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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
I was going to write down all the books mentioned but then looked and fortunately there is a list in the back. It just so happens I had bought one at the book sale this morning just because the title caught my eye. Took me a bit to get in to this book but I can say now it’s beautiful and I will possibly read it again some day. I want to highlight some of her quotes and check out some of the other books mentioned that they discussed. ❤️
Although I didn't agree with everything in this book, overall it is fabulous! It's one of those books that I have told many people about and encouraged them to read, especially my book clubs. What a testimony to the power of reading and books! I listened to the audio, and was sorry when it was over. I now plan to purchase a print copy because I have so many things to mark: so many great quotes, so many books to read...
I've perused a few other reviews, and agree that the father is somewhat overlooked, but disagree that this is a badly-executed biography or memoir. It was a different type of book that is nonetheless thought-provoking and poignant. It makes me wonder how many families of this type still exist; yes, they are privileged, but they are also very intact. How I wish more of my students could experience such a close family and love of reading and the written word.
Overall, I did not find it depressing (which was the common reaction when I recommended it to people). Having lost my mother three years ago, there were many things I could relate to, and there were several points where I laughed out loud (who knew ritalin could prove an invaluable aid to someone 70+?)
One thing I did wonder about: was there ever a book they didn't like?
I've perused a few other reviews, and agree that the father is somewhat overlooked, but disagree that this is a badly-executed biography or memoir. It was a different type of book that is nonetheless thought-provoking and poignant. It makes me wonder how many families of this type still exist; yes, they are privileged, but they are also very intact. How I wish more of my students could experience such a close family and love of reading and the written word.
Overall, I did not find it depressing (which was the common reaction when I recommended it to people). Having lost my mother three years ago, there were many things I could relate to, and there were several points where I laughed out loud (who knew ritalin could prove an invaluable aid to someone 70+?)
One thing I did wonder about: was there ever a book they didn't like?
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Expressing love by traveling through books.
There were times that the mother seemed unreal. This is her son sharing his pride in what she accomplished.
There were times that the mother seemed unreal. This is her son sharing his pride in what she accomplished.
I absolutely loved this book. It is full of wonderful lessons about life, reading, and death. I know the life of sitting in hospital rooms and doctor's offices often with a book in hand waiting for good news bad news or news that could change my life even if I wasn't actually reading it and thinking about other things. I think this made me appreciate this book so much more.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
We each bring our own experiences & atttitudes to each book we read. Timing of when we read a particular story often plays a role in what we take away from it. It is interesting to read the sometimes differing, sometimes similar reactions to stories the author has vs. his Mom. For this book, I find myself about the same age as the author, having already read a dozen of the books mentioned throughout, & most importantly, w/ a mother whose lung cancer will most assuredly eventually steal her from us. At times I would have to set this book down bcz I could no longer read through my tears. The passage about the last dr. apt was especially hard. It left a lump in my throat & tears streaming down my face. But I really liked this book! It's a very moving tribute to the author's Mom, who he so obviously loves & respects. There are a lot of good book recommendations in it, too!
I had not planned to read this book, as it sounded too sad. It was sad, of course, but also a documentation and reflection on a life well lived. I read Will Schwalbe's other book a couple of years ago (Books for Living) and enjoyed it so decided to give this one a go too. He has a very gentle style of writing. What made me pick up this book now was to find a book mentioned in another book, a prompt for a reading challenge I am attempting this year. My dad passed away four years ago after a battle with Alzheimers. Prior to his illness, we would often share books and discuss what we were reading. I still think of him when I am reading a book I know he would enjoy (or watching a show, hearing a song, etc). I'm sure Will Schwalbe thinks of his mother in the same way now, too.
Books I have already read mentioned in this book: {I pulled this list from the appendix in the book}
Little Women
March
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Year of Magical Thinking
The Pillars of the Earth
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Lord of the Flies
The Kite Runner
A Prayer for Owen Meany (one of my favorite books!)
Harold and the Purple Crayon (lol)
Interpreter of Maladies
The Namesake
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Color of Water
The Tender Bar
Where the Wild Things Are
The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency
Olive Kitteridge
Night
Pretty sure I read Housekeeping at some point?? but it's not on my GR so it must have been before 2008.
Books I may pick up after reading this book (for the prompt or otherwise TBR):
A Fine Balance
The Great Santini
In Other Rooms, Other Wonders
On Chesil Beach
Something from Marilynne Robinson
Three keywords/phrases: love, books, family
{library, audio}
Books I have already read mentioned in this book: {I pulled this list from the appendix in the book}
Little Women
March
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Year of Magical Thinking
The Pillars of the Earth
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Lord of the Flies
The Kite Runner
A Prayer for Owen Meany (one of my favorite books!)
Harold and the Purple Crayon (lol)
Interpreter of Maladies
The Namesake
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Color of Water
The Tender Bar
Where the Wild Things Are
The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency
Olive Kitteridge
Night
Pretty sure I read Housekeeping at some point?? but it's not on my GR so it must have been before 2008.
Books I may pick up after reading this book (for the prompt or otherwise TBR):
A Fine Balance
The Great Santini
In Other Rooms, Other Wonders
On Chesil Beach
Something from Marilynne Robinson
Three keywords/phrases: love, books, family
{library, audio}
Although it dragged in places and got a bit repetitive, the love, thought and care put into this book is almost tangible. Sensitively written by the son of a mother diagnosed with terminal cancer, it uses their shared love and experience of books to raise and discuss the important topics of life and death and everything in between. Any lover of reading will enjoy their book club discussions, and probably find a bunch of books to add to their reading list. I liked the way the book talks about faith, written by the atheist son about his strongly Christian mother, whose beliefs influence everything she does and says in a personal and practical way that makes such a dramatic difference to so many people around her. Different and definitely worth reading.
reflective
slow-paced
The author and his mother have a "book club" while he accompanies her to chemotherapy treatments for pancreatic cancer. An inspiring story about a life lived to the fullest and about how books help us to communicate and understand.