The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

Interesting book. I'm still thinking about it every once in a while and wondering what especially appealed to me.

Will Schwalbe's mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This book is sort of her journey through the process of dying--explored and explained via the avenue of books the two of them read together and discussed during the nearly two years of her treatments.

The book is not sad at all. In fact it has the same "temperament" that Mary Anne Schwalbe exhibited during this time in her life. Practical, calm, introspective, thinking about others.

In the book you learn about Mary Anne, but not many details of her actual lifetime. Yet you come out feeling as if you know her. Of course it is written from her son's perspective and although you can tell he thinks the world of her and her accomplishments, none of the book is over the top. Like I said, practical, calm, etc.

I've read several of the books they discussed. Some of them I agreed with how they felt, but most of them I did not. Yet I still felt some connection because we've read the same books. One thought that crossed my mind frequently was that it seems like all they must have done in their lives during this time was read. Or else they are both champion graduates of the Evelyn Wood speed-reading course.

I liked it. Not over the moon about it, but I liked it. I probably wouldn't have read it if it hadn't been chosen for a book group read. But I'm glad I read it.