The Invoice by Jonas Karlsson

What’s up, bibliophiles?

I have another wonderful book to share with you!! I just finished reading The Invoice by Jonas Karlsson. Before we jump into my thoughts, here’s a quick summary courtesy of Penguin Random House:

Hilarious, profound, and achingly true-to-life, Jonas Karlsson’s new novel explores the true nature of happiness through the eyes of hero you won’t soon forget. A passionate film buff, our hero’s life revolves around his part-time job at a video store, the company of a few precious friends, and a daily routine that more often than not concludes with pizza and movie in his treasured small space in Stockholm. When he receives an astronomical invoice from a random national bureaucratic agency, everything will tumble into madness as he calls the hotline night and day to find out why he is the recipient of the largest bill in the entire country.

What is the price of a cherished memory? How much would you pay for a beautiful summer day? How will our carefree idealist, who is content with so little and has no chance of paying it back, find a way out of this mess? All these questions pull you through The Invoice and prove once again that Jonas Karlsson is simply a master of entertaining, intelligent, and life-affirming work.Overall, I thought this was a good book. It was an easy read, but with deep undercurrents of meaning. And I don’t mean deep, as in you had to dig for the meaning behind the book. It was pretty obvious. I just mean deep in that it really hit home. Especially in a capitalistic society, life can be taken over by money and it’s so important to take the time to appreciate the real value in experiences. That’s what this whole novel was about!

 

While the premise was simple, it was valuable in making me think about my own life. Lately, I feel as though student loans run my life and I’m constantly stressed about money. But when I look at my own “invoice”, I can see really positive things: happily married, food on the table for every meal, goofy, lovable pets, understanding friends, and close family. That makes life worth it, no matter the cost. Even more than that, different people have different expectations, values, and dreams. What may make one person happy, won’t make another happy. We just have to accept our own happiness and not compare our lives with those of other people. That’s what I hope all other readers take away from this book as well.

On another note, the writing was straightforward and to the point. The story was easy to follow and the narrator was fairly well-developed. You can feel his anxiety building as he attempts to deal with his invoice. It’s both humorous and saddening to explore his basic tastes and low expectations from life and yet, you find that he’s so happy. Again, it makes you re-evaluate your life and your expectations.

The only issue I had with the book was that it began to feel repetitive. As I mentioned already, the point was easy to grasp and I felt that the novel went on just a tad too long. It almost could have been more powerful as a short story.That aside, Jonas Karlsson, the author, did a fantastic job. Be sure to check out his bio here.

All in all, I greatly enjoyed my reading experience and I highly recommend this book. If you like stories that make you feel introspective, but you still want the feel of fiction, this is definitely the book for you!

Just a quick disclaimer, I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. However, I love Blogging for Books, because there’s no requirement to write a positive review. They stress that they want honest reviews, and that’s what I’ve given you here! If you’re a blogger/reader too, check them out!

Until next time, bibliophiles….

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

Hey, bibliophiles!

I was so excited to read This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab, which I received in my July OwlCrate! I will admit that it’s the first novel I’ve read by Victoria Schwab, and now… I’M ADDICTED. I adore her writing and narration! But all that in time. First, here’s a quick summary of This Savage Song via Amazon:

There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from acclaimed author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books, This Savage Song is a must-have for fans of Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, and Laini Taylor.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives. In This Savage Song, Victoria Schwab creates a gritty, seething metropolis, one worthy of being compared to Gotham and to the four versions of London in her critically acclaimed fantasy for adults, A Darker Shade of Magic. Her heroes will face monsters intent on destroying them from every side—including the monsters within.

Based on the summary, I wasn’t sure how I was going to like the book. I was hesitantly optimistic; it seemed like such a fantastic idea, but I didn’t know how the execution was going to work. I WAS WORRIED FOR NOTHING. It was amazing! The story line flowed nicely. There was appropriate character development structured within an action-packed plot. At no point did I ever feel like the writing was being overly or obviously descriptive during the world-building. It came natural and I was always left with questions, but in a good way, in a way that kept me reading!

