I had read a few things about this book and all were positive, there was much praise about it. I don't often read non-fiction, but I was drawn to this one, even though the subject matter is the devil itself - cancer. We have all been affected by cancer in one way or another - I've heard the most scary statistic, that one in two of us will be stricken down by it. The worst thing in the cases that I have personally been aware of, and I'm sure millions have been through this, is that you fight it, you beat it, but it's not to be kept down. It stands back up again and overcomes you. A cure for all cancers cannot come quick enough.
This book follows the journey of 37 year old Paul Kalanithi, neurosurgeon, neuroscientist, and cancer sufferer. He was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 36, and he found himself going from doctor to patient. This book is not a diary, it's a journey of a young man who is on the verge of becoming a highly revered and very successful neurosurgeon, when he suddenly has the devastating news that he is facing death much earlier than he wanted to. His chapters on his time as a junior doctor through to his being at the top of his department are absolutely fascinating. What is hard to digest is that he is writing this while battling cancer, while going through chemotherapy, while looking into a future that may not exist further than the next 6 months.
He questions everything - mortality, the meaning of life, being a doctor, being a patient. He and his wife Lucy have many things to discuss before he dies, the main one being - should we have a child, even though they know that Lucy will be bringing it up on her own, and the child may not be old enough to remember her father when he passes away.
You know it's going to be an emotional ride when you start, and boy does it have you in tears at the end, but it's written by a very brave, and very strong, individual.
I'll heartily recommend this to anyone over the age of 13/14. It's funny, it's very life-like, it's awkward, it's horrid, it's shocking, it's sad - it's just about everything you want in a teen book.
Stewart is 13, super gifted and intelligent, but slightly socially awkward. He lives with his mum and dad, until his mum dies of cancer and leaves Stewart and his dad devastated, sad and alone.
Ashley is 14, beautiful, popular at school, but slightly dim and not the nicest person in the world (an understatement). She also lives happily with her mum and dad, until her dad leaves them - for another man. Ashley is so ashamed and embarrassed she barely speaks to him any more - even though he lives in the converted shed at the bottom of their garden.
Stewart's dad and Ashley's mum work together. Romance blossoms and they end up living together - much to Ashley's horror. She has no intention on being nice to either of them, especially 'Spewart', and is completely mortified when he transfers to her school, and into her class.
This is a story of love, hate, prejudice, but above all, compromise and forgiveness.
There is an upsetting scene of an adult nature involving a teen girl and teen boy, which is why I wouldn't recommend this to anyone under 14.
I've only read one of David Levithan's novels, and that was co-written with Rachel Cohn 'Dash and Lily's Book of Dares'. I just loved it. I could see why fans of John Green liked his style of writing, and of course vice-versa. Even though 'Marly's Ghost' has just been released over here, it was actually first published in 2005, early on in Levithan's writing career. It's an interesting one - I don't know whether I liked it or not. It's a reworking of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol', but the reasons for the ghostly visits are not because Ben, the main character, (whose name we find out near the end is actually short for Ebenezer Scrooge) is a miser, but because he is finding it hard to move on in life after the death of his girlfriend, Marly. He withdraws himself from life, family and friends and cannot understand how life is continuing around him. The ghosts try to point out that he can keep the memory of Marly in his heart, but not like a ball and chain. He must let go, and carry on with his life.
I adore 'A Christmas Carol', and that could be the main reason why I wasn't sure about David's version. It's literally a copy, but slightly mixed up in places, so I knew what was coming and could guess the ending, which always spoils the reading of a book. David acknowledges at the end of his book that readers would either love it or hate it, but he hoped they would just go along with his version just for the pure enjoyment of it.
I'm sure true fans of Levithan will love it, but the jury's out for me.
A Room Full of Chocolate
by Jane Elson
I must admit, after reading the very first line in this book, I rolled my eyes and thought 'Oh no, not another one'. The line reads "Mum found a lump under her arm on my tenth birthday". I have read many books this year about family members ill, dying or dead and I thought I was going to have another following the same form. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I read this book in a day and quite enjoyed it. Grace, the aforementioned 10-yr-old, is sent to live with her granddad on a farm while her mum is treated in hospital for cancer. There, she meets the very colourful Megan, and they become best of friends. But Grace misses her mum, so Megan helps her plan a way of seeing her again.
Parts of the story reminded me of The Secret Hen House Theatre by Helen Peters, which is also set on a farm, and which my daughter and I both loved.
A strong exciting debut from a new author.
Dandelion Clocks
by Rebecca Westcott
Olivia and her autistic brother, Isaac, live with their mum and dad. They live a normal life. Olivia has her best friend Alice, and a boy at school she fancies, Ben. She loves photography and likes to capture everyday moments. Suddenly though they are not a normal family, and there are no normal everyday moments. Her mum falls seriously ill, and even though the word is not mentioned in the book, we deduce it is cancer. Olivia struggles to come to terms with the illness, and the fact that soon her mother will no longer be around. It is not made easier with Isaac and his inability to understand emotions in other people and himself. How will Olivia turn denial into acceptance?
This is a very moving book, but it would be good to recommend to young ones in a similar situation, or suffering from a recent bereavement and finding it hard to understand the turmoil of emotions they are going through.
Suitable for around age 10/11.
A Monster Callsby Patrick Ness
Wow, what an incredible book. The story is moving, the illustrations are powerful - I can see why it won so many awards. Warning - you will blub at many points whilst reading this book. It's all the more poignant and heartbreaking when you know that the author who started to write the book (and to whom the book is dedicated) - Siobhan Dowd - died of cancer whilst writing it, so Patrick Ness bravely and wonderfully carried on and finished it.
Conor's mother is dying of cancer, but he refuses to accept that her life is due to end and will not let her go. The 'monster' of his dreams (an old yew tree in the churchyard behind their house) comes to life to help him through the pain, anger and acceptance.
Truly exceptional.
The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
Teenagers are going mad for John Green, and having read this book, I can see why.
Hazel has cancer of the lungs. She must carry an oxygen tank on a cart everywhere she goes, and her parents know each day could be her last. She attends a cancer support group and is friends with Isaac who becomes blind with his cancer. One day Isaac brings along his friend, Augustus, whose cancer lost him a leg, and Hazel is smitten. So begins a beautiful relationship - but heartbreakingly short.
John Green brings his characters to life, he gives them humour to cope with their situation, but at the same time you will find yourself with a lump in your throat as the end closes in.
Also try Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher, and Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler.
I had read a few things about this book and all were positive, there was much praise about it. I don't often read non-fiction, but I was drawn to this one, even though the subject matter is the devil itself - cancer. We have all been affected by cancer in one way or another - I've heard the most scary statistic, that one in two of us will be stricken down by it. The worst thing in the cases that I have personally been aware of, and I'm sure millions have been through this, is that you fight it, you beat it, but it's not to be kept down. It stands back up again and overcomes you. A cure for all cancers cannot come quick enough.
