Jon Spoelstra's Blog: Why I wrote about old guys

“If you write about old guys, it proves you’re an idiot,” a publisher friend told me, “Old guys don’t buy fiction books, only old women do.”

So, what did I do? Yup, I wrote a novel about old guys solving some murders in Who’s Killing All My Old Girlfriends.

I did it for a couple of reasons: 1) I’m an old guy; I know old guys; I know how they think, 2) Old guys are a lot more fun than most people think.

What if you’re not an old guy? What if you aren’t even 50 yet? Are you allowed to read Who’s Killing All My Old Girlfriends? I think you’d enjoy it anyway, and it sorta gives you a preview of what’s in store for you.

If you have an old grandpa, consider buying him the book. He’ll thank you, and maybe put (keep) you in his will.

It’s a fast read. Old guys like things fast.

Here’s how to get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gTEvia

At my age, I read for fun. Don't talk to me about books that will make me smarter. I was already as smart as I'll ever be a few decades ago. And, reading retirement financial books is the best way to nod off quickly.

Give me a good mystery book. For me, I prefer a different era like the Nate Heller books by Max Allan Collins or James Ellroy books.

I don't give any book a big chance. If it isn't interesting from the get-go, I let go. Sure I paid for the book, but I don't have to pay more in my time to read a book that bores me. If I don't enjoy reading it, why read it? For my original investment in the book? That's silly.

Stats show that most men in their 20s and 30s don't read novels like we Boomers or Geezers used to. What a shame. There's very few things as good as settling down and reading a good book.

Jon Spoelstra
BoomerLit.com

This probably disqualifies me as a 'book lover', but after using a Kindle for over a year I won't buy a book that is NOT digital.

True, a Kindle costs about $250. But, I save $5 to $15 (or more) per digital book that I buy. Since I've read over 100 books on Kindle, I've saved at least $500 in the past year.

If I lost my Kindle, I don't have to worry about losing books. Amazon stores all of my purchases on their computers and I would just have to download them again at no charge. Sure, I'd have to buy another Kindle, but the price will probably be lower than before.

I get about a two-week charge on my battery.

Those reasons, however, aren't what makes me love a Kindle read.

I find the Kindle easier on the eyes. I can't explain why, but maybe it's because the screen is not backlit like a computer, so there's no glare, no stress on the eyes.

I can also read faster. Again, I can't explain why, but it might have something to do about not having to turn pages and refocus. With Kindle, it's just a touch of the finger.

I travel a lot and it's a real plus to have a bunch of books at my immediate disposal. I've even downloaded a book from an airplane before they tell us to turn off electronic stuff.

If I really enjoy a book and want to put it on a special shelf in my den, I then buy a hardbound copy. Extra expense? Sure, but if the book is good enough, it is well worth it.