Book Group Comments on BEING MORTAL: Medicine and What Matters in the End

 

 

 

Kay C. and her group (Cardinal Forest Book Club) from Springfield, VA

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: One member had read BEING MORTAL. Another member had friends in another book club who had read this book.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: We found this book to be very relevant to each of us. Some of us have relatives who are in their 90s. Some of us have peers who have faced serious health issues.We know that the care of the aged and terminally ill is important to all of us for both moral and ethical reasons. We were reminded that knowing what the patient desires is crucial with regard to pain management and treatment. We were also intrigued with Gawande's stories of how some of this is actually carried out. All of us came away from reading this book with lots to ponder!

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: insightful, informative, compassionate

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes, we would recommend this book to a friend. As a matter of fact, several of us have already passed this book along to someone else. Members had this to say:

- "It reminds us that we have a responsibility to face our own mortality and that of our friends and family members. Many medical professionals are little better prepared to respond than us laymen in dealing with these issues." -- Husband of a member

-"It is informative and it is what I've been seeing evolve in my workplace." -- Member who is a nurse

-"It explains how aging is series of losses, but illustrates how people can still have some autonomy and purpose." -- Member

-"The book may sound depressing, but the author is amazingly able to inform and to inspire us to really think about subjects we would rather not think about until we have no other choice. His experiences and storytelling ability make the book very readable. The book is eye-opening. The author is someone I would love to know." -- Member

-"This is a book I would never have picked up to read. I can see how it has changed my thinking about my mom..." -- Member

-"There are needs and wants that are more important than just being kept alive through medicine. Gawande shows how the medical community needs to adjust to what the aging community needs in a kind and respectful manner as they move toward the end of their lives...and it is a lot more than just medicine.” -- Member

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: BEING MORTAL is informative, thought-provoking and compassionate as it takes the reader on a journey through end-of-life situations involving both the terminally ill and the aged. Told through the eyes of a doctor who both treats these patients and deals with end-of-life situations in his own family, this book informs, educates and helps the reader to take a hard look at a topic that many of us do not like to address.

 

Laurie W. and her group from Fredonia, NY

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: Our book group members were able to reflect on the different practices in our culture regarding aging, medicine and illness. We all agreed that every person that reads this book will read it differently based on age, experience and health issues. This was true in our club. Our members range from 42-82 and each had a different topic that struck them the most. One strength of the book is the balanced narrative --- moving between factual information from a medical professional and the personal accounts of real people, who change and struggle with accepting their mortality.

The book has life and is very empowering. It makes a strong point that the individual can make choices about what they want through their lives and right up to the end. As readers, we came to care about the people in the book and relished seeing the writer’s evolution of growth and understanding. We appreciated the set of experiences and personal development by a doctor who had to confront his own failure to see life as a beautiful journey. 

We glimpsed cultures featured in this book that see aging and death as a rite of passage; giving us a sense of beauty of our mortality in all forms and stages. We also questioned why Western culture has abandoned these practices.

Our book discussion included many of our own experiences, prompted by considerations of ideas and situations in BEING MORTAL. We talked about important things, with humor and seriousness and thoughtfulness.

A good life can include a sense of dealing with our own mortality. This will be a part of our experiences time and time again. To quote Atul Gawande: “Our ultimate goal, after all, is not a good death, but a good life to the very end.”

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: compelling, empowering, compassionate

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: We already have to numerous friends and family. The book is applicable to everyone, everywhere. It has heart and invites us to love our lives and those we care about.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: Have you ever been afraid of death and wonder what the end is like? And, who isn’t? BEING MORTAL is a must read! You will not be able to read it and be untouched.  

 

Susan K. and her book group (Tuscany Book Club) from Myrtle Beach, SC

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: The group unanimously felt it was a must read for all health professionals as a part of training, and for anyone 50 or over who will be dealing with their own mortality and that of relatives.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: compelling, shocking, game changer

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: We recommended it to all friends and our children as we are in the over 55 age group.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: This book is not just about dying, but on how to respect the individual needs of the elderly and ill who may not have the same priorities as the person in charge of their care. It points out the need for innovative solutions to institutions and the conversation which should take place with the ill regarding their hopes versus fears of their final days.

