Older Adults : Celebrating Daily Joys

Nonfiction

The Book of Joy – Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu
Two great spiritual leaders reflect on finding lasting joy through gratitude, connection, and perspective, even during challenges.

Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness – Ingrid Fetell Lee
Explores how everyday environments and experiences can spark joy and uplift the spirit.

The Art of Happiness – Dalai Lama & Howard Cutler
Blends philosophical insights and practical advice on cultivating contentment in daily life.

Aging as a Spiritual Practice – Lewis Richmond
Combines Buddhist wisdom and personal reflection on how to find growth, meaning, and joy in older age.

Happier as We Age: The Surprising Secrets to Loving Later Life – Dr. David Snowdon
Shares inspiring stories and research showing how purpose, gratitude, and positivity can thrive in later years.

Fiction

Our Souls at Night – Kent Haruf
A moving novel about love, friendship, and connection, highlighting the small joys that enrich life.

The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old – Hendrik Groen
Funny and heartfelt diary entries showcasing how humor, routine, and relationships bring daily happiness.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand – Helen Simonson
A warm story about friendship, romance, and rediscovering joy later in life.

The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared – Jonas Jonasson
A witty, adventurous novel demonstrating that excitement, humor, and delight are possible at any age.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – Rachel Joyce
Follows an older man’s journey across England, rediscovering purpose, meaning, and small joys along the way.