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deedireads 's review for:
Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives
by Daniel J. Levitin
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Successful Aging is a scientific but well-written and interesting look at current thinking about how the brain works and how you can protect it as you age.
For you if: You are a curious person and don’t mind reading a lot of scientific info.
FULL REVIEW:
I got my hands on a copy of Successful Aging through the Next Big Idea Club. I wouldn’t normally reach for a book like this on my own, but I’m glad I read it! I was feeling especially curious and drawn to nonfiction one weekend, so I picked it up. And it certainly scratched my curious itch!
This book is an in-depth look at how the brain works (at least, what we know of it today) and how we can protect it as we age in order to live happily and fully for as long as possible. It’s very scientific, but I was impressed with how Daniel Levitin didn’t make it feel like a textbook. Don’t get me wrong; there are a lot of biological words and concepts here. But the way the book was written made them feel as conversational as I think it’s possible to be on a topic like this.
The book definitely inspired me to tweak a few of my habits. He emphasizes things we already know are good for us — sleeping well, eating moderately well, moving our bodies every so often — but clarifies why those things are important for the brain, specifically. It also opened my eyes to the psychology and emotional motivations typical for older adults, which I think will help me interact with my 97-year-old great grandmother specifically!
Several times while I was reading, I looked up and asked my husband, “Did you know that ___?” And I think that’s the mark of a good scientific nonfiction.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Successful Aging is a scientific but well-written and interesting look at current thinking about how the brain works and how you can protect it as you age.
For you if: You are a curious person and don’t mind reading a lot of scientific info.
FULL REVIEW:
I got my hands on a copy of Successful Aging through the Next Big Idea Club. I wouldn’t normally reach for a book like this on my own, but I’m glad I read it! I was feeling especially curious and drawn to nonfiction one weekend, so I picked it up. And it certainly scratched my curious itch!
This book is an in-depth look at how the brain works (at least, what we know of it today) and how we can protect it as we age in order to live happily and fully for as long as possible. It’s very scientific, but I was impressed with how Daniel Levitin didn’t make it feel like a textbook. Don’t get me wrong; there are a lot of biological words and concepts here. But the way the book was written made them feel as conversational as I think it’s possible to be on a topic like this.
The book definitely inspired me to tweak a few of my habits. He emphasizes things we already know are good for us — sleeping well, eating moderately well, moving our bodies every so often — but clarifies why those things are important for the brain, specifically. It also opened my eyes to the psychology and emotional motivations typical for older adults, which I think will help me interact with my 97-year-old great grandmother specifically!
Several times while I was reading, I looked up and asked my husband, “Did you know that ___?” And I think that’s the mark of a good scientific nonfiction.