The End of Your Life Book Club

This latest Amazon Vine read had me totally engrossed from its very beginning.  Will Schwalbe's mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer - Stage IV cancer that originated in the pancreas and metastasized.  While juggling chemo treatments she continues to lead an active life, rarely slowing down for the side effects of her treatment.  Although the Schwalbe family was always a family of readers, it is the time Will and his mother spend together as she receives treatment that the two talk about books they read in the past as well as titles they agreed to now read together.

This is one of those books that made me want to highlight important points and be sure to make note of some aspects as I read.  One of those is that although this book is about the books that Will and his mother read, it is also a memoir of sorts.  Will's mother, Mary Ann, was an amazing woman.  She worked outside the home before many other mothers did so and was a great fundraiser and humanitarian. Her most recent quest was building a library in Afghanistan. She was well traveled, volunteering in many dangerous locations, not afraid to get her hands dirty. The pride Will feels for his mother is evident, and I was also amazed by this woman's accomplishments. 

Although I haven't read more than a few of the books that Schwalbe and his mother read and discuss, that did not detract from the pleasure of reading this book.  If anything, it has caused me to add a few more titles to my ever-growing list. 

Before you begin reading, it is evident that this will not be a happily ever after ending.  Yet, The End of Your Life  Book Club is not really a sad story.  Will Schwalbe is able to show readers the impact of his mother's life.  He was also able to show the real and lasting impact her reading had on her and her children and grandchildren. This is a beautiful tribute to the remarkable Mary Ann Schwalbe.