The End of Your Life Book Club  releases on October 2nd, however copies of this book have been floating around the Indigo office for months. This book has struck a chord among the Indigo staff like no other book has done before. It's an enlightening, touching memoir from Will Schwalbe about his mother during her final days, they time they spent together and the books they shared together.

When the idea of making this a Spotlight pick came up there was no contest. Everyone who read the book here just simply fell in love, and became attached to the story. The emotional response is unlike anything we've seen in the past.

We'd like to share with you some of the thoughts and emotions of those here, and why they fell in love with The End Of Your Life Book Club.

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This is truly a book for book lovers. Not only will you discover amazing books that you will want to run out and read, it also reminds readers that even in times of difficulties, sorrow, joy or celebrations, books are always there for us. I enjoyed how the books helped to form conversations that allowed mother and son to be open, candid and honest with each other about their own life issues, thoughts and experiences.

The End of Your Life Book Club is a must read.

– Penny

The End of Your Life Book Club is undeniably poignant for two reasons. First, it is a heartfelt illustration of family love, a contemplation of death and dying and a remarkable tale of hope. But also, this book is a tribute to the literature that has helped shape our lives. Will's words carved into me in the most astonishing way because of their elegance, their power and their unabashed honesty. This man is a true lover of the written word and I felt honoured to be navigated through some of the most praised novels in the history of literature with him and his mother, Mary Anne, as guides. I finished the book with tear-stained cheeks and literally hugged it.

The End of Your Life Book Club will burrow into your heart and stay there for years to come.

– Chelsey

Please make this a Spotlight. I loved this book!

Perhaps having someone close going through treatment, I was very moved by the idea of how books keep us all connected. Every chapter was an adventure and introduction to new authors and exciting stories. It was a great tribute to those who love books and can recall ones that have changed their lives.

– Lisa

What a great read.

The story is incredibly personal and touching, but not in a sloppy, sentimental way. The author is striving very hard not to lose himself to grief and to be a strong pillar for his mother, when she needs him most. The books they read in their two-person club become their secret language. Though there are not long discussions about the books (and there are many books, since they are voracious readers). I found in particular with Girl With the Dragon Tattoo a new way to look at some of the books – which a book club can do for you. The overarching story is living life with dignity and staying involved in life until the very end sometimes through books and sometimes through actual experience.

– Jim

This normally would not have been a book I would have chosen to read as having one of the characters dying from cancer is too painful for me after experiencing my father pass away from lung cancer.

However, I am so glad I read this book.Yes, it was hard emotionally for me to read certain parts but this book offers so much. Yes, the book is an inspiring story about a mother and son relationship, however I felt the book was so much more than that.The mother was such a courageous, remarkable and selfless woman that one could not help but fall in love with her. Even though you know the mother is dying you can't help but hope a miracle will pull her through at the end. And I sobbed at the end.

Being a booklover, all the references to their many shared books was wonderful. Some of the books they mentioned I have not read and look forward to reading them now.

I have NEVER written in a book before but found myself highlighting lines that struck a chord with me.

Here are some:

"Books are not just about a particular time or place but about the Human spirit."

"One of the things books do is help us talk but they also give us something to talk about when we don't want to talk about ourselves."

"I love bound books for their sheer physicality. Electronic books live out of sight and out of mind. Printed books have body presence."

"Books are not about passing the time. They are about other lives. Other worlds."

– Louise

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The Indigo Non-Fiction Blog would like to thank those here at Indigo who have taken to the time to share with us their thoughts on The End Of Your Life Club.