Additionally, I loved, loved, loved the theme of good vs. evil with blurred lines. What does being good really mean? How do you define evil? I hear that this is a theme in most of Victoria Schwab’s books so I’m SO EXCITED to read more by her! I appreciate that, especially in YA, there’s starting to be more novels that explore the duality of life. There’s no obvious bad guy or hero. We all have darkness and light within us. Okay, stepping off my soap box now….

It seems that this novel will be part of a series since it is a Monsters of Verity novel. There is so much excitement building inside of me, but my poor little heart can’t stand anymore waiting for another series! I spent years counting down until the next Harry Potter book came out, for the completion of The Lunar Chronicles series, and I will ALWAYS be waiting for GRRM to get on with A Song of Ice and Fire. This series is going to be right up there with all of those. GET HYPE.

Until next time, bibliophiles….

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Hey, bibliophiles!

A few days ago I finished re-reading Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, which not only satisfies my reading needs, but also satisfies one of my Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge 2016 categories: a book you’ve already read at least once. Lolita is one of my all-time favorite books so I’m super excited to share my feelings about it with you guys! But first, a quick summary for anyone who doesn’t already know what the book is about:

Awe and exhiliration–along with heartbreak and mordant wit–abound in Lolita, Nabokov’s most famous and controversial novel, which tells the story of the aging Humbert Humbert’s obsessive, devouring, and doomed passion for the nymphet Dolores Haze. Lolita is also the story of a hypercivilized European colliding with the cheerful barbarism of postwar America. Most of all, it is a meditation on love–love as outrage and hallucination, madness and transformation.

I know, I know. That didn’t tell you much, but that’s really all that the book is about: love, in all its sick, twisted forms. The narrator, Humbert, is a self-proclaimed pedophile who falls madly in love with underage Dolores Haze (aka Lolita) and conspires to live happily ever after with her.

First and foremost, this is one of the most beautiful books ever written. The prose is honest and the story is straightforward, but the narration is a journey. Humbert, who ironically is a writer in the novel, coalesces his thoughts into spectacular description. Through his eyes, you see the Lolita he sees and it’s almost as though you begin to understand his attraction, as horrific as it is. Furthermore, he addresses the reader in a confidential, but cheeky way that sucks you in. For example, he says, “As greater authors than I have put it: “Let readers imagine” etc. On second thought, I may as well give those imaginations a kick in the pants.” It’s humorous and captivating.

Moreover, as the story unfolds, it’s like the car crash that you can’t look away from. You’re speeding along down the highway right beside Humbert and Lolita as they embark on their journey. You want to see what happens, how Lolita fares, how Humbert degenerates mentally. You need to figure out who the mystery character is that begins to become involved in their lives.

I will say that the novel might be a tad confusing on the first read through. As Humbert’s mind begins to unravel, his thoughts grow less lucid, thus corrupting the story. Is the mystery character who Humbert believes him to be? “No, that’s unrealistic,” you say to yourself. It must be who Lolita says it is. Or is it? It just takes a little thinking, which I love!

The 1997 film Lolita is pretty good too! So go out read the novel and then watch the movie! I COMMAND IT! Go forth…

To wrap up, here are some notable quotes (and just know I really held myself back from listing too many because it’s such a poetic novel):

“Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta.”

“Look at this tangle of thorns.”

“But somewhere behind the raging bliss, bewildered shadows conferred….”

“…I still dwelled deep in my elected paradise – a paradise whose skies were the color of hell-flames – but still a paradise.”

Until next time, bibliophiles….

July OwlCrate Unboxing

Aloha bibliophiles!

I finally broke down and subscribed to OwlCrate, because it looked like bookish awesomeness. I went right for it too and subscribed for 6 months. I was SO EXCITED to receive my first box this month! The theme of the July box was Good vs. Evil and I got a Good box! Check out the goodies included below!

