“I was learning that when you’re with someone who is dying, you may need to celebrate the past, live the present, and mourn the future all at the same time”

The End of Your Life Book Club is a compelling read. Author Will Schwalbe shares how he and his mother grew closer after her cancer diagnosis by starting “a book club for two”. Schwalbe’s voice is casual and friendly and the book flows well. I loved that the narrative emphasized how books can carry us through the good times and the bad. Besides discussing what novels the two read (a comprehensive list is provided for readers), Schwalbe outlines his mother’s life history and her many accomplishments. Readers will be inspired by Mary Anne Schwalbe’s tireless work and devotion. The End of Your Life Book Club is an inspirational memoir and awesome tribute to one mother from her loving son.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  1 religious exclamation, 4 mild obscenities

Violence/Gore:  The author mentions books that involve verbal threats, assassination, injury, war, and the Holocaust; the author reports of suicide and verbal threats; a girl recounts when her hands were cut off during her country’s civil war.

Sex/Nudity:  The author mentions books and plays that include rape, adultery and sex; a few sexual references occur. 

Mature Subject Matter:

Death of a family member, social conflict, war, terminal illness, homosexuality

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Characters drink; a character describes himself as “drunk”