 

Shelley Q. and her group from Boston, MA

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: Yes, his book COMPLICATIONS.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: It presented an enlightened point of view, one that even with the best doctors is not often reflected among members of the health care system. BEING MORTAL was actually shared among a group of librarians who work in the Massachusetts Correctional system libraries. They were distributed to these librarians who meet several times a year to share experiences of working as librarians in a correctional setting. After reading the book, at least one or more of them added the book to their collection.

 

Rating: 5 (Dr. Gawande is an amazing writer and knows how to communicate to the layperson.)

 

Three words to describe the book: inspiring, enlightening, powerful

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes, have recommended it and also, his earlier titles.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: A brilliant surgeon who is also a gifted writer explores the questions that both the medical profession and their patients need to be asking about quality of life and successfully navigating end of life concerns.

 

Robin N. and her group (ABC Bookclub) from Pawtucket, RI

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: The group loved the book. It definitely came at the exact right time for me, personally, because my father is in his last stage of life and I really, really got a lot out of this book. It had been recommended to me just before I learned the box of books were on their way to me.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: insightful life lessons

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes! No matter what you’ve been through in your life, you owe it to yourself to read this book. We read SO many books about pregnancy and child development and as women, we read books about our bodies and especially menopause, but this is the first I’ve read specifically about end of life.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: From the author’s own experience with his aging parents, he offers a look at how our aging bodies respond to life changes. He focuses on end of life including hospice services. For me, this book was eye-opening because I had very little experience with this topic and I’m so glad I took the time to read it. For those who say the topic strikes too close to home, I get that, but you still need to read this --- I believe it will provide comfort.

 

Muriel L. and her ground (St. Andrew Readers) from Marion, IA

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: It was very informative, powerful, and a "must read" for all people. Several commented that the book encourages thought  and discussion. Many commented that our group was fortunate to win copies of the book.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: thought-provoking, relevant, educational

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: All in the group said they would recommend the book and most already had recommended it to someone. We felt the book contains information relevant to all of us. Some in our book group have been placed in situations of needing to help parents choose nursing homes/ assisted living. Some have experienced the sadness of a cancer diagnosis for parents, other family members, or friends. Gawande's book gives hope for finding assisted care when needed at a home where the staff is committed to making lives meaningful in old age and not merely making residents safe. As far as terminal illness, BEING MORTAL helps to reinforce the importance of hospice in assisting families and helping the patient to have a better quality of life at the end. The book stresses the importance of making sure a doctor knows what is important to the patient and what the patient's worries are. The last chapter of a person's life should not be filled with treatments that, in actuality, are doing very little to prolong life or make the patient comfortable. A doctor needs to be able to give guidance and help a patient confront the reality of mortality when the time comes. In summary, Gawande's book contains realistic information regarding aging and different situations such as cancer treatments and end of life decisions. It's a book all can benefit from reading.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: BEING MORTAL is a book that includes factual information, true stories, and examples which provide all of us with much to ponder concerning choices we may have to make for ourselves and others as we age. Some of these choices may involve care centers or end-of-life decisions and how to discuss these decisions with doctors. The author, surgeon Atul Gawande, speaks from his own experiences with family members, friends, and patients as he leads us to consider how we can continue to have a rich, full life with meaning even in our declining years and even when illness strikes.  

  

Wendy F. and her group (Book of the Month Club) from Kalamazoo, MI

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: One of our members had read BEING MORTAL and actually had facilitated a discussion group about BEING MORTAL at her church. It was new to the rest of the group.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: Everyone was quite impressed with the depth of the book. Atul Gawande so beautifully shared his story, admitting the mistakes he had made and his struggles to change them. We all felt it was necessary reading for any age. Unfortunately, we never know when death will touch our lives. This helps the reader think through choices that they may be faced with either for themselves or a loved one.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: relevant, honest, thought-provoking

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: I already have. Everyone should read it. 

