Books matching: emotional impact of illness
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Save:A poignant, funny, and deeply affecting portrait of friendship that will have you laughing, reminiscing, and reaching for tissues - especially if you’ve ever had a Tully in your own life.
Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan is a novel that beautifully captures the essence of deep friendship, following the lives of two friends, Tully and Noodles, as they navigate through youthful adventures in the 80s and the challenges of adulthood later in life. The author's writing style intricately weaves together themes of love, friendship, and the passage of time, evoking a sense of nostalgia and emotional depth that resonates with readers.
The book is divided into two halves, one set in 1986 and the other in 2017, showcasing the evolution of the characters and their relationships over the years. Through vivid storytelling and poignant reflections, O'Hagan explores the complexities of friendship, the enduring bonds that shape our lives, and the profound impact of shared experiences on our journey to adulthood.
Tully Dawson made himself new to the world, and ripe for the glories of that summer, by showing he was unlike his father. It wasn’t a matter to fight over: some families are made up of strangers and n...September 2020•303 pages - #2
Save:A Monster Calls is a powerful, beautifully illustrated story of grief and healing. It's a must-read for anyone who wants a truly moving tale about facing the hardest truths, but keep those tissues close - it’s a tearjerker!
'A Monster Calls' by Patrick Ness is a heart-wrenching story about a 13-year-old boy named Conor who is struggling to cope with his mother's terminal cancer. Throughout the book, Conor is visited by a monster who guides him through dealing with his mother's illness and helps him confront his deepest fears and emotions. The story explores themes of grief, loss, and acceptance in a poignant and honest manner. The writing style is described as beautifully written, quick-paced, and emotionally impactful, with illustrations that complement the narrative perfectly.
He’d had a nightmare. Well, not a nightmare. The nightmare. The one he’d been having a lot lately. The one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming. The one with the hands slipping from his gr...2011•234 pages - #3
Save:A touching, sometimes bittersweet ode to friendship - Beaches delights fans of character-driven drama and emotional storytelling, even if it doesn’t always outshine its famous movie adaptation.
Beaches by Iris Rainer Dart tells the story of two lifelong friends, Cee Cee and Bertie, as they navigate love, loss, and their enduring bond. The plot shifts between their childhood dreams and adult realities, capturing both joyful and painful moments. The narrative explores themes of friendship and the impacts of illness on their lives, revolving around Cee Cee's care for Bertie during her battle with ovarian cancer. While the book differs significantly from its film adaptation, it still evokes strong emotions and connections to its characters, immersing the reader in their experiences.
The writing style of Beaches is described as vivid, with rich descriptions of California and the characters' connections. The storytelling alternates perspectives and timelines, which some readers found challenging. While the characters are likable, there are criticisms that they lack depth and that the plot may feel aimless at times. Despite these critiques, many readers found the book touching and perfect for revisiting, especially for those who cherish the themes of friendship and nostalgia.
The dancers were holding Cee Cee above their heads. “And now,” she said, “as I lie in the arms of four promiscuous homosexuals from West Hollywood, my tits pointed towards the heavens like an offering...1985•292 pages - #4
Save:A poignant, heart-tugging second-chance romance that will leave you crying, smiling, and thinking about Mitch and Skylar long after the last page. Get ready for all the feels - and a few surprises along the way.
'My Skylar' by Penelope Ward is a heart-wrenching love story that follows the lives of Mitch and Skylar from a young age through 15 years of ups and downs. The book is filled with drama, illness, love, and angst, creating a unique coming of age story with a different twist. The plot evolves around the intense love between Mitch and Skylar, showcasing their struggles, obstacles, and eventual triumph in a second chance romance that is both emotional and captivating.
I was staying with my grandmother for the summer because my parents were fighting all of the time, and my mother didn’t want me around to witness it anymore. The excuse she gave me was that my grandmo...June 2014•328 pages Touching, honest, and unique for a political memoir - Promise Me, Dad is for readers seeking heartfelt stories of love and loss, but may not hit the mark if you want a purely political or strictly objective book.
Joe Biden's book 'Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose' is a raw and extremely personal memoir that delves into the last year of his oldest son Beau's life and his valiant fight with a deadly brain tumor. The book intricately weaves together Biden's heartbreaking account of his son's illness with his efforts as Vice President to tackle major foreign policy challenges, such as those in Iraq, Ukraine, and Central America. Readers are offered a glimpse into Biden's loving relationship with his family as he navigates personal tragedy alongside complex political issues.
