Book Review: The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

      I only gave this one a 3-star rating. I reserve the use of 4 or 5-star rating for those books which I simply can't put down. Conversely, this book was very easy to put down, and pick up days later...and I never felt compelled to burn the midnight oil while reading this book. That being said, I truly did enjoy this book. And to paraphrase something the author said on pg 31:

I think what I liked most was that this is a book obsessed with books by an author who is clearly in love with books. 

     Mr. Schwalbe does an excellent job of sharing his mom with us, and describing what an incredibly kind, thoughtful, and loving woman she was. By the end of the book, I wished I had known her. True, she lived a life of privilege most of us only dream about, and personally I can't relate to it, but she used her status responsibly to make a positive impact on countless lives around the globe. No one can argue the fact that she has left a legacy of literacy and hope for future generations.
     The other aspect of this book is, well, the books. I was pleased to find that I have read many of the books mentioned. I loved reading what Mr. Schwalbe and his mom thought of those books, even if I didn't fully agree. Equally, I enjoyed learning about new books, and have added a few (17 actually) to my reading list.

I would certainly recommend this book to other book-lovers.


My favorite quotes from the book:

When one sees something especially wonderful, it's always nice to have someone to share it with.

That's one of the things books do.  They help us talk.   But they also give us something to talk about when we don't want to talk about ourselves.  (pg 58)

Really, whenever you read something wonderful, it changes your life, even if you aren't aware of it. (pg 120)

Many people who have my kind of insomnia have various behavioral strategies for dealing with with it.  One technique involves keeping a notepad by the bed.  We write down our worries-to get them out of our...brains and onto paper so we can sleep knowing that they will be there when we wake, and also knowing that we'll likely find those same worries inconsequential or even ridiculous when the morning does come.  (pg 159)

People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain; do not be misled by promises.  (pg 179--from "The Ten Commandments for Voters," an African brochure).

What's odd about commencement is that so many people think of it as the end of something...-but that is not what the word means at all.  It means the beginning, the start of something new.  (pg 180)

...we all know it's wrong to interrupt each other.  And yet we constantly interrupt ourselves.  We do it when we check our email incessantly-or won't simply let a phone go to voice-mail when we're doing something we enjoy-or when we don't think a thought through, but allow our minds to fix on temporary concerns or desires.  (pg 199)

The greatest gift you can give anyone is your undivided attention. (pg 192)

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."  (Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn)

...mindfulness-it isn't a trick or gimmick.  It's being present in the moment.  When I'm with you, I'm with you.  Right now.  That's all.  No more and no less. (pg 192)

That's one of the amazing things great books...do-they don't just get you to see the world differently, they get you to look at people...differently.  (pg 203)

We are all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it  our not; each book we read may well be the last, each conversation the final one (pg 281).

You should tell your family everyday that you love them.  And make sure they know that you're proud of them too. (pg 282)

My final thoughts:
The trouble with reading a book about books is that I know I'll never have enough time to read all of the books on my ever-growing list of books that I want to read.  And I loved that this book not only added books to my reading list, but also gave fresh perspectives on several that I had already read.

Baskets and Bins

     We are well into 2013, and I was waiting patiently to publicly announce my New Year's resolution this year.  Mostly because I didn't want to set myself up to fail.  How many times have I vowed to do this or that, and by January 5th, that resolution has long been forgotten.  But I am pleased to announce, as we march forward to April, I am still living daily by my 2013 promise for change.
     This year I declared war on the clutter in my life.  This is beginning with the physical clutter that has accumulated in my house in the nearly 9 years we have lived here.  Certainly the problem became much more pronounced when I began my career as a mom.  Something desperately needed to be done!  Yikes!  
     Below I will share a few of the ideas that have helped me get a handle on the clutter that once surrounded and overwhelmed me.  I haven't read any of the self-help books that promise a simpler, less cluttered life.  These ideas are totally my own, and while they certainly won't bring "peace on Earth,"  they give me a little peace of mind in my world.

Problem:  Coats and backpacks strewn all over the foyer and on the banister.
Challenge:  Solving this problem was really 2-fold.  First, the mess and chaos needed to go.  Second, the bags and coats needed to be easily accesible for little hands to reach on hectic mornings as we're struggling to get out the door on time.
Solution:  A series of hooks in the laundry-room at "kid level" got the bags and coats in easy reach and out of the foyer (a bonus I hadn't anticipated when I tackled this mess).  I added a cork-board above the hooks to post important reminders.   My kids love being able to get their own things, and they've been great about putting everything away as soon as they come in the door.  






Problem:  Legos all over the floor in D's room.  Toys and books all over the floor in A's room.

Solution:  A cubicle strorage unit and baskets and bins for toy storage.  

Storage in D's room

Storage in A's room

Problem:  Piles of papers and reminders all over the dining room table, and frankly, I was tired of trying to eat around them!
Solution:  Add a pretty table cover and centerpiece to the table.  Post reminders on the cork board in the laundry-room.

Problem: Bottles of lotion and potions taking over the bathroom counter space.
Solution: a pretty basket to keep all of those bottles that I "need" everyday.  Added (and unforeseen) bonus: On cleaning day I only have 1 item to move off the counter, instead of lots of little bottle of lotions and potions!

.

 Problem:  Yarn, yarn, and yarn!   YIKES.  (It's really really hard to find the color you're looking for when it's just piled up in dark cardboard boxes.)
Solution:  One of those sweater organizers that hangs from the bar in a closet, and one large 31 tote.   This solution would work nicely for whatever your hobby or craft might be.