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: It’s an end-of-life reality check for both the person coming to the end of life and their loved ones. It’s very helpful for those facing the difficult conversations.

 

Irene L. and her group (Our Lady of Mercy Book Group) from Harborcreek, PA

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No. No one had even heard of this author prior to this book.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: They loved it. They thought the information was excellent and that it was very readable.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: useful, thought-provoking, reassuring

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Several already did recommend it. People were passing along the copies they read. Many wanted their adult children to read it in the hope of starting a conversation about their own elder care. My group has a large number of members in their 60s and 70s.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: This book asks the reader to reconsider the way our society approaches end of life issues and elder care. He argues that by medicalizing the aging process, we have diminished the quality of life for those experiencing increased limitations due to age. Also, he challenges the reader to be more realistic when making end-of-life decisions for ourselves or loved ones. If we can face age and death with honesty, compassion, sympathy and openness, we can enable people to experience the highest possible quality given the progression of their illness or decline.

 

Eileen A. and her group (Willow Bend Polo Book Club) from Plano, TX

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: We thought it was brutally honest and an important read.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: vital, scary, informative

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes. This book is a hard reality check, but a necessary one.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: This is a difficult, but important read that will have you better prepared for your own aging and your parents as well as thinking about tough decisions before you have to make them.

 

Janet G. and her group (Donkeys in the Bluegrass) from Prospect, KY

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: We loved it.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: enlightening, empowering, maddening (sometimes we felt this way as we read about the extent to which life is extended beyond reasonableness often to cover one's behind)

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes. It is such an important topic to discuss with loved ones.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: This is a must-read book about the need for us all to make our end-of-life desires known. It highlights the fact that we treat our pets better at the end of life than humans. We need to embrace and encourage dying with dignity.

 

Jennifer E. and her group (Words with Friends) from Lebanon, OH

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: We found it to be thought-provoking and well-documented. Some of us shared that it brought back memories of stories our parents shared when their grandparents died at home, surrounded by friends and family.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: truthful, insightful, helpful

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes, I and already have. It is useful in dealing with aging relatives, and helps us understand how to approach the end-of-life period with them.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: If you or a family member is facing the difficult choices associated with approaching death, this book will provide a basepoint to consider how you can assist them in the transition from living well to dying well. It will also help you understand that although medical measures are available, they may not be appropriate and/or consistent with the wishes of the patient. Lastly, it will help you begin thinking about what is important in your own life in the here and now.

 

Kelley T. and her group from Somerset, KY

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: BEING MORTAL was extremely well written and easy to comprehend for a non-medical professional. It helps each of us prepare for those decisions which most of us will face both for ourselves and possibly for our loved ones as the end of life approaches. It gives us a framework for discussing our preferences and for all of us to die with dignity.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: thought-provoking, insightful, well-written

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes. I already have. Each of us knows that someday we too will die. It is inevitable and yet, very few of us prepare for the final days, weeks, and possibly months of our lives. We prepare wills and have written directives, but these are difficult decisions even when we acknowledge that such decisions need to be made. I especially loved the alternatives to a traditional nursing home. Assisted living seems like a great choice if our health makes that option possible. I was my mother’s guardian. When it became apparent that my mom could no longer manage on her own, I was faced with the decision to find a place for her to live. My sister, brother and I had encouraged her to move back to the Milwaukee area where we lived and where my parents had raised us, but following their retirement they moved to a smaller town in northern Wisconsin. I knew that it would be easier on us if our mom was placed in a facility in the Milwaukee area, but also it would be much more regimented and difficult for her.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: BEING MORTAL is a must read for anyone who is considering end-of-life issues and options. The book offers some insight into beginning the discussion and comfort in knowing your loved ones’ wishes for the end-of-life care.

