Aging with Grace by David Snowdon

I was first introduced to Aging with Grace not through a book club or a recommendation on a podcast, but as a required textbook in a university statistics class. At the time, I expected data, graphs, and dense academic language. What I didn’t expect was to be deeply moved—and changed—by the quiet beauty of this book.

Written by epidemiologist Dr. David Snowdon, Aging with Grace chronicles the groundbreaking “Nun Study,” a decades-long research project exploring aging, memory, and Alzheimer’s disease through the lives of a remarkable group of American nuns. Far from dry or clinical, this book is a celebration of purpose, lifelong learning, and the quiet strength of women who aged with intention, grace, and dignity.

Reading it not only enriched my understanding of research and statistics—it validated my own journey of returning to school later in life. It reminded me that learning doesn’t have an expiry date, and that curiosity and meaning can shape not just how we live, but how we age.

This book has since become one of my favourite gifts to give friends who are navigating midlife and asking bigger questions about purpose, resilience, and legacy. Whether you’re interested in brain health, inspired aging, or simply a beautifully told story about science and humanity, Aging with Grace will leave a lasting impression