The End of Your Life Book Club
A Memoir
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Narrated by:
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Jeff Harding
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By:
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Will Schwalbe
About this listen
"What are you reading?"
That's the question Will Schwalbe asks his mother, Mary Anne, as they sit in the waiting room of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 2007, Mary Anne returned from a humanitarian trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan suffering from what her doctors believed was a rare type of hepatitis. Months later she was diagnosed with a form of advanced pancreatic cancer, which is almost always fatal, often in six months or less.
This is the inspiring true story of a son and his mother, who start a "book club" that brings them together as her life comes to a close. Over the next two years, Will and Mary Anne carry on conversations that are both wide-ranging and deeply personal, prompted by an eclectic array of books and a shared passion for reading. Their list jumps from classic to popular, from poetry to mysteries, from fantastic to spiritual. The issues they discuss include questions of faith and courage as well as everyday topics such as expressing gratitude and learning to listen. Throughout, they are constantly reminded of the power of books to comfort us, astonish us, teach us, and tell us what we need to do with our lives and in the world. Reading isn't the opposite of doing; it's the opposite of dying.
Will and Mary Anne share their hopes and concerns with each other - and rediscover their lives - through their favorite books. When they read, they aren't a sick person and a well person, but a mother and a son taking a journey together. The result is a profoundly moving tale of loss that is also a joyful, and often humorous, celebration of life: Will's love letter to his mother, and theirs to the printed page.
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Good overall.
- By Sergey Makeev on 02-21-24
By: Jack Canfield, and others
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Modern Loss
- Candid Conversation About Grief. Beginners Welcome.
- By: Rebecca Soffer, Gabrielle Birkner
- Narrated by: Meredith Mitchell, Josh Bloomberg
- Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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At a time when we mourn public figures and national tragedies with hashtags, where intimate posts about loss go viral and we receive automated birthday reminders for dead friends, it's clear we are navigating new terrain without a road map. Let's face it: Most of us have always had a difficult time talking about death and sharing our grief. We're awkward and uncertain; we avoid, ignore, or even deny feelings of sadness; we offer platitudes; we send sympathy bouquets whittled out of fruit.
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Not What I Was Expecting
- By Bessie Mae on 03-01-23
By: Rebecca Soffer, and others
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Gathering Blossoms Under Fire
- The Journals of Alice Walker
- By: Alice Walker, Valerie Boyd - editor
- Narrated by: Aunjanue Ellis, Alice Walker, Janina Edwards
- Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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From National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Alice Walker and edited by critic and writer Valerie Boyd, comes an unprecedented compilation of Walker’s fifty years of journals drawing an intimate portrait of her development over five decades as an artist, human rights and women’s activist, and intellectual.
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A must-read for any creative artist!!
- By amazonluver on 04-30-22
By: Alice Walker, and others
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Little Matches
- A Memoir of Finding Light in the Dark
- By: Maryanne O'Hara
- Narrated by: Maryanne O'Hara
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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When their only child was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at the age of two, Maryanne O'Hara and her husband were told that Caitlin could live a long life or be dead in a matter of months. Thirty-one years later, Caitlin lost her battle with this devastating disease following an excruciating two-year wait on the transplant list and a last-minute race to locate a pair of healthy lungs. The sudden spiral of events left Maryanne in an existential crisis, searching to find an answer to the eternal question: Why we are here?
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I don't know who needs to read it...
- By H. Hill on 04-18-23
By: Maryanne O'Hara
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The Priority List
- A Teacher's Final Quest to Discover Life's Greatest Lessons
- By: David Menasche
- Narrated by: David Menasche
- Length: 4 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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David Menasche lived for his work as a high school English teacher. His passion inspired his students, and between lessons on Shakespeare and sentence structure, he forged a unique bond with his kids, buoying them through personal struggles while sharing valuable life lessons.
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Truly Inspiring!!
- By Trish on 07-13-14
By: David Menasche
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My Life with Bob
- Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues
- By: Pamela Paul
- Narrated by: Eileen Stevens, Pamela Paul
- Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Pamela Paul has kept a single book by her side for 28 years - carried throughout high school and college, hauled from Paris to London to Thailand, from job to job, safely packed away and then carefully removed from apartment to house to its current perch on a shelf over her desk - reliable if frayed, anonymous-looking yet deeply personal. This book has a name: Bob. Bob is Paul's Book of Books, a journal that records every book she's ever read.
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An uncanny mirror and a celebration of book love
- By Cherilyn Parsons on 07-28-19
By: Pamela Paul
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This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage
- By: Ann Patchett
- Narrated by: Ann Patchett
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Blending literature and memoir, Ann Patchett, author of State of Wonder and Bel Canto examines her deepest commitments: to writing, family, friends, dogs, books, and her husband in This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage. Together, these essays, previously published in The Atlantic, Harper, Vogue, and The Washington Post, form a resonant portrait of a life lived with loyalty and with love.