 

Lucy B. and her group (WWW Book Group) from Westfield, NJ

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: It was very insightful and thought-provoking. Given we're all in our 60s-70s, it gave us a lot to ponder and discuss.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: eye-opening, insightful, enlightening

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes. We all felt it is a book everyone should read before faced with any tough medical decisions.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: What is living? What is a good quality of life, and end of life? How do you wish to live your last decade? These are the types of questions you'll be asking yourself as you read and after you've finished the book. You won't forget the stories told, most which will be relevant to someone you know. And, it gives you thoughtful insight into whether past decisions were the "right" ones, and what you would have done differently after finishing this book.

 

Marcia L. and her group (Booktalkers) from Bellingham, WA

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: It is extremely well written, timely, and well documented.

 

Rating: 5

 

Three words to describe the book: candid, honest, provocative

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes. It covers a subject that needs to be considered and discussed by everyone. I have already told two other friends that they can borrow my copy.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: This is a book about living, aging, and the tough facts of life that one needs to be aware of. The facts and the stories are compelling, and the book empowers you with the information Dr. Gawande presents.

 

 

Sherrie L. and her group (Briargate YMCA Book Club) from Colorado Springs, CO

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: Yes, one member had read BEING MORTAL. None of the other members had read any of his books.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: There are 11 of us and every member felt reading this book was worthwhile and very informational. Unlike some of the books that we read, every single person finished this one and was very anxious to discuss it with the group. In fact, the day we were to meet, there was a snowstorm and we had to postpone the regular meeting. I was asked if we could meet at a special time in order to discuss this book, which we did. That is a first for this group. With the exception of one person, everyone came to this meeting. One person commented that the book was "how current medical model doesn't adequately address end of life needs." Everyone agreed that this book should be required reading for everyone who is working with the growing older population.

 

Rating: 4.5

 

Three words to describe the book: honest, painful, educational

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes for all members. We are all of the age when this book is especially relevant. For most of the members it "hit a nerve," but it was written in such a way that it was helpful in getting all of us to recognize that certain conversations with our loved ones are needed and necessary. That where possible, taking charge of our lives as we grow older can promote a much better quality of life as we age. Several members commented that it would be a book that they would pass on to their children or other family members to read.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: This book goes a long way in promoting dignity rather than safety to an older population. It is necessary reading for our aging population and their children who will help with those aging decisions. Take note, and be stalwart about those difficult decisions and questions to ask your care providers regarding healthcare. There were great examples in this book that made the book much more interesting than if the author just stated statistics.

 

Mary Lou H. and her group (Ever Evolving) from New Castle, CO

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No, although interestingly enough two members read BEING MORTAL the month before we received the books as part of a local workshop. 

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: Overall, we liked it. However, several people almost didn't make it past the first chapter because it was depressing. We have two members that are 85 years old (still spry), one that's 72, two in their 60's, two in their 50's and one in her 40's. A lot of the information was new to us, particularly how hospice started and what Massachusetts is doing. It also started a discussion of people needing to make sure they have conversations not only about themselves, but what their children might want as well. 

 

Rating: 4.5

 

Three words to describe the book: it's just life

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes, and one person has passed it on to a friend. 

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: It’s a guide to dying and it improves your perspective.

 

Phoebe A. and her group (Horseshoe Trail Book Club) from Eden Prairie, MN

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No, but I gave a copy to my sister. She is a nurse practitioner and her husband is a surgeon. They have both read THE CHECKLIST MANIFESTO.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: The group thinks the author is thoughtful toward and realistic about life decisions facing older citizens and those who assist in decision making about highest quality care, be it short term or, in many cases, long term. He challenges folks to 'know' the issues and think about them before one finds oneself in the scenarios shared.

 

Rating: 4+

 

Three words to describe the book: thought-provoking, surprising, relevant

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes, and I have already recommended and/or shared it.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: It serves as a warning for our future with aging populations. It’s about the lack of education in the medical profession and society in general about aging and the dying process, paired with advancements in healthcare and life expectancy/extension enhancements affect quality of life and attempts to prolong it at all costs. A must read!

