Silver Century regularly recommends books—fiction, nonfiction and memoirs—that reflect our mission by portraying aging in a positive light or offering insights from thought leaders in the field of aging. Here are some of our favorites for holiday giving or to read in the winter months ahead.
The Correspondent
By Virginia Evans – Crown, 2025
Sybil Van Antwerp, a sharp, witty woman in her 70s, begins each morning with a letter—quiet, thoughtful missives to her brother, her best friend, even her favorite authors. But the letters that matter most never leave her desk. A former lawyer, mother, wife and now grandmother, Sybil is endlessly curious and unafraid to speak her mind, especially on the page. When an unexpected letter from her past arrives, she’s pulled back into a chapter she’d hoped was closed, forcing her to confront old wounds with the same honesty and intelligence that shape her days. This beautifully crafted novel explores forgiveness in its most authentic form—slow, reflective and chosen—with Sybil’s unforgettable voice at its heart.
Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books
By Kirsten Miller – William Morrow, 2024
In the charming town of Troy, GA, midlife widow Lula Dean is on a mission to protect her local library from what she sees as inappropriate content. Believing she’s doing a good deed, she sets up a free library in her yard filled with books she considers more suitable, even though she hasn’t read them herself. However, her well-meaning efforts spark unexpected reactions. Someone cleverly adds banned books to her free library, disguising them first by replacing their covers with the covers of more mundane books. This leads to wonderful discoveries for many residents, who uncover hidden talents and forge new connections through their reading journeys. Ultimately, Lula experiences her own transformation, making this story both timely and delightfully relatable.
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame
By Olivia Ford – Pamela Dorman Books, 2024
Jenny Quinn, 77, is happily married and childless by choice but feels something’s missing. Hoping to leave a legacy—and shake up her routine—she secretly applies to the hit show Britain Bakes. When she’s accepted, she’s swept into the chaos of competitive baking and reality TV, confronting her all-too-relatable anxieties and stubborn self-doubt. After she confesses her secret application to her sweetly supportive husband, an old buried secret bubbles up. What makes this coming-of-(older)-age tale shine is Jenny herself. She finds new passions, welcomes new people into her life and bakes her way straight into readers’ hearts. And yes—every tempting recipe is included.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
By Anna Johnston – William Morrow, 2024
Lonely, 82-year-old Frederick Fife gets an unexpected second shot at family when a wild case of mistaken identity lands him in a nursing home as the late—and notably grumpy—Bernard Greer. Suddenly, Fred has a warm bed, warm meals and warm friends…as long as no one discovers his little switcheroo. Denise Simms, a caregiver juggling a shaky marriage and her daughter’s health issues, grows suspicious of Fred’s surprising kindness—so unlike the Bernard she knew. Author Anna Johnston blends humor with heartfelt insight into aging and our need for connection, making this a charming, uplifting read for when you need a boost.
Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships
By Nina Totenberg – Simon & Schuster, 2022
NPR correspondent Nina Totenberg reflects on her nearly 50-year friendship with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, tracing their bond from Totenberg’s early days covering the Court and Ginsburg’s rise as a legal scholar to decades of shared support, laughter and personal challenges. Offering a warm portrait of Ginsburg as witty, driven and deeply caring—right into her 80s—the book also highlights the ups and downs of Totenberg’s own career and the family, friends and colleagues who sustained her. It’s a heartfelt tribute to a lifelong connection and the enduring power of friendship.
