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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I never would have picked this book to read on my own. The writing was ok, and yet, I found myself being drawn into this story. I got a few book suggestions that I wouldn't have otherwise, but really, the story of how two people navigated the end of life was very interesting. And beautiful. And even though I knew the ending (which I thought fit perfectly into what his mom would want), I was still quite sad when I arrived there.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This is a really moving memoir of a son spending time with his mother after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and their shared love of books and reading.
You know with pancreatic cancer that there is never going to be a ‘happy’ ending but this book didn’t leave me sad per se. Hers was a life well lived and loved.
What I did find ‘sad’ was knowing what has happened in the world since this book was written and some of that ‘hope for the future’ that his mother had for Afghanistan in particular hasn’t happened.
📖📕📖
You know with pancreatic cancer that there is never going to be a ‘happy’ ending but this book didn’t leave me sad per se. Hers was a life well lived and loved.
What I did find ‘sad’ was knowing what has happened in the world since this book was written and some of that ‘hope for the future’ that his mother had for Afghanistan in particular hasn’t happened.
📖📕📖
I have been intrigued by this book since it was first published, but was afraid it would be too depressing. I'm enjoying it much more than I had expected.
Not as treacherous as I expected. But a celebration of a life so well lived! Her son did such a good job without being maudlin (sp?). Loved it.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Quite a journey
This book is about coming to terms with our humanity, about helping, about the importance of books in our everyday life. I approached it several times, each time taking something for myself, but not having the strength to read it cover to cover, as if I afraid of what was around the corner of the next page. This time I succeeded completing it. And will probably return, certainly to the books that were chosen by the End of Your Life Book Club.
This book is about coming to terms with our humanity, about helping, about the importance of books in our everyday life. I approached it several times, each time taking something for myself, but not having the strength to read it cover to cover, as if I afraid of what was around the corner of the next page. This time I succeeded completing it. And will probably return, certainly to the books that were chosen by the End of Your Life Book Club.
This was unfortunately, not what I thought I was signing up for, though it was not without it's merits. I was expecting a story of a mother and son saying good-bye to each other, but with a heavy focus on reads they shared and discussions regarding these books. In reality, there are only tiny snippets about books - rarely was it enough to garner any real interest on my part. So, if like me, you came here looking for a book about books, keep looking.
Things I enjoyed: There are many great quotes from this book, something that adds to any read for me. I did not resent the family, as some reviewers do, for their financial success. It irks me to no end that our country is becoming a culture that punishes success and rewards mediocrity. I respect successful people and do not resent them for the financial rewards for which they have worked.
As a whole, this can be seen as a case study on how one dying person preferred to be treated and spoken to. While you cannot apply this as a generalization to everyone, it gives you ideas for what might be helpful in these awkward, difficult situations.
For many reasons, I enjoyed the main character, "Mom"/Mary Anne. The mother, whom the autobiography (yes, auto, more on that later) is based on was an incredible woman that accomplished many things, touched many lives, and proves how much of a difference one person can make. She was also an utter control freak. That's ok - that is how she got so much done, and this "flaw", if you see it that way, made her more believable. If she had been painted as a perfect angel this book would have been too nauseating to stomach. I applauded how she supported her children when they came forth regarding their homosexuality. Other parents with her strong religious foundation may not have been so receptive, and I respected her more for this. Being a control freak and quite opinionated, there are snippets of her thoughts scattered throughout, some of which I found thought provoking and agreeable. For example, when buying art, she preferred to purchase from a young artist (career wise, not age) as more than likely, the financial sale would mean more to them than it would for a more established artist.
Things I disliked: Again, mom was a control freak. And yes, I listed this under both the like and dislike section, lol. I have no doubt that the majority of this book was written by the woman herself rather than her son - the BULK majority, just as it was really her voice writing the blog and not him. A control freak simply does not give free reign over something that is so integral and directly tied to them, and she knew the book would be written. Her control tendencies made me twitch when they spilled over to some of her thoughts/snippets, such as she feels it is ok for a woman to stay home and raise her kids, or it is ok for her to be career driven, etc. However, she then states she does not feel it is right for someone that procured an advanced degree to THEN later decide to be a stay at home wife or mom without working, as they owe it to society to keep working after receiving so much education. Bullshit. People change. What does not change, is someone's right to live their life however they choose.
Which brings me to what made me want to poke sticks in my eyes. This book is a long, gushing love letter to Obama. As a libertarian that passionately values small government and individual rights/liberties, I can promise you that is NOT what I thought I was picking up to read. I found these segments (many, many segments) to be nauseating and a needless distraction.
Pacing was also a problem. The very first part of the book was ok, and the ending was strong, but the vast majority of the book was tedious and slow. I found myself several times looking forward to it being over -- never a good sign.