 

Cammie S. and her book group from Jacksonville, IL

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: Overall, the group thought that BEING MORTAL was a necessary read for anyone, but especially so for older individuals, physicians and nursing home staff to name a few.

 

Rating: 4.3

 

Three words to describe the book: necessary, important, readable

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Everyone has recommended this book to others, sharing the copies that we received with others outside of the book club.

 

Margery M. and her group from Webster, NY

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: We had a lively discussion about the book. The group was divided about whether there were too many stories told. Some thought it was distracting and out of sequence in time. Others enjoyed this way of illustrating a point. We all felt this topic is pertinent to everyone, but it is not easily discussed.

 

Rating: 4.2 (Yeah, we are like that!)

 

Three words to describe the book: relatable, thought-provoking, depressing

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes! Believe it or not, two of the group have brothers-in-law that are CEOs of nursing homes. The copies of the book will be shared with them. In the months to come, it will be interesting to see how the ideas in this book come up in future discussions. I had a doctor’s appointment this week and we got talking about book clubs, and I recommended she read this book. She put the info in her phone.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: It’s a must read regardless of your age. This should be required reading for every doctor and medical student. It’s a topic that needs to be brought to discussion. Sooner or later it will impact everyone.

 

Nina M. and her group (The Bookworms) from Greenwood, IN

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: We found the book insightful, inspiring and engaging.

 

Rating: 4

 

Three words to describe the book: amazing, truthful, engaging

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: We would recommend the book if the reader was in a good frame of mind and needed insight in dealing with a terminally ill person.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: The book seems to answer questions about end of life decisions. The patients that Gawande featured had good health care and were financially able to make decisions about their health care. This may not have been realistic for everyone.

 

Lisa Barnes P. and her group (THE OWLS - Out With the Ladies) from Akron, OH

Had you or anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to his?: One person and she’s a nurse.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: Several members of our group feared that the book would be depressing and facilitate stress. They found as they progressed, that they really appreciated the information that the author was trying to convey. The nurse stated "As an ICU nurse, I see the struggle daily as both patients and families try to discern the value of life and how to both honor life and honor death. Modern technology provides us with an opportunity to sustain life for much longer than we could in the past, but that doesn't mean that we always should." Most of us in the book club are 50 or older and are faced with aging parents or have already gone through our parents’ death. I feel the book has helped me put this into perspective as well as giving thought to my future health and medical wishes.

 

Rating: 4

 

Three words to describe the book: insightful, informative, thought-provoking

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: The nurse in our group has recommended the book to several people in the health industry. I recommended the book to my sister-in-law who recently lost her father to Alzheimer’s, and also to my mother. Another member has given her copy to a coworker. Others would definitely recommend this book, especially to people facing these issues. I read a review, I believe on Goodreads, that stated all people over 50 should read the book.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: This is a book written by a physician that explores life and death, in the present, past and future. It explores both the biology and psychology of aging. The author talks about this on a professional level, easily read and understood by non-medical folks, and on a personal level. 

 

Lynn W. and her group (Scottsburg Library Book Club) from Scottsburg, IN

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: Our group of six was all over the place when talking about this book. Two of us loved it, two of us didn't like it at all, and two called it "good."

 

Rating: 4

 

Three words to describe the book: real, depressing, good

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: I already have. I'll also be reading it with my other two book clubs and I'll be loaning it to family and friends.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: We all need to know what's in this book to help our loved ones and ourselves. It explains how the medical profession just keeps ordering more treatment instead of offering different, and maybe better, options to the terminally ill. The chapters on nursing homes are a hoot as well as being terribly sad.

 

June K. and her group (Eating Between the Lines) from Shamong, NJ

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: Our group never reads nonfiction, so we were surprisingly pleased with this book. There was a lot to think about and discuss, especially since most of us are in our sixties. Thinking of death as part of our lives; not ignoring it, but preparing for it, was a new idea for us, and having a doctor think of ways to prepare patients for death instead of just pumping them with medicine with no quality of life, was a different and thought-provoking look at things. We discussed the history of what happened to people in the last 100 years, and what certain groups of people are still trying to do, to provide older, sometimes helpless people fight the isolation, loneliness and depression of their situation. One member always writes a basic thought from each book we read, and this is what she wrote: "The author said that older people want to be authors of their own lives. He defines courage in the end as facing the reality of mortality, but to be able to act on the truth that we find as death approaches." We all agreed and hoped we could do that when the time came.