The writing style of 'Promise Me, Dad' is described as honest, personal, and deeply moving. Biden opens up about his most sacred thoughts, worries, and issues, revealing a side of himself that is both vulnerable and resilient. The book captures the essence of strong family values, care for others, and strategic policy considerations, providing a narrative that exudes a sense of normality and stability amidst personal and political turmoil.
The days were getting shorter, so the light in the sky had started to fall away when the gate to our temporary home swung open and our motorcade edged beyond the fencing that surrounded the United Sta...November 2017•298 pages- #6
Save:A gripping, honest, and sometimes unsettling portrait of a family's journey through mental illness - more about surviving the day-to-day than finding easy answers. Best for those who want a parent’s-eye view, but less so if you're after clinical detail or resolutions.
'Hurry Down Sunshine' by Michael Greenberg is a poignant and honest memoir depicting the author's journey through his 15-year-old daughter's sudden onset of bipolar disorder. The book delves into the family dynamics, relationships, and struggles faced by the author as he navigates his daughter's mental breakdown and subsequent recovery. Through raw and heartfelt storytelling, Greenberg paints a vivid picture of the challenges, emotions, and complexities involved in dealing with mental illness within a family setting, offering a glimpse into the impact of such conditions on the individual and their loved ones.
On July 5, 1996, my daughter was struck mad. She was fifteen and her crack-up marked a turning point in both our lives. “I feel like I’m traveling and traveling with nowhere to go back to,” she said i...2008•252 pages - #7
Save:A touching and clever coming-of-age story with a scientific twist, ideal for fans of friendship tales and readers wanting to explore real-life challenges with a mix of heart and humor.
'The Science of Breakable Things' by Tae Keller follows twelve-year-old Natalie as she navigates her mother's depression through a plan to win an egg drop contest. Alongside her friends Twig and Dari, Natalie delves into the scientific method to understand breakable things and how to protect them, all while dealing with new and existing friendships and challenging family dynamics. Through Natalie's perspective, readers witness her growth and changes as she copes with her mother's mental illness and embarks on a journey of hope and resilience.
*1 Scalpels, for the record. *2 Yeong-jin: Dad’s Korean name, which Twig found on his diploma in his office. He goes by John, but Twig refuses to call him anything else, and I think Twig scares Dad, s...March 2018•304 pages - #8
Save:A powerful and deeply authentic YA about sisters, identity, and facing uncertain futures, packed with emotion and cultural richness. Not the lightest read, but one that lingers long after the last page.
"You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone" by Rachel Lynn Solomon follows the story of fraternal twins, Adina and Tovah, as they come to terms with their mother's declining health due to Huntington's Disease. The tension between the twins is palpable, showcasing the misunderstandings and complexities of their relationship, especially after they both get tested for the disease with different results. The narrative delves into family dynamics, illness, and the exploration of female sexuality, all while portraying a dual point of view that immerses readers in the distinct voices of Adina and Tovah.
Adina I USED TO THINK HIS touches meant nothing. We brushed arms in the hallway of his apartment, and I let myself believe the space was simply too narrow. Our hands tangled and I figured it was becau...January 2018•395 pages - #9
Save:A poignant, beautifully written memoir that is as heartbreaking as it is life-affirming. It's a powerful tribute to a young life and a must-read for those ready for an emotional, unforgettable true story.
'Alex: The Life of a Child' by Frank Deford is a heartbreaking and beautifully written memoir that portrays the short but impactful life of a young girl named Alex who battled cystic fibrosis. Through the eyes of her father, the author, readers are taken on a journey that delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of having a child with a chronic illness, highlighting the challenges faced by the entire family. The narrative not only focuses on Alex's struggles with her disease but also showcases her vibrant personality, her love for beauty and jewelry, her ability to mimic, and her deep discussions about life, death, God, and Heaven.
Even now, so long after she died, even now it’s still difficult to go through all the little objects of her life that she left behind. There is not that much that a child leaves, and Alex lived such a...January 1983•196 pages - #10
Save:A moving tribute to a remarkable woman and the power of reading to connect us, The End of Your Life Book Club is touching, life-affirming, and full of bookish inspiration - especially for those who like their memoirs with extra heart and a long reading list to follow.
The End of Your Life Book Club is a moving memoir about a son and his mother forming a two-person book club as she battles pancreatic cancer. Together, they delve into various literary works, exploring themes of life, death, family, and compassion. The book captures the deep bond between the mother and son as they find solace and connection through their shared love of books, while navigating the challenges of terminal illness and end-of-life discussions.
We were nuts about the mocha in the waiting room at Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s outpatient care center. The coffee isn’t so good, and the hot chocolate is worse. But if, as Mom and I discovered, you pu...October 2012•363 pages