All in all, this was a mixed package. In many ways I did not enjoy it and would not recommend it to people of like minded literary tastes. That being said, there were so many quotes that I loved and some redeeming qualities. Favorite quote: “We're all in the end-of-your-life book-club, whether we acknowledge it or not; each book we read may well be the last, each conversation the final one.”
I was wavering between 2 (it was ok) and 3 (I liked it) stars when finishing it, and with just a few short pages to go, the author threw in one last love note to Obama. Yeahhh, definitely just a 2.
Things I enjoyed: There are many great quotes from this book, something that adds to any read for me. I did not resent the family, as some reviewers do, for their financial success. It irks me to no end that our country is becoming a culture that punishes success and rewards mediocrity. I respect successful people and do not resent them for the financial rewards for which they have worked.
As a whole, this can be seen as a case study on how one dying person preferred to be treated and spoken to. While you cannot apply this as a generalization to everyone, it gives you ideas for what might be helpful in these awkward, difficult situations.
For many reasons, I enjoyed the main character, "Mom"/Mary Anne. The mother, whom the autobiography (yes, auto, more on that later) is based on was an incredible woman that accomplished many things, touched many lives, and proves how much of a difference one person can make. She was also an utter control freak. That's ok - that is how she got so much done, and this "flaw", if you see it that way, made her more believable. If she had been painted as a perfect angel this book would have been too nauseating to stomach. I applauded how she supported her children when they came forth regarding their homosexuality. Other parents with her strong religious foundation may not have been so receptive, and I respected her more for this. Being a control freak and quite opinionated, there are snippets of her thoughts scattered throughout, some of which I found thought provoking and agreeable. For example, when buying art, she preferred to purchase from a young artist (career wise, not age) as more than likely, the financial sale would mean more to them than it would for a more established artist.
Things I disliked: Again, mom was a control freak. And yes, I listed this under both the like and dislike section, lol. I have no doubt that the majority of this book was written by the woman herself rather than her son - the BULK majority, just as it was really her voice writing the blog and not him. A control freak simply does not give free reign over something that is so integral and directly tied to them, and she knew the book would be written. Her control tendencies made me twitch when they spilled over to some of her thoughts/snippets, such as she feels it is ok for a woman to stay home and raise her kids, or it is ok for her to be career driven, etc. However, she then states she does not feel it is right for someone that procured an advanced degree to THEN later decide to be a stay at home wife or mom without working, as they owe it to society to keep working after receiving so much education. Bullshit. People change. What does not change, is someone's right to live their life however they choose.
Which brings me to what made me want to poke sticks in my eyes. This book is a long, gushing love letter to Obama. As a libertarian that passionately values small government and individual rights/liberties, I can promise you that is NOT what I thought I was picking up to read. I found these segments (many, many segments) to be nauseating and a needless distraction.
Pacing was also a problem. The very first part of the book was ok, and the ending was strong, but the vast majority of the book was tedious and slow. I found myself several times looking forward to it being over -- never a good sign.
All in all, this was a mixed package. In many ways I did not enjoy it and would not recommend it to people of like minded literary tastes. That being said, there were so many quotes that I loved and some redeeming qualities. Favorite quote: “We're all in the end-of-your-life book-club, whether we acknowledge it or not; each book we read may well be the last, each conversation the final one.”
I was wavering between 2 (it was ok) and 3 (I liked it) stars when finishing it, and with just a few short pages to go, the author threw in one last love note to Obama. Yeahhh, definitely just a 2.
The author talks about the time he spent with his mother, while she was dying of pancreatic cancer. The two are involved in an informal book club, where they are able to connect with each other through the books they are reading.
I really wanted to like this book. I am a reader, the characters are readers. It just seemed like a match made in heaven. I listened to this book and there were many times that I thought I was listening to the same disc over again. The book and its messages were very repetitive. The people the book was about seemed like genuinely awesome people, but the book was not good.
I really wanted to like this book. I am a reader, the characters are readers. It just seemed like a match made in heaven. I listened to this book and there were many times that I thought I was listening to the same disc over again. The book and its messages were very repetitive. The people the book was about seemed like genuinely awesome people, but the book was not good.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe was a bit of a tough read for me. As a 2x cancer survivor, I remember vividly the chemo treatments, long waits for the doctor, and the anxiousness of test results. All of it with a book in hand. I am fortunate and am now completely cancer free. It was hard to think of reading along with a child, spouse, etc. marking the last years/months/days. I admire this courageous woman, to do all she did going through treatments. I remember the good days and the bad. Being frustrated at being exhausted and wanting to get so much done. Some how she did it and she always had a great outlook. Attitude is everything and can affect the body in so many ways. I would say that is what kept her alive far longer than expected. This book is well worth the read, but left me sad throughout, knowing the inevitable.