The Bright Hour/Nina Riggs/310 pgs.

The subtitle of the book says it all: "a memoir of living and dying." Nina Riggs, in her late thirties, was no stranger to cancer; her mother had been battling it in one form or another for years--with the last form being labeled "terminal." During this stage, Nina learns of her own cancer, which turns out to be an aggressive form of breast cancer. She has two young sons, a terrific support group in her husband, family, and friends, and the determination to journal her experiences when she becomes "terminal." It's a powerful book, and gives the reader a glimpse into the everyday life of families dealing with such a horrific diagnosis. Her courage, and that of her husband, is truly awe inspiring. Highly recommended.

Before I Go/Colleen Oakley/312 pages

At twenty-seven, Daisy Richmond is a breast cancer survivor. She has undergone a lumpectomy, radiation and chemotherapy and came through with flying colors. But the day before her four-year "cancerversary", she receives devastating news: her cancer is back and it's spread to several other places, including her brain. With surgery to remove the tumor in her brain and the possibility of a clinical trial, she may have a little more than six months to live. Without those things, maybe four. Her most urgent concern is not of her own health or mortality, but that of her husband's future without her. First and foremost, he must graduate on time with his DVM and PhD. Second, her wonderfully intelligent but decidedly impractical husband will need a new wife to take care of him. So instead of concentrating on her own health and spending what time she has left with loved ones, Daisy goes on a hunt for Jack's new mate.


Written in a much lighter tone that the subject matter would suggest, this novel tends to skip over the physical aspects of cancer and spends much of the time in Daisy's head. Not overly sentimental, it's a decent first novel.

Monster Calls / Patrick Ness 205 p.

Patrick Ness writes this tale about a young boy and a monster from the final story of idea Siobhan Dowd. A monster takes the form of a giant yew tree and comes walking at 12:07 a.m. to tell three ambiguous tales to Connor and gives the command that Connor is tell the fourth tale and that is one that that “will tell me your truth”. Thirteen Connor’s beloved mom is running out of treatment options for her breast cancer. Connor is being bullied at school. He has alienated his friend. His father lives in the U.S. with a new wife and baby. What he most dearly wants is his mother to survive. Ness captures Connor’s emotional rollercoaster ride as he learns to accept his mother’s death. A memorable story.

2012 Notable Children's Books