Giselle's Bucket List by Lauren Fern Watt
2017
Weight: 1 lb
Method of Disposal: Lending library at a shelter
This ended up being my beach read in Sanibel because I had absolutely no time for reading, and this is something you can fall in and out of easily. It reads quickly and is full of pictures of an incredible and sweet mastiff, Gizelle. The author is a young, confused woman who is trying to figure out her place and meaning in the world--I can still relate to that, and I am just under ten years older than her!
I am only slightly kidding. I remember being 25 years old and being desperate for meaning and answers. It was very frightening and it all felt so urgent. I only made it through because of my dogs (and ultimately meeting my wife). It is a scary age to own a pet because a lot of 25 year olds cannot afford the medical bills or know what it takes to truly commit to a dog for life, but I believe it is a time when many people would benefit from having a pet. Lauren clearly did.
I, of course, cried when Lauren had to say goodbye to Gizelle and could absolutely empathize with her. My heart broke. 6 years is definitely not long enough. I am glad Gizelle had Lauren and her family and friends though.
I don't know that this book had a real trajectory. The author tried to use the bucket list as the glue that bound it all together, but the bucket list did not really seem to be the big, powerful thing. It seemed like she tried to fit the list into the book instead of the list driving the book. I think, like in life, she was confused about what to do with herself, her feelings, and her grief and so she wrote a book. I think she did a good job for where she is at in life, though it did not speak to me as much as it might have when I was younger. I can still remember and relate.
I also appreciated her sharing the difficulties she faces loving an addict/her mom. That was heavy and sad and something else the author was trying to make sense of. Her honesty in and of itself was helpful, and you could see the love shine through the sadness and frustration in her acknowledgements at the end of the book. This book is not going to teach most people anything, including the author, but it is a sweet love letter to the dog Lauren adored so deeply and a good peek into what it feels like to be twenty something and not know what you are doing with your life, relationships, and career.
2017
Weight: 1 lb
Method of Disposal: Lending library at a shelter
This ended up being my beach read in Sanibel because I had absolutely no time for reading, and this is something you can fall in and out of easily. It reads quickly and is full of pictures of an incredible and sweet mastiff, Gizelle. The author is a young, confused woman who is trying to figure out her place and meaning in the world--I can still relate to that, and I am just under ten years older than her!
I am only slightly kidding. I remember being 25 years old and being desperate for meaning and answers. It was very frightening and it all felt so urgent. I only made it through because of my dogs (and ultimately meeting my wife). It is a scary age to own a pet because a lot of 25 year olds cannot afford the medical bills or know what it takes to truly commit to a dog for life, but I believe it is a time when many people would benefit from having a pet. Lauren clearly did.
I, of course, cried when Lauren had to say goodbye to Gizelle and could absolutely empathize with her. My heart broke. 6 years is definitely not long enough. I am glad Gizelle had Lauren and her family and friends though.
I don't know that this book had a real trajectory. The author tried to use the bucket list as the glue that bound it all together, but the bucket list did not really seem to be the big, powerful thing. It seemed like she tried to fit the list into the book instead of the list driving the book. I think, like in life, she was confused about what to do with herself, her feelings, and her grief and so she wrote a book. I think she did a good job for where she is at in life, though it did not speak to me as much as it might have when I was younger. I can still remember and relate.
I also appreciated her sharing the difficulties she faces loving an addict/her mom. That was heavy and sad and something else the author was trying to make sense of. Her honesty in and of itself was helpful, and you could see the love shine through the sadness and frustration in her acknowledgements at the end of the book. This book is not going to teach most people anything, including the author, but it is a sweet love letter to the dog Lauren adored so deeply and a good peek into what it feels like to be twenty something and not know what you are doing with your life, relationships, and career.
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