks for listing them!
I loved the ‘Make your bed’ book by William McRaven and have also read ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear.
I have the book by Peter Attia on my bedside table ready to read. I have added to my library wish list some of the others you have recommended.
BTW, I received the tea I ordered from Murchies and am loving it! Thanks for the link😊
That’s awesome. I don’t earn a commission from Murchies but they’re too good not to share!
Am reading May Sarton At 82 a journal Which is exactly my age!!! There is one thing no one really mentioned is that we may have to care for a partner with dementia my case so believe me no time for navel gazing!!!
I’m so sorry, Annie. That is really, really hard. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there and be sure to take self-care time!!
May Sarton seems to have fallen off the map with women under 70 (?). She proves that wisdom and growth come from fiction as well as non-fiction. I haven’t read the journal and will look for it.
Thank you for this list, Jennifer. I have read and loved both Joan Chittister and Admiral McRaven. Different approaches but very worthwhile advice from both. I look forward to exploring some of the others on the list.
Thanks for your input on them, Jeanne
Please take a look at my book, Hot Granny, Chronicle Books. Here’s the interview on the CBS Morning show. Google: CBS Mel Walsh…for the interview about aging.
I am 87 and a gerontologist with an advanced degree from USC, so it is written from two points of view…personal and factual from academic studies. Illustrated and available from Amazon. I make no money from these sales but would like people to get their hands on it. Also light-hearted. Thanks. Mel Walsh
You book sounds great, Mel!
I have read and highly recommend Breaking the Age Code. Now I’ll have to add a few more of these to my must read list!
It sounds really good. Thanks
I highly recommend Oldster, the more-than-weekly Substack magazine started by Sari Botton. I’ve learned so much from my (free) subscription that I’m upgrading to paid, which says a lot, as I hate paying for content on the internet! It’s just so fascinating to read about other people’s experiences of aging.
Here’s the link: https://oldster.substack.com/
Thanks for the great list of books! My husband is the one who’s is always reading about aging well, health and wellness. I will share this list and maybe have to share some of his.
Lovely list of books! One that I am currently reading and should be added to your list is Destination Fabulous by Anna Murphy. I highly recommend it.
I just finished that! It’s fabulous
On my computer, this sensational article is only text– one long paragraph with no photos or links. Is this my computer or can you resend?
I fixed it. Not sure what’s wrong but I will have to find out.
I highly recommend Younger Next Year for Women by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge, M.D. The book is very positive and focuses mainly on the importance of daily exercise to age well. Another book I enjoyed is The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Change Your World by David Robson .
Thank you Stacey!