Five more books for retirees
I received letters from all over the country commending this piece. There were also several letters on advice to retirees and those planning to retire. I would like to use this opportunity to thank all those who wrote in and oblige those who asked for a second edition of books on retirees. Here is one […]
I received letters from all over the country commending this piece. There were also several letters on advice to retirees and those planning to retire. I would like to use this opportunity to thank all those who wrote in and oblige those who asked for a second edition of books on retirees.
Here is one of the letters we considered extremely useful so we are sharing it with you.
Dear Eugenia,
I read your five books for those in retirement. The opening story about your friend’s uncle who worked in the shipyard is being replicated every day. This is due to the fact that in our country people never prepare for retirement until it is too late. When you are pushed off from the only routine you know for many years, you easily become frightened as a lost child. People are advised to be test running their retirement during their annual leave or weekends. Engage in activity that you hope to retire into early in your career. People should also prepare their after work life with adequate retirement income and less demanding expenses. This will ensure a frame of mind that will allow leisure such as travelling, reading books etcetera. Thank you. Please write some more along these lines.
Sani I Mustapha (in the pension and retirement industry since 1992)
(1) Becoming a Director by Victor Hughes I stumbled upon this book in a supermarket. Trust me you can find some interesting books in supermarkets. At this time I was thinking about leaving what I constantly do and doing something else so I began to explore roles as being a director in a company. On the cover it says ‘whether you are a potential director – of a commercial or non-profit organisation, you need to understand the basics of your job, not just your legal position so that you can do the job well and act with confidence’’. Good talk. Now that you have retired or you are preparing to retire, it’s time to know more about being on the board of a company. – Google it, ask a friend to buy you a copy abroad. I bought it in a random supermarket in Nigeria and I have not seen it again.
(2) Are You Old Enough to Read this Book? Reflection on Midlife is a book with contributions from some of America’s wittiest and wisest voices. It’s for those who are 50 years and above. It’s about relationships, friendships and you would never guess even your sex life and other such interesting matters. It also tells you that being 50 is not the end of the world and I agree. The book is introduced by American Broadcaster, Linda Ellerbee . It’s witty and exciting. A good book.
(3) This is the time to read that blockbuster you have always wanted to read, a saga, a family tale, a big delicious biography, a bestseller. Let me recommend the 2011 Costa book of the year by Andrew Miller, Pure, a historical novel about Paris of 1785. Here is a take from the Sunday telegraph. About the book. “Every so often a historical novel comes along that is so natural, so far from pastiche, so modern that it thrills and expands the mind. Pure is one…. Exquisite inside and out”
(5) Any book on entrepreneurship and leadership, I am very fond of John Maxwell’s leadership book but there are so many others out there. Most retired public servants fall prey to bad business and lose all their investments. Get smart, read a lot about what you are getting into and get mentorship from a successful entrepreneurship friend of yours. Volunteer at an organisation to get some skills.
(4) House of Lies by Martin Kihn. The rider under this title is “how management consultants steal your watch and then tell you the time ‘’ I was intrigued by the title of this book when I bought it. This is a guide for you as you retire to be ethical in whatever business you go into, so you are not considered a fraud. Whatever you decide to do, learn it well, don’t do it because everyone else is. Get some education for it.
BONUS
(1)Nasir El-Rufai’s seminal book The Accidental Public Servant is as controversial as it is interesting. It is also a big fat delicious book. This is the time to lounge while reading it.
(2) Jeffrey Sach’s book, The End of Poverty.
(3) The Expert’s Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do by Samantha Ettis. This contains 100 how-to articles offering the world’s most valuable advice.