Which book should I read to a group of elderly people?

Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov.

Something by Erma Bombeck. She was a very amusing

writer, who talked about her family and the things that drove

her crazy. She wrote about so many things a mother could

identify with. There are many books in the library probably

that you could check out, that she's written.

Any of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books would be good for short stories.

Maybe a collection of autobiographies of famous movie

stars or other famous people they could remember. Some of

the more famous, like Clark Gable, and Carole Lombard,

Jean Harlow, Mae West, etc.

Or younger, like Alan Ladd, Gregory Peck, Lucy and Desi,

Myrna Loy, and her bandleader husband, who I forget the

name of now.

Or get some old Life magazines and see which might have

some pictures of well known events they can remember. You

could pass the magazines around to let them see the pictures

close up. They would remember Life magazines from their

growing up years. Everyone likes nostalgia and looking back

to times when they were young and vital.

John Steinbeck wrote of a time along the coast of Monterey

and Salinas, California. The Red Pony is a nice story you

could read, about a little boy and his first pony on a ranch

near Salinas. I recently saw the movie again, and enjoyed it.

I hope that I may have given you an idea or two.

Short stories like in Chicken Soup For The Soul, Reader's Digest, etc, etc. Don't think you can keep their attention with a 250 page novel. In fact even youngsters are kept more interested with 'Short Stories' . Hexk, even newspaper articles will work along with the Obituaries, but say the last name and maiden name and ask is anyone interested so you can skip over the ones no one knows or remembers. Edirorial are great for reading too. Skip the omics if ya don't have an overhead screen to show it. Oh yea don't forget the Dear Abby / Ann columns that offer advice to people and ask for a responce from the audience "Do you think this is the right advice for the person asking the question?" This keeps them going / thinking and livened up

suggest the group choose. what I like others may not because what I enjoy are history, sociology, psychology type of books where I can learn.

Where I am there are people who read short stories and then allow a period of time to discuss what was read.

If there are light books to read perhaps Brewster's Millions, Limpy, An Irish Country Doctor are a few which might be of interest.

Thomas Kincaide and Katherine Spencer have written several books which are interesting, uplifting and amusing but have a good point and no " inapporiate " language

They would probably enjoy any of James Herriot's books

If Only They Could Talk

It Shouldnt Happen to a Vet

Let Sleeping Vets Lie

Vet in Harness

Vets Might Fly

Vet in a Spin

James Herriot's Yorkshire

The Lord God Made Them All

Every Living Thing

James Herriot's Cat Stories

James Herriot's Favourite Dog Stories

The Pearl - John Steinbeck

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

The Bible

Diary of Anne Frank

Born Free - Joy Adamson

If you're looking for something sweet with an "elders passing on wisdom" theme, try Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton or Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. You may want to try a collection of short stories or essays if the group may change from visit to visit, like the Chicken Soup books or the Bedford Reader. Something less sappy, maybe? Try Dave Barry.

The Chicken Soup for the Soul books are really nice. Sweet and positive short stories.

Oh I think a long or even short book for that matter may be to much.Some may not remember from one reading to the next.How about short stories like the Chicken For The Soul books.

If you are going to read a long book, over weeks, try a Michener novel. Hawaii, or Chesapeake, or something like that. Even if they cannot remember the story line too well, it covers many generations, so it will work out well. Another good one is Steinbeck's The Pearl. Not too long, and could be read in two or three readings.

That's an impossible question. Even taking the mixed contributers to seniors section you will see so many varied interests and IQ levels. The only answers you can get is what appeals to those who enjoy reading and their own personal choices and I dont see many men related subjects. Better to gather together a varied selection of books and let them choose their own subjects.I can only imagine, as an infirm old guy being stuck in my chair listening to a subject I hate and being unable to change channels.