This book is a trade paperback advance reader's copy that I won on the Early Reviewer program on LibraryThing. Thank you!

I am now reading this book for the January 2015 TIOLI challenge on LibraryThing to read a book from a list of best or notable books of 2014. (NPR, BookBub)

After going into sudden and unexpected retirement and then seeing some of my closest friends' parents physically deteriorate and then pass away, I much appreciate the thoughts expressed in this book. It expresses concerns for how systems we have in place now for housing and health care for the elderly are not always in their best interest.

The book begins with concerns about loss of independence in the elderly and ends with loss of life. People live longer now than they did two centuries ago and have easier access to aggressive medical care which may further prolong life. New ways are being developed to provide safe housing for the elderly, but it's just as important to address their psychological needs. Impending death, likewise, should not merely be concerned with prolonging life, but it should also address quality of life.

Atul Gawande talked about his father's illness and death while revealing which actions worked in his family and which didn't. He shared his experiences in order for readers to think personally ahead of time about what we expect for ourselves and those we love as we age. To sincerely listen to the desires of our elderly and to put those desires into action is the most important message of the book.

I'm giving this book to my friend in Cabin John, Maryland, USA, the next time I see her.

ETA: ...which will be on 4/14/15. :)

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Happy reading!

Caught from my friend!

Thanks for returning this book. I'll save it to travel further.

I added a sticky note of recommendation to this book.

Welcome to BookCrossing, where we make the whole world a library!

If you have not already done so, please make a journal entry so I know this book has found a new home. I encourage you to join BookCrossing (free!) so that you can follow this book's future travels. It's fun, and your personal information will never be shared or sold. If you decide to join, consider listing "SqueakyChu" as your referring person.

Take your time reading the book. When you finish, make another journal entry to record your thoughts about it. This book is now yours so you can keep it or share it with someone else. If you pass it along, please make a release note to let us know where you left it.

Happy reading!

Chose this book from the Little Free Library of Twinbrook #7720. Sticky note in book, recommended by Madeline G.

I'd also like to recommend a book "Final Gifts", "understanding the special awareness, needs and communications of the dying" by Maggie Callahan and Patricia Kelley. The authors are hospice nurses. I have found this book to be very helpful. It has broadened my understanding of death and dying. I keep a copy of "Final Gifts" in my permanent library and have referred to it several times. I have also purchased "Final Gifts" several times to give as gifts to friends who have loved ones in hospice. I have even given "Final Gifts" as a thank you to physicians. I think everyone should read this book as well.

Being released at the July BCinDC meet-up being held at the Wheaton Mall's Panera. This book is also part of fellow BC'er "SqueakyChu's" books with "ing" in the title release challenge.

"BeING Mortal"

To the person who finds this book.....
Keep it or release it, read it or not, but please make a journal entry to let me know it's been found. Keep it, pass it on to a friend or release it into the wild.... let the journey continue.....

If you are new to BookCrossing, welcome! You can remain anonymous or join BookCrossing, it's free and loads of fun.

I snapped this book up right away. If it isn't on my wishlist, that is an oversight on my part.

I was seriously considering sharing this book when I finished it, but by the end, I knew I needed to have it on my Permanent Collection shelf. This book reinforces my instinct to use my current studies in working with those in their senior years and their loved ones. The lessons of this book are deep in terms of making meaning out of our lives and not letting the end of life rob us of that meaning.