From the Stacks: Capital READ author motivates readers

With 'The End Of Your Life Book Club'

"The End of Your Life Book Club" by Will Schwalbe may sound like a depressing read, but I personally consider it a very uplifting read. As the author points out, "We're all in the end-of-our-life book club, whether we acknowledge it or not; each book we read may well be the last, each conversation the final one."

Mary Anne Schwalbe is busier than your average person. She works for the Women's Refugee Commission and travels across the globe raising money and awareness to improve the lives of refugees. When she struggles to overcome a persistent and inexplicable fatigue she first blames on her hectic lifestyle, Mary Anne does what we are all instructed to do: see a doctor. Unfortunately, she is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a generally incurable diagnosis.

Mary Anne has excellent health care, a supportive family and a positive outlook. She is more fortunate than most and never loses sight of this; her gratitude is refreshing on its own merit. With these advantages, Mary Anne starts a chemotherapy regimen. Her son, Will, the author of this memoir, accompanies his mother to many of her treatments, and it is during this time their unofficial book club begins.

They are both readers, who have often recommended books to each other, given books to one another as gifts and strongly believe reading has made a difference in their lives. Now, discussing books during Mary Anne's treatments gives them something to look forward to and reminds them of the importance of books throughout their lives. In all, they discuss more than 100 books, revisiting favorites as well as reading new titles.

This is a special book. Mary Anne Schwalbe is inspiring on so many levels. She is always looking for an opportunity to continue learning but, most importantly, to do more for other people, whether they are a family member, former student or stranger.

This book made me think about my own life and what I would like to do differently, whether that comes in the form of volunteerism, financial support of organizations that matter to me or making time to read widely. You can find something in the book that applies to all of our lives, both the joys and the struggles.

"The End of your Life Your Life Book Club" is the 2017 Capital READ book. Will Schwalbe will be at Missouri River Regional Library at 7 p.m. on Thursday. I would like to personally invite you to join us that evening for his presentation.

Claudia Schoonover is the director of Missouri River Regional Library and discussion leader of the Fiction at Noon Book Club.