Books matching: facing mortality
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- #1
Save:A thoughtful, beautifully written Western that’s as much about inner battles as shootouts - gritty, poignant, and highly recommended for anyone interested in the shadowy twilight of the Old West.
'The Shootist' is a modern classic Western novel that tells the story of John Bernard Books, a legendary gunslinger facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. Set in the Old West, the book explores the decline of craftsmanship in the profession of gunfighting and the character development of Books as he navigates his impending death. The writing style captures the essence of the time and the protagonist, offering a gripping and poignant tale that delves into themes of mortality and legacy.
It was noon of a bodeful day. The sun was an eye bloodshot by dust. His horse was fistulowed. Some friction between saddle and hide, of thorn or stone or knot of thread, had created an abscess on the...1975•249 pages - #2
Save:A brief but powerful read - thoughtful, moving, and unexpectedly hopeful. Perfect for anyone seeking consolation, inspiration, or a reminder to savor the present moment.
'Gratitude' by Oliver Sacks is a collection of four short essays written by the author during the last two years of his life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. The essays reflect on life, mortality, and the importance of gratitude, all written in a calm, beautifully introspective style. Sacks shares his reflections on a life well-lived, his imminent mortality, and the peace and grace he finds in facing death.
The book offers a poignant and uplifting look at how Oliver Sacks navigates his terminal diagnosis with gratitude and optimism, focusing on the beauty and love he has experienced throughout his life. Through introspective essays, Sacks inspires readers to appreciate the small moments, reflect on the meaning of life, and find peace in the face of mortality.
Elements and birthdays have been intertwined for me since boyhood, when I learned about atomic numbers. At eleven, I could say “I am sodium” (element 11), and now at seventy-nine, I am gold. A few yea...November 2015•64 pages - #3
Save:A wild, weird, and wonderful graphic novel - equal parts unsettling and brilliant. Read it if you're ready for something strikingly original and hauntingly memorable.
The Motherless Oven by Rob Davis is a deeply weird and original graphic novel that follows the story of Scarper Lee, a boy with only three weeks left to live, who is unexpectedly joined by the mischievous Vera Pike and the intelligent Castro Smith on a journey to find answers and save Scarper. The book presents a dark, disturbing, whimsical, and weird world full of kitchen gods, shiny brass dads, and knife rain storms. The plot is equal parts fun and tragic, set in a bleak and terrifying world that mirrors and mocks modern society through well-constructed metaphors.
The writing style of The Motherless Oven is profoundly unsettling yet captivating, with a strong sense of love, purpose, and humanity woven throughout the narrative. The story slowly unfolds, leading readers through a broken and mysterious place where patterns and rules emerge, even if extreme and senseless. The book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving readers eager for more answers in the sequels.
October 2014•160 pages A thoughtful, compassionate, and necessary book about aging, dying, and the choices that shape the end of our stories. Read it before you think you need to - your future self and loved ones will thank you.
'Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End' by Atul Gawande is a deeply touching examination of how Americans deal with end-of-life issues. The author draws on his own medical practice and personal experiences to highlight the importance of prioritizing quality of life and dignity in the final stages. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and medical research, Gawande explores the societal approach to mortality, advocating for a shift towards hospice care, terminal care, and individual autonomy in end-of-life decision-making. The book presents a thought-provoking narrative on the need for open conversations about mortality and the importance of respecting the wishes of the elderly and terminally ill individuals.
Growing up, I never witnessed serious illness or the difficulties of old age. My parents, both doctors, were fit and healthy. They were immigrants from India, raising me and my sister in the small col...October 2014•303 pages- #5
Save:A short, moving, and uplifting read that offers timeless life lessons - sometimes familiar, but always with heart. Worth picking up if you need some perspective or a gentle emotional reset.
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom is a heartwarming memoir that follows the touching relationship between a student and his professor, Morrie Schwartz, as Morrie faces his battle with ALS. The book delves into deep conversations held between the two characters every Tuesday, exploring life lessons, love, and the importance of relationships. Albom's writing style is described as emotional, insightful, and thought-provoking, capturing the essence of Morrie's wisdom and philosophy towards life and death.
He had always been a dancer, my old professor. The music didn’t matter. Rock and roll, big band, the blues. He loved them all. He would close his eyes and with a blissful smile begin to move to his ow...1994•213 pages - #6
Save:A moving, beautifully written memoir that explores life, death, purpose, and the human spirit - guaranteed to make you reflect on what really matters. Highly recommended, especially for fans of introspective nonfiction.