Here was my first peek…

 

And here’s all the wonderful things that were included!

• Dobby POP figure – HOW STINKIN’ CUTE! He’s even holding a little sock!
• Millennium Falcon necklace from Vector Engraving
• Alice magnetic bookmark from Jane’s Tiny Things
• A beautiful sticker from Drop and Give Me Nerdy
• YA Covers coloring booklet
• This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab with a letter from the author and a signed bookplate! I’ve been dying to read something from Victoria Schwab, but haven’t had the chance yet. Now it looks like I finally have an excuse! Look for a review soon!!!

All of these wonderful things were so adorable and I couldn’t have been happier with my purchase! It’s like getting a fabulous present box every month!

Just as an FYI, I was not incentivized to review OwlCrate. It was my own personal purchase that I thought I would share with you guys! If you do decide to buy in or try it out, you can always use my referral link and I can earn my way towards free boxes: https://owlcrate.com/refer/Miche-ACTNMYJJ.

Until next time, bibliophiles….

Game of Thrones by GRRM

Hey-o, bibliophiles!

If you know anything about me, you’ll know that I LOVE Game of Thrones everything! I’ve read what’s currently published of A Song of Ice and Fire, the series by GRRM and have watched all the seasons of GoT so far as well! Having just finished Season 6, I was itching to stay entralled in the GoT world. SO….I decided to re-read the series. Well, this time I’ll be listening to it!

A couple of days ago, I finished listening to Game of Thrones, the first novel, the book that started it all! Even knowing the story line already, there were beautiful, small details that I forgot about. I love re-exploring the world and feeling out the differences between the written series and the viewing of the series.

For anyone unfamiliar with the series, here’s a quick summary of the first novel from Amazon:

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. To the south, the king’s powers are failing—his most trusted adviser dead under mysterious circumstances and his enemies emerging from the shadows of the throne. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the frozen land they were born to. Now Lord Eddard Stark is reluctantly summoned to serve as the king’s new Hand, an appointment that threatens to sunder not only his family but the kingdom itself.

Sweeping from a harsh land of cold to a summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, A Game of Thrones tells a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; a child is lost in the twilight between life and death; and a determined woman undertakes a treacherous journey to protect all she holds dear. Amid plots and counter-plots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, allies and enemies, the fate of the Starks hangs perilously in the balance, as each side endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

I’d like to throw out there that I’m not a hard-core fantasy reader. Sure, I enjoy world-building and in-depth character development like that in The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, but it’s not a genre I venture into willy-nilly. I have to know that what I’m getting myself into is worth it and this series is WORTH IT. Love, sex, betrayal, war, magic, dragons. I MEAN COME ON! OH, and lots of wine! It’s suggested you drink wine while reading about others drinking wine. It makes it all the better!

I encourage you all to give it a try and don’t worry, there’s no need to contain your excitement if you find you enjoy it. We’re all friends here!

Until next time, bibliophiles….

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

Bibliophiles! It is time again for the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon! I just finished reading Drums of Autumn, which is the fourth book in the series. I won’t include any spoilers for this novel, but the post may include spoilers if you aren’t up to this point in the series.

First, a quick summary, courtesy of DianaGabaldon.com:

DRUMS OF AUTUMN is the fourth book in the OUTLANDER series, following VOYAGER.  Here Claire and Jamie, with Jamie’s nephew Young Ian, seek to find a place for themselves in the colony of North Carolina, treading a dangerous line between Governor Tryon’s patronage and Claire’s knowledge of the brewing revolution in America, between the help of Jamie’s Aunt Jocasta, last of his MacKenzie kin (“MacKenzies are charming as larks in the field–but sly as foxes with it.”) and the unwanted obligations of her slave-run plantation.  As they find mountain land and begin to build their first cabin, their newfound life is bittersweet, with the thought Brianna–the daughter Claire has left behind, the daughter Jamie will never see–always near.

