Reviews with content warning for Cancer - Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved

Who am I reading a nonfiction!!! I actually went back n forth on the 5⭐️ or the no raining because who are we to rate someone’s memoir but I feel like if I put no rating then the book won’t get the traction it should so here we are.

This is one of the more interesting memoirs I’ve read recently, since the topic focuses around her having cancer and the religious responses she received as well as the research and conversations she had. I really enjoyed this. The fact that she was able to not only write this but also not lose her faith, I loved it. I was definitely drawn in by the title and had no idea it was in religious territory (focusing on the prosperity gospel) and her having cancer. Really really enjoyed this and encourage others to read as well!

(I automatically give 5⭐️ for memoirs as this is an extension of someone’s life and do not feel it is fair to give a rating.)

Content Warnings

openbookheartmind's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

Content Warnings

sara_phoenix's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

I’ve been in a reading slump and nothing is taking hold. So why not choose this light & easy read about Kate Bowler, a professor at the Duke Divinity school, author, mother, and wife who was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer! In her 30’s! Should be fun! (Insert sarcasm here).

This book is haunting and beautiful and laugh-out-loud funny and so sad it will make you ugly-cry in the Panera where a nice old man asks you if you’re ok (this really happened). Her words don’t just apply to those suffering from devastating medical diagnoses; she talks honestly about suffering and how to navigate dark moments without losing yourself. She is tenderly and brutally honest; holding space for humor, anger, questions and doubts, hopes and dreams. Readers, I felt that I was on a journey with her through each of her thoughts and and this realization was such a gift. If you have ever been in a dark season; if you’ve ever experienced loss or grief or a terrible diagnosis or hard things, read this book.

Also: as someone who has to give people Bad News daily in my profession, this book is PURE GOLD. If you are in the medical field, this should be required reading.

Because of Kate, I have new language to use, new ways to show compassion, and have a glimpse – ever so small – that there is no magical cure or treatment or formula, but there is just this: “Life is beautiful. Life is hard.”

Content Warnings

More...