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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Really enjoyed this book. Great discussion about lots of books, plus a tribute to his mom and a real sense of family. Would love to be able to die as well (with dignity and surrounded by love) as Will's mom did.
This is a beautiful story but obviously melancholy. I'm sure it was a hard book to write but shows his love for his mother and their shared love of books. I added many of their selections to my list. Excellent read.
It's been over a week since I finished listening to this audio book. There were times when I was listening to it, early on, that I didn't give it my full attention. And I was initally off-put by the privilege, the New York intelligentsia lifestyle, the Ivy League, the beach house, the friends in high places: the chip on my shoulder was weighing me down. And the sickness. I didn't think I wanted to read about sickness.
What kept me listening to the end was this: Mary Schwalbe.
I like to think I am better for having learned a bit about her and what she believed and how she lived her life.
Thanks to her son for sharing this story.
HIs writing is perfect here, understated, not cloying or sentimental but fully aware that his mum is awesome, all class, in the best possible way.
For an Australian too reading such clarity and compassion on the topic of refugees is like plunging into a cool refreshing stream.
What I learned from Mary Schwalbe: be dignified, be compassionate, and listen. And send thank you notes.
What kept me listening to the end was this: Mary Schwalbe.
I like to think I am better for having learned a bit about her and what she believed and how she lived her life.
Thanks to her son for sharing this story.
HIs writing is perfect here, understated, not cloying or sentimental but fully aware that his mum is awesome, all class, in the best possible way.
For an Australian too reading such clarity and compassion on the topic of refugees is like plunging into a cool refreshing stream.
What I learned from Mary Schwalbe: be dignified, be compassionate, and listen. And send thank you notes.
Schwalbe's book is poignantly funny and an honest depiction of death in the 21st century.
I liked this book...I'd give it 3.5 stars. I didn't love it. I did love the relationship that Will had with his mom. I did love their discussions about the books they read together. I did love they way she dealt with her impending death. What I was less crazy about was the self important attitude that Will expresses through out the book. Yes, I get it, your family is very well educated. I understand that your siblings are out curing diseases and making films. I know you are a book publisher with many important contacts. I hear you when you tell me your dad is a well known agent for amazing artists. And finally, I am VERY clear about the fact that your mom has done more for women and children refugees than anyone other that Mother Theresa. I got all of that in the first 1/3 of the book. Impressive. However, I didn't need it continually reiterated though out, like maybe I didn't hear you the first time. This absolutely put me off of this book and really made it impossible for me to love it.
Having said that, I did make a list of some of the books they read so that I can check them out :)
Having said that, I did make a list of some of the books they read so that I can check them out :)
I need to sleep on this one before I review it....
Even though the title gave away how this was going to end, I still found myself wanting one more week, one more birtday, one more summer, one more book for Mary and Will. Such a beautiful relationship between mother and son. I loved that although their primary reason for spending so much time together was because of Mary's illness, they focused on their love of books and reading not on the illness that was going to seperate them. Reading this book made me hate my ereader just a little bit and miss my "dead tree books" I will be visiting my library to find some of the treasures that were discussed throughout this book. My favorite quote from this book..."We all have a lot more to read than we can read and a lot more to do than we can do."
Even though the title gave away how this was going to end, I still found myself wanting one more week, one more birtday, one more summer, one more book for Mary and Will. Such a beautiful relationship between mother and son. I loved that although their primary reason for spending so much time together was because of Mary's illness, they focused on their love of books and reading not on the illness that was going to seperate them. Reading this book made me hate my ereader just a little bit and miss my "dead tree books" I will be visiting my library to find some of the treasures that were discussed throughout this book. My favorite quote from this book..."We all have a lot more to read than we can read and a lot more to do than we can do."
Beautifully written story of a man and his mother and the books they read and discussed as she was dying from pancreatic cancer. The author has a very accessible style. But, what makes the book flow are the details of their lives. They are obviously people of means, but they (especially the mother), dedicated not only money, but time and energy to humanitarian efforts.
What's one of the first things you learn about books when you are starting to read? Don't judge a book by it's cover. Or in this case by it's title.
Despite those rules, I almost didn't read this book. And because the title made me squeamish, I was so close to missing out on one of the most amazing reads of this year and I am not exaggerating when I say; if not a lifetime.
Despite the root cause for the book, Schwalbe's mother Mary Anne's battle with pancreatic cancer, "The End of Your Life Book Club" is an uplifting, thought provoking, endearingly lovely story. Schwalbe does such a wonderful job weaving in the books he and his mother read as she battled pancreatic cancer. As I read along I heard Mary Anne's voice, and honestly? I fell in love with her.
Mary Anne handled her illness with such grace, a truly remarkable woman. What a phenomenal woman. She has left an incredible legacy. She lived life to the fullest, living to serve others less fortunate, not only here in the U.S. but all over the world. She was educating right down to the final days of her life.
Take it from me, when it comes to "The End Of Your Life Book Club" most definitely don't judge a book by it's title you won't be sorry.
Despite those rules, I almost didn't read this book. And because the title made me squeamish, I was so close to missing out on one of the most amazing reads of this year and I am not exaggerating when I say; if not a lifetime.
Despite the root cause for the book, Schwalbe's mother Mary Anne's battle with pancreatic cancer, "The End of Your Life Book Club" is an uplifting, thought provoking, endearingly lovely story. Schwalbe does such a wonderful job weaving in the books he and his mother read as she battled pancreatic cancer. As I read along I heard Mary Anne's voice, and honestly? I fell in love with her.
Mary Anne handled her illness with such grace, a truly remarkable woman. What a phenomenal woman. She has left an incredible legacy. She lived life to the fullest, living to serve others less fortunate, not only here in the U.S. but all over the world. She was educating right down to the final days of her life.
Take it from me, when it comes to "The End Of Your Life Book Club" most definitely don't judge a book by it's title you won't be sorry.