This summary of the July posts from the MORE TO COME newsletter brings the good news—scientifically proven, no less—that those who read more books live longer.
Candice walked into my writing studio/study the other day and asked “are these all your ‘to be read‘ books?”
Her tone was somewhere between shocked and incredulous. She was referring to the stacks of books I’ve placed on the only flat space left in the room: the lower end of the bed frame.
I admitted that yes, this was my TBR pile, but omitted the fact that she’d missed the ones on the table next to my desk, the two shelves of books downstairs, and the box of murder mysteries on the floor under the table. My niece Brittany, who visited us recently, had a similar reaction when she walked into the room. Her exact words were, I believe, “My God, I’ve walked into Granddaddy’s house.”
Especially after my mother died, Daddy’s house featured stacks of books on every available free space. So yes, I’ve become my father.
But I now have a perfect response to the questions and the gaping mouths. Yale University has made the scientific case that people who read books live longer. Not magazines or newspapers. Not e-books. Good, old fashioned books! The findings concluded that someone who read for more than 3.5 hours a week was around 20 per cent less likely to die over the twelve years of the study than someone who read nothing.
“Reading books tends to involve two cognitive processes that could create a survival advantage,” the scientists propose. “First, it promotes ‘deep reading,’ which is a slow, immersive process; this cognitive engagement occurs as the reader draws connections to other parts of the material, finds applications to the outside world, and asks questions about the content presented. Cognitive engagement may explain why vocabulary, reasoning, concentration, and critical thinking skills are improved by exposure to books. Second, books can promote empathy, social perception, and emotional intelligence, which are cognitive processes that can lead to greater survival. Better health behaviors and reduced stress may explain this process.”
When I told Candice, she responded, “Well, you should live forever.” More on that in a moment.
The study estimated a lifespan that lasts two years longer, on average, for book readers. Daddy lived to be almost 91, reading until the end, so that seems to be a good age to shoot for.
After finishing my tour of the 30 independent bookshops in the DC area I might take a little sabbatical from book-buying. At least for a few weeks. But I don’t buy all the ones I have now, so the pile may still grow. Some are gifts. Some come from authors or publishers. Some are on loan. Some I exchange at the various little free libraries in our neighborhood. Some, I’m convinced, appear like magic.
I hope that you’re getting in lots of beach reading (or its equivalent) this month. Much of what I wrote about in the July MORE TO COME posts came out of the books I read. Let’s jump in and see what observations arose from reading and taking the slow—but perhaps longer—lane of life.
READER FAVORITES
Despite Candice’s assertion that I have enough books to live forever, that’s not going to happen. You know the line about death and taxes. It just so happens that two of the top posts in terms of reader views from July related to loss, yes, but also to lives well lived.
My father often said that growing old is not for wimps. I used to think he was talking about the physical aches and pains that come with the years. But earlier this month I was reading under a shade tree in downtown Takoma Park when I suddenly found myself crying. Instead of cranky knees and sore backs, Daddy may have had in mind the spiritual and emotional pains that come when we lose those who are such a part of our daily lives. In that moment the passage of time and the difficult journeys we all navigate were what came to mind. That and a grieving on our 250th anniversary for a country that seems ready to abandon its better angels to the forces of greed, anger, and hatred.
- A life of gentleness, generosity, gratefulness, and grace is a remembrance of Douglas Roller, a former colleague and dear family friend who passed away earlier this month. Doug and his late wife Tidge were some of the first people to welcome us to Staunton when we moved to that Shenandoah Valley community as newlyweds in 1983. We miss them both deeply.
- Be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday was written after Candice and I attended a celebration of the life of Elizabeth Fisher late last month. We were both friends with this brilliant woman who was Professor Emerita and the long-time Chair of the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at The George Washington University. However various ties—including their work together on the healing ministry and a mutual fondness for long conversations over leisurely lunches—meant that Candice and Elizabeth had a special bond.
Growing old is not for the faint of heart.
THE INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE TOUR ROLLS ON
July was the month I picked up the pace in visiting shops on my list of the Washington region’s 30 independent bookstores and writing posts on these unique places and the treasures I discovered. As I wrote about each visit I began to number the installments in this series so I could remember where I was on the path. Here’s what arrived in July.
- Installment #8: A tale of hope and struggle—Laila Lalami’s debut novel Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits takes us into the hopes and fears of modern Morocco with subtlety and grace. I bought the book at Bol, a worker-owned cafe, bookstore, and event space in the Brookland neighborhood of DC.
- Installment #9: How constraints fuel creativity and other lessons from a life in France—Jane Bertch’s engaging memoir The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time and the DC region’s only culinary bookshop Bold Fork Books are a match made for food lovers everywhere.
