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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
This is a memoir about how a love of books can help cope with death, bring people closer, and how through discussing books people can learn more about someone. Will's mother is diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer and while receiving treatment they fall upon their book club simply by accident. Will and his mother both love reading and often discuss and share books. With so many appointments and with the unknown of how long Mary will be alive they begin spending more of their time reading and sharing books.
I found this book to be many things. It was an exploration of coping with a dying parent, and trying to learn as much as possible about them. While also talking about the past and what they regret or did not regret. It was also about how two people come together in faith, when one is religious and one is not. By Will respecting his mother's faith and his mother while wishing her son had some tie to a faith never pushed him in her beliefs. Mary lived a full life spending much of it helping refugee's and even as she was dying much of her time was spent continuing her projects that she was so passionate about. While this book is about their book club, it is also about Mary's experiences and how they influenced her readings. Because of this, Will learns even more about his mother, her motivations, and who she was at her core.
I would recommend if you enjoy books about end of life experiences, bonding between one generation and the next, or if you enjoy books about books and how books can be influential in so many areas of life.
I found this book to be many things. It was an exploration of coping with a dying parent, and trying to learn as much as possible about them. While also talking about the past and what they regret or did not regret. It was also about how two people come together in faith, when one is religious and one is not. By Will respecting his mother's faith and his mother while wishing her son had some tie to a faith never pushed him in her beliefs. Mary lived a full life spending much of it helping refugee's and even as she was dying much of her time was spent continuing her projects that she was so passionate about. While this book is about their book club, it is also about Mary's experiences and how they influenced her readings. Because of this, Will learns even more about his mother, her motivations, and who she was at her core.
I would recommend if you enjoy books about end of life experiences, bonding between one generation and the next, or if you enjoy books about books and how books can be influential in so many areas of life.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent
I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the discussion 0f the books Schwalbe and his mom read during the two years his mom underwent treatment for stage IV pancreatic cancer. The cancer journey with his mom really hit home, and for this reason, I really hesitated picking this up less than two months after my family lost a second loved one to pancreatic cancer in a span of less than eight years. We had about a year post-diagnosis with the first family member but only 50 days with the second.
Anyone who has been through such a devastating diagnosis and loss knows it is never expected. It was heartening to read how Schwalbe's family dealt with it, how his mom faced it. The toughest thing with stage IV pancreatic cancer is knowing it is terminal and time is short. Schwalbe's mom is an excellent example of how to make the most of your life even in the face of terminal cancer.
Anyone who has been through such a devastating diagnosis and loss knows it is never expected. It was heartening to read how Schwalbe's family dealt with it, how his mom faced it. The toughest thing with stage IV pancreatic cancer is knowing it is terminal and time is short. Schwalbe's mom is an excellent example of how to make the most of your life even in the face of terminal cancer.
A forceful and emotional memoir about the intensification of an already intimate relationship between a mother dying of pancreatic cancer and her son, a book editor and author, as they read and share together their insights from some of their favorite books. The books aren't always great books, and there is a good mix of old and contemporary. It's a book about books and about the people who love books and find solace and wisdom in them. It's a son's beautiful homage to his mother, what she meant to the world and contributed to it, but also what they shared and how she shaped him. Highly recommended it to bibliophiles hoping to connect with an aging/sick family member, especially a parent.
I put off the last hour of listening for ages because I grew to love Mary Anne and I hated to say goodbye. It was a rough ending. It’s also made me reflect about all the books I discuss with my mom every Sunday night and what a special thing this is.
Mostly, I loved all the discussion about books in this story and thinking about why books matter. My book list has grown even bigger since I’ve listened to this story. I look forward to reading them.
Mostly, I loved all the discussion about books in this story and thinking about why books matter. My book list has grown even bigger since I’ve listened to this story. I look forward to reading them.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
literary, memoir, family
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I loved this book. Let me count the ways, the why's and the how's. As a person who believes reading enriches lives, it was enjoyable to learn what these two people thought of books I have read and those I have not yet read. Their comments and conversations were fascinating, illuminating and inspiring.
Watching my mother in law die of cancer, I was familiar with many of the descriptions of Mary Anne's medical care, treatments and the progress of her cancer. They were honest and touching. My mother in law was a woman rich in friends, many of whom she met doing humanitarian work in Haiti, Africa and Bolivia. She too was humble, generous and compassionate.
For several years, I have been involved in an informal book club with my brother and parents. Most of my favorite books have been recommended by them; I rarely read a book that was not vetted by one of them first. It has helped start conversations which could not have been born without a little literary midwifery.
This book was an exception to that rule. It was recommended by a woman in her seventies who took a class I was teaching. We spoke of books most of the day we worked together. She said it was her favorite book that year. I'm glad that I finally read it. I think I will resume the habit of asking people what their favorite book is. Perhaps it will start a conversation. Perhaps I will get a recommendation.
Watching my mother in law die of cancer, I was familiar with many of the descriptions of Mary Anne's medical care, treatments and the progress of her cancer. They were honest and touching. My mother in law was a woman rich in friends, many of whom she met doing humanitarian work in Haiti, Africa and Bolivia. She too was humble, generous and compassionate.
For several years, I have been involved in an informal book club with my brother and parents. Most of my favorite books have been recommended by them; I rarely read a book that was not vetted by one of them first. It has helped start conversations which could not have been born without a little literary midwifery.
This book was an exception to that rule. It was recommended by a woman in her seventies who took a class I was teaching. We spoke of books most of the day we worked together. She said it was her favorite book that year. I'm glad that I finally read it. I think I will resume the habit of asking people what their favorite book is. Perhaps it will start a conversation. Perhaps I will get a recommendation.
Mary Ann inspires me to be a better mom and woman. Live my life fuller and more actively. (But nothing could persuade me to read the end of a book first!)
What an amazing memoir!A mother & son's relationship cemented with books as she battles terminal cancer. We learn about them, the family, her fight against the pancratic cancer that shortens her life and yet we also learn about the books that they read together in their "book club". A wonderful read.