In "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi, readers are taken on a poignant journey through the author's experiences as a neurosurgeon facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. The book beautifully captures Kalanithi's reflections on life, death, and the pursuit of meaning amidst his battle with illness. Through eloquent writing and a blend of medical insights, personal anecdotes, and literary references, Kalanithi shares his profound thoughts on mortality, resilience, and the importance of living purposefully even in the face of imminent death.
PAUL DIED ON MONDAY, March 9, 2015, surrounded by his family, in a hospital bed roughly two hundred yards from the labor and delivery ward where our daughter, Cady, had entered the world eight months...January 2016•244 pages - #7
Save:A bittersweet, heartrending Regency romance about rediscovering love and breaking free from duty. Not everyone will love the hero, but the emotional journey is satisfying for fans of imperfect, realistic relationships.
"The Duchess's Next Husband" by Terri Brisbin is a historical romance novel set in the Regency era, focusing on the Duke and Duchess of Windmere, Adrian and Miranda. The storyline revolves around their strained marriage due to societal expectations and the Duke's realization of his love for his wife after years of neglect. Adrian, facing his mortality, starts seeking a new husband for Miranda, but as they spend time together, their relationship begins to change, leading to a sweet rediscovery of love and mutual respect.
Adrian Warfield, Duke of Windmere, suffered the poking and prodding in silence. His name and position had brought three of England’s leading physicians to his home, and his inbred manners prevented hi...April 2005•304 pages - #8
Save:A beautifully written, heart-tugging YA novel that’s both clever and devastating - a must-read for anyone who likes their love stories real, funny, and a little bit messy.
"The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green follows the story of Hazel, a teenager battling terminal cancer who meets Augustus at a support group, leading to a deep and poignant romance. The book delves into themes of life, love, friendship, and death, offering a unique perspective on facing mortality with humor and grace. Green's writing style is described as witty, emotionally captivating, and realistic, portraying teenage characters dealing with philosophical issues and existential questions in a relatable manner.
Late in the winter of my seventeenth year, my mother decided I was depressed, presumably because I rarely left the house, spent quite a lot of time in bed, read the same book over and over, ate infreq...2010•336 pages - #9
Save:Raw, moving, and deeply human - The Ghostwriter is a standout piece of contemporary fiction that delivers on emotion, storytelling, and memorable characters. Just keep some tissues handy!
In "The Ghostwriter" by A.R. Torre, bestselling romance author Helena Ross is facing her final days battling cancer. With only three months to live, she decides to write a new book with the help of a ghostwriter, aiming to reveal a truth she has avoided for years. The story unfolds as Helena struggles with guilt, deception, and the pressure of finishing her final novel before her impending death. The narrative is a gripping blend of love, loss, discovery, and redemption, showcasing a powerful tale that delves into the complexities of life and death.
The book follows Helena's journey as she navigates through her past and present, uncovering buried truths and confronting her fears while racing against time to finish her last manuscript. Through a mix of raw emotions, heart-wrenching moments, and unexpected twists, the narrative explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the transformative power of storytelling, leaving readers captivated by the intimate portrayal of Helena's inner struggles and the profound impact of her final story.
I step into my office and flip on the light. Moving forward, I reach out, my hand trailing over the corkboard wall, hovering over the tacked up photos, the pages of abandoned ideas, jotted notes of a...September 2017•356 pages - #10Breathby:
Save:A haunting, beautifully written novel about youth, risk, and the riptides of growing up - not just for surfers, but for anyone who’s ever struggled to find their place. It’s poetic and powerful, but not always an easy read.
'Breath' by Tim Winton is a coming-of-age novel set in a remote Western Australian town, following the adolescence of Bruce Pike, known as Pikelet, and his friend Loonie as they become obsessed with surfing. Under the guidance of a former surfing champion named Sando, the boys engage in risky surfing adventures, navigating the thrill of the waves and the dangers of the ocean. As the story unfolds, it delves into themes of friendship, risk-taking, and the impact of past events on the characters' adult lives, all narrated with beautiful language and a sense of foreboding.
WE COME SWEEPING up the tree-lined boulevard with siren and lights and when the GPS urges us to make the next left we take it so fast that all the gear slams and sways inside the vehicle. I don’t say...May 2008•244 pages