- Installment #10: Nothing is as before—Yiyun Li’s memoir of loss is disquieting, challenging, and honest. From an emotional standpoint Things in Nature Merely Grow, the 2026 Pulitzer Prize winner for Memoir, is one of the most difficult books I have ever read. I found this treasure at Washington’s only Chinese-English bilingual bookshop: JF Books.
- Installment #11: Sometimes the answer is right under your nose—Another treasure in Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti mysteries, Fatal Remedies, was literally just across the street from our house at Mojomala Books.
- Installment #12: Trading complexity for the easier path of nostalgia and remembrance—Charles King’s fascinating Odessa: Genius and Death in a City of Dreams touches on both ancient and current challenges of cities and societies trying to balance everyday collisions that spark real genius with the stresses of cultural differences. Laurel Leaf—a collaborative, women-owned shop in the heart of Takoma Park—was where I discovered this book about a city I visited 20 years ago this month.
Reading challenges and independent bookshops: A mid-year update from early July is already out-of-date. As of today, here are the seven independent bookshops I’ve yet to visit in 2026:
- Bard’s Alley, Vienna
- Loyalty Bookstore, Petworth
- Mahogany Books, National Harbor
- One More Page Books, Arlington
- Sankofa Books, Georgia Avenue
- Scrawl Books, Reston
- Solid State Books, Shaw (visit scheduled in August)
As you can see above, my friends The Rev. Sarah Taylor Miller and Bob Witten joined the DJB bookshop tour this month at Alexandria’s Old Town Books and Capitol Hill Books respectively. My friend and former colleague Tom Mayes is introducing me to Solid State Books in August. Let me know if you’d like to meet up for a bookshop visit and a coffee/lunch at one of these remaining stores.
One challenge down, two to go was my post to celebrate the conclusion of the 2026 Reading Challenge of the Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton, MT. It was a great way to push me to broaden my horizons. And my regular From the bookshelf: June 2026 post provides short summaries of the book reviews from last month.
THE KITCHEN SINK
My editor is on vacation this week (again!) so I apologize for the length of this post. I’ll just throw in everything else with short blurbs and encourage you to search for the ones that pique your interest.
- Don’t let them teach you only to hate—The world fell in love with ordinary America during the World Cup. In the process they reminded us why this country is still worth fighting for.
- Fighting to ensure that a nation conceived in liberty can endure—Remembering on the 250th anniversary of our founding that the Declaration of Independence was the original NO KINGS document.
- Whitewashing history won’t make America great—The whitewashing and bulldozing of our history seeks to serve the vision of a small group of powerful people.
- Why not?—Building a robust sense of the common good comes about in part by asking ourselves tough questions.
- I love the pithy proverb: Volume 12—The most recent in my series of aphorisms that have captured my attention.
- 50 states, 50 baseball stories—Taking the time to look at the unique connections to baseball found throughout all fifty states.
- Emptying the drafts folder—Short takes on topics delightful, powerful, destructive and dumb. Yes, Greenwatergate falls into the latter category.
COMMENTS I LOVED
Several Brilliant Readers added comments to this month’s posts, either on the website or via emails. Here are three that I really loved.
Regarding One challenge down, two to go:
“Thank you, Chapter One, for creating this challenge that forces us out of our comfort zones.”
Margit Williams
Regarding Nothing is as before:
“I really enjoyed reading your write-up. It beautifully captures both the spirit of JF Books and the importance of independent bookstores in bringing communities together. We are honored to be part of your journey in the DC region.”
Calvin Yu, JF Books
Regarding A life of gentleness, generosity, gratefulness, and grace:
“Thank you so much for this memory of Doug. Every word is true. Staunton lost two originals with Doug and Tidge’s passing.”
Jim Hanger
DON’T POSTPONE JOY
Thanks, as always, for reading. Your friendship, support and feedback mean more than I can ever express.
As you travel life’s highways be open to love; thirst for wonder; undertake some mindful, transformative walking every day. Recognize the incredible privilege that most of us have and think about how to put that privilege to use for good. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, public servants, and others can feel especially vulnerable . . . because they are. Work hard for justice and democracy as the fight never ends.
But also keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable. Take time to dawdle and dream. Let yourself be bewildered!
Leave enough empty space to feel and experience life. Those gaps are where the magic begins. When times get rough, let your memories wander back to some wonderful place with remembrances of family and friends. But don’t be too hard on yourself if a few of the facts slip. Just get the poetry right.
Be comfortable in the mystery. Seek the uplifting spirit that leads to a life of grace and wonder.
Grace to help us remember that we can do hard things. “Grace to never sell yourself short; Grace to risk something big for something good; and Grace to remember the world is now too dangerous for anything but the truth and too small for anything but love . . .”
Wonder to help us remember that “we are here to keep watch, not to keep.” Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. And bash into some joy along the way.
Life is finite . . . love is not.
Try to be nice. Always be kind.
More to come . . .
DJB
For the June 2026 summary, click here.
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Photo of beach reading by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash
MORE TO COME... 