What Makes a Good Book?

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Before diving into what makes a good book, here are a few practical notes and reminders that to help support the missions of libraries and senior living communities.

Practical Notes:

Libraries Transforming Communities!

The American Library Association and Association of Rural and Small Libraries are offering grants to libraries looking to expand patron outreach and build stronger community partnerships.

Nursing Homes Enriching Lives!

Center of Medicare Services (CMS) Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) Reinvestment Grants are open again! Reading2Connect provides free assistance to all licensed nursing homes in completing CMP applications. Inquire here.

Reminder:

Want to see Reading2Connect’s methodology and books in action? Join one of our live Info Sessions, or watch a recorded Info Session at your convenience.

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What Makes a Good Book?

Interestingly, the qualities that make a book “good” for people living with dementia are the same qualities that appeal to all readers. Let’s begin with content.

Many assume that people only enjoy reading topics they’re already interested in (e.g. World War II, gardening, fishing) Or that they will only like specific genres (e.g. mysteries, biographies, science-fiction). But I believe a well-crafted book can hold almost anyone’s attention, regardless of the subject.

If I asked,“Would you like to read about a tree?”“Or about Poland between 1930 and 1949?”

You might say, “No, thank you,” or “Not right now,” and hope I don’t mention this again.

Nonetheless, I’d like to suggest two books that cover exactly those topics. 

In my opinion, most people would enjoy these books, including people living with cognitive changes. And that is because these books are thought-provoking and intriguing. They have energy and they progress. This quality of flow is impossible to define but we know it when we read it. A book that moves us along like a stream is prized especially for people living with dementia and here’s why. 

People living with dementia may be on medication, or have trouble sleeping, or spend lots of energy navigating the day. They may fatigue easily. For this population, reading must be as effortless as possible; a book must move along.

This appreciation for literary flow is described well by a skilled nursing resident after reading a Reading2Connect book:

She said,

“I like the book. I like the words turning to the assumption of the speech. I think that it just sort of runs along together, not having to go through many, many pages before you open up to what really is being said.”

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Mainstreamed Book Suggestions for Readers Living with Cognitive Change

(The goal of this section of the blog is to help you identify and evaluate reading material that may be readable and enjoyable for people living with dementia.)

Below are two books that could be deemed “dementia-friendly.” Though not designed for readers with dementia, these books’ rhythmic flow, vivid content, clear structure, and age-appropriate subject matter make them broadly accessible.

(NOTE: One’s connection to a book is personal and individualistic; no book is great for everyone.)

Book #1

The Giving Tree 

by Shel Silverstein

Book #2

Memories of My Life in a Polish Village, 1930-1949

by Toby Knobel Fluck

Click below to comment, ask questions, or share your own reading experiences.

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