Brianna is thinking of her parents, too.   And she’s discovered something dangerous in the historical record; a notice of a fatal fire on Fraser’s Ridge.   The time-traveler’s ultimate dilemma raises its head once again:  can the past be changed?   If it can…what’s the price?

Roger MacKenzie has found the same newspaper notice–and after some soul-searching, has decided not to tell Brianna about it, not wanting her to risk her life for what may be impossible.   She doesn’t tell him, either–and his first inkling that she’s found that notice is a shipment of boxes from Brianna, containing her family memorabilia and a note reading, “Everybody needs a history.   This is mine.  Please look after it ’til I come back.”

Roger follows Brianna into the past, where she has gone on a quest to save her parents’ lives, and upon discovering that she has sailed for America, he takes ship himself…with a Captain Bonnet.

How does time-travel work?  Who can pass the stones, and how?  What are the risks?  And what would make those risks worth taking?   Only love.

I have some mixed feelings about this novel. One, it was a much slower-to-start book than its counterparts in the series. It just drug on for a bit. I wasn’t sure where the story was even going to go. But at the same time, I loved the change of scenery! How cool to feel like you’re part of taming the American wilderness! It also kept the story from being too repetitive. No more England vs. Scotland focus. Instead, Jaime and Claire had a chance to rediscover each other and re-build their relationship. They had space and time and an opportunity to define their lives. But of course, there was still plenty of struggle in the book to keep the reading exciting! There were Native Americans, political intrigue, and of course, the natural elements!

Following this series, I figured at some point Brianna would time-travel as well, and it was exciting to finally witness her journey in this novel. I felt pain for her sufferings (which I will not currently expose), but I also admired her strength of will and sense of independence. Also, I appreciated how there were parallels between the Brianna-Roger relationship and the Claire-Jaime relationship, without it being overbearing and tedious.

One of my favorite things about this entire series has been the idea of testing true love. After all the trials and hardships these characters have endured, it’s amazing that they still find solace and comfort in each other. I think it’s uplifting and I enjoy reading their stories for it.

Finally, a couple of my favorite quotes from Drums of Autumn:

“By blood and by choice, we make our ghosts; we haunt ourselves.”

“…a witness that enduring love was possible, a love strong enough to withstand separation and hardship, strong enough to outlast time.”

Until next time, bibliophiles….

After You by Jojo Moyes

Happy Sunday (or whatever day you’re reading this on), bibliophiles!

I finished listening to After You by Jojo Moyes awhile back, but needed to let it simmer in my mind for a bit before writing. For anyone who may not know, After You is the sequel to Me Before You, which I reviewed here. There may be slight spoilers if you haven’t yet read Me Before You.

First, a quick summary, courtesy of Amazon:

“You’re going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. But I hope you feel a bit exhilarated too. Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Just live well. Just live. Love, Will.”
 
How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living?

Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started.

Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future. . . .

For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await.

This novel was surprising, which in and of itself was…surprising. Without giving anything away, the “extraordinary accident” that falls upon Lou had me holding my breath! I was like, “No freakin’ way is this happening!” So not only did the novel immediately establish an emotional death grip on my attention, but it also courted my heart. Ultimately, this was a story about grief and growth, something all readers can relate to.

Many people have mentioned that they’re afraid to read this for fear of ruining the magic of Me Before You, but I think it adds more depth and warmth to the overall story. I empathized with Lou’s suffering, self-doubt, and feelings of regret. While Me Before You felt like a magical and amazing story, this felt like a slap of reality that was somehow equally heart-warming.

I loved it and I would recommend it, but to each their own!!

Until next time, bibliophiles….

Mid-Year Book Freakout

Aloha bibliophiles!

