When I was growing up in the Bronx, New York, I loved going to the public library. My mom and I would walk across Mosholu Parkway from our home. Mom would go food shopping—which took a long time because she had to go to the butcher, the bakery and the supermarket.
I went to the library, where I headed straight for the new book section, opening the crisp covers, reading the flaps, flipping the printed pages. I'd stack the books—six was the limit—check them out one at a time and carry the pile in my arms to meet up with mom.
To this day, new books still excite me. That's why I so enjoyed attending the 2017 BookExpo at the New York Javits Center earlier this summer. The Expo is an annual event where publishers showcase new books. From Simon & Schuster to Hachette, Workman, Penguin and more, I walked every aisle to see each publisher's offerings.
What's Hot in the World of Books?
Now that I've finally finished combing through my notes and all the catalogs I collected, it's time to share the themes and trends that caught my attention. Are you ready for what's hot in the world of books? Note that some of these books may not be available until later in the year.
Here's the scoop:
Mindfulness and Yoga With a Dose of Happiness
If you're not being mindful or you're not happy, not to worry because there are hundreds of books (or maybe more) to bring you into the present and make you joyful. As a yogi, I was pleased to see that these topics are trending, yet not sure how I would find time to practice if I spent all my time reading. Here are some titles to choose from:
Mindfulness on the Go by Anna Black – "A set of 52 cards and a 64-page illustrated book, all in a flip-top box with an easel to display your mindfulness cards."
The Yoga Healer by Christine Burke – "Remedies for the body, mind, and spirit, from easing back pain and headaches to managing anxiety and finding joy and peace within."
Beyond Mindfulness by Stephan Bodian – "The direct approach to lasting peace, happiness, and love."
Relax into Yoga for Seniors by Kimberly Carson, MPH, E-RYT and Carol Krucoff, E-RYT – Includes a six-week program for strength, balance, flexibility and pain relief.
Yoga Bodies: Real People, Real Stories & the Power of Transformation by Lauren Lipson – "Full-color yoga-pose portraits of more than 80 practitioners of all ages, shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and skill levels"
The Mindful Way to a Good Night's Sleep by Tzivia Gover, director of the Institute for Dream Studies – "Discover how to use dreamwork, meditation, and journaling to sleep deeply and wake well." Sounds like a good read for my menopausal and postmenopausal friends, since none of us ever sleeps!
A Book That Takes Its Time: An Unhurried Adventure in Creative Mindfulness" by Irene Smit and Astrid van der Hulst – "Like a mindfulness retreat between two covers."
Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey – Mindfulness for children. (I liked this small book, it makes mindfulness fun for kids.)
Add a Dose of Happiness
Can You Be Happy for 100 Days in a Row? by Dmitry Golubnichy – Where's a hashtag for this book: #100HAPPYDAYSCHALLENGE.
Signs of Hope: Messages From Subway Therapy by Matthew Levee Chavez – Who knew there are signs of hope in the subway?
Just Trying to Cope With Reality?
If you just want to remain a curmudgeon, then read:
The Trouble With Reality: A Rumination on Moral Panic in Our Time by Brooke Gladstone – An award-winning uses her insights and connections to help us understand what she calls "trouble with reality."
How to Live Longer or Age Well
If you want some help in this department, check out these books:
The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner – His newest book is The Blue Zones of Happiness: Lessons From the World's Happiest People, with "a blueprint for a better life."
The Spectrum of Hope by Gayatri Devi, M.D., director of the New York Memory and Healthy Aging Services – "An optimistic and new approach to Alzheimer's disease and other dementia."
Sixty: A Diary of My Sixty-First Year: The Beginning of the End, or the End of the Beginning? by Ian Brown – This will be out in paperback in August. (Definitely going to be reading this book in 2017 during my countdown to 60.)
The Longevity Code by Kris Verburg, M.D. – "The new science of aging."
If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda – Maybe the secret to a long life is good communications.
Silver Hair by Lorraine Massey with Michele Bender – A handbook on how to "say goodbye to the dye and let your natural light shine."
The Naughty Nineties: The Triumph of the American Libido by David Friend – Boomers will enjoy this read, which reflects on all the ways the world changed in the '90s with "the rise of the web, reality television, and the wholesale tabloidization of pop culture."
Age-Proof Living Longer Without Running Out of Money or Breaking a Hip by Today show financial expert Jean Chatzky and Michael F. Roizen, M.D., the Cleveland Clinic's chief wellness officer – Sounds like a healthy and wealthy combination for a long life.
Need a Little Inspiration?
These books will rev up your mind, body and soul:
Quotes That Will Change Your Life edited by Russ Kick
Things That Join the Sea and the Sky: Field Notes on Living by Mark Nepo (a wonderful poet)
Pocket Michelle Obama Wisdom: Wise and Inspirational Words From Michelle Obama
Pocket Bowie Wisdom: Inspirational Words from a Rock Legend
Contemplation Cards – 60 cards with words for reflection and intention.
Every Day Is Epic by Mary Kate McDevitt – a 365-day "guided journal for daydreams, creative rants, and bright ideas."
200 Women Who Will Change the Way You See the World – The editors interviewed 200 notable women including Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Goodall, and Julie Taymor. All were asked the same five questions about life, happiness and making changes.
Not inspired yet? Maybe your pet can help!
Really Important Stuff My Cat Has Taught Me by Cynthia L. Copeland – Does your cat have all the answers?
Waggish by Grace Chon and Melanie Monteiro – These pictures of dogs will make you smile.
The Dogist Puppies by Elias Weiss Friedman – An "irresistible gift for dog lovers."
What It's Like to Be a Dog by Gregory Berns – "Adventures in animal neuroscience."
Novels for Summer Reading
I can't describe them all, so I will just share the titles of the new novels that were featured on posters and in the exhibits:
The Burning Girl
Rich and Pretty
Another Brooklyn
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O
Same Beach, Next Year
The Force
Dragon Teeth
The Secrets You Keep
Black Mad Wheel
Rich People Problems
Burn Town
The Nightingale Won't Let You Sleep
Camino Island
Spoonbenders
New Novels for Fall Reading
There are many more novels coming later in 2017:
Odd Child Out
Wonder Valley
The Quantum Spy
The Child Finder
Forest Dark
Grist Mill Road
The Woman in the Window
It's Time to Start Cooking
Here's a collection of new cookbooks hitting the shelves and hopefully foodies' kitchens. All feature mouthwatering photos that will make you want to cook and bake:
The Healing Slow Cooker
The Sullivan Street Bakery Cookbook
Everyday Korean
Tasting Hygge
Bowls!
Proudly Wear Your Imprints
I Cannot Live Without Books: Literary Tattoos for Book Lovers by Lotta Scott
Lithographs.com offers T-shirts and other attire with text from great books.
Last but Not Least
Couldn't forget to mention that my favorite children's Golden Book was featured at the show:
The Poky Little Puppy.
What are you reading this summer? Share a comment below.
This post originally appeared on aboomerslifeafter50.com.
