Celebrating the Joys of Reading a Good Book

10 Great Books in Recognition of National Book Month

 

A couple of years ago, we celebrated National Book Month by writing a blog post about some curated books we thought you would like to read. Here are some recent titles we want to point out to you for this year. We think October is a perfect time to celebrate the joy, wisdom, and adventure found between the pages of a good book. Especially as the weather cools and quieter indoor activities can make you feel like curling up in a corner with a cup of tea. Here at Acacia Village, we are incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful library right on our campus, filled with endless worlds for you to explore.

We believe that an active mind is a cornerstone of an active life, there’s nothing better than discovering a new author or diving into a story that makes you think, laugh, or see our broad and beautiful world in a new way. We put together this curated list that features ten recently published books—from gripping historical fiction to charming mysteries and fascinating non-fiction—that will pique the curiosity and provide engagement to the many readers we have in our active senior community.

1. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (2020)

If you believe that retirement is the perfect time to start a new, thrilling hobby, this book is for you. In a peaceful retirement village, four friends—a former spy, a psychiatrist, a union leader, and a nurse—meet weekly to investigate unsolved murders. When a real-life killing happens on their doorstep, they find themselves in the middle of their first “live” case. Witty, charming, and cleverly plotted, this is the first in a delightful series that proves a sharp mind is the best weapon at any age. There are four other titles in the series and the latest was released on September 30th of this year. 

2. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (2022)

Set in the early 1960s, this bestseller introduces Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist whose career is stymied by the patriarchal society of her time. When she unexpectedly becomes the host of a television cooking show, she does more than teach housewives how to cook—she gives them a lesson in chemistry and empowerment. It’s a funny, sharp, and inspiring story about challenging the status quo and the unexpected ways we can make our mark on the world. Now a TV series on Apple TV with Brie Larson. 

3. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (2022)

This heartwarming and unique novel tells the story of Tova Sullivan, a recently widowed woman who works the night shift cleaning the Sowell Bay Aquarium. She forms an unlikely and touching friendship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus (yes, an octopus!) who is far more intelligent than anyone realizes. When Marcellus deduces the truth behind the long-ago disappearance of Tova’s son, he sets out to help her find closure. It’s a beautiful story about friendship, grief, and the way a surprising connection in the world has the ability to heal us.

4. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (2021)

From the author of A Gentleman in Moscow, this novel is a grand, old-fashioned American adventure. With great characters and typical Towles plot twists. In June 1954, 18-year-old Emmett Watson was driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the juvenile work farm where he had just served a sentence. His plan is to head to California, but his trip is spectacularly derailed by two friends from the farm. Spanning just 10 days, this story is filled with unforgettable characters, humor, and a wonderful sense of time and place. 

5. The Women by Kristin Hannah (2024)

A powerful and moving historical novel that finally shines a light on the stories of the women who served in the Vietnam War. Frances “Frankie” McGrath is a young nursing student who impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps and is sent to Vietnam. The novel is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of these often-forgotten heroines and a poignant look at the turbulent era of the 1960s and 70s. It’s a gripping read for anyone who appreciates historical detail and deeply human stories from a different time in our history.

6. Long Island by Colm Tóibín (Published: May 2025)

For those who loved the celebrated novel Brooklyn, this unusual sequel revisits its heroine, Eilis Lacey, twenty years later. Now settled in Long Island, married and with children, Eilis’s carefully constructed life is disrupted when a man from her past in Ireland appears at her door. The visit forces her to confront the choices she made long ago and the very different life she might have lived. It’s a novel about mature love, sacrifice, and the roads not taken in our lives.

7. An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong (2022)

For the lifelong learner, this non-fiction book is a mind-bending journey into the sensory worlds of other animals. Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer Ed Yong explores how bees see patterns invisible to us, how birds navigate using the Earth’s magnetic fields, and how elephants communicate with infrasound. This book will fundamentally change the way you look at the world on your next walk around the Acacia Village campus. It is accessible, fascinating, and awe-inspiring.

8. Finding Me by Viola Davis (2022)

This memoir from the celebrated actress is a story of overcoming unimaginable adversity. Viola Davis chronicles her journey from a childhood of poverty and trauma to becoming one of the most acclaimed performers in the world. It’s a story of courage, resilience, and the power of finding your own voice. Her honesty and strength with the raw storytelling makes it a celebrity memoir unlike any other. 

9. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (2023)

An engrossing and emotional family saga that pays homage to Alcott’s Little Women. The novel follows the four Padavano sisters—Julia, Sylvie, Cecelia, and Emeline—who are inseparable. When the thoughtful and lonely William Waters enters their lives and marries Julia, he is enveloped by the family’s love. But when darkness from William’s past emerges, a shocking family rift occurs that will change their lives forever. It’s about families and motherhood, set in the 1960s. 

10. The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides (April 2025)

There’s something about a story of a sea voyage that sparks romantic images. This book recounts the fateful, final voyage of Captain James Cook, one of history’s most renowned and complex explorers. Meticulously researched, the story reads like a thrilling adventure novel, following Cook from the shores of England to the ice-choked waters of the Arctic and the tropical paradise of Hawaii. It is a brilliant look at the high stakes of discovery, the clash of cultures, and the legacy of a man who changed the world. You can learn and be engaged with this excellent example of historical story telling. 

Check Out Our Library!

Reading is far more than a pastime — it’s a gateway to connection, discovery, and purpose. At Acacia Village, a vibrant on-campus library does more than house books: it fuels conversation, bridges generations, and keeps minds agile. Our library is just one of the many great features of our community. As our residents explore worlds new and familiar through these ten books (and many more), they not only enrich their inner lives — they help shape a community of curious, engaged, and fulfilled lives. Let this National Book Month be your invitation to come to the library and pick out a book that will start a new adventure while welcoming the cooler seasons ahead.