Can you believe we’re half-way through 2016 already? Unbelievable! I’m happy to announce that I’m well on my way to meeting my 2016 reading goal! I’ve read/listened to 34 books so far and my goal is to reach 52! This is actually my first year (since like 3rd grade) where I’ve set a reading goal for myself and have kept track of how many books I’ve read. I do have to freak out about the fact that I’ve only crossed one book off my 2016 reading challenge though! That leaves 11 specific books I have to read and I picked some VERY lengthy ones. I need to GET ON IT!

Anyways, let’s get to what you came here for…Oh wait? You don’t know why you came here? You were hoping there would be some awesome giveaway or freebies? Sorry, not today! However, I will grace you with my sarcastic humor! Let’s take a look at my selections for the Midyear Freakout Book Tag:

The Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2016

Stars Above: A Lunar Chronicles Collection by Marissa Meyer

I cannot push The Lunar Chronicles series more. It’s up there in my favorites, hands down. Even if you don’t usually read YA, fantasy, or sci-fi, this series brings them all together beautifully. The story and the character development is truly poetic. And Stars Above, a short story collection in the series, was emotionally touching; at different turns, inspiring and heart-wrenching.

The Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far

After You by Jojo Moyes

I LOVED this sequel to Me Before You. It was a realistic and honest portrait of grief, something that we don’t often explore fully. I was very moved and happy to read the continuation of Lou’s story.

A New Release You Haven’t Read yet (But You Want To)

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

I have heard phenomenal things about this book and it’s been on so many summer reads list (including my 2016 Modern Mrs. Darcy reading challenge). I’m very excited!

Most Anticipated Release For The Second Half of 2016

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Play by J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany

I can’t contain my excitement for this. If you don’t know how much I love Harry Potter, then you don’t know me at all. I’m itching to re-read the series before getting my hands on this. I’m just sad I won’t be able to see it on stage!

Biggest Disappointment

City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg

I heard great things, but I think it just wan’t my cup of tea. I enjoyed the family-relationship drama, but the New York City punk and drug scene didn’t captivate me.

Biggest Surprise

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

I had no idea what I was walking into with this novel, but I’m so happy I chose to go down that path. This is one of my new favorites. It was such a touching story. I laughed and cried my way through this glorious read.

Newest Favorite Author

Diana Gabaldon

I’ve been (slowly) reading through the Outlander series this year and I love it. Thanks Diana! It’s so obvious the amount of research and detail that goes into her novels.

Newest Favorite Character

Android Mech6.0/Hoshi Star

This is a character from The Little Android short story in Stars Above. Tears, tears, tears. I can’t remember that last time I loved a character so much. My heart was so connected to her!

A Book That Made You Cry

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Does this one even need any explanation? Have your tissues ready. It’s an emotional ride.

A Book That Made You Happy/Made You Laugh

The Humans by Matt Haig

This novel was hilarious, but still managed to be very deep. Oddly enough, for a book about an alien, it really fostered a sense of faith in humanity.

Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought So Far This Year

The Hedge Knight: A Game of Thrones Prequel Graphic Novel by GRRM & Others

Maybe this is cheating, since it’s a graphic novel, but the illustrations were stunning. Here’s a few…

Favorite Adaptation So Far This Year

A Song of Ice and Fire Series by GRRM

At this point, the show has surpassed the published novels, but it is WONDERFUL! I will take my GoT fix wherever I can. I can’t not watch the show, but every day that goes by without news of the next book’s release kills me a little inside.

What Books Do You NEED To Read Before The End of This Year?

As I mentioned earlier, I have yet to cross off many of my selections for the Modern Mrs. Darcy 2016 Reading Challenge. Here’s my list:

• Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
• Bad Feminist: Essays by Roxane Gay
• The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• How to Create a Mind by Ray Kurzweil
• Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Wicked by Gregory Maguire
• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
• Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

What are some of your picks for these categories? What books are you still looking to read this year?

Until next time, bibliophiles….

