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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I started out really liking this book; I thought it was really great that Schwalbe and his mother started their own book club as a special way of bonding. I love how the story revolves more around the books they read rather than the fact his mother is dying of pancreatic cancer. I also loved the story of his mother's life, all the amazing humanitarian work she did as well as her work in academia. As the book went on, however, I felt like it started dragging. Of course, he had to tell the whole story, and he couldn't have started in the middle of her illness, but as heartless as it sounds the book started to get really repetitive to me. Still, it was a great read and gave me really great ideas about other books to add to my reading list.
Its five a.m.in the morning and I'm lying in bed sobbing after reading this book. Its a must read for all book lovers and those who have or wish for a relationship like no other with their mother.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
I was expecting more of a discussion on the books they were reading and less about his mother's life and illness
A must read for book lovers! This book will only enhance your appreciation for reading and give you some reccomendations on what to read to boot! Great gift for any book lover you know or a gift for your mother.
Lovely book with some important quotes...
p. 58 "That's one of the things books do. They help us talk. But they also give us something we all can talk about when we don't want to talk about ourselves." (Mary Anne, Will's mother, speaking)
p. 130 I was learning that when you're with someone who is dying, you may need to celebrate the past, live the present, and mourn the future all at the same time. (Will, the author speaking)
p. 326 She never wavered in her conviction that books are the most powerful tool in the human arsenal, that reading all kinds of books, in whatever format you choose is the grandest intertainment and also is how you take part in the human conversation. Mom taught me that you can make a difference in the world and that books really do matter: they're how we know what we need to do in life, and how we tell others.
p. 58 "That's one of the things books do. They help us talk. But they also give us something we all can talk about when we don't want to talk about ourselves." (Mary Anne, Will's mother, speaking)
p. 130 I was learning that when you're with someone who is dying, you may need to celebrate the past, live the present, and mourn the future all at the same time. (Will, the author speaking)
p. 326 She never wavered in her conviction that books are the most powerful tool in the human arsenal, that reading all kinds of books, in whatever format you choose is the grandest intertainment and also is how you take part in the human conversation. Mom taught me that you can make a difference in the world and that books really do matter: they're how we know what we need to do in life, and how we tell others.
I really liked this book. An awesome tribute to his mom. It had quite a lot going on...the cancer treatments, the book club, his mom’s life story, their story in the present day.
This was an extremely readable book about books: despite its grim premise (the author and his mom discuss the age-old "what are you reading" question while waiting for the mom's chemo treatments), I really enjoyed the first half of this book or so. Toward the end, though, I was having a hard time wanting to finish. I think it's because there just wasn't a lot of character growth or development; while Mary Anne had done some truly amazing things in her life (including lots of humanitarian work in Afghanistan), I didn't feel like she or her son grew from the experience the book was about: dealing with her pancreatic cancer and impending death. I do think there are some interesting ideas that would make for some good discussion at a book club (because bookworms love to talk books -- even if I, personally, hadn't even heard of most of the ones cited in the book) but the story itself fell just a little short of what I was hoping for. At least it was a clean read!
A tribute to a woman I would have enjoyed knowing. She sounds like an endearing, accomplished, and bright woman who inspired her son and countless others.
#53 Book Read in 2012
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
This book details a very small book club, Will and his mother Mary Ann, who is dying of pancreatic cancer. The pair decide to use the time spent at the hospital during Mary Ann's chemo treatments to read and discuss books together. Their discussions bring them even closer together. This book also tells about the effect that Mary Ann had on the people who knew her. She was an important part in so many people's lives--personally and professionally. Mary Ann was a humanitarian who served selflessly for years. She instilled a care and charity into her children and grandchildren.
This book was well written. I felt a loss at the end when the inevitable happened to Mary Ann. I was concerned about how her family would get through this. I enjoyed this book--the details about the family and the discussions about the book.
I received this book from BookBrowse in exchange for a fair, honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
This book details a very small book club, Will and his mother Mary Ann, who is dying of pancreatic cancer. The pair decide to use the time spent at the hospital during Mary Ann's chemo treatments to read and discuss books together. Their discussions bring them even closer together. This book also tells about the effect that Mary Ann had on the people who knew her. She was an important part in so many people's lives--personally and professionally. Mary Ann was a humanitarian who served selflessly for years. She instilled a care and charity into her children and grandchildren.
This book was well written. I felt a loss at the end when the inevitable happened to Mary Ann. I was concerned about how her family would get through this. I enjoyed this book--the details about the family and the discussions about the book.
I received this book from BookBrowse in exchange for a fair, honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com