 

Rating: 4

 

Three words to describe the book: powerful, thought-provoking, informative

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: I already have.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: This book is a new way to look at caring for people who are dying. Instead of just providing medicines and treatments that don't improve the quality of a patient's life or return him to his original state of health, Dr. Gawande introduces us to the concept of helping them deal with what medicine cannot do. It's an important book for us to read because it helps us to have the hard conversations with our loved ones and ourselves.

 

Layne A. and her group (Chicago Public Library-West Belmont Book Club) from Chicago, IL

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: It was a good balance between personal reflections, memoir and a call-to-action.

 

Rating: 4

 

Three words to describe the book: honest, moving, thought-provoking

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Yes. The book touches on universal themes that affect each one of us. It is an important read to inspire deeper conversations with loved ones about what matters most to you.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: Have you ever really talked to your partner or family about getting older? In BEING MORTAL, Atul Gawande demonstrates how modern medicine has both helped and hurt how we age and how we die. It doesn't offer blanket solutions, but it gets us thinking about what matters most to us in our sunset years and how we might better advocate for our own well-being and the well-being of those we love.

 

Belinda D. and her group (The Bad Girls Book Club) from Rochester Hills, MI

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No, but two members had seen him interviewed and another one had seen a documentary on BEING MORTAL.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: Everyone loved this book…even those who prefer fiction!

 

Rating: 4

 

Three words to describe the book: relevant, frightening, enlightening

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Everyone in both groups has recommended this book to friends and family. Everyone is going to die, this book addresses how to “author our end-of-life story.”

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: This book makes you realize that we are all mortal and the only way to get what you want is to first of all figure out how you want the end of life to look like for you. This book takes a look at the questions --- ethical, emotional and medical --- that help us reflect on how we want the end of life to look. It gives tools to get the discussion started with your loved ones; as well as help you deal with your doctors and have appropriate questions should health issues arise in regards to you or your loved ones.

 

Angela S. and her group (The Friggin' Book Club) from Williston Park, NY

Had you anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to this?: No, but someone did hear him speak before.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: Most of us liked the book. It started slow and we thought it was going to be dry and statistical, but once we started reading about real people and real problems, the book became very interesting.

 

Rating: 3.5

 

Three words to describe the book: thought-provoking, interesting, insightful

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: We would recommend the book, especially as many of us have aging parents who are facing health issues.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: This book is a great read as the baby boomers are reaching retirement age and may face health issues which may require caregivers. There are many possibilities for assisted living situations, but none are perfect. It's fascinating that the original idea of assisted living, which was almost ideal, has been vanquished by big business. As more and more people are living well into their 90s, this issue is all the more compelling.

 

Charleen P. and her group (Utah State Office of Education (USOE) Book Club) from Salt Lake City, UT

Had you or anyone in your group read books by Atul Gawande prior to his?: One person.

 

What did your group think of BEING MORTAL?: Most of our group didn’t finish the book. I think this is due to two things. One: Over half of the group are in their 20s and I think they didn’t want to read about this topic. Two: I think it was depressing to part of the group because they are facing taking care of their parents as they are approaching old age. 

 

Rating: 3

 

Three words to describe the book: depressing, discouraging, awareness

 

Would you recommend this book to a friend?: Maybe, but I would tell them it isn’t for the faint of heart.

 

How would you describe this book to a friend?: It is important for individuals to be able to make their own decisions and choices until their life ends. We need to remember what Gawande calls “the dying role” and its importance to people as life approaches its end. We want to end our stories on our own terms. This is among life’s most important roles. Medical professionals need to realize this as they are treating their patients.