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Entertaining, engrossing, and elucidative essays
- By Bonny on 01-07-14
By: Ann Patchett
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A Stitch of Time
- The Year a Brain Injury Changed My Language and Life
- By: Lauren Marks
- Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
- Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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Lauren Marks was 27 when an aneurysm ruptured in her brain and left her fighting for her life. She woke up in a hospital soon after with serious deficiencies to her reading, speaking, and writing abilities, and an unfamiliar diagnosis: aphasia. This would be shocking news for anyone, but Lauren was a voracious reader, an actress, director, dramaturg, and pursuing her PhD. At any other period of her life, this diagnosis would have been a devastating blow. But she woke up...different.
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Absolutely wonderful book
- By SJMT on 01-27-19
By: Lauren Marks
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Between Friends
- By: Debbie Macomber
- Narrated by: Amy Tallmadge
- Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Jillian Lawton and Lesley Adamski. Two girls from very different backgrounds become best friends in the turbulent '60s, but their circumstances and choices - and their mistakes - take them in opposite directions. Lesley stays in their hometown. She marries young, living a life defined by the demands of small children, never enough money, and an unfaithful husband. Jill lives those years on a college campus shaken by the Vietnam War, and then as an idealistic young lawyer in New York City. But they always remain friends.
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good story crappy format!
- By Denise on 06-12-18
By: Debbie Macomber
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Reading My Father
- A Memoir
- By: Alexandra Styron
- Narrated by: Alexandra Styron
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Alexandra Styron's parents—the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Sophie’s Choice and his political activist wife, Rose—were, for half a century, leading players on the world’s cultural stage. Alexandra was raised under both the halo of her father’s brilliance and the long shadow of his troubled mind. Reading My Father portrays the epic sweep of an American artist’s life. It is also a tale of filial love, beautifully written with humor, compassion, and grace.
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William Styron Ranks...
- By Douglas on 12-22-13
By: Alexandra Styron
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Happy Wives Club
- One Woman's Worldwide Search for the Secrets of a Great Marriage
- By: Fawn Weaver
- Narrated by: Fawn Weaver
- Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Everywhere she looked, Fawn Weaver saw negative portrayals of marriage dominating the airwaves and dooming everyone to failure. Looking at Keith, the love of her life, she knew that wasn't true. Happy Wives Club is Fawn's journey across the world to meet her friends and discover what makes their marriages great. Join her on this exciting, exotic trip across six continents and through more than 18 cities.
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beautiful
- By Amazon Customer on 07-13-18
By: Fawn Weaver
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Carly's Voice
- Breaking Through Autism
- By: Arthur Fleischmann, Carly Fleischmann
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor, Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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At the age of two, Carly Fleischmann was diagnosed with severe autism and an oral motor condition that prevented her from speaking. Doctors predicted that she would never intellectually develop beyond the abilities of a small child. Although she made some progress after years of intensive behavioral and communication therapy, Carly remained largely unreachable. Then, at age 10, Carly had a breakthrough....
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A peek inside...
- By Yolanda on 08-09-13
By: Arthur Fleischmann, and others
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The Man I Never Met
- A Memoir
- By: Adam Schefter
- Narrated by: Adam Schefter
- Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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On September 11, 2001, Joe Maio went to work in the north tower of the World Trade Center. He never returned, leaving behind a wife, Sharri, and 15-month old son, Devon. Five years later, Sharri remarried, and Devon welcomed a new dad into his life. For thousands, the whole country really, 9/11 is a day of grief. For Adam and Sharri Maio Schefter and their family it’s not just a day of grief, but also hope. This is a story of 9/11, but it’s also the story of 9/12 and all the days after. Life moved on. Pieces were picked up. New dreams were dreamed. The Schefters are the embodiment of that.
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Remembering a fallen father thru a family
- By Bob H on 09-07-18
By: Adam Schefter
What listeners say about The End of Your Life Book Club
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Jean
- 10-13-12
Exquisite
This is a beautifully written book and a difficult subject. This is not a sad book instead it is about a family of voracious readers who have a love of books and the story, message within. Will Schwalbe write about his day with his mother, Mary Ann Schwalbe, when he accompanies her for her chemotherapy treatment. Mary Ann had organized this in such a way she got to spend quality time with each of her children and her daughter-in-law. It becomes clear that she discussed books with each of her children and grandchildren. The book will provide you with a great reading list of books. When they discussed books I had read I was delighted to find I got a different insight into the book. The range of books read went from serious to the lighthearted comedy. The parents love of music came through in the story also. Mary Ann must have been a exceptional woman and very intelligent, I wish I had been given the privilege to know her. The way Schwalbe wrote the book I do feel as if I was part of her life for a time. This is book that will stay with you for a long time. This is a must read book for those who love to read.
