​At the heart of what makes up a book is the story within it. The delivery and enjoyment are a matter of preference. Books today come in a variety formats. Some are paper, some are digital, and some are audible. Some combine visual and audible styles through movie adaptations. Here are my thoughts on the three most common book versions.
 
Paperback and Hardcover Books
 
The positive: This is the oldest form besides oral storytelling. Print books are the standard in homes all over the world. Printed books occupy a warm spot in my heart. I grew up reading books in this format. With a printed book, I can flip through the pages. I know how far I am in the story. With non-fiction books, I can move around in the book to find the information I seek. I can display them on a bookshelf. I can get an autographed copy.
 
The downside: Printed books are bulky. They take up a lot of space. I am more likely to limit the number of books I take with me on a trip or overnight stay. The pages can tear and fade. Sometimes the binding comes unglued. The paper triggers my allergies.
 
E-Books
 
The positive: I can carry a lot of books with me in my pocket or purse. They remain dust free. I can brighten or dim the page. I can adjust the size of the print. Most reading apps offer a variety of features such as displaying a word's definition by pressing down on it.
 
The downside: The limitations of one’s personal electronics.
 
Audible Books
 
The positive: Can load onto one device. A person can listen while doing something else such as housecleaning. A reading group can listen together. Audible books offer an option for individuals with visual impairments or people that cannot read.
 
The downside: No control over the sound of the voice, pacing, or cadence.
 
Which reading method I choose depends on the situation and my mood. A cozy chair in front of a glowing fireplace screams printed book. Waiting at the doctor’s office lends itself well to an e-book on my cell phone. A reclined lounge chair at the pool or beach is perfect for audible books. In conclusion, I embrace and am thankful for all three options. 

When I was young a pencil was the only thing I needed to sharpen. In my older years, I understand my mind also needs sharpening. Like the rest of our bodies, our brains diminish. We can be proactive about slowing down the process and sometimes even reversing it. The old saying, use it or lose it applies. I am speaking of age-related decline and not environmental, genetic, or injury-related factors. Here are tips I picked up from various sources that stimulate positive brain function.
 
Eating Healthy Foods: Avoid processed foods and foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Limit red meat consumption. Choose baked, broiled or grilled chicken, turkey, and fish instead. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid bread and pasta made from refined flour, go with whole grain instead. Raw nuts are an excellent snack choice.
 
Exercising: Exercising helps the entire body and is an excellent stress buster. Most gyms offer a variety of equipment and tools to help you keep toned but are not the only option. Any form of movement is exercise. Spend time every day walking, jogging, cleaning, gardening, moving furniture around, dancing, etc. Avoid sitting or lying down for long periods of time (unless you have a medical condition, in which case you should consult with your physician).
 
Reading: Reading taps brain activity. A good book or article stretches our imagination and stimulates critical thinking. Reading is also a good way to keep our vocabulary from shrinking and for staying current on new advances.
 
Joining a Discussion Group: Discussion groups are great places to challenge and expand our thinking. The group can focus on one topic or just be a general think tank. Either way, they are good places to get and give feedback. A discussion group can be a local one that meets in person or an online group. A great online group for book readers is onlinebookclub.org.
 
Learning Something New: Tackling a new project can help keep the gears in motion. Learn to paint, take a mechanics class, learn to code, learn a foreign language. Anything that requires concentration and focus is best.
 
Playing Games: Puzzles are a great activity in this category. Experts have long recommended puzzles to combat mental decline. Certain types of story video games incorporate puzzles into their gameplay. Games like Scrabble and Scattergories are also good brain teasers. In addition, experts suggest spending time with family and friends also promotes brain health.
 
The Alzheimer’s Association website is an excellent place to learn more about brain health.