The Murder House by James Patterson and David Ellis

Hi again, bibliophiles!

Hope everyone has been enjoying a beautiful and warm summer! The Murder House by James Patterson and David Ellis is definitely a summer read so it should fit right in with the season. Definitely a beach read. Here’s a quick synopsis:

It has an ocean-front view, a private beach–and a deadly secret that won’t stay buried.

No. 7 Ocean Drive is a gorgeous, multi-million-dollar beachfront estate in the Hamptons, where money and privilege know no bounds. But its beautiful gothic exterior hides a horrific past: it was the scene of a series of depraved killings that have never been solved. Neglected, empty, and rumored to be cursed, it’s known as the Murder House, and locals keep their distance.

Detective Jenna Murphy used to consider herself a local, but she hasn’t been back since she was a girl. Trying to escape her troubled past and rehabilitate a career on the rocks, the former New York City cop hardly expects her lush and wealthy surroundings to be a hotbed of grisly depravity. But when a Hollywood power broker and his mistress are found dead in the abandoned Murder House, the gruesome crime scene rivals anything Jenna experienced in Manhattan. And what at first seems like an open and shut case turns out to have as many shocking secrets as the Murder House itself, as Jenna quickly realizes that the mansion’s history is much darker than even the town’s most salacious gossips could have imagined. As more bodies surface, and the secret that Jenna has tried desperately to escape closes in on her, she must risk her own life to expose the truth–before the Murder House claims another victim.

A page-turner? Definitely.
A gruesome thriller? Absolutely.
A twist ending? Kinda, but about two-thirds of the way through, I caught on and saw it coming.

This novel was by no means a 5-star, spectacular read. It’s not worth running out and buying, BUT if you know someone that can lend you a copy or if you’d like to grab it from the library, it is worth the reading time. OR if you’re looking for a quick read with minimal mental investment required, this is for you!

That’s about all I have for this on. Until next time, bibliophiles….

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Good afternoon dear bibliophiles!

This past week I’ve flown through Me Before You by Jojo Moyes on audiobook! This has been a much-talked about novel and I’m sure many of you are familiar with it, but for those of you who aren’t, allow me to explain what it’s about. But first, although I typically shy away from spoilers, but I’m going to include a little one below in this post so beware! Nothing ground-breaking and no peeking at the ending of the novel if you’re very worried about that!

The premise of the novel is that Louisa Clark needs a job desperately and accepts one as a caregiver for Will Traynor, a quadriplegic man. She quickly discovers that he intends to die via assisted suicide in Sweden and sets about trying to change his mind. Of course, she begins to have all sorts of romantic feelings for him as they spend day after day together. Okay, not too spoiler-y! That’s all done with.

Obviously, this is an emotional read. I mean I had to choke back tears as I listened to it. In fact, my husband and I were sitting in Panera Bread when I decided, “Hey, I can’t wait any longer. I need to keep listening to this.” BAD MOVE! It was a real close call. I’m sure I looked like I was in pain or like I had just chopped about fifty onions.

More than just the top layer of emotion, feeling empathy for Will, frustration for Louisa, and heartbreak at their circumstances, this book greatly affected me personally. I was a caregiver for several years to a man with ALS. Firsthand, I watched his ailment take over his life, steal his independence, and limit the activities he could do with his family. This man (name withheld for privacy) was one of the funniest, smartest, kindest people I’ve ever known. He had more dignity and humor than I could ever explain. I was graciously absorbed into their family and still visit occasionally. I worked for them until he decided to turn off his ventilator, thus ending his life, but also his suffering. Caring for him was a defining experience for me, much like it was for Lousia Clark in this novel.

 

Overall, this book is well worth any spilled tears, and trust me, there will be many. It was beautifully written, amazingly narrated, and carefully crafted. It evoked laughter, grief, and thoughtfulness. It’s message was clear: LIVE LIFE! And I certainly mean to.

Until next time, bibliophiles….