Find inspiring reading material about taking on new challenges in later life.
| Title | Author | Description | Find on Goodreads: |
| Second Acts: Creating the Life You Really Want, Building the Career You Truly Desire | Stephen M. Pollan and Mark Levine | This book discusses the idea of second acts in life, where people transition into new careers or pursuits. It provides practical advice and real-life examples of individuals who have successfully reinvented themselves later in life. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222600.Second_Acts?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=rgatHJIrYk&rank=1 |
| The Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Living and a Difference in the Second Half of Life | Marci Alboher | Marci Alboher explores the concept of encore careers, which are second acts in the form of fulfilling work that often has a social or environmental impact. The book offers guidance and resources for those looking to make a meaningful career change later in life. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14841560-the-encore-career-handbook?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_93 |
| Never Too Late: Your Roadmap to Reinvention | Claire Cook | Claire Cook’s book is a personal and inspirational guide for those over 50 who want to make a fresh start, whether that’s in their careers or personal lives. It encourages readers to pursue their passions and redefine success. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22733727-never-too-late?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Zb7afpaHN6&rank=13 |
| What’s Next? Follow Your Passion and Find Your Dream Job | Kerry Hannon | This book focuses on career transitions and provides insights into how to follow your passions and find your ideal job, even if it means starting anew in a different field later in life. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7958704-what-s-next?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=ldcyg2HMJl&rank=1 |
| The Third Chapter: Passion, Risk, and Adventure in the 25 Years After 50 | Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot | In this book, the author explores the “third chapter” of life, focusing on the years after 50. She shares the stories of individuals who have reinvented themselves and taken on new challenges in various fields. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4955444-the-third-chapter?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_73 |
| The Power of Purpose: Find Meaning, Live Longer, Better | Richard J. Leider | Richard Leider explores the importance of finding purpose and meaning in work and life, particularly in later years. The book offers insights, exercises, and stories to help readers identify their passions, values, and strengths, and align them with their career goals. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26512893-the-power-of-purpose?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=JPLvne8goA&rank=1 |
| What Color Is Your Parachute? For Retirement: Planning Now for the Life You Want | John E. Nelson and Richard N. Bolles | This book offers practical advice and exercises for planning a fulfilling retirement, including considerations for career transitions, lifestyle choices, and personal development. It helps readers navigate the emotional and logistical aspects of retirement planning and explore new opportunities for growth and fulfillment. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56686.What_Color_Is_Your_Parachute_for_Retirement?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_80 |
| 50 Ways to Get a Job: An Unconventional Guide to Finding Work on Your Terms | Dev Aujla | While not specifically focused on older adults, this book offers creative and unconventional strategies for finding meaningful work in today’s job market. It encourages readers to leverage their strengths, network effectively, and embrace innovative approaches to career development. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35456677-50-ways-to-get-a-job?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_76 |
| Falling Short: The Coming Retirement Crisis and What to Do About It | Charles D. Ellis, Alicia H. Munnell and Andrew Eschtruth | The authors h have written this concise guide for anyone concerned about their own – and the nation’s – retirement security. Falling Short is grounded in sound research yet written in a highly accessible style. The authors provide a vivid picture of the retirement crisis in America. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23635241-falling-short?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_67 |
| Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Semi-Retirement | Nancy Collamer | A career guide that rethinks the golden years, this handbook offers 50+ income models for creating flexible, fulfilling, and profitable work during the encore stage of one’s career. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13641924-second-act-careers?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_80 |
| The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be | Jack Canfield | The Success Principles will teach you how to increase your confidence, tackle daily challenges, live with passion and purpose, and realize all your ambitions. Not merely a collection of good ideas, this book spells out the 64 timeless principles used by successful men and women throughout history. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/96593.The_Success_Principles?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_77 |
| The Art Of Work: A Proven Path To Discovering What You Were Meant To Do | Jeff Goins | The path to your life’s work is difficult and risky, even scary, which is why few finish the journey. This is a book about discovering your life’s work, that treasure of immeasurable worth we all long for. It’s about the task you were born to do. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25050124-the-art-of-work?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_71 |
| The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear And Take Your Life To The Next Level | Gay Hendricks | In The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks, the New York Times bestselling author of Five Wishes, demonstrates how to eliminate the barriers to success by overcoming false fears and beliefs. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6391876-the-big-leap?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=dDhKJRNQFJ&rank=1 |
| The Old Man and the Sea | Ernest Hemingway | This Hemingway masterpiece tells the story of Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman who faces an epic battle with a giant marlin. Benefits: Inspires through the protagonist’s determination, courage and resilience, showing that age does not limit willpower and the ability to face challenges. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2165.The_Old_Man_and_the_Sea?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=cwgnOtXsdy&rank=1 |
| Year of Yes | Shonda Rhimes | A memoir by the creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, Shonda Rhimes, who decides to say “yes” to everything that scares her for a year. Benefits: Inspires everyone, especially those who believe it’s too late to make significant life changes. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29540318-year-of-yes?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_11 |
| The Elegance of the Hedgehog | Muriel Barbery | Description: The story revolves around Renée, a 54-year-old caretaker who hides her true intelligence and love of literature and philosophy. Her life changes when she meets a new Japanese tenant who recognises her kindred spirit. Benefits: Celebrates the wisdom and depth that come with age, as well as highlighting the importance of unexpected human connections. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2967752-the-elegance-of-the-hedgehog?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_28 |
| Small Memories | José Saramago | A collection of memoirs by the Portuguese Nobel Prize winner, exploring his childhood and youth, but with deep reflections that he developed throughout his life. Benefits: Offers insights into how life experiences shape a person’s wisdom and perspective, celebrating the depth and richness of life lived to the full. | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6482681-small-memories?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14 |