You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I received this as an ARC from Random House of Canada and really enjoyed it. The author shares the experience of his mother's battle with pancreatic cancer, which given the topic could have led to a maudlin read. However, the book is a poignant exploration of the themes of loss, honesty and faith through the shared reading of a mother and son.
This is a beautiful book about life and death... about love of family... love of reading... and just love.
What a beautiful tribute to a life well-lived. Will Schwalbe shares his mother's fight with pancreatic cancer, the books they read together throughout her treatments, and a glimpse into the life of an extraordinary woman whose impact on lives was spread across the globe. While the discussions and insights into the books they read were wonderful and added more books to my "to read" shelf, his book has more importantly inspired me to live more fully and be grateful for my amazingly blessed life. As an unrepentant "read the last chapter first" person, I forced myself to read this through in order since I could guess the ultimate outcome by the title. I was left sobbing on the couch for my efforts, truly moved by his final chapters. This book is a treat.
I really wanted to like this book. It saddens me that I didn't. I wanted longer stories, deeper stories, more feelings but everything was so short. Every story and chapter ended too quickly.
I was quite taken by this book...lots of life things to mull over, lots of new books to read. :)
I admire the author's ability to open up and write with such grace about what was probably the most difficult time of his life. What an amazing woman Mary Ann(e) Schwalbe was and what a loving tribute from her son.
Already close, the books they read together gave the opening to have those important and sometimes difficult discussions. Added lots of the books mentioned to my 'to read'.
Already close, the books they read together gave the opening to have those important and sometimes difficult discussions. Added lots of the books mentioned to my 'to read'.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A sweet book about a son and his mother dying of cancer.
This is a truly excellent book! I wasn't sure what I was going to think about it, worrying that it would be a depressing book. But, the book concentrates mostly on the books he reads with his mother and the discussions they have, both about their lives and the books they have read. Its a very touching testament to the relationship between a mother and a son and how they are connected through the written word. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves reading. But, be prepared. Your t read list will grow considerably!