Why Local Bookstores Matter, Nutrition Counseling, and a Retiree Spending Breakdown

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History (Non-Fiction): The Thirty Years War: Europe’s Tragedy by Peter H. Wilson – This sweeping history chronicles the devastating conflict that engulfed seventeenth-century Europe and transformed its political and religious landscape.

Memoir: Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward – An exploration of grief, race, poverty, and life in rural Mississippi, centered on the deaths of five young men.

Self-Help: Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang – A 100-day experiment seeking rejection reveals what it can teach us about overcoming fear and building confidence.

Romance: The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren – A romance novelist joins a reality dating show created by a skeptical documentary filmmaker, complicating the search for her perfect match.

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There’s something unique about walking into a local bookstore. The pace feels slower. The space smells woody, tinted with the sweetness of aged pages. Shelves invite browsing rather than searching. The owner recognizes you and may even offer a suggestion or two based on what came in recently. 

Even in a world where almost any book can be ordered online, local bookstores continue to offer something that’s difficult to replicate. Instead of a place simply to shop, they create an experience rooted in connection and curiosity.

When you browse a bookstore, you often find books you weren’t looking for. As you peruse the stacks, you might encounter a beautifully illustrated book about local lighthouses, a biography of a famous activist you’ve always admired, a collection of meditative nature essays, a cookbook featuring traditional ethnic recipes, or a mystery novel by an author whose bibliography you could’ve sworn you read completely.

You may come in with a particular title in mind, then one interesting cover or handwritten staff recommendation can send you in an entirely new direction. Soon enough, that new direction may lead to another—and another.

One of the pleasures of an independent bookstore is talking with people who genuinely enjoy books. A bookseller knows what comes into their store, and they’ll likely have great recommendations based on what you and others have enjoyed

Those personal recommendations in turn introduce readers to authors, and even genres, they might never have found on their own.

Unlike many shopping experiences, bookstores encourage lingering. People wander from shelf to shelf, read the first few pages of a novel, rifle through piles or bins, converse with people carrying a work they recognize, or sit quietly with a cup of coffee if there's a café nearby.

There’s no rush—the pleasure comes as much from exploring as it does from buying.

Many local bookstores become gathering places, including by hosting various events, including

Even if you never attend these events, knowing they happen gives the bookstore the feeling of being an extension of the community rather than simply a place to shop and leave.

One reason bookstores remain interesting is that they're always changing. New releases arrive constantly. Seasonal displays appear. Staff recommendations rotate. Someone places a fascinating title face-out on a shelf, and suddenly you're reading about something you hadn't considered before.

Unlike shopping from a list, browsing leaves room for surprise—going down the same aisle just an hour apart can land entirely different treasures in your hand.

For many people, visiting a bookstore becomes part of a pleasant afternoon. A bookstore visit is perfect to pair with a variety of activities:

What’s even better is that this part of the outing can be done alone or in a group: Maybe you want some quiet time before a group dinner, or perhaps you want to take a friend to surprise each other with your next read.

Local bookstores remind us that reading is about much more than acquiring books. It's about discovery, curiosity, conversation, and the pleasure of spending time in a place where ideas are always waiting to be found. In a fast-moving world, bookstores serves as a welcome invitation to slow down and explore.

We're looking for seniors who are embracing life with enthusiasm, purpose, and adventure. Whether you're traveling the world, starting a business, volunteering, pursuing a passion, learning new skills, or simply making the most of every day, we'd love to hear your story.

Think that might be you?

Email [email protected] with a photo and a short bio. We may feature you in an upcoming edition of Seniors Magazine.

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“The Night the Lights Went Out”
From the life overview of Samuel R., 78, Boston, Massachusetts. Shared with permission.

It was February 1978. During the blizzard in Boston, my wife and I lost power for nearly two days. We were living in a small house in Medford with our two-year-old son, Daniel.

We had never experienced anything like it before. Snow was piled against the windows, the roads were impassable, and the house became colder by the hour.