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22 people found this helpful
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- Anne
- 10-11-12
Breathtaking
Would you listen to The End of Your Life Book Club again? Why?
Because there was so much that I identified with, the author sentiments were so close to how I felt about my Mothers illness and death, that it literally took my breath away. Also, I wrote down most of the titles from book club (all of which I want to read) I would like to listen once again to the reasons for choosing titles.
What other book might you compare The End of Your Life Book Club to and why?
None really, because this book touched me in such a unique way, I felt it was almost written for me, it felt to me as if my Mum said "if you read these books ,they will answer all your questions"
What does Jeff Harding bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He made the book speak to me, he could have been Will Schwalbe, it was as if he was talking about his own mother
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Most of it did but especially the very last few minutes, he captured that moment when someone dies exactly as it is.
Any additional comments?
No, I would like to thank the author, Maryann was so like my own mother, some of the similarities are uncanny, even down to his Mother's concern for his insomnia. He has given me a readymade booklist, a big thanks.
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14 people found this helpful
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- C. Whigham
- 12-23-12
some good book suggestions...
What did you like best about The End of Your Life Book Club? What did you like least?
i liked the book suggestions but really it was just like listening to a whole lot of book reviews.
What could Will Schwalbe have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
i would have liked to hear more about his mothers life it sounded like she was a very inspirational lady
What else would you have wanted to know about Will Schwalbe’s life?
more about his mothers life
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1 person found this helpful
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- K.T.
- 01-02-13
A Must Read!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Don't let the title dissuade you from reading this book! The author will take you on a wonderful journey through some of the best works of literature available to Audible listeners as Wil Schwalbe and his mother share their love of reading with each other. After finishing this selection, I listened to two more outstanding books that the author and his mother had discussed: Pillars of the Earth and Crossing to Safety.
Which character – as performed by Jeff Harding – was your favorite?
The mother was performed so well by this male! It made me smile thinking how well the author wrote the many "Mom" phrases in this book and how well he and the narrator had me so clearly imagining her in my mind. She held so many positions in her life and was a tireless humanitarian...yet she always had time to read a great book!...and although most of her jobs would have impressed any dinner guest, she remained humble and always said her most important job was being a mother.
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- fred
- 10-30-12
Loved this book
Loved this book. Of course the subject of illness is difficult but I loved how this family dealt with illness, treatments and end of life. Good review of so many books that you may have read or meant to read. One of my year's favorite books.
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13 people found this helpful
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- Regina
- 02-18-13
Wonderful and inspiring!
Would you consider the audio edition of The End of Your Life Book Club to be better than the print version?
I loved listening to Jeff Harding. My sister recommended the book, but I bought the audiobook instead and I don't regret it for one minute.
What did you like best about this story?
It's real and touching at the same time. It makes you laugh, cry and think. Also makes you want to read more.
Which scene was your favorite?
So hard to pick, but I guess when he summarizes his mother's advice for life.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
What would YOU like to remember about your mother?
Any additional comments?
A fantastic book about life and a reading addiction. Wonderfully narrated too.
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- Jenny
- 12-01-12
A Good Way to Go
Would you try another book from Will Schwalbe and/or Jeff Harding?
Probably not, I listened to this one because I was especially interested in the different books that Will and his mother read and discussed.
If you’ve listened to books by Will Schwalbe before, how does this one compare?
This is the only one I have read
How did the narrator detract from the book?
Not at all, I could actually imagine that it was Will Schwalbe talking to me
Was The End of Your Life Book Club worth the listening time?
Yes, but probably only once for me.
Any additional comments?
I think the grace with which Will Schwalbe speaks of his mother and her manner of dying is very special.
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- mberank
- 12-06-12
A classic book I will reread and recommend
Where does The End of Your Life Book Club rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
At the top of my list.
What other book might you compare The End of Your Life Book Club to and why?
Not sure.
What does Jeff Harding bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
The narrator has a fine soothing voice making this audible book a pleasant listening experience.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Yes, when Will at the end read a passage about God aloud and Mary Ann smiled. It occurred to me that was her moment when she was at total peace and ready to let go.
Any additional comments?
Yes, I enjoyed learning about Mary Ann's refugee work throughout the world. I also enjoyed learning about the books Will and Mary Ann shared and discussed.
Today I finished the book and paid tribute to Mary Ann by asking by siblings if they would like me to make a charitable donation in their honor rather than buying them a gift for Christmas.
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- Frederika M. Ver Hulst
- 07-30-15
An Incredible Journey!
For all who have accompanied a loved one on the journey a reminder, for others an inspiration ...
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- Victor
- 09-04-24
Outstanding
And disarmingly beautiful tale of the books discussed by the author and his mother while she battled cancer
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