Have you ever found yourself connecting what you read to different periods or events in your life? Maybe you enjoy re-visting a book because it reminds you of summer, your parents, a fun trip you took, or some other memory. I think it can have the same effect as music or smells. Books tend to stick with us in other ways, offering comfort when we need it, excitement when we seek it, and education about the world around us.
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
Schwalbe's mother, Mary Anne, is diagnosed with cancer and, while undergoing treatment, he escorts her to each session. They decide to start their own book club with just the two of them, and they agree to discuss their books at each of her treatment sessions. The book shows how we become emotionally connected with the books we read. Throughout the book, Schwalbe shares details of his own life and the life of his mother while discussing more than 100 books in the pages.
Schwalbe has a conversational writing style, but he ensures the reader stays connected. When describing the books he discusses with Mary Anne, he is honest. Like many readers, Schwalbe struggles to finish certain novels, not necessarily pleased that he has done so. The books he writes about cover a variety of genres including literature, religion, biographies, memoirs, plays, children's books, and more. Readers may find themselves appreciating Schwalbe's views of their favorite books.
Books for Living by Charles Schwalbe
If you choose to read The End of Your Life Book Club, I highly recommend following it up with Books for Living. In the similar fashion of connecting emotions and experiences to books, Schwalbe chooses to specifically connect life experiences with titles. He shares wonderful personal experiences, such as a time when he was on a flight with a soldier. This man was interested in what books he should read, so Schwalbe provides him with a list. How many times have you connected with someone over a book?
Reading these books made me feel like I do when I sit with reader-friends and discuss what we've read, books that are important to us and books that stuck with us. It was also a great way to discover new genres, new authors or other books I may have heard of, but keep overlooking.
Happy reading!
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