Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 stars. I didn’t love it as much as the Guncle, but it was still a good story with a lot of heart.
Beautiful take on formative friendships and loss and grief. Everyone deserves pact-worthy lifelong friends.
3.5 ⭐️
“the world is simply too big. We weren’t meant to see everything, we weren’t built to do everything, we aren’t capable of knowing everything. At a certain point, peace has to be found with the choices we’ve made.”
“the world is simply too big. We weren’t meant to see everything, we weren’t built to do everything, we aren’t capable of knowing everything. At a certain point, peace has to be found with the choices we’ve made.”
Kind of a downer book. Nothing bad about it but I also didn’t feel myself really wanting to read it. I thought it was a bit repetitive but still a sweet book.
A combination of The Big Chill, Friends, and its own plot, this book is about a group of college friends who make a pact after one of them overdoses. The idea is to buoy each other up when they have a hard time in life, and to make sure nothing remains unsaid.
Mariel, the one who comes up with the idea, needs it first after a divorce and her daughter leaving for school leaves her feeling like she’s done nothing with her life. Naomi needs her friends when her parents die in a plane crash without her feeling she ever gained their approval.
Craig’s turn comes when he’s accused of art fraud and might go to jail. Jordan and Jordy are a couple, and have gone through Jordan having cancer, but being in remission.
The first time they gather they haven’t seen each other in years, and the funeral planning is awkward, but once they share their feelings with Mariel, she finds it healing and can move forward.
Each time they gather they discover more about each other, challenge each other, and grow together. When Jordan’s illness brings them together, the funeral is a surprise twist, and shows the love these two men have is deep and true.
This is a unique premise, with lots of humour, some great arguments, and friends who sometimes act like enemies. I love Jordan, who’s hilarious, and Mariel, who’s a bit wacky, but fun.
Jordy is a rock and counterbalances Jordan well, and Naomi is smart and intriguing, but a tough nut to crack. Craig is silly, a bit arrogant, but comes to be more honest and open.
I laughed a lot, more than I expected, and I cried a lot near the end. Some beautiful writing brings the truth of death and the poignancy of life through.
An incredible read.
Mariel, the one who comes up with the idea, needs it first after a divorce and her daughter leaving for school leaves her feeling like she’s done nothing with her life. Naomi needs her friends when her parents die in a plane crash without her feeling she ever gained their approval.
Craig’s turn comes when he’s accused of art fraud and might go to jail. Jordan and Jordy are a couple, and have gone through Jordan having cancer, but being in remission.
The first time they gather they haven’t seen each other in years, and the funeral planning is awkward, but once they share their feelings with Mariel, she finds it healing and can move forward.
Each time they gather they discover more about each other, challenge each other, and grow together. When Jordan’s illness brings them together, the funeral is a surprise twist, and shows the love these two men have is deep and true.
This is a unique premise, with lots of humour, some great arguments, and friends who sometimes act like enemies. I love Jordan, who’s hilarious, and Mariel, who’s a bit wacky, but fun.
Jordy is a rock and counterbalances Jordan well, and Naomi is smart and intriguing, but a tough nut to crack. Craig is silly, a bit arrogant, but comes to be more honest and open.
I laughed a lot, more than I expected, and I cried a lot near the end. Some beautiful writing brings the truth of death and the poignancy of life through.
An incredible read.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this book more than I expected. It’s described as a modern “Big Chill” but I don’t remember that movie so it didn’t matter. What I did love was an honest look of what friendship looks like as the years pass and people are spread out with lives changing. Here’s an ending quote that moved me: “To think about life is to contemplate death - it’s what makes living valuable.” Not every character rang true for me but those that did were deeply touching.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Book about 5 friends who celebrated their "funerals" before they were dead to be able to move on from big changes/dilemmas in their lives. Sad at the ending though.