Celebrating National Read a Book Day

At Fairways Care Home, every day is about cherishing life, sharing memories, and finding joy in the small things. But this National Read a Book Day, residents went one step further by embracing their inner storytellers. With pens, paper, and plenty of imagination, they were invited to dream up the title of a book they would one day love to publish — a book that would reflect their life, passions, and personal story.

The results were nothing short of inspiring. Titles ranged from whimsical musings to deeply heartfelt reflections, each revealing a different facet of the storyteller behind them. Among the most memorable were:

Will it Rain Today

Every Baby Born is a Miracle

The Shrieider Trophy

Life with the Elderly

France and England, The Two Countries I Love

These imagined books sparked conversations not only about what the titles meant but also about the stories that might lie within their pages. For some residents, it was a chance to laugh at fond memories and light-hearted anecdotes. For others, it was an opportunity to reflect on life’s lessons, journeys across borders, or the joy of new beginnings.

A Day of Storytelling, Laughter, and Learning

The activity was filled with smiles, laughter, and moments of genuine connection. Residents enjoyed the process of creating their titles, bouncing ideas off one another, and imagining how their words might look on the cover of a real book.

The conversation soon flowed into broader discussions about reading itself — the books they had cherished over the years, the ones they were currently enjoying, and the stories they still hoped to read. Some reminisced about bedtime stories read to children or grandchildren, while others recalled the joy of receiving their first library card.

“Books are like friends that stay with you forever,” one resident reflected. “Even if you can’t remember every detail, you never forget the feeling they gave you.”

This sense of shared enthusiasm for literature created a buzz throughout the home. Staff and residents alike found themselves swapping recommendations, discussing favourite authors, and even planning what they might read next.

Why Reading Matters at Every Age

While National Read a Book Day is often associated with schoolchildren, Fairways Care Home showed that its spirit is for everyone, whatever their age. For older adults in particular, reading offers a host of benefits that go far beyond enjoyment.

Cognitive stimulation: Engaging with books helps keep the mind sharp. Whether it’s a novel, biography, or poem, reading exercises memory, comprehension, and critical thinking — skills that are vital to maintaining brain health in later life.

Imagination and creativity: Just as residents had fun dreaming up their own book titles, reading fuels the imagination. It opens doors to new ideas, places, and perspectives. For many at Fairways, books remain a way to escape into different worlds and keep their curiosity alive.

Emotional wellbeing: Stories have a unique power to comfort, inspire, and connect us with the emotions of others. Residents spoke about the way a good book can lift the spirits or provide reassurance during difficult times.

A sense of community: Reading is often seen as a solitary activity, but it can also be deeply social. At Fairways, International Book Day proved that books bring people together — sparking conversation, debate, and laughter in a way that few other activities can.

The Joy of Coming Together

The activity was also a celebration of community. Sitting side by side, residents shared not only their ideas but their life experiences. In talking about imagined book titles like Every Baby Born is a Miracle or France and England, The Two Countries I Love, they revealed glimpses of their past, their travels, and their values.

Staff were moved by the way the group supported and encouraged one another. “It wasn’t just about the titles themselves,” one team member noted, “it was about the stories they sparked and the way everyone leaned in to listen. That’s the real magic of an activity like this.”

Indeed, the wellbeing benefits of these moments of connection cannot be overstated. Group activities like this reduce feelings of isolation, encourage conversation, and strengthen the bonds of friendship within the home. They remind residents that their voices matter, their stories are valued, and their imagination is very much alive.

At Fairways Care Home, the celebration of reading doesn’t end with one day. The home actively encourages a love of books year-round. Many residents enjoy quiet moments reading, while others enjoy being read to by staff, volunteers, or visiting family.

The activity has also inspired staff to explore new ways of weaving literature into daily life; encouraging residents to write short stories or poems to share with others.

And with such creativity on display this National Read a Book Day, who knows? Perhaps one day Will it Rain Today or Life with the Elderly could make their way off the page and into print.

Celebrating Stories, Celebrating Life

At its heart, National Read a Book Day at Fairways Care Home was about more than literature. It was about recognising that every resident carries a story worth telling; stories of love, resilience, humour, and adventure.

By asking residents to imagine the title of their life’s book, staff encouraged them not only to reflect on their past but also to look ahead with imagination and creativity. The result was a day that celebrated individuality, fostered community, and reminded everyone of the enduring power of stories.

As one resident said with a smile: “We all have a book inside us. The fun is in deciding what to call it.”