We put every blanket we owned on the bed. Then we moved the crib into our bedroom. My wife found candles in a drawer, and I built a little fire in the fireplace. But neither of us had any real idea what we were doing.

Our son was far more impressed. He thought the whole thing was wonderful.

He crawled around the bedroom carrying a flashlight while shouting, “No lights!”

We tried to keep him warm and entertained. After he went to sleep, we played cards by candlelight. After a while, my wife produced a bag of marshmallows, which we roasted over the fire.

The next morning, the house was filled with silence, broken only by the eerie cries of the wind blowing outside. I remember looking out the window and seeing snow stacked almost to the top of the fence.

We were miserable.

Strangely, we were also having a good time.

When the electricity finally returned, Daniel cheered. My wife and I did the same.

Then when we turned on the television, we looked at each other and realized we had been happier without it.

We never voluntarily turned off the power again.

***

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Spending time outdoors doesn't have to be limited to perfect spring afternoons. Each season offers different reasons to get outside, whether you're interested in wildlife, gardening, photography, walking, or simply having a project that changes throughout the year.

Spring is ideal for gardening and birdwatching. If you're deciding what to plant, the National Wildlife Federation's Native Plant Finder can suggest plants native to your ZIP code that support local wildlife.

Summer opens up longer days for walking, kayaking, fishing, and nature photography. TrailLink can help you discover nearby walking and biking trails, with information about surfaces, distances, maps, and access points.

Fall is a great time for hiking, leaf collecting, outdoor sketching, or photography. Bring a notebook and start a nature journal, recording changes in trees, birds, weather, and other seasonal details.

Winter doesn't have to end your outdoor routine. Try winter birdwatching, photography, neighborhood walks, or stargazing. The free Merlin Bird ID can identify birds by appearance and sound, while Stellarium can help you identify stars, planets, and constellations overhead.

Having something to look for can make an ordinary walk much more interesting. Photograph wildflowers throughout the year, keep a list of birds you've spotted, sketch interesting trees, or try identifying unfamiliar plants and wildlife with iNaturalist.

You can also try geocaching, an outdoor treasure-hunting activity that uses GPS coordinates to lead you to hidden containers placed by other participants.

Different seasons call for different preparations. Check the forecast, dress in layers when temperatures fluctuate, carry water, and pay attention to sunset time if you're heading out later in the day.

The goal isn't to force the same hobby into all four seasons. Let the calendar change what you do. A garden in May, a lakeside walk in July, fall photography in October, and backyard stargazing in January can each give you a different reason to look forward to getting outside.

Closing an app doesn’t always mean it stops working completely. Many apps continue performing limited tasks in the background so they can stay useful even when they aren’t open on your screen.

Background activity allows an app to handle certain jobs automatically. An email app might check for new messages, a weather app may update its forecast, and a navigation app might continue using your location during a trip. Other apps use background activity to upload photos, play music, download updates, or deliver notifications.

This can be convenient, but too much background activity may use battery power and mobile data. If your phone’s battery suddenly drains faster than usual, an overly active app could be one reason.

Both iPhones and Android phones show which apps are using the most battery. On an iPhone, open Settings > Battery. On most Android phones, look under Settings > Battery > Battery Usage.

If an unfamiliar or rarely used app is consuming a surprising amount of power, you can restrict its background activity or uninstall it. Just remember that restricting an app may delay notifications, automatic updates, or other features you rely on.

Cruise deal of the day: 6 Nights Mexico Cruise - departing October 16, from $279

Unmissable American gem: Elkhorn, Wisconsin is a welcoming small town in southern Wisconsin known for its historic downtown, nearby lakes, and scenic countryside that make it a relaxing base for exploring the Lake Geneva area.

Looking for travel planning help? Fill out this form.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object. Think you know it? Reply with your answer and show off your brainpower.

Today’s clue: Place where families once rented movies for the weekend.

DEVIO ETSOR

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