The End of Your Life Book Club

A Memoir

By: Will Schwalbe

Narrated by: Jeff Harding

"What are you reading?"

That's the question Will Schwalbe asks his mother, Mary Anne, as they sit in the waiting room of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 2007, Mary Anne returned from a humanitarian trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan suffering from what her doctors believed was a rare type of hepatitis. Months later she was diagnosed with a form of advanced pancreatic cancer, which is almost always fatal, often in six months or less.

This is the inspiring true story of a son and his mother, who start a "book club" that brings them together as her life comes to a close. Over the next two years, Will and Mary Anne carry on conversations that are both wide-ranging and deeply personal, prompted by an eclectic array of books and a shared passion for reading. Their list jumps from classic to popular, from poetry to mysteries, from fantastic to spiritual. The issues they discuss include questions of faith and courage as well as everyday topics such as expressing gratitude and learning to listen. Throughout, they are constantly reminded of the power of books to comfort us, astonish us, teach us, and tell us what we need to do with our lives and in the world. Reading isn't the opposite of doing; it's the opposite of dying.

Will and Mary Anne share their hopes and concerns with each other - and rediscover their lives - through their favorite books. When they read, they aren't a sick person and a well person, but a mother and a son taking a journey together. The result is a profoundly moving tale of loss that is also a joyful, and often humorous, celebration of life: Will's love letter to his mother, and theirs to the printed page.

©2012 Will Schwalbe (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"With a refreshing forthrightness, and an excellent list of books included, this is an astonishing, pertinent, and wonderfully welcome work." ( Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"A wonderful book about wonderful books and mothers and sons and the enduring braid between them. Like the printed volumes it celebrates, this story will stay with you long after the last page." (Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Time Keeper)

"Will Schwalbe's lyrical tribute to a life well-lived and a death graced with love and literature is a precious gift bestowed on all of us. What a unique and beautiful book this is, and how privileged we are to have it." (Sherwin B. Nuland, author of The Art of Aging and How We Die)

Exquisite

This is a beautifully written book and a difficult subject. This is not a sad book instead it is about a family of voracious readers who have a love of books and the story, message within. Will Schwalbe write about his day with his mother, Mary Ann Schwalbe, when he accompanies her for her chemotherapy treatment. Mary Ann had organized this in such a way she got to spend quality time with each of her children and her daughter-in-law. It becomes clear that she discussed books with each of her children and grandchildren. The book will provide you with a great reading list of books. When they discussed books I had read I was delighted to find I got a different insight into the book. The range of books read went from serious to the lighthearted comedy. The parents love of music came through in the story also. Mary Ann must have been a exceptional woman and very intelligent, I wish I had been given the privilege to know her. The way Schwalbe wrote the book I do feel as if I was part of her life for a time. This is book that will stay with you for a long time. This is a must read book for those who love to read.

Breathtaking

Would you listen to The End of Your Life Book Club again? Why?

Because there was so much that I identified with, the author sentiments were so close to how I felt about my Mothers illness and death, that it literally took my breath away. Also, I wrote down most of the titles from book club (all of which I want to read) I would like to listen once again to the reasons for choosing titles.

What other book might you compare The End of Your Life Book Club to and why?

None really, because this book touched me in such a unique way, I felt it was almost written for me, it felt to me as if my Mum said "if you read these books ,they will answer all your questions"

What does Jeff Harding bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He made the book speak to me, he could have been Will Schwalbe, it was as if he was talking about his own mother

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Most of it did but especially the very last few minutes, he captured that moment when someone dies exactly as it is.

Any additional comments?

No, I would like to thank the author, Maryann was so like my own mother, some of the similarities are uncanny, even down to his Mother's concern for his insomnia. He has given me a readymade booklist, a big thanks.

some good book suggestions...

What did you like best about The End of Your Life Book Club? What did you like least?

i liked the book suggestions but really it was just like listening to a whole lot of book reviews.

What could Will Schwalbe have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

i would have liked to hear more about his mothers life it sounded like she was a very inspirational lady

What else would you have wanted to know about Will Schwalbe’s life?

more about his mothers life

A Must Read!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Don't let the title dissuade you from reading this book! The author will take you on a wonderful journey through some of the best works of literature available to Audible listeners as Wil Schwalbe and his mother share their love of reading with each other. After finishing this selection, I listened to two more outstanding books that the author and his mother had discussed: Pillars of the Earth and Crossing to Safety.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Harding – was your favorite?

The mother was performed so well by this male! It made me smile thinking how well the author wrote the many "Mom" phrases in this book and how well he and the narrator had me so clearly imagining her in my mind. She held so many positions in her life and was a tireless humanitarian...yet she always had time to read a great book!...and although most of her jobs would have impressed any dinner guest, she remained humble and always said her most important job was being a mother.

Loved this book

Loved this book. Of course the subject of illness is difficult but I loved how this family dealt with illness, treatments and end of life. Good review of so many books that you may have read or meant to read. One of my year's favorite books.

Wonderful and inspiring!

Would you consider the audio edition of The End of Your Life Book Club to be better than the print version?

I loved listening to Jeff Harding. My sister recommended the book, but I bought the audiobook instead and I don't regret it for one minute.

What did you like best about this story?

It's real and touching at the same time. It makes you laugh, cry and think. Also makes you want to read more.

Which scene was your favorite?

So hard to pick, but I guess when he summarizes his mother's advice for life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What would YOU like to remember about your mother?

Any additional comments?

A fantastic book about life and a reading addiction. Wonderfully narrated too.

A Good Way to Go

Would you try another book from Will Schwalbe and/or Jeff Harding?

Probably not, I listened to this one because I was especially interested in the different books that Will and his mother read and discussed.

If you’ve listened to books by Will Schwalbe before, how does this one compare?

This is the only one I have read

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Not at all, I could actually imagine that it was Will Schwalbe talking to me

Was The End of Your Life Book Club worth the listening time?

Yes, but probably only once for me.

Any additional comments?

I think the grace with which Will Schwalbe speaks of his mother and her manner of dying is very special.

A classic book I will reread and recommend

Where does The End of Your Life Book Club rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

At the top of my list.

What other book might you compare The End of Your Life Book Club to and why?

Not sure.

What does Jeff Harding bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator has a fine soothing voice making this audible book a pleasant listening experience.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Will at the end read a passage about God aloud and Mary Ann smiled. It occurred to me that was her moment when she was at total peace and ready to let go.

Any additional comments?

Yes, I enjoyed learning about Mary Ann's refugee work throughout the world. I also enjoyed learning about the books Will and Mary Ann shared and discussed.
Today I finished the book and paid tribute to Mary Ann by asking by siblings if they would like me to make a charitable donation in their honor rather than buying them a gift for Christmas.

An Incredible Journey!

For all who have accompanied a loved one on the journey a reminder, for others an inspiration ...

Outstanding

And disarmingly beautiful tale of the books discussed by the author and his mother while she battled cancer