The Well-Lived Life

 Book Review 

Gladys McGarey, MD

4/5*

What is your juice? In other words, what is your passion? Is the first of six secrets to health and happiness at every age. I borrowed this book from someone having a book club in an assisted living facility. I can see how at their age they wonder what is left for them to accomplish. It would make any age consider the path which they are on. The second secret is about moving. It could be taken literally but more so figuratively. Making changes to your life can be healing. Love is the most powerful medicine is the third section. Loving yourself as well as people you may not like is the theme. This is written by a 103 year old doctor who has so many stories to fit each theory. I will let you learn the rest of the six if you find these topics interesting. I am only half way through the book but knew I was going to blog about it from the start.

Middleboro Free Library

 Middleboro, MA

My FAVORITE children’s section. It was so organized, light, cute… So many children’s sections are located in a dark basement. I took many pictures but didn’t get everything. They had a ton of puppets to borrow. How fun! 

I just came from the disappointing Taunton library which was built the same year 1903. It was also built in the Beaux Arts style. This library has been kept updated and well taken care of. https://www.midlib.org/

Blackbird Books and Gifts

 Bookstore

Middleboro, MA

https://www.blackbirdbooksandgifts.com/

Here is a small hideaway bookstore. I use the term because I drove right by it. It had both new and used books as well as totes, incense and candles. It seemed to have a mystical vibe.

Serendipity Bookshop

 Bookstore 

Taunton, MA

Opening up just a few months ago in April of 2025 right on the corner of Main and Weir Streets. Check out the “Blind Date with a Book” packages. If I was a little more daring… The shop is dedicated to space. Even so there was much to choose from and not just new and used books. I saw totes, mugs, crystals and more. The owner believes readers enjoy the experience of shopping for books in person.

https://www.serendipitybookshop.com/about-6

https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2025/04/13/taunton-ma-bookstore-books-downtown-serendipity-bookshop-main-street/83006276007/

Taunton Public Library

 Taunton, MA

https://www.tauntonlibrary.org/ 

This is one of the many Carnegie libraries. Opening in 1904 using funds provided by Andrew Carnegie. It was built in the Beaux Arts style. A three story addition was added in 1979. This is the first library that I was very disappointed in the upkeep. The city has not put the money into keeping the original beauty. There was a bit of money spent on cameras everywhere though. I decided not to take pictures of the disrepair. They did have a nice array of pictures of historic buildings.

https://www.necarnegies.com/mataunton.htm http://tauntonlibrary.org/

Independent Bookstores Article

I ran across this article which discusses independent bookstores. Some of us still enjoy holding, smelling and reading an actual book. Instead of explaining each store in the area, I copied the website for you to check out yourself. Enjoy!

https://www.heraldnews.com/story/lifestyle/things-to-do/2025/09/06/greater-new-bedford-fall-river-ma-independent-bookstores/85971468007/?utm_source=the-herald-news-daily-briefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailybriefing&utm_term=Content%20List%20-%20Stacking%20-%20optimized&utm_content=nher-fallriver-nletter65

The Local BOOKie

 Bookstore 

N. Conway, NH

“In September 1998, we opened the doors. We had 2,500 books. I thought we were the cat’s meow! Twenty years later, we have 50,000”. It is small but there are so many bookshelves that I can believe they have that many books. The owner was hoping to start a bookstore from when she was young. She was an avid reader since her first memory. She is a very personable woman who only created her bookstore dream when she retired. No computers or website necessary. Look for the place at 295 West Main. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